Yamaha's Woes

[JohnTC40]

We think of the FJR as a niche market bike in the US, is that true worldwide?

I believe sport/touring bikes in general represent a niche market worldwide (as opposed to cruisers, standards, dirt bikes, and scooters (according to their annual report, Yamaha's best seller in terms of units worldwide is a 50cc scooter). With these bad times, I think our Gen IIs (maybe with some minor upgrades and color changes) are going to be with us for a while.

 

[kansas transit]

The hell with the XT660Tenere, what ever happened to the rumored 1200 Super Tenere? That's what I was waiting for.

Stan

 

[odot]

This will continue for several years, pups....you will also see drops in sales of other items you like....i.e. they will no longer be on the shelf for your personal use. Enjoy the recession as best you can.....invest in beer and alcohol companies. We'll all still continue to drink through this one....

or will we.

 

[uctofeej]

This will continue for several years, pups....you will also see drops in sales of other items you like....i.e. they will no longer be on the shelf for your personal use. Enjoy the recession as best you can.....invest in beer and alcohol companies. We'll all still continue to drink through this one....

That's pretty wordy for odot.

By invest in beer, you mean stock up in both fridges, right?

EDIT: And I do hope this drives up prices on used feejers... like next week.

 

[odot]

Sure....mine is for sale....for about 23 grand....

 

[Phugedaboudet]

don't worry, in 150K miles, some enterprising soul will have to have come up with a trike conversion for the FJR so you can keep riding even longer

When I bought the '08 last year, it was w/ the expectation that [as I'm now 63yrs old] it may well be the last new bike I ever buy. I fugure that if I can make it a 150,000+ mile machine in the riding time I have left in the crotchety old body I've got to work w/ I'll be happy about that! More than that will just be frosting on the cake, and I've at least as much faith in the machine as I have in myself!

 

[Fred W]

If Yamaha was smart (and I'm certainly not accusing them of that) they would just offer up the FJR in couple of more appealing colors and get full return out of their existing tooling. Maybe even find a few cost productivity areas to get the sticker price down a bit further for boosting sales.

As has been hashed and rehashed, the bike is still the best all around super sport touring bike on the market.

 

[Rolavine]

For the year ending December 31st 2008, it is expected to sink 30 billion yen into the red.

Isn't that like, $500?

More like $307,000,000 at current exchange rates. (Notice the red ink..?)

Wow that's less than GM dumps every three days!

 

[SockMonkey]

... they would just offer up the FJR in couple of more appealing colors...

"Any customer can have a[n] [FJR] painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black" Mother Yamaha aka Henry Ford

 

[keithaba]

Why did yamaha put the R&D into the FZ6R? Seems like a waste. Slower than an FZ6, doesn't look like it has much old man appeal....

FZ6R clicky

Could have made a touring FZ1 if they wanted a cheaper bike than the FJR?

 

[Bounce]

If Yamaha was smart (and I'm certainly not accusing them of that) they would just offer up the FJR in couple of more appealing colors

why? they come in any color you desire (and your nearest paint & body shop can shoot).

 

[mmonroe]

I love my 2007 FJR but I suspect that I will be seriously looking for something to replace it come Oct/Nov. Will probably replace it with a 2009/2010 FJR or a 2009/2010 C14. If 2010's have some awesome changes, I will go that direction - if not - I will save some big cash on a leftover 2009.

 

[user 213]

I love my 2007 FJR but I suspect that I will be seriously looking for something to replace it come Oct/Nov.

Err, why replace it if you love it? There's not a lot of difference with the '09, and even if the '10 has nice changes, it's probably not going to be that different.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Why did yamaha put the R&D into the FZ6R? Seems like a waste. Slower than an FZ6, doesn't look like it has much old man appeal....Could have made a touring FZ1 if they wanted a cheaper bike than the FJR?

I think it might be modern replacement for this bike:

The Seca II 600 (here) -- better known as the Diversion in other markets. Although pretty much a sales flop, here -- it was hugely successful in Europe in the 90s (as well as its late 90s successor, the Fazer 600, that we didn't get).

