FJR1300 - Concerns about buying a "ticker"?

[Britt]

I'm considering a FJR to replace my VFR and have been doing a lot of research into them.  I've read about some pre 2006 models developing a valve-train tick that requires a top end teardown by a dealer to remedy.  However, I have not been able to determine how common the problem is.

If, for example, I check out an 04 with 20K miles and it is not ticking, what are the chances that the tick could develop later on?  I average about 6000 miles a year, and don't want to deal with this problem if I can avoid it.

I know that there are several updates to the 2006+ FJR, and I would jump on one that was priced right.  But I also remember that the pre 2006 model was highly regarded in any review that I read so I don't want to rule them out unless the ticking problem is a real concern.

[Ignacio]

One with 20,000 is in the middle of the butter zone if it's going to become a ticker.  Some manifest earlier and some a little later.  But, the chances are not that great....as best as anybody can figure out it's anywhere from a 1 in 20 chance to a 1 in 7 chance of becoming one.  Best diagnosis is to drop a header and look for excessive oil in the exhaust area...especially in #1 and #2.

And, it's been a while since anybody has one done, but last report a year ago was that Yamaha have been fixing tickers beyond warranty on their dime.

Talked about many, Many, MANY times over at FJRForum.com and there are even FAQs on the subject.

If one develops a tick the life before it becomes unridable and spews too much oil tends to be 20,000 to 30,000 miles.

[mxvet57]

My 04 developed a slight tick at around 18,000. and it was intermittent at that time. it didn't start getting louder till i got around 30,000. i took it in for a valve adj. and was told i had the tick and they called yamaha and said it would be fixed under warranty. at that time yamaha was fixing it on a as needed bases. shortly after i had mine fixed yamaha came out and said they will fix all FJR's under warranty.

I set it up with my dealer and when the parts came in i drooped it off on Monday and picked it up on Friday.

i just turned 139,000 on the clock last week and still quiet.

[bungie4]

I bought my 04 with 18Km on the tick.. odometer.  Their was a slight tick and I was a bit paranoid about it. Brought it into the dealer and asked them to give it a listen - the bike had 1 month left on the YES warranty.  Mechanic wrote on the invoice, inspect noise, cannot duplicate.

By the end of the summer (+18Km later) their was no doubt. Ticker. Brought it back to the dealer and was told to bad to sad.

Last summer I rode out to the dealer where the bike was originally purchased, about 80km from here. The owner of that dealership (RL Equipment) rides an FJR, as does his wife. I had gone out for the demo ride and when I was leaving, the owner came running over to check out my bike. As soon as I started it he yelled at me to shut it down and ran for his service advisor.  

They took my contact info and the bikes VIN and contacted Yamaha Canada on my behalf to see if they'd cover all or part of the cost of repair.  A week went by and the Service Advisor called me and told me because it was out of warranty, they wouldn't touch it. Yamaha Canada = SUCKS WET WOOLY MONKEY DICK.

I've put on about 50Km since I got the bike. It's not pumping any oil at all. But its going in on Monday to get the ticking fixed. I'm gonna be out of pocket a little over $1500.  Love the bike, but I'm afraid I'm pushing my luck with the ticking.  It does get a annoying at times.  But I can't sell the bike the way it is now, dealers don't want it for a trade so I can't even replace it economically. Hell, I told one dealer take the bike in on trade for $6000 and I'll buy an new 09 RIGHT NOW. Wouldn't do it.

So, I'll spend the money, enjoy the bike and run it into the ground. Even at the rate I put on miles, that means I should have the bike for at least another 6 or 7 years

[st ryder]

...Yamaha Canada = SUCKS WET WOOLY MONKEY DICK...

Why are you being so kind to Yamaha Canada? Tell it like it is bro: It's my opinion that Yamaha Canada sucks large, piss and cum coverd walrus turds for breakfast, and then chow down on cow, horse and mule droppings with bird shit drizzle for supper. No help from the federal government either, in fact, it's like they're in bed with the manufacturers on warranty claims so they suck just as badly and as vigorously. YMMV.  


