The results from my experiment are in

[jaster]

I had my doubts about buying the AE, but a formally broken hand that cramps up when using a cluch a lot made my decision. At first I was a little disappointed, I had problems getting the low gear changes to be smooth and it shifted a bit clunky.

I just returned from a trip to the Smoky Mountains and I am sold! :yahoo: A trip down the Dragon convinced me. The AE allows me to keep my toes tucked in tight on the pegs, I don't have to shift my foot down anymore to grab a different gear. Gear shifts are handled by extending and pulling of the index finger. A lot of shifting is required to ride the Gap quickly. Quick gear changes are made quickly allowing me to stay focused on the road. My feet stay tucked so nothing drags but the foot peg feelers.

It made my buddy on his BMW RS1200 a believer. I normally had a tough time keeping him in sight on my old FJ1200. This trip I was able to pull out a 1/2 mile lead on him through the Gap, with a lot less effort and not as near my limit.

THe AE has gotten smoother, most shifts are barely noticible, (except for an occational clunk from 1st to 2nd}. I rode a cluch bike the other day, it now seems like a lot of unnecessary work to ride.

I had the opportunity to pull the clutch on an 06' A model, VERY STIFF. I made the right desicion for me. I do miss being able to drop the hammer on it once in a while, but for me the benifits outway the drawback.

Anyone that wants to doubt the AE's sporting ability. especially on a tight twisty road, is welcome to look me up and we will see.

The only thing I really miss on the FJ1200 is the torque! WHERE's the TORQUE :angry2: I was very dissappointed at loosing so much low end torque. I guess that's another good reason for the AE, because I have to shift a lot more than I am use to.

 

[twowheelnut]

I had the opportunity to pull the clutch on an 06' A model, VERY STIFF. I made the right desicion for me. I do miss being able to drop the hammer on it once in a while, but for me the benifits outway the drawback.
The only thing I really miss on the FJ1200 is the torque! WHERE's the TORQUE :angry2: I was very dissappointed at loosing so much low end torque. I guess that's another good reason for the AE, because I have to shift a lot more than I am use to.

Well yeah, no friggin' duh! When you have no clutch to pull in, of course pulling a clutch lever will feel stiff!

And the torque is still there, it just gets lost in all of the clutch slipage.

Oh, give me a home where the clutch lever's left

Where the torque can be feathered and played

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word

And the AE's vanish behind me all day

...

Oh, I would not exchange my old lever on the left

Where the torque can be feathered and played

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word

And the AE's vanish behind me all day

 

[radman]

Last lines a little clumsy, 2nd verse same as the first, I'm 'Enery the eighth.....ahem. In any case, you rate a B- in Rads skool of moosic....

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

I think I lost 3 pounds laughing. TJ thanks SC

If the FJR only had a 1500 rpm rev range there might be a point to be made.

 

[odot]

This is a great thread...reminds me of my gerbil thread that got canned. Wish I could have that one back. Otherwise, I change gears from time to time. Helps with the gas mileage.

 

[twowheelnut]

Last lines a little clumsy, 2nd verse same as the first, I'm 'Enery the eighth.....ahem. In any case, you rate a B- in Rads skool of moosic....

Yeah, well, Ms. Jenner had a bodacious set of hooters under that skin tight mini dress and paired them with some great gams, so none of us 7th grade boys managed to even learn what a clef note was...

 

[rogdeb]

I had the opportunity to pull the clutch on an 06' A model, VERY STIFF. I made the right desicion for me. I do miss being able to drop the hammer on it once in a while, but for me the benifits outway the drawback.
The only thing I really miss on the FJ1200 is the torque! WHERE's the TORQUE :angry2: I was very dissappointed at loosing so much low end torque. I guess that's another good reason for the AE, because I have to shift a lot more than I am use to.

Well yeah, no friggin' duh! When you have no clutch to pull in, of course pulling a clutch lever will feel stiff!

And the torque is still there, it just gets lost in all of the clutch slipage.