I guess they think not everyone needs 100+ hp to get down the road?

Of course, that kind of thinkin'll get you nowhere with most of the FJR folk..... :huh:

It might have something to do with meeting current emissions requirements..., too?

 

[2WheelTiger]

XT660 Tenere? That tired old lump of a single? That things been around more than a street walker's panties. Heavy, under powered, but now with EFI! Does the market really need another not off road, poser dual-sport?

Spoken like a man who thinks a KLR is the same as a GS.

 

[mmonroe]

Err, why replace it if you love it? There's not a lot of difference with the '09, and even if the '10 has nice changes, it's probably not going to be that different.

In my humble opinion the 2009 is a better bike than the 2007 and I like the color better. The 2009 has fixes for most of the things that I dislike about the 2007 plus I like the black/black/black color better. The 2009 C14 also has addressed most of the things that I dislike about the 2007 FJR. I already have a 2008 ZX-14 - what a great bike. It would be awesome to have that engine/tranny in a sport-tour machine. We will see what happens end-o-year.

 

[Gerry.GEG]

Boy oh boy, all bets are off due to this endless stream of bad news. Being 47 tomorrow, I have been through a few of these economic blips but this by far is the worst I've seen and I'm sure a few of you too. It wouldn't surprise me to see Yamaha and other manufactures constricting and not revamping models for a couple of years. If I had to guess, if they don't already have a GenIII as has been speculated might already be in the works (almost done), they probably will keep the model they have and make fewer units for consumption. All in all, I'm glad I bought my '08 and I'm not going to worry about it and in the long run, I'll be happier with my purchase because they won't come out with something for me to drool over. Pure selfishness boys!

 

[Fred W]

... they would just offer up the FJR in couple of more appealing colors...

"Any customer can have a[n] [FJR] painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black" Mother Yamaha aka Henry Ford

Black is such a zen-like color.

It is all colors and yet it is none.

It sucks up all wavelengths with equal disdain.

(but red looks better)

Ommm...

Err, why replace it if you love it? There's not a lot of difference with the '09, and even if the '10 has nice changes, it's probably not going to be that different.

In my humble opinion the 2009 is a better bike than the 2007 and I like the color better. The 2009 has fixes for most of the things that I dislike about the 2007 plus I like the black/black/black color better. The 2009 C14 also has addressed most of the things that I dislike about the 2007 FJR. I already have a 2008 ZX-14 - what a great bike. It would be awesome to have that engine/tranny in a sport-tour machine. We will see what happens end-o-year.

I do not see how the few minor improvements made to the 2009 would be worth the gigantic whack in depreciation you would take in that "upgrade".

 

[Sagebrush]

I've been checking out new bikes, looked at an 09 FJR today. The main thing I liked was the black "dash", very nice IMHO. I looked at sport bikes but, my body says NO. The dealer had a interceptor next to the FJR, still liked the FJR better for my 6'-3" body. I have a left over 07 FJR that I picked up last Aug for 11K OTD and so far the only things I don't like are the mild foot peg vibes at 70 mph and the touchy throttle in traffic. Both items are very minor to me, the FJR is my daily ride and it is much more fun day in day out than my past Honda ST and KTM ADV and my other dual sports.

The vibes have me thinking that 80 mph is more fun and the touchy throttle has me thinking I need a G2 thingy, whats the 09 have thats so special?

I wonder if mama yamah should have chosen a lower price point for the new VMax, they look cool and I would like to have one for short rides around town. But, $17,999???? Nah, I would buy a R1 or something along those lines for less than 10K first. Thats alot of money for a short range toy, they are in BMW land with the prices. The cherry 07 looks very good to me and it ain't black.

 

[Cdogman]

For the year ending December 31st 2008, it is expected to sink 30 billion yen into the red.

Isn't that like, $500?

More like $307,000,000 at current exchange rates. (Notice the red ink..?)

Sheeiiiiitttttt We can ad that to our bailout and we dont even have to use the ( B) illion word. Peanuts.. Comon guys,, lets bail them out too!!!