FJRiders.com

Hi folks, new to the forum and first post. I’ll start by confessing that I don’t own an FJR - but I am planning to get one and I need advice please.

From the adverts I have seen, my budget will get me a bike that is about 10 years old with 30-40000 miles on the clock. The main question I have is whether to pay a bit more for an AS or go for a younger, lower mileage bike without the electronic shift. Is it worth having or is it just another thing to go wrong? I should mention I’m in the UK - I think the AE is the US equivalent?

Any advice on this or things to look for when buying will be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

No one ever complains about the electronic shift model.

I think it's a toss up as to what you like. Plenty of both still going strong.

Welcome to the Forum!
I'd suggest a 2008 or newer because there were some nice changes starting that year, with the most important being a less snatchy throttle. The 06 and 07 were horrible for off idle throttle response and many owners like myself ended up spending lots of time and/or money to fix this issue.

Only a little bit of money to fix the 06/07 but I'd still go with 2008+ for sure. Electronic shift here. I had some issues, but worked through it and despite those issues, I wouldn't trade it for a normal shift bike at all for my commuting. I don't miss standard shifting as I have other bikes with it, but in traffic, it's freaking gold. For you it's nice because they kept them over there so you have lots of years to choose from in that respect. As for paying a bit more, heck, the used AE models are cheaper here, that's how I ended up with mine. Purists thumb their nose at push button shifting and think they can do better, so they don't buy them and they languish here so you can get them at a discount.

I like the 5 speed, but if they had brought the AS over here in Root Beer (metallic bronze over there I think), I'd have been tempted... just because I wanted to try it. I rode an '09 AE a very short distance and kinda liked it. You'll like whichever one you end up with no doubt.

2006 to 2012 is considered a Gen 2. Depending on your budget, you might find an early Gen 3 (2013 - 2015). In the Gen 2's, the 2008 and up are probably most desirable (I'm on my 2nd 2009 now). There have been some AE's (auto shift) out there every now and then, and a couple fans of them here that can chime in (GixxerJason and Vic).

Good luck and welcome!

Wayne

Great stuff, really useful, thanks everyone. Keep it coming please! You can’t have too much information in my opinion.

FYI, the electronic shift is mostly stock FJR. The clutch and transmission are the same, it just has modules and buttons and actuators to shift and handle the clutch for you. It won't auto shift, or at least the versions we got in the US didn't, you still decide when to shift up and down and you can do that with the push of a button on the bars or use the foot shifter which is really a lever with a button on it. The foot shifter, because it's not actually shifting is N12345.

I'd agree though, if you can swing the price of a 2013 I'd go for that. Not sure how the prices are reflected over there but the 2013's here are starting to finally be quite the bargain and not much more than a slightly older bike.

If you end up going for a 2006-2007 model, a power commander with the right map on it and a G2 throttle tube will 98% eliminate the throttle problems. Right now I'm working on throttle issues on my GSX-S1000 that has similar problems and my FJR is the smooth bike. If you can find a used Power Commander, then plunk down the $80 for the G2 throttle tube and call it a day. Not sure how shipping from the US would work but I might know where a used PC could be found if it were needed.

Thanks, this is all helping me to focus on the best model to look for.
Pardon my ignorance, but is the AE simply the US version of the AS?

alexis291 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 17, 2018 2:16 pm Thanks, this is all helping me to focus on the best model to look for.
Pardon my ignorance, but is the AE simply the US version of the AS?

I believe so...if you are referring to the electronic shift/no clutch lever bike.
https://www.fjriders.com/forums/viewtop ... 662#p62662

Pretty sure. AE here is with the push button shift. I'm not 100% familiar with the Euro models but I think that's right.

AE in Europe is the ES here. AS in Europe is their AE with electronic shift, or our AE with ES suspension....... all clear now?

raYzerman wrote: ↑Tue Apr 17, 2018 9:12 pm AE in Europe is the ES here. AS in Europe is their AE with electronic shift, or our AE with ES suspension....... all clear now?

Clear as ASS.

I have the European AS model, it is exactly the same as US AE. I love it, I have 80 000 km on it now and never had an issue with the cluch. Its brilliant not only in traffic, but also in demanding riding situations like unexpected turns, etc as it shits the the gear in a blink of an eye and does it very smoothly indeed.

enn wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:16 am I have the European AS model, it is exactly the same as US AE. I love it, I have 80 000 km on it now and never had an issue with the cluch. Its brilliant not only in traffic, but also in demanding riding situations like unexpected turns, etc as it shifts the the gear in a blink of an eye and does it very smoothly indeed.

Fixed...Shifts the gear.

If it shits the gear, that MAY not be a good thing.

wheatonFJR wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:25 am ...If it shits the gear, that MAY not be a good thing.

That was covered quite well recently in the thread about changing a bad second gear and the shift forks.

bloody typo! arrrrgh...

enn wrote: ↑Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:23 am bloody typo! arrrrgh...

No typo goes unpunished here.

Especially not the good ones!

Welcome to the institution.

I bought my '12 brand new and of course the following year they added cruise control. Something I wish I had every year. Yes I can add a McCruise but I just haven't opened my wallet yet for that. My one cent worth, get the newest year you can afford. The improvements from Gen2 to Gen3 will be worth it especially if you plan on keeping it for many years.

Well thank you all for taking the time to reply and for your welcomes. Armed with my new knowledge I will start looking for the best bike I can afford. I will update you with what I find and no doubt start asking questions when I start tinkering with it!