Clean Bunnies and FJR vs. FJ

[ribbert]

I'll bet the final drive ratio of the 5-speed and 6-speed FJR trans are not all that different.  It's a whole new gear train and what they typically do is just spread new ratios through all the gears so it's not like you get another taller gear above what the 5-speed had.
O

You may well be right. There is only ever a bee's dick between 5th and 6th anyway, so close that 'seat of the pants' feel will rarely pick the difference.

I have never looked for a 6th gear on the FJ or wished it had one. It is what it is and I would not want it revving any lower at highway speeds, it's not a Harley! I like the FJ at 4000 rpm + for extended cruising, that is where it feels comfortable and sounds happy.

Playing the devil's advocate here, I believe most 6 speed gear boxes have the gears too close together. Any modern 1000cc plus bike does not need 6 gears, 5 is plenty, especially with the FJ's power spread.

I own one and regularly ride other big bikes with 6 speed boxes and the ratios are so close it's like riding a manually operated CVT and I find myself 'short shifting' much of the time.
Plenty of owners here have changed gearing to the equivalent of a 6th gear (assuming a 500 rpm drop at highway speed) and yet still waffle on about looking for 6th gear. I suspect it has just become an owner catch-cry rather than feeling a genuine need for one.

I have decided the trick to riding a 6 speed (for me) is to forget top gear for all but flat slab, easier said than done, otherwise you spend all day changing gears. 4th, 5th and 6th are too close to each other. At the end of a long day this becomes tiresome.
If you are cruising at 100 + mph for extended periods, the extra gear would be good, but really, how many places can you that these days and even if you live somewhere where you can, how much time do you actually spend doing it?

One of the many things I enjoy about getting back on the FJ is the distinct ratios of the gearbox. Just one more gear diminishes that way more than you would think.

But that's just me and that's my 20 cents worth ($0.14 USD) .

Noel

[Millietant]

You're right Noel, the FJ doesn't need 6 gears.

My Aprilia RSV has 6 gears and to be honest, as long as the top gear and first overall ratio's were the same, the bike would be perfectly useable with a 5 speed box. Our Fazer 1000/FZ1 also has a 6 gears and again, I'm sure I could live happily with it with only 5 gears - but, just like the FJ, the FZ1 could do with running a slightly taller ratio for 6th, than standard.

The gaps between the gears aren't overly stretched in the 5 speed boxes and simply playing with the sprockets (larger front/smaller rear) is enough for me to get satisfactory gearing.

I also "feel" (through the bars/pegs/seat) more comfortable cruising the FJ at around 4,500 rpm - not too buzzy but with enough poke for overtaking without dropping down gears - this gives an indicated speed of around 83-85 mph on my bike, which is sitting comfortably in my desired speed range for longer distance riding.

[FJmonkey]

I have found myself searching for the elusive 6th gear on occasion. But I have also found myself flying along the slab  in 4th gear for some time thinking I was in 5th. And around 4.5k seems to be a sweet spot, on both my 86 and 89.

[wainot-Phil]

 Yamaha changed the FJR1300  5 speed Gearbox ratios in the Series 2 ,  FJR1300  Bikes from 2006 to 2013 , I have a 2008 and its  5 speed Gearbox  Ratios are  SPOT ON ,, You never go looking for 6th gear ,(Unless over 200kmh) ,, Yamaha  stretched out  every Gear a little bit in the Series 2  5 speed Gearbox,,,It is way way better in Ratio than any 5 speed I have ever used before hand and once you finally put it in 5th gear ,, at about 3400 rpm you are getting alone at about 110 kmh   and all is good ,,,, Yamaha finally got the 5 speed Ratios spot on with the series 2   and then some one at Yamaha has had a bright idea and change the Perfect Ratio 5 speed  gearbox and fitted a 6 speed Gearbox in to the latest Model Series 3   FJR1300 Bikes ,, DUMB idea  ,IMO

[Pat Conlon]

....  and then some one at Yamaha has had a bright idea and change the Perfect Ratio 5 speed  gearbox and fitted a 6 speed Gearbox in to the latest Model Series 3   FJR1300 Bikes ,, DUMB idea  ,IMO

Phil, have you had a chance to ride a 2018 FJR? (I have not)

Ben, thanks again. I would appreciate sharing your impressions after you get on a '18.
I hope you don't mind, I modified the title of your first post to add FJR vs. FJ.
There is some good stuff in this thread.

[FJ_Hooligan]

I asked Hoffman about this the other day.  You know he researches the crap out of anything he does motorcycle-wise.