 

[Baz]

I bought my 04 with 18Km on the tick.. odometer.  Their was a slight tick and I was a bit paranoid about it. Brought it into the dealer and asked them to give it a listen - the bike had 1 month left on the YES warranty.  Mechanic wrote on the invoice, inspect noise, cannot duplicate.

By the end of the summer (+18Km later) their was no doubt. Ticker. Brought it back to the dealer and was told to bad to sad.

Last summer I rode out to the dealer where the bike was originally purchased, about 80km from here. The owner of that dealership (RL Equipment) rides an FJR, as does his wife. I had gone out for the demo ride and when I was leaving, the owner came running over to check out my bike. As soon as I started it he yelled at me to shut it down and ran for his service advisor.  

They took my contact info and the bikes VIN and contacted Yamaha Canada on my behalf to see if they'd cover all or part of the cost of repair.  A week went by and the Service Advisor called me and told me because it was out of warranty, they wouldn't touch it. Yamaha Canada = SUCKS WET WOOLY MONKEY DICK.

I've put on about 50Km since I got the bike. It's not pumping any oil at all. But its going in on Monday to get the ticking fixed. I'm gonna be out of pocket a little over $1500.  Love the bike, but I'm afraid I'm pushing my luck with the ticking.  It does get a annoying at times.  But I can't sell the bike the way it is now, dealers don't want it for a trade so I can't even replace it economically. Hell, I told one dealer take the bike in on trade for $6000 and I'll buy an new 09 RIGHT NOW. Wouldn't do it.

So, I'll spend the money, enjoy the bike and run it into the ground. Even at the rate I put on miles, that means I should have the bike for at least another 6 or 7 years

Bungie:

I would suggest going to another dealer armed with forum testimonies from those who had their bike fixed after warranty. (I am betting your dealer never went to Yamaha).

I had a similar battle with my Suzuki Bandit with piston issues. One dealer claimed there was no service bulletin even after I brought in a copy. (This was the dealer where I bought the bike) The 2nd dealer I went to, booked an reapaired the bike 2 days after my visit at no charge to me.

I met the national sales manager of Yamaha at a local event 2 years ago, and before the event got started he came out to speak with the group of Yamaha owners, and asked if anyone had any problems with dealers or Yamaha. A couple of people put their hands up, and he invited them to meet with him right after.

The event was only open to new Yamaha owners & took place at our track. The main purpose of the event was to get customer input. How you were treated & what I saw from Yamaha Canada are very different. I am betting your dealer is making his own call.

[bungie4]

The event was only open to new Yamaha owners & took place at our track. The main purpose of the event was to get customer input. How you were treated & what I saw from Yamaha Canada are very different. I am betting your dealer is making his own call.

Long story short. I called Yamaha Canada repeatedly. I got past the 'qualifying' once only be told to bring it to my dealer. All of the rest of the times the qualifier told me to bring it to the dealer. I'm sure glad to here that a corporate manager did some face time, but if you've never called 'in the real world', you experience is vastly different from the reality.

[Wanderer]

Honestly I wouldnt be overly concerned with the ticker thing.  Iggy pretty much laid it out plain and simple: It happens, 20-30k is the prime spot for it to develop and Yamaha (now) is fixing them out of warranty if they determine it really is a ticker.  FJRFroum.com has volumes of info on it if you desire.

Keep this in mind:  no one ever posts that their bike is perfect. ( actually I did last year, just so the preceding statement would forever be false)
You only see the ticker discussion because folks made alot of noise in the beginning due to Mama Yama not owning up to the problem.  Thats all over now.  If the bike looks well maintained and mechanically sound, I'd scoop it up.  





Just remember County thinks its a minivan.

