What about the TICK?

[ol Rocket]

I'm going to go look at a used '05 FJR tomorrow.  After reading up on the first generation model, I'm worried about the infamous valve tick.  If you buy a used bike is there any chance of having this potential problem covered by Yamaha?  Especially since this bike is extremely low mileage and wouldn't have developed a problem yet anyway.

It will max me out to buy this or something similar and I wouldn't be able to foot another 2-3 grand for a fix down the road.  Does this bother anyone else?  Or am I just being foolish to show concern?

[jude]

To the best of my knowledge, Yamaha has covered every repair - even those out of warranty.  I seem to recall some issues in Canada, though...

[keithwinlouisiana]

In reading the FJR Forum regularly, it looks like Yamaha is picking up the tab for any tickers. I have an 05 and to date no ticking (low mileage also). But I would expect Yamaha to fix since it is a known problem, but the vast majority are not tickers.

[FJRmgm]

most develop the tick by 15k miles or less.  

I happened to own one of the approx. two percent of the 04-05 FJR's that did develop the tick and mine started about 13k. By the time I had it repaired at 18.5k it was ticking very loudly. Mine was repaired under warranty with no hassle at all from the dealer or Yamaha.

I am pleased to report that at 41.5k miles the bike is running strong and silent.

Here is a link to a ticking sound byte that you can listen too.  Sounds like two spoons clacking together inside the engine - always on left side.  Not to be confused with the "chuff" of the fuel injectors.

http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=18163

In spite of all this - would I buy another FJR?  YOU BET!!  This is the best all-around bike I have every owned.

How many miles on the one you are looking at?

[ol Rocket]

How many miles on the one you are looking at?

2400 mi, but he's asking $10,000 and it's bone stock.  Book is 9270.00.

I sat on a new one at the dealer yesterday.  They are big honkers.  After a sport bike I'm wondering if I'd adjust well to the weight.

[FJRmgm]

$10k for an '05 is a little high, especially for a bone stock bike.

Aroung $9k is about right.  It's a big bike but it will carve the corners very well.

[greench440]

Next time you're in Prosser, stop in at Desert Valley Powersports (formerly Sunnyside Yamaha) and talk to the owner, Dan Denchel.  DVP is probably the most FJR knowledgable dealership in the country.  Mine ticked at 7k and had it fixed at Sunnyside with 11k on the clock.  As far as you can tell from reading the FJR boards, Yamaha has fixed every ticker at no cost to the owner regardless of warranty coverage or ownership status.  But again, talk to Dan on this issue if you want to feel real secure.  He will probably let you ride one too.

10k is a bit high even with ABS.  If it was purchased at Sunnyside, it may have been sold new for about 10,200 for a non ABS, 9k would be fair.

As for the size, it's no VFR, but it handles pretty well and you don't feel the weight.  it is much wider at the tank/seat junction so it feels big.  I'd be more concerned about touching the ground securely if I was you.  I'm 5'10" with a 32 inseam and I wouldn't want to be any shorter.

[deagle10]

I had mine repaired this past fall at 22,000 miles.  Unfortunately, I ran into the problem I dreaded all along.  Dealer had never heard of the tick, but agreed something wasn't right.  They called the regional rep, who said there was no such issue with the FJR.  They wanted to charge me for all diagnostic charges even though it was under warranty and the dealer agreed something was wrong.  Dealer said they could only do what Yamaha told them to do.  I finally called Yamaha customer service and was told there is no issue with the FJR.  They said they had never heard of anything (note: previously 2 years earlier at the bike show the Yamaha rep said that all customer service people were to be educated on the tick).

Anyway, they finally agreed to "two" free hours of looking for the problem.  After that they did the fix and everything went fine, although it took 7 weeks (do not do this during prime riding season).  I was prepared to wait 6 weeks, so this was not too bad.  Yamaha covered everything.  I've put only about 400 miles on since then and it's quieter and seems to run fine.  

