2006 Yamaha FJR1300AE - Electric Clutch

[jphan]

Thinking about buying this bike, exceptionally clean, well maintained, 12k miles, no dings or scratches. I rode the bike under 40 mph. wet and rainy roads. It runs perfect except the front wheel felt heavy. I had to muscle it through turns. It only wanted to go in a straight line. It's the only FJR I ever rode. Is this normal? The front tire is worn but not badly. Maybe a couple thousand miles left on it. I came off a 2007 BMW K1200GT and before that a 2005 BMW R1200RT. For big heavy bikes, both were pretty nimble in the corners especially the RT. Any helpful comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeff

[Sport-Touring]

[SLK50]

Tire profile, wear, air pressure and suspension settings
will combine to have a profound effect upon handling.
When set up properly the FJR is particularly agile
with very neutral handling characteristics.

[PatM]

The fjr is agile but not as nimble as an RT.
That being said I would have a look at what slk50 said and also the fork headset bearing.

[FJRider]

I had an '09 AE for about 4 years. Really loved it - when it worked well. There are a couple of issues. The first is clutch chatter. When it is cold it can be severe. People will tell you that a clutch soak will fix it. I did it myself once and had the dealer do it 2 times (under the YES warranty)  and it didn't help. It goes away once the bike is warmed up. The second issue is low speed control. If you are used to feathering the clutch during low speed maneuvers - forgetaboutit.  You will need to learn how to use the rear brake for control instead. It's not that easy and is not natural. The third and last issue, the one that made me trade the bike for a 2016 A - if a sensor for the autoclutch fails, you are dead in the water. The foot shifter is connected to a switch, just like the finger shifters. It is NOT a manual transmission backup. Just before my big trip out west last summer a transmission sensor blow and it made the bike unridable. Plus the sensor took 2 months to get here from Japan. The bike couldn't make the trip. I had to take my Triumph Tiger 80 XC cross county instead.

But on the plus side it is a hard bike to steal. Because if you leave it in gear there is no clutch lever let you move in without a key.

[jphan]

Thanks for the input guys! I don't do my own wrenching, only light maintenance, oil changes etc. I think I better pass on this one, especially the electric clutch.

[Blue is Best]

Thanks for the input guys! I don't do my own wrenching, only light maintenance, oil changes etc. I think I better pass on this one, especially the electric clutch.

Good decision!! Motorcycles are supposed to have clutches.

[FJRider]

Good decision!! Motorcycles are supposed to have clutches.

The AE has a clutch. It's controlled by a computer and a solenoid.

[Blue is Best]

The AE has a clutch. It's controlled by a computer and a solenoid.

             Yeah, yeah, yeah

[PatM]

             Yeah, yeah, yeah