Recall or class action suit

[ML-FJR13AE]

Hello,

I'm throwing it out there having had enough.

I spend several hours last night doing some research amoung our members on the head shake/wobble issue many are experiencing.

Here's my question: With so many of us having problems with a head shake between 35-55 miles per hour and some of us to the point of not being able to even take 1 hand of the wheel for a second - and knowing the issue is magnified with choice of tire or stearing head bearings - wouldn't it be appropriate with a recall of the bikes or a class action law suit where as Yamaha won't take action to get the matter resolved?

There has been (for sure) 1 Lemon-law suit on the head shake problem already ending in a settlement, which didn't take care of the problem.

 

[meosborn]

Hello,
I'm throwing it out there having had enough.

I spend several hours last night doing some research amoung our members on the head shake/wobble issue many are experiencing.

Here's my question: With so many of us having problems with a head shake between 35-55 miles per hour and some of us to the point of not being able to even take 1 hand of the wheel for a second - and knowing the issue is magnified with choice of tire or stearing head bearings - wouldn't it be appropriate with a recall of the bikes or a class action law suit where as Yamaha won't take action to get the matter resolved?

There has been (for sure) 1 Lemon-law suit on the head shake problem already ending in a settlement, which didn't take care of the problem.

What? So many of us? I've heard a few having problems when things aren't torqued correctly or when tires are worn but nothing to indicate that it is a design problem.

 

[griffithds]

Hello,
I'm throwing it out there having had enough.

I spend several hours last night doing some research amoung our members on the head shake/wobble issue many are experiencing.

Here's my question: With so many of us having problems with a head shake between 35-55 miles per hour and some of us to the point of not being able to even take 1 hand of the wheel for a second - and knowing the issue is magnified with choice of tire or stearing head bearings - wouldn't it be appropriate with a recall of the bikes or a class action law suit where as Yamaha won't take action to get the matter resolved?

There has been (for sure) 1 Lemon-law suit on the head shake problem already ending in a settlement, which didn't take care of the problem.

You might have a problem convincing a judge that you have a defective motorcycle because you can't ride it no handed? As far as the one handed comment, I have not been able to recall anyone who has had that issue. Perhaps a stearing head bearing adjustment is needed in your case.

 

[Geezer]

I'd prefer that Yamaha spend their resources redesigning the Cam Chan Tensioner.

 

[Crash Cash]

Here's my question: With so many of us having problems with a head shake between 35-55 miles per hour and some of us to the point of not being able to even take 1 hand of the wheel for a second

There's yer problem! You need to take the steering wheel off and put handlebars back on!

 

[bmwhd]

Hello,
I'm throwing it out there having had enough.

I spend several hours last night doing some research amoung our members on the head shake/wobble issue many are experiencing.

Here's my question: With so many of us having problems with a head shake between 35-55 miles per hour and some of us to the point of not being able to even take 1 hand of the wheel for a second - and knowing the issue is magnified with choice of tire or stearing head bearings - wouldn't it be appropriate with a recall of the bikes or a class action law suit where as Yamaha won't take action to get the matter resolved?

There has been (for sure) 1 Lemon-law suit on the head shake problem already ending in a settlement, which didn't take care of the problem.

Sure you're not looking for the ST1300 forum? What head shake?

 

[Dr. Rich]

I can't speak to the problem that you have identified since my bike does not exhibit those characteristics. I have owned my bike since it was new. It has not been down and has been taken care of in terms of riding and service. I am very careful about tire pressure and making sure that my tires have plenty of tread. I ran Bridgestone 21's to start and changed over to Michelin Pilot Road 2s and am very pleased.

As for a recall, I was one of the first that identified the altitude / throttle opening problem with the ECU on the O7's and Yamaha came and got my bike and tested it for a week. Eventually Yamaha replaced the ECU's in all the bikes within a certain production range. They also recalled my bike for an ignition switch replacement.

If you truly believe that your bike has a shake or wobble problem, I would suggest that you contact Yamaha and ask them to recommend a technician in your area to look at it. The people at Yamaha have folks in the field that they trust and listen to for advice. We are lucky here in the Sacramento area to have Roseville Yamaha where they have considerable expertise with the FJR.

Take the positive and collaborative approach with Yamaha and you will achieve much more than taking an adversarial position.

Good Luck with your issues. Rich

 

[08FJR4ME]

You may want to change that to faulty bike (singular)

No problems on this end.

 

[mdisher]

MANY bikes have a slight headshake/wobble on decel. This well documented, and by many I mean many (including other brands).

Making sure your head set is properly torqued helps combat this. Upgrading to a nice set of tapered bearings all but eliminates it (or did in my case).

and ixney on the uitsey...

 

[Ignacio]

wouldn't it be appropriate with a recall of the bikes or a class action law suit where as Yamaha won't take action to get the matter resolved?

No.