He said he intentionally got the 2013 FJR because he wanted that 5-speed over the newer 6-speed

[wainot-Phil]

....  and then some one at Yamaha has had a bright idea and change the Perfect Ratio 5 speed  gearbox and fitted a 6 speed Gearbox in to the latest Model Series 3   FJR1300 Bikes ,, DUMB idea  ,IMO

Phil, have you had a chance to ride a 2018 FJR? (I have not)

No  I have not been on a 2018 either ,but I have spent dozens and dozen's of hours on the net reading up all about  the FJR1300 Models and I have also read 100's of reviews about the FJR  before buying my 2008 model,,   I have found out a few things in this time,,,,,, 1-- the standard FJR Seats are Crap , 2-- the FJR Bike's made before 2006 have a problem with getting the Rider very Hot on a warm day ,,3-- the 2001 to 2003 models also sometimes had a Valve Stem ware Problem and very rarely the 2nd Gear Problem  ,4-- lots of people that have  bought a FJR  and then turned around and sold them within a few months because of Vibration through the Bars ,,Its a lucky Dip if your FJR  has a  Vibration problem or not,,,,My one is fine  Now that I have sync the Carbs the old fashion way and also added Bar End weights ,, The FJR1300 are a nice Bike ,Bullet proof Motor and Gearbox ,Great Shaft Drive ,ABS Brakes ,Very Powerful ,Fast , Handles Good ,Adjustable Screen ,good on Fuel  etc etc,  it all work's  top class    BUT    it is not a Great Bike  IMO,,,, due Mainly to the Shit Seat that is way to short (front to Back) and is sloped towards the Tank, If you go over 2 road bumps in a row ,you might find your NUT'S floating in the Petrol Tank,,Also the Standard Bars at the Grip end,, do not point at the Rider ,,so you get along with  a kink in you wrists , if you wrap your fingers right around the Grips,,The Bars adjust but only a few mm , I have fitted a adjustment Plate under my Bars that has bought the Bars 40mm closer to me and also the Grips are now 90 degrees with my wrists ,,Much better,,,I have also fitted a ex Police Gel wrap around Front Seat which is way better but still not perfect,,I have also read on lots of forums ,, that lots of 2006 to 2018  FJR  owners with the 6 Speed Gearbox do not like them ,,6th is to high and hardly ever used ,They is also a lot of 2006 to 2018 FJR1300  Owners asking the Yamaha Dealers ,what the Hell is this Vibration ,,that's  in my ""NEW BIKE""   ,,,,,,,,, That is what I have found out via having  a 2008 FJR1300 myself  and also by spending 100's of hours on the Net researching the FJR Bikes  ,Seats ,Vibration etc ,,

[TexasDave]

I have posted on this before but would like to expound on this FJR story a little more. Riding home from purchasing my first FJ in 2013 I stopped at the Harley dealer in Las Cruses, NM. It was time for a rest and owning a Harley I wanted to take a look around. I parked next to an older gentleman standing next to a pickup with an empty trailer. He commented on what a nice looking FJ I was riding. Not a lot of people recognize FJ's so I asked him if he had one. He replied no but he was trading one of his 2007 FJR's for a new Harley. He had purchased two 07 FJR's and had one modified with a side car and special forks and in his picture looked like he was running a car tire front. He was probably running a car tire rear also but the picture didn't show it. He had done this so his wife could ride with him as she was getting older. He said he wanted to show me the FJR he was trading and it was around back. We went around back and it was a maroon color in like knew condition. He was excited to show me all the features it had and talked about it quite some time. Realizing he liked the bike I had to ask why he was trading it for a Hardly Ableson. He replied "leg room"! This gentleman was a slender 6'2" and 92 YEARS OLD! I am a little short of 6'0 and consider leg room on the FJ to be limited so I understood completely. They brought out his Hardly and he took off around front. By the time I walked around front he already had the Hardly on the trailer and tied down. I wished him good luck with the Hardly and thought I hope I am in his shape and riding when I am 92.

Dave

[ribbert]

I asked Hoffman about this the other day.  You know he researches the crap out of anything he does motorcycle-wise.

He said he intentionally got the 2013 FJR because he wanted that 5-speed over the newer 6-speed

An astute rider. More is not necessarily better.

Noel

[Troyskie]

Ok fellas, ....5th gear, 6th gear,  7th gear,  who cares?

I made Petes get to 15th gear (no not a Road Ranger).

If it was a Hardley then they didn't care about smooth, only noise.

If it was speed in in a straight line, who cares.

Every day I try and click it into 6th.

Only because I want to get to 7th before I get to work.

Once I'm in 7th gear I don't care as I'm dreaming.

After that I pretend to know what i'm talking about