Recall or class action suit

[ML-FJR13AE]

Thank you all for your advice.

Let's put it like this. And my case might be unusual:

It's been in the shop 26 times!!!! - for the handling issue.

I have looked at every single possible thing that could be wrong inlcuded:

- changed to different brand tires several times (5 sets in 22K miles)

- Replaced the pivot shaft and bearings

- replaced and tightened the stearing head bearings (but didn't go tappered)

- had the bike measured up with a laser (it's within spec).

- replaced the stock suspension with Ohlins in the back and Ohlins springs in the front.

- checked rotors and break calipers

- checked torgue values

- re-balanced the wheels

- check the rims

- checked the front fork

- checked the triple clamps

- checked alignment

- checked motormounts

- FOUND SUSPENSION SAG TO BE 35 IN THE REAR AND 55 IN THE FRONT !!!! - NOT GOOD!+

What I am going to do next:

- go to tappered head bearings

- install a super brace

- maybe install a stabilizer

- swap parts with a buddy who has the exact same bike (year and model)

And if that doesn't work; dig a hole for it.

I'm the one who did the lemon suit! - Yamaha ended up giving me the Ohlins, which solved the problem 90% because I could make up for the bad suspension sag. However, it didn't fix the problem,,, I learned that when I installed Avon Storm on the bike.

Let's put it this way; A good friend of mine riding to the left of me could see my stearing head shake at 45 miles an hour with me holding on to the bike for dear life.

Curious about my size? - I'm 170 lbs and 6ft tall. I've been riding bikes (18 of them) for 23 years and never experienced anything this bad.

Of course it's a lemon. I know it is. Yamaha declined to aknowledge it's head shake after a specialist took it for a 20 mile/hr ride in bumper to bumper traffic during rush hour in Los Angeles. So, of course they were trying to feed me off with a new suspension. Otherwise, all of you guys would be going on a feeding frenzy for a replacement bike.

I counted 29 FJRs with head shake problems, which have not been resolved....

Cheers.

 

[skifrik]

Looks like the only thing that hasn't been done is to change out the wheel. See if there is another Fjr in your area that will swap wheels with you for a while.

 

[griffithds]

Looks like the only thing that hasn't been done is to change out the wheel. See if there is another Fjr in your area that will swap wheels with you for a while.

Good point! Never thought of that. :thumbsup:

 

[FJRBluesman]

I see your frustration.

What has Yamaha said? If they did all these things, tightened bearings, new tires, etc, and it doesn't go away, what are they saying? If you're doing it they may question it, maybe not. But what has the mechanic said about? If it's still there, you have a valid complaint.

One of our forum members (his name escapes me, fairlaner knows who I'm talking about) from SoCal area, had an AE. It had severe handling issues, don't remember exactly what... wait a minute... It's you!

OK. I remember know. We've been riding together a couple times. you bought a Green Machine not long ago.

IIRC, you do have an issue with that bike. Yours is special, you and Yamaha have to work it out. A law suit is your choice, there is a California Lemon Law that you can pursue. As far as class action, that I'm not sure will fly.

IIRC the lemon law for cars (not sure it's for all motor vehicles), says something like, if the vehicle has been in the shop for more then 30 days, trying to resolve the issue, or three times within a year for the same issue, it's a lemon. Read up on the law, that maybe your best recourse.

Good luck, see you in Big Bear.

 

[mdisher]

Thank you all for your advice.
<snip> a whole bunch of **** that has been checked <snip>

What I am going to do next:

- go to tappered head bearings

- install a super brace

- maybe install a stabilizer

- swap parts with a buddy who has the exact same bike (year and model)

<more snippage>

I counted 29 FJRs with head shake problems, which have not been resolved....

Cheers.

Wow, that's a lot of patience. Did you buy Shane's bike perhaps? <inside joke>

It sounds like something is seriously a-miss with that bike. Sounds like Bluesman has seen it and agrees it's jacked up.

I like the idea of swapping wheels with someone who's bike doesn't exhibit this behavior. I'd do it but I'm 3000 miles away.

I would think your list of stuff would only be throwing good money (or time) after bad at this point and a stabilizer would only cover it up, not fix it.