Oh, give me a home where the clutch lever's left

Where the torque can be feathered and played

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word

And the AE's vanish behind me all day

...

Oh, I would not exchange my old lever on the left

Where the torque can be feathered and played

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word

And the AE's vanish behind me all day

:lol: :lol:

This thread has been soooooooooooo much fun to read

Thank you all.

 

[madmike2]

I had my doubts about buying the AE, but a formally broken hand that cramps up when using a cluch a lot made my decision. At first I was a little disappointed, I had problems getting the low gear changes to be smooth and it shifted a bit clunky.
I just returned from a trip to the Smoky Mountains and I am sold! :yahoo: A trip down the Dragon convinced me. The AE allows me to keep my toes tucked in tight on the pegs, I don't have to shift my foot down anymore to grab a different gear. Gear shifts are handled by extending and pulling of the index finger. A lot of shifting is required to ride the Gap quickly. Quick gear changes are made quickly allowing me to stay focused on the road. My feet stay tucked so nothing drags but the foot peg feelers.

It made my buddy on his BMW RS1200 a believer. I normally had a tough time keeping him in sight on my old FJ1200. This trip I was able to pull out a 1/2 mile lead on him through the Gap, with a lot less effort and not as near my limit.

THe AE has gotten smoother, most shifts are barely noticible, (except for an occational clunk from 1st to 2nd}. I rode a cluch bike the other day, it now seems like a lot of unnecessary work to ride.

I had the opportunity to pull the clutch on an 06' A model, VERY STIFF. I made the right desicion for me. I do miss being able to drop the hammer on it once in a while, but for me the benifits outway the drawback.

Anyone that wants to doubt the AE's sporting ability. especially on a tight twisty road, is welcome to look me up and we will see.

The only thing I really miss on the FJ1200 is the torque! WHERE's the TORQUE :angry2: I was very dissappointed at loosing so much low end torque. I guess that's another good reason for the AE, because I have to shift a lot more than I am use to.

1.) Formerly broken hands, arthritis, missing digits, advanced age, etc., are why this bike was engineered.

2.) Lower gear chnges/smooth? Try shifting above 3K rpms. (That was my experience on a test ride)

3.) Pulling your buddy on his RS1200? Too bad you didn't have more torque!

4.) AE gotten smoother? I loved the upshifts, but I (me, personally) wasn't enthralled by the downshifts. I think I'm smoother with the clutch and I usually preselect my gear for corners or situations.

5.) Stiff clutch? See TWN's response.

6.) Sporting ability? I'm one of the waaaayy-slower cruiser types. I have thses WIDE chicken strips and a huge flat spot in the center of my tires. :dribble:

7.) "WHERE's the TORQUE :angry2: ".....Ask your buddy on the RS 1200 :lol: And shifting more than you're used to? I assume you are using the upper half of the tachometer, and you can't find the torque? I came from a Connie...I love not shifting the FJR. I guess I'm not aggressive enough.

 

[dcarver]

Combine the EH clutch with a slipper clutch and I *might* be interested.. I still want / need the ability to control slippage while hard downshifting under maximum brakes into the decreasing radius off camber corner.. to just slightly set up the the rear wheel drift under decel before applying throttle to keep the rear end stepped out.. can't do that on an AE.. Yet.

 

[madmike2]

:rofl: :wacko: :rofl: :dribble: :rofl: :crazy: :rofl:

Yew belly klazy mann!

 

[Bounce]

The only thing I really miss on the FJ1200 is the torque! WHERE's the TORQUE :angry2: I was very dissappointed at loosing so much low end torque. I guess that's another good reason for the AE, because I have to shift a lot more than I am use to.

I had a friend who rode an Fj1200 in the 2003 IBR. I let him borrow my 2003 FJR for a while when we were both at a RTE. He came back in about half and hour with a big SEG on his face and asked if I wanted to sell it to him.

My guess is that some of your low end torque "feel" is eaten up with the 06's higher gearing, the AE clutch, and the longer swingarm.