[bungie4]

Keep this in mind:  no one ever posts that their bike is perfect. ( actually I did last year, just so the preceding statement would forever be false)
You only see the ticker discussion because folks made alot of noise in the beginning due to Mama Yama not owning up to the problem.  Thats all over now.  If the bike looks well maintained and mechanically sound, I'd scoop it up.  

Just remember County thinks its a minivan.

Good post. I think enough of mine to pay to fix it. That should tell you something.

As for County. I'd pay to have him fixed too.

[FJRmgm]

my '05 was a ticker and it started at about 14k miles and by the time it was fixed at 18k miles it was really clacking.   When the dealer showed me the replaced  #2 cylinder exhaust valve and guide I could make it "clack" in my hands.  The valve stem was supposed to have .001 inch clearance and it had almost .009 wear.  The problem was the exhaust valve guide oil seal was too tight so the hotter running exhaust valve eroded out the guide due to lack of lubrication.

A different design on the seal fixed the problem on '06 and later models.

It was fixed gratis by Yamaha and is running superbly at 79k miles.

Mine never did use any oil when it was wounded.

I know at least ten people within a fifty mile radius of me with '03, '04 and '05 FJR's and mine was the only ticker.  It was not as common a problem as some made it out to be.

I really think the BMW owners propagated the myth of an epidemic just to draw attention away from their flaming final drives.

If I found a good used '05, which there are plenty of around with less than 20k miles, I would buy it and not worry about Yamaha fixing it as they have on the American models.

[st ryder]

Good post. I think enough of mine to pay to fix it. That should tell you something.

As for County. I'd pay to have him fixed too.

I understand and hope you can get away with 1500.00 for repairs. I'd be surprised if you don't break 2000.00. I liked my FJR, but may never buy another Yamaha again based not only on the seemingly utter lack of "support" from Yamaha Canada for customers with the same type of defective products that are being covered in the US under warranty, but also the bull shit people you have to deal with in order to be told you're SOL. Phuck them.  

Good luck with your repairs.  

[st ryder]

I know at least ten people within a fifty mile radius of me with '03, '04 and '05 FJR's and mine was the only ticker.  It was not as common a problem as some made it out to be.

Umm, that's 10% right there. That's high and more acurate than the 3% touted by Yamaha apologists. I figure 14% at the end of the day based on the accounts I've read. Remember, the "tic" covered at least 3 model years, and Yamaha never did figure it out, they simply employed a work around, ie extra oil in the area. Oddly FJ1100/1200's also had a top end ticking sound from the left side, but they'd run great forever and a day.

I really think the BMW owners propagated the myth of an epidemic just to draw attention away from their flaming final drives.

At least Yamaha found a work around. No such thing for BMW drive lines, even though this has been an issue for at least 2 decades now.   Can't cause enough distraction for something that won't go away.

[FJRmgm]

Umm, that's 10% right there. That's high and more acurate than the 3% touted by Yamaha apologists. I figure 14% at the end of the day based on the accounts I've read. Remember, the "tic" covered at least 3 model years, and Yamaha never did figure it out, they simply employed a work around, ie extra oil in the area. Oddly FJ1100/1200's also had a top end ticking sound from the left side, but they'd run great forever and a day.


no, that is not "10 percent right there".  That is one of out the ten I know of in my immediate area, which is a far cry from 10 percent.  

Yamaha did figure it out - the exhaust valve guide oil seals were too tight on some of the bikes and the exhaust valve stems/guides did not receive enough lubrication.

And just what numbers did you use to figure "14% at the end of the day?"  

The same kind of statistics you used on the "thats 10 percent right there?"

[Wanderer]

Umm, that's 10% right there. That's high and more acurate than the 3% touted by Yamaha apologists. I figure 14% at the end of the day based on the accounts I've read.
{general snippage}

I know (and have ridden with) probably 20 FJR's from the CoS/Denver area and haven't ever seen one that is or was ticker in person.  So by MY statisitics, the problem only exists on the internet.  Numbers can say whatever you want them to say.  