A slight wiggle is normal on decel in the 50-35 range, but IMHO only on decel and only really on worn out tires (gets worse as tires age, some more than others).

But it should not be enough, again IMHO to cause a tank slapper, it's just the nature of the beast (My ZXII was horrible in this regard when over loaded), and a stabilizer did NOT help. It slowed it down but it would/could still get out of hand. One of the reason I moved to this bike.

I feel for you... I don't know where you came up with 29 FJR's that are as bad as yours though.

-MD

 

[Bounce]

Gotta agree. Sounds like you got something uniquely wonky. That means you and your lawyer; not a class-action or recall.

My advice. Exhaust all personal options with your dealer and Yamaha before dragging a lawyer in. Once you do, there's a good chance you could buy 2 or 3 new bikes for the price of a court case.

 

[madmike2]

What Bounce said.

AND, the only time I've experienced "the wobble" is with Avons mounted on my '04. I don't use that brand anymore.

 

[SockMonkey]

A law suit is your choice there is a California Lemon Law that you can pursue. As far as class action, that I'm not sure will fly.

That means you and your lawyer; not a class-action or recall.

Based on this comment below, it appears he's already played the "Lemon Law" hand and has no other option but to file suit:

I'm the one who did the lemon suit! - Yamaha ended up giving me the Ohlins, which solved the problem 90% because I could make up for the bad suspension sag. However, it didn't fix the problem,,, I learned that when I installed Avon Storm on the bike.

Personally, I'd forget taking the bike back to another dealer and take it to a first-rate suspension shop (the local analog to GP Suspension; whomever that may be...). If guys with those skills can't figure it out, then there's probably no hope left and doing things like adding a fork brace, etc., are rather pointless.

 

[Auburn]

Personally, I'd forget taking the bike back to another dealer and take it to a first-rate suspension shop (the local analog to GP Suspension; whomever that may be...). If guys with those skills can't figure it out, then there's probably no hope left and doing things like adding a fork brace, etc., are rather pointless.

Contact Lindeman Engineering, he is located in Campbell, CA. He is a legend in the road racing circles when it comes to suspension and is very good at sorting out suspension issues. If he can't fix it, then Yamaha will probably listen to his diagnosis.

LE Suspension

 

[rbentnail]

...A slight wiggle is normal on decel in the 50-35 range, but IMHO only on decel and only really on worn out tires (gets worse as tires age, some more than others)....

This has NOT been my experience. I currently have a wobble (more than a wiggle, less than unnerving). Happens between 40 & 50, during acceleration, deceleration and steady speed. It showed up immediately when a new Diablo Strada was installed. This is my 3rd or 4th front Strada and the only one so far to exhibit this behavior. I've checked all the usual suspects in steering, suspension, balancing, alignment, etc., all to find nothing. I'm hoping it's this particular tire.

 

[feeger]

I have an '08 and experienced the decel head shake. I had the head tube re-torqued with no improvement. With the help of Silent (I watched) we installed All-Balls tapered bearings and it solved the problem.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

My 04 developed a decel wobble when the front tire was worn out and the bike was heavily loaded (two up-coming back froma road trip). A new ft tire solved the problem... BTW, My old goldwing, 04, developed a real bad wobble with a good tire. Tappered head bearings fixed that..... My KLR also developed a decel wobble, tightening of the stock head bearing solved that... FYI

Scott

 

[BlackStar]

Perhaps filing with the NHTSA would be more constructive at getting the problem fixed for everybody. 29 squawks for the same thing may get Yamaha's attention via the gov't. Over on the Warrior forums we were having problems with crankshaft position sensors failing. Everybody that had a failure filed with the NHTSA. In less than a year we had a redesigned CPS and a recall.

Here is the link

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

 

[ohiofjr]

Wasn't that long ago that it was a given that every bike wobbled regardless of brand. That said it takes something like a tar snake or sand or really being ham handed to get my FJR to even twitch. If it were my money I would look really close at wheels/wheel bearings. Spent a lot of time chasing a 45mph wooble on my ST1100. Turned out the nylon spacer in the rear wheel bearing had disintegrated allowing the balls to bunch up on one side at just that speed. Felt fine and ran straight on the stand. Just an idea.