2018 YAMAHA FJR1300 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The Yamaha FJR 1300 between 2016 and 2020 was subjected to a recall due possible to transmission. This was documented in the NHTSA as well as Yamaha - the recalls has been completed for many motorcycles including mine. Resolution - As part of that recall they replaced the transmission with a reinforced 2nd gear and main shaft (as we riders understand it), and they performed an ECU re-flash to prevent RPMs over 4k while in 1st, 2nd and 3rd with clutch open. Issue - The ECU - Rev limiting kicks in between 1 to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd at <35 mph with clutch open (pulled) - 4k RPM max. While these are not typical speeds for those gears - needing more power happens in cases of emergency maneuvering. If at any time you need a bit more power and you hit the throttle at that lower speed, you open clutch, hit the throttle and expect power. But no, you can't get above 4k rpm. Essentially leaving you in a potential perilous predicament. Now think about this RPM limiting is about emergency maneuvering. If one finds themselves having to move out of a dangerous situation (either stopped or moving slowly) where you need that 'bit more 'umph' to get going get going an out of the situation quickly, its not happening! And that is exactly how I found out about this. I needed to maneuver out of a dangerous (rear end) situation and hit the throttle only to find pout that it stopped at 4k RPMs. As any experienced rider can attest, when you need power to move into safety, you expect the motorcycle to respond. Yamaha has taken this ability away. This I find it to be a serious safety issue and Yamaha has placed many (~4k) riders in this predicament with this restriction. Interesting related fact - the exact FJR1300 2021 models with the same transmission as the one used in the recall for previous affected ones does not