Again: the problem seems alot more prevalent because the minority were very vocal about it.

[bungie4]

Update:

Dropped the bike off last Tuesday. Dealer (RL Equipment in Verner On) called Yamaha again on my behalf. Apparently Yamaha Canada has had a change of heart in my case, or by insistence of the dealer, to cover 100% of the parts. I'm still on the hook for labour, but considering the bike is out of warranty, and, was previously on the hook for the full amount, very fair.  Thats a considerable savings considering their replacing the entire exhaust side of the head (guides, valves, seals) outright.

Guess I'd better start thinking about writing a thank you letter to Yamaha Canada.

[st ryder]

...no, that is not "10 percent right there".  That is one of out the ten I know of in my immediate area, which is a far cry from 10 percent.

 

Umm, that's exactly 10%  

Yamaha did figure it out - the exhaust valve guide oil seals were too tight on some of the bikes and the exhaust valve stems/guides did not receive enough lubrication.

That's a work around to fix the tickers. The cause of the tic was not solved, as in why some did and others did not tic over 3 model years. Not saying the work around didn't work, but it did not address the cause, only the effect.

And just what numbers did you use to figure "14% at the end of the day?"  

The same kind of statistics you used on the "thats 10 percent right there?"

What part "that's of 10% *right there*" as in the numbers *you* offerred don't you understand?

What part of "14% *based on the accounts I've read*" don't you understand?  

Hope you like and enjoy your FJR. I had one, and they're okay, but I'll never buy another one.

[st ryder]

...So by MY statisitics, the problem only exists on the internet.  Numbers can say whatever you want them to say....  

Again: the problem seems alot more prevalent because the minority were very vocal about it.

You're right about numbers/stats as that statement includes Yamaha's numbers too.  

No, the problem is real and wide spread across 3 model years. I'd never take a chance of FJR ownership again, based on *my* numbers.   YMMV.

[st ryder]

Update:

Dropped the bike off last Tuesday. Dealer (RL Equipment in Verner On) called Yamaha again on my behalf. Apparently Yamaha Canada has had a change of heart in my case, or by insistence of the dealer, to cover 100% of the parts. I'm still on the hook for labour, but considering the bike is out of warranty, and, was previously on the hook for the full amount, very fair.  Thats a considerable savings considering their replacing the entire exhaust side of the head (guides, valves, seals) outright.

Guess I'd better start thinking about writing a thank you letter to Yamaha Canada.

That's good news: Something is better than nothing.   Good luck with all that. You may want to make sure that all the parts that are removed are replaced, as in my experience, Yamaha did not want to replace all the parts that were removed, ie they wanted the tech to cut corners on my old FJR where they felt he could, like cylinder head bolts, once it was in for repairs, but I didn't own it then so it wasn't my fight. Yours may be different.

[Ignacio]

That's a work around to fix the tickers. The cause of the tic was not solved, as in why some did and others did not tic over 3 model years. Not saying the work around didn't work, but it did not address the cause, only the effect.

Actually, yes, it was the solution.  They instituted a revised valve seal design in '06 and later FJRs and ZERO tickers '06 and later have resulted.

Also, when Yamaha does repair '05 and earlier...they use the updated seals.  With updated seals Gen 1 don't develop into tickers either.

[brockep]

I have an 03 that just rolled 26,000 that I bought a couple years ago with 5000.  It just started making a "ticking" like noise that does not sound normal to me but I am not sure if it is the "Ticking" that is mentioned here.

I will say that it does feel like it has lost some power and there is a weird and different kind of noise as I accelerate through 5k rpm then it smooths out and is fine.  I noticed that it started ticking at 3500 rpm while just going down the road in 2nd and 3rd gear.

I am setting an appointment with my local Yamaha shop to have them take a look at it.  I want to make sure that Yamaha will pay for something even though it is way out of any warranty.

Wish me luck.