Calling on experienced owners!

4069 Views 24 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Dale I, 2 mo ago

hawg

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Having just purchased a 2006 AE model with 18,000 miles, i was wondering what to expect from the bike. Plan on touring with it and eventually making it my go to bike. Any reasons it may not live up to my expectations, or am i expecting a bit too much. All i read says it should be a good bike.

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hawg

Discussion Starter · #2 · 2 mo ago

After just recently purchasing a 2006AE model, i am planning on using it for long touring etc. Just wondering if i can expect good performance from the bike relating to reliability . It currently has only 18,000 miles, so definately not tired just older. Hoping for very fun summer.

red

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Hawg,

18000 on the FJR is just barely broken in. I have never owned a more reliable bike, as in zero trouble in my ten years on the FJR. Carry spare fuses (just in case), a tire repair kit (plugs, strings, glue and tooling), and a small electric tire pump. Run the engine when (if) you have to run the tire pump.

Reactions: 3

rbentnail

· #4 · 2 mo ago

You get out of it what you put into it. Review threads, do maintenance. Less yapping, more riding

.

Reactions: 2

JonS

· #5 · 2 mo ago

Inspect the Rear Subframe for any cracks under the rear seat, and around the top box mounting holes if you have a top box mounted.
Have owned a 2007 FJR and put over 40,000kms on it and then after a forced sale, purchased a 2011 FJR with 55,000 kms and it was 2 years old, but looked better than new, and now has 89,000kms on it. The only real issue I have had was the rear sub frame snapping on the 2011 current bike. With the rear grab handles also breaking at the same time. This was an indication of the faulty broken subframe, and not the main issue, as I painfully learnt. I ride with a large top box, but I dont believe it was the weight that was the issue. It was the Lack of weight that likely caused the breakage. If you follow an FJR with an empty top box, you will notice it can often have some nasty and quick oscillations. The sub frame is just rubbish alloy channel, and really should have been made of solid tube. Its hidden away and out of site, so guess Yamaha didn't care much.
The fix I found was to replace the plastic yamaha grab handles with the solid steel Givi replacement handle system, that also strengthens the sub frame mounting point for the top box. No issues since.

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Reactions: 1

cra-z1

· #6 · 2 mo ago

The bike has been one of the most reliable bikes I have owned, and pretty easy to work on. Keep you fluids changed, clean and lubricate shifters ,levers, drive shafts and you will have a great bike for many a mile. I agree at 18,000 its early broke in.

Reactions: 1

hawg

Discussion Starter · #7 · 2 mo ago

Thks.

RaYzerman

· #8 · 2 mo ago

One of the maintenance tasks on an AE is flushing and bleeding the clutch system to keep the clutch optimal. By the book, it's a procedure...... there is a workaround, and the AE guys can tell you how they do it.

We've talked about the CCT, yes? I'd change it up for the latest without a moment's hesitation......

Reactions: 1

JamesNC

· #9 · 2 mo ago

Seeing this post makes me assume you've taken care that CCT 😉 Get those fluids done, get to know the bike, go through the bike with a fine-toothed comb, anything that doesn't look or feel right you can fix, replace, or upgrade. 2006 with only 18K? That is a LOT of time sitting dry, I would definitely ride it as much as possible, any significant underlying issues will surely manifest quickly and you can deal with them now, close to home, instead of later on when you're touring miles away in EBFE.

2¢

Reactions: 2

Reserector

· #10 · 2 mo ago

Check the fork seals, considering its age. If they are weeping, replace them.

Reactions: 1

Charles.Robinson

· #11 · 2 mo ago

Reserector said:
Check the fork seals, considering its age. If they are weeping, replace them.

Don't be too quick to replace them, though - many times, you can just clean out the gunk that is getting between the seals and the fork tubes and you're golden. My son had "bad" seals on his 2007 FJR which I fixed in that manner, and I had a weepy fork on my 2008 as well which no longer leaks. I used the Gen-U-Wine "Seal Mate" to do the trick, but you can cut out and make a similar tool with an old milk jug for just pennies, too.

Reactions: 2

Randy_B

· #12 · 2 mo ago

Where do you live?

hawg

Discussion Starter · #13 · 2 mo ago

Randy_B said:
Where do you live?

Melville Saskatchewan.

Randy_B

· #14 · 2 mo ago

Not a lot of twisties out there. But some great thunderstorms. I was just curious if you were closer to me.

hawg

Discussion Starter · #15 · 2 mo ago

Randy_B said:
Not a lot of twisties out there. But some great thunderstorms. I was just curious if you were closer to me.

I wish. So much nicer riding throughout your province.

Randy_B

· #16 · 2 mo ago

hawg said:
I wish. So much nicer riding throughout your province.

Not as much as you would think. I don't even drive my FJR locally anymore; I bought a off road bike for that. There really are not a lot of roads in BC compared to southern Ontario. I keep one FJR in the USA most of the time and ride around there. The BC/Alberta border is the best place in Canada for biking IMO. But you're only a day's drive to South Dakota and Wyoming and both places are great for exploring on the FJR.

hawg

Discussion Starter · #17 · 2 mo ago

Randy_B said:
Not as much as you would think. I don't even drive my FJR locally anymore; I bought a off road bike for that. There really are not a lot of roads in BC compared to southern Ontario. I keep one FJR in the USA most of the time and ride around there. The BC/Alberta border is the best place in Canada for biking IMO. But you're only a day's drive to South Dakota and Wyoming and both places are great for exploring on the FJR.

Had put 360,000 on my old Harley riding around the us and western Canada. Can’t say I have been south in Ontario though. Ou are right as black hills sd is still hard to beat. Love the Utah riding as well.

Reactions: 1

hawg

Discussion Starter · #18 · 2 mo ago

hawg said:
Had put 360,000 on my old Harley riding around the us and western Canada. Can’t say I have been south in Ontario though. Ou are right as black hills sd is still hard to beat. Love the Utah riding as well.

Really looking forward to riding the fjr.

Versatek6

· #19 · 2 mo ago

We wanted something to tour with other than our V-Strom. Not a cruiser fan; Gold Wing is "too much". I heard things about the FJR, so with some hunting I found a nice low miles '07 AE for low $$.

In short, in two years, my wife and I doubled the miles, sold it at a profit, and bought a 2014.

'Nuff said.

Reactions: 2

hawg

Discussion Starter · #20 · 2 mo ago

Versatek6 said:
We wanted something to tour with other than our V-Strom. Not a cruiser fan; Gold Wing is "too much". I heard things about the FJR, so with some hunting I found a nice low miles '07 AE for low $$.

In short, in two years, my wife and I doubled the miles, sold it at a profit, and bought a 2014.

'Nuff said.

Your right. Nuff said. If I like I may very well do the same,or even keep if no issues.

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