 

[jaster]

I had the opportunity to pull the clutch on an 06' A model, VERY STIFF. I made the right desicion for me. I do miss being able to drop the hammer on it once in a while, but for me the benifits outway the drawback.
The only thing I really miss on the FJ1200 is the torque! WHERE's the TORQUE :angry2: I was very dissappointed at loosing so much low end torque. I guess that's another good reason for the AE, because I have to shift a lot more than I am use to.

Well yeah, no friggin' duh! When you have no clutch to pull in, of course pulling a clutch lever will feel stiff!

No, I wasn't comparing the A clutch to the AE no clutch, I was comparing it to other "manual clutch" bikes I am familiar with.

And the torque is still there, it just gets lost in all of the clutch slipage.

No, there is no clutch slippage at a top gear roll on at 55 mph against an ST1300 and getting spanked like I was on a 600 something. Higher R's, no problem.

1.) Formerly broken hands, arthritis, missing digits, advanced age, etc., are why this bike was engineered.

2.) Lower gear chnges/smooth? Try shifting above 3K rpms. (That was my experience on a test ride)

3.) Pulling your buddy on his RS1200? Too bad you didn't have more torque!

Didn't claim to pull the RS1200, I out rode him on the gap. No problem pulling an RS1200 at low RPM situations, such as passing, on the FJ1200.

4.) AE gotten smoother? I loved the upshifts, but I (me, personally) wasn't enthralled by the downshifts. I think I'm smoother with the clutch and I usually preselect my gear for corners or situations.

5.) Stiff clutch? See TWN's response.

6.) Sporting ability? I'm one of the waaaayy-slower cruiser types. I have thses WIDE chicken strips and a huge flat spot in the center of my tires. :dribble:

7.) "WHERE's the TORQUE :angry2: ".....Ask your buddy on the RS 1200 :lol: And shifting more than you're used to? I assume you are using the upper half of the tachometer, and you can't find the torque? I came from a Connie...I love not shifting the FJR. I guess I'm not aggressive enough.

Yeh, the RS doesn't have very impressive torque either it takes RPM's. As far as being impressed with the FJR low end torque - - well I guess it's what ever you are use to. :huh:

 

[madmike2]

My guess is that some of your low end torque "feel" is eaten up with the 06's higher gearing, the AE clutch, and the longer swingarm.

Y'know, I hadn't considered that. Since many of us ride '03s-'05s, the "feel" of our bikes is probably different than that of the '06 with the swingarm/gearing changes.

So maybe you're right Jaster, when riding the '06 one doesn't "feel" the torque.

 

[RadioHowie]

So maybe you're right Jaster, when riding the '06 one doesn't "feel" the torque.

'specially since it's one of those "de-tuned" AEs.

 

[jaster]

My guess is that some of your low end torque "feel" is eaten up with the 06's higher gearing, the AE clutch, and the longer swingarm.

Y'know, I hadn't considered that. Since many of us ride '03s-'05s, the "feel" of our bikes is probably different than that of the '06 with the swingarm/gearing changes.

So maybe you're right Jaster, when riding the '06 one doesn't "feel" the torque.

"feel" has nothing to do with it, I'm talking head to head comparision at a 55mph roll-on against an 03' ST1300 (with 80k on the meter), pulling 2 to 3 bike lengths on me before 75 mph. This did not happen on the old FJ.

Don't get me wrong I love my new FJR. It out performs the old FJ in pratically all other categories. But I am dissappointed in the lack of low-end roll-on torgue. I suspect some torgue was sacrified to keep the engine running slow and easy at highway speeds. Maybe the gearing change in the 06' had something to do with it. Do any of you that have traded an 03-05 for an 06 notice a difference?

 

[warsw]

My guess is that some of your low end torque "feel" is eaten up with the 06's higher gearing, the AE clutch, and the longer swingarm.

Y'know, I hadn't considered that. Since many of us ride '03s-'05s, the "feel" of our bikes is probably different than that of the '06 with the swingarm/gearing changes.

