Yamaha R1 vs. FJR - impressions

**Franz** · 21st June 2011, 10:10 AM

A warning to all FJR owners in Thailand !! Last Sunday I did a "Lunch in Pai" run with another 13 local riders which I enjoyed very much (organised by Nut from Pistonshop) on my trusty FJR. Shortly before Pai the back brake started to fail. On the way back it was raining and I had to ride 'Wave speeds' as the backbrake was gone completely.
Yesterday evening I had a look and the problem was easily solved. Screw up is located at Yamaha square's repair shop but can be fixed.
Last time on service there I had the worn original pads replaced by EBC ones. As the FJR has ABS and a split brake system a problem comes up if you do not read the manual before replacing the pads.
The frontbrake lever engages the left front calipers (2 pistons) and the upper piston of the right caliper.
The back brake engages the back caliper and the lower piston of the front right hand side. So upon changing pads and doing things not properly you'll have to bleed as follows:
First open the lower de-airing valve of the lower right hand side front caliper and push the piston in, then close the valve. Put on the new pads and mount the caliper onto the fork again. For bleeding always do the front lower right one first and then the back brake. Obviously the mechanics have only bled the back calipers, so air was left between the valves and the front lower right one which in the end had my brakes fail. Once you do a pad change at any location, please make sure the mechanics understand how the system works.
Cheers, Franz

**TonyBKK** · 21st June 2011, 11:03 AM

Yikes! Thank goodness it was only your back brake!!! Can you imagine losing the front brakes on that road?!

**Franz** · 21st June 2011, 12:07 PM

Yep Tony, was already a pain in the ass of having to ride her down that hills on wet & slippery roads in mainly first and second gear, just looking at some drops on the sides gave me the creeps. Anyway, will have to go for conventional service soon and will have the mechanics listen to the little lesson about FJR brakes I'll give them......555555......cheers, Franz

**monsterman** · 22nd June 2011, 09:31 AM

Franz the brakes should be flush bled with Fresh brake fluid after 2 years anyway as they collect water moisture and that degrades the effectivness especially in this climate

**Franz** · 22nd June 2011, 06:15 PM

Yes I know Jerry, that's why I used one bottle of Ate DOT4 2 days ago............brakes work perfect again, so, can again push her a little more...55555.......cheers, Franz

**Tubber** · 26th June 2011, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Franz

A warning to all FJR owners in Thailand !! Last Sunday I did a "Lunch in Pai" run with another 13 local riders which I enjoyed very much (organised by Nut from Pistonshop) on my trusty FJR. Shortly before Pai the back brake started to fail. On the way back it was raining and I had to ride 'Wave speeds' as the backbrake was gone completely.
Yesterday evening I had a look and the problem was easily solved. Screw up is located at Yamaha square's repair shop but can be fixed.
Last time on service there I had the worn original pads replaced by EBC ones. As the FJR has ABS and a split brake system a problem comes up if you do not read the manual before replacing the pads.
The frontbrake lever engages the left front calipers (2 pistons) and the upper piston of the right caliper.
The back brake engages the back caliper and the lower piston of the front right hand side. So upon changing pads and doing things not properly you'll have to bleed as follows:
First open the lower de-airing valve of the lower right hand side front caliper and push the piston in, then close the valve. Put on the new pads and mount the caliper onto the fork again. For bleeding always do the front lower right one first and then the back brake. Obviously the mechanics have only bled the back calipers, so air was left between the valves and the front lower right one which in the end had my brakes fail. Once you do a pad change at any location, please make sure the mechanics understand how the system works.
Cheers, Franz

Hi Franz
I changed the front pads on the FJR a few months ago but didn't have any problems. I am not too sure what you are trying to say. I know the FJR has a linked braking system but haven't been able to get a manual, Sin was going to give me a copy but I didn't have a flash drive. When you change the pads and push the pistons back in how does air get in the system? Doesn't it just push the fluid back in to the reservoir, front or back? As long as the level doesn't drop too low, i.e. below the level of the master cylinder piston where does air get in. If you were going to sell your FJR how much do you reckon it is worth? I was in Red Baron yesterday, some interesting things.
Regards
Jim

**Franz** · 26th June 2011, 06:12 PM

Hi Jim, some misunderstanding, I won't sell the FJR.........this one stays although such a heavy pig.......55555
Well I don't know what they did but my last service I had them change the back pads and after this i noticed that my rear pedal's compression point got lower and lower. It must have happened that they opened one valve/screw too many where air was sucked into the system. According to manual, whenever you need to do the backbrake and need to bleed some air out of the system, you always have to bleed the front right lower piston first, then the back one.
I've got a manual, will burn it for you on CD and send it to Sakorn Nowhere OK ? Just PM/email/sms me your exact address and within this week I'll send it to you. Last week I went to Yamaha square in CNX, Sin has got a translation of the original manual in Thai where I showed him the necessety to bleed both pistons and also the direct link up of the two, now he got it. FJR will go on regular service again this week so I can take her again on a long tour to Eastern Thailand soon. Cheers, Franz

**feejer** · 26th June 2011, 09:37 PM

Hopefully, the service flushed the clutch hydraulics as well. I flush the brakes on my '05 FJR ABS (non-linked) every season, but the clutch every 6 months. That fluid is always 2-3X more contaminated than the brakes. Obviously many more actuations on that system vs. braking.

**daewoo** · 27th June 2011, 01:00 PM

I know that this post is now on-topic, which is quite off-topic for where this thread is now... but anyway...

I bought an 09 FZ1 (in Australia) after riding with johngooding in Thailand and seeing how fast he could punt one along without any stress...

Note that, in Australia, all these bikes, R1, FZ1, FJR are readily available, serviced, insured...

To me the FZ1 and FJR are very different bikes, for different types of riding... The FZ1, is a good bike for guys too old to ride an R1... they are a sporty bike with a more relaxed seating position, and less bite you on the **** power curve... but I wouldn't really call them a tourer or sports tourer... fact is, more than 200km in a single stint is hard work on the ****, and speeds over 160km require a lot of attention... but in the twisties they remind you of their sporting origins...

The FJR is for eating up heaps of miles, and carrying everything you need as well... I am sure an equal rider would be faster in the twisties on an FZ1, but they are going to regret it if they try too many 1000km days on one...

Cheers,
Daewoo

**feejer** · 28th June 2011, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by daewoo

The FJR is for eating up heaps of miles, and carrying everything you need as well... I am sure an equal rider would be faster in the twisties on an FZ1, but they are going to regret it if they try too many 1000km days on one...

That's exactly why I own both at the moment. With minimal effort to uncork the motor, the FZ1 becomes near R1 in power, very near. And truth be told, mine with the Yamaha gel seat and touring screen is "all day" comfortable for the type of riding it is for.

For me, all day on the FZ1 does not mean 1000KM on the slab or in heavy weather. If we want a long-haul Interstate trip where a full fairing for rain etc would be good, then the FJR obviously gets the call. Nice to have options like these for the road. Just missing a dual sport, to be remedied soon.........