Sidenote:  This years bike rep said the reason they tick is the riding style.  Amercians are coming off of cruisers and are not revving the bike enough.  I know when cruising I kept the rpm's around 3500.  Guy said the engine was designed to be kept over 4000 rpms.  I said if that's the case, put it in the owners manual and people would do that.  But when it pulls cleanly from 3000 rpm's, many will assume it's ok to run it at that speed (and not in the 4200 rpm "buzz" zone).  

Anyway, it was a HUGE pain in the ass to get them to do anything, but they came through in the end.  If you could find a dealership that has experience dealing with this issue, that would be most helpful.  Since the service manager at my dealership turns over about every 9 months, any experience they gained by my situation will be lost in a year.

I would kill to have a reputable dealership in this area.  

[ol Rocket]

That's a big part of my next bike decision-having a close dealer.

Greench-  I happen to live about two miles from DVP and know the Denchel family well.  Brother Tom has the Ford dealership here.  I just haven't bugged them much as I am only able to buy used.  DVP has no used inventory. I'm a smidge taller than you so height shouldn't be a problem

I don't want to finance and so I'm cash-limited to one a year or two old.  Don't let anyone tell you these are the "golden years".  Those damn kids sop up more money now than when they lived at home.

[basco]

I had mine repaired this past fall at 22,000 miles.  Unfortunately, I ran into the problem I dreaded all along.  Dealer had never heard of the tick, but agreed something wasn't right.  They called the regional rep, who said there was no such issue with the FJR.  They wanted to charge me for all diagnostic charges even though it was under warranty and the dealer agreed something was wrong.  Dealer said they could only do what Yamaha told them to do.  I finally called Yamaha customer service and was told there is no issue with the FJR.  They said they had never heard of anything (note: previously 2 years earlier at the bike show the Yamaha rep said that all customer service people were to be educated on the tick).

Anyway, they finally agreed to "two" free hours of looking for the problem.  After that they did the fix and everything went fine, although it took 7 weeks (do not do this during prime riding season).  I was prepared to wait 6 weeks, so this was not too bad.  Yamaha covered everything.  I've put only about 400 miles on since then and it's quieter and seems to run fine.  

Sidenote:  This years bike rep said the reason they tick is the riding style.  Amercians are coming off of cruisers and are not revving the bike enough.  I know when cruising I kept the rpm's around 3500.  Guy said the engine was designed to be kept over 4000 rpms.  I said if that's the case, put it in the owners manual and people would do that.  But when it pulls cleanly from 3000 rpm's, many will assume it's ok to run it at that speed (and not in the 4200 rpm "buzz" zone).  

Anyway, it was a HUGE pain in the ass to get them to do anything, but they came through in the end.  If you could find a dealership that has experience dealing with this issue, that would be most helpful.  Since the service manager at my dealership turns over about every 9 months, any experience they gained by my situation will be lost in a year.

I would kill to have a reputable dealership in this area.  

I know what you mean Deagle. There isn't one in the Metro Detroit Area. The best one I found is Triumph Detroit but some of their problems aren't their fault, its Triumph.

[FJRmgm]

"This years bike rep said the reason they tick is the riding style. "


That, is absolute B.S.   The reason they tick is because the valve guide seals didn't allow enough oil to get to the exhaust valve stem (which runs hotter than an intake) and it eroded the valve guide.

I saw and held in my hand both the exhaust valve and guide they took out and it was indeed loose.  I believe the specs called for .002-004 "wiggle" and mine was .007  

I could make it "tick" in my hands.

A good dealer is great to have - mine was/is.

[greench440]

Those damn kids sop up more money now than when they lived at home.

I hear dogboy, katzke or tree pauber would be willing to assume some of your "expenses"

I'd be buddying up to Dan if I were you.  Wanna borrow my kneepads and lipstick?  

[ol Rocket]

I'd be buddying up to Dan if I were you.  Wanna borrow my kneepads and lipstick?  

If that's how it's gotta be I'll go back to Honda.