So maybe you're right Jaster, when riding the '06 one doesn't "feel" the torque.

"feel" has nothing to do with it, I'm talking head to head comparision at a 55mph roll-on against an 03' ST1300 (with 80k on the meter), pulling 2 to 3 bike lengths on me before 75 mph. This did not happen on the old FJ.

I think that something might not be right with your FJR. There is no way that a ST1300 will get 2 to 3 bike lengths from 55mph to 75mph unless you hit the brakes on the FJR. At that point they are pretty even with the ST maybe having a slight edge. Buy the time you hit 75mph the FJR will eat the ST1300 alive. Been there done that. Have your FJR checked (TBS, Adj CO's) Opps! I have the A model. I have NO experience with the AE. Sorry

 

[T120TT]

My guess is that some of your low end torque "feel" is eaten up with the 06's higher gearing, the AE clutch, and the longer swingarm.

Y'know, I hadn't considered that. Since many of us ride '03s-'05s, the "feel" of our bikes is probably different than that of the '06 with the swingarm/gearing changes.

So maybe you're right Jaster, when riding the '06 one doesn't "feel" the torque.

"feel" has nothing to do with it, I'm talking head to head comparision at a 55mph roll-on against an 03' ST1300 (with 80k on the meter), pulling 2 to 3 bike lengths on me before 75 mph. This did not happen on the old FJ.

Don't get me wrong I love my new FJR. It out performs the old FJ in pratically all other categories. But I am dissappointed in the lack of low-end roll-on torgue. I suspect some torgue was sacrified to keep the engine running slow and easy at highway speeds. Maybe the gearing change in the 06' had something to do with it. Do any of you that have traded an 03-05 for an 06 notice a difference?

No doubt about it. My '06 AE accelerates more slowly then my '05. Higher gearing, heavier, more restrictive exhuast. However, it handles better and has better suspension and feels more relaxed in cruise mode.

 

[Fencer]

"feel" has nothing to do with it, I'm talking head to head comparision at a 55mph roll-on against an 03' ST1300 (with 80k on the meter), pulling 2 to 3 bike lengths on me before 75 mph. This did not happen on the old FJ.

Did you do this in 5th? The St prob dropped a gear or two. At only 55 you could drop to 3rd easily or 2nd for that matter.

 

[jaster]

"feel" has nothing to do with it, I'm talking head to head comparision at a 55mph roll-on against an 03' ST1300 (with 80k on the meter), pulling 2 to 3 bike lengths on me before 75 mph. This did not happen on the old FJ.

Did you do this in 5th? The St prob dropped a gear or two. At only 55 you could drop to 3rd easily or 2nd for that matter.

You missed the point, top gear roll-on, not having to down shift. Yea you can always downshift, but that doesn't show you top gear torque at highway speeds.

Yes the ST was in top gear.

 

[trimmantom]

My guess is that some of your low end torque "feel" is eaten up with the 06's higher gearing, the AE clutch, and the longer swingarm.

Y'know, I hadn't considered that. Since many of us ride '03s-'05s, the "feel" of our bikes is probably different than that of the '06 with the swingarm/gearing changes.

So maybe you're right Jaster, when riding the '06 one doesn't "feel" the torque.

"feel" has nothing to do with it, I'm talking head to head comparision at a 55mph roll-on against an 03' ST1300 (with 80k on the meter), pulling 2 to 3 bike lengths on me before 75 mph. This did not happen on the old FJ.

Don't get me wrong I love my new FJR. It out performs the old FJ in pratically all other categories. But I am dissappointed in the lack of low-end roll-on torgue. I suspect some torgue was sacrified to keep the engine running slow and easy at highway speeds. Maybe the gearing change in the 06' had something to do with it. Do any of you that have traded an 03-05 for an 06 notice a difference?

I noticed the very same things and thought I was imagining things because I was up in higher elevations and just figured that was the reason for lack of power compared to the 04.But I feel like I need to downshift to gethergoin in a hurry.It's not our imagination.