People and initiatives that START with the idea that a lawsuit or recall is the way to go...in my experience rarely have the long-term drive to actually solve the problem.

It would be far more productive that if you really think there is a design defect YOU go to the effort to try and characterize the issue. I think you'll find this one particularly difficult given the large amount of variables. (i.e. different tires, different suspension settings, add-ons, weight distribution, etc. that seemingly resolve the issue after one tries enough) Find OBJECTIVE and compelling information of a defect and I think you'll find Yamaha will fix it on their own accord.

Regardless, this has been done SUCCESSFULLY on the forum several other times before including the ticking issue and ignition switch issue.

You REALLY think there is an discreet and fixable design issue and you want to try and resolve it on this forum? I would strongly suggest you follow the principle and path Barabus used here. Note that he also spent considerable lead time coming up with an objective set of questions and secured admin help to keep the thread relatively clean. His approach was stellar and many in the FJR have him to thank because of his approach.

Good luck.....and I do mean that.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

MANY bikes have a slight headshake/wobble on decel. This well documented, and by many I mean many (including other brands).

What? So many of us? I've heard a few having problems when things aren't torqued correctly or when tires are worn but nothing to indicate that it is a design problem.

Often it's as simple as extreme rear-ward weight bias and not enough rear suspension for the weight biased in that direction?

If the rider wants to sit back (especially on a non-standard seat); pull the h/bars back (or add non-standard 'pull-back' bars); or load an add-on trunk (or luggage rack); without appropriate suspension adjustments (or even retro-fits...) -- motorcycles not designed for rear weight loading can exhibit handling "issues".

I guess? -- some 'quantatative data' (rider weight & loading and 'mods', if any?) would be appropriate?

OTOH, bikes designed to haul heavy loads don't often 'rail' corners with light rider input....

just sayin'

 

[C&C]

I believe Dr Rich (post #7) has the correct idea; see if you can get an audience with Yamaha to fix your bike. Litigation is there for a reason (but not before some semblance of an effort is made to investigate and rectify a problem).

Plus before you can even do a recall or class action, you have to find a cause that is universal to a known and ignored problem.

 

[TCMike]

Not an issue for me. You won't find many to support you on this one. It's generaly a simple maintenance issue.

 

[ndivita]

Hello,
I'm throwing it out there having had enough.

I spend several hours last night doing some research amoung our members on the head shake/wobble issue many are experiencing.

Here's my question: With so many of us having problems with a head shake between 35-55 miles per hour and some of us to the point of not being able to even take 1 hand of the wheel for a second - and knowing the issue is magnified with choice of tire or stearing head bearings - wouldn't it be appropriate with a recall of the bikes or a class action law suit where as Yamaha won't take action to get the matter resolved?

There has been (for sure) 1 Lemon-law suit on the head shake problem already ending in a settlement, which didn't take care of the problem.

This has never happened to me, not once, in 32,000 miles of riding my 2005 FJR.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I suppose you want the problem fixed and not to just get a law suit going. So.... My 2 cents are:

This forum doesn't represent all FJR owners. The sampling of problems here is very small.

Have you dealt with your dealer yet on your head shake issue? They will probably test ride the bike and if they feel it will start ticking down the list of possible offenders (maybe even multiple, that would be even harder to diagnose). Could get costly or you could start doing this yourself.

• Tires
• Suspension (many things said here about weight distribution, set up, etc is spot on)
• Steering head bearings
• Wheel bearings
• Rotors
• Etc

I had some mild head shake when decelerating from Freeway speeds to about 40ish. A new set of tires cured that real fast, hasn't been back since. Just sayin'.

Good luck in resolving your issue.

 

[skifrik]

If I didn't have to watch out for cars or stop at stop lights, I could ride no-handed on mine for miles.

 

[FJRay]

The only head shake on mine in 90k has been tire related. Can't think of any others having issues and I have been around the FJR since they came to these shores.

 

[scubabiker]

When there is no traffic, I will occasionally use my throttle lock and go for many miles, including around corners with no hands on the bars. (You can steer using the weight on the pegs and gripping the tank with your knees to move the bike). Never had any shake. Sometimes adjust my gloves while in decel, also with no shake. I've got an '05 with 42,000 miles. I do have tapered bearings, but that was to stop a slight "click" I heard when braking hard. Probably could have fixed it tightening the bearings, but I like to tinker and upgrade. I think all street bikes should come from the factory with tapered bearings, but they don't.

Best to find out what the problem is and work with the dealer/Yamaha before getting a lawyer. May have to try a few mechanics to get the right one. I never had the ticking issue, but thought it admirable that Yamaha stepped up and took care of their customers when they were technically out of warranty. Not a lot companies doing the right thing these days. Give them a chance first. Document everything you do, just in case. But I bet it can be cured.

 

[JT 384]

The only head shake on mine was caused by driving behind a Harley. This was a easy fix ....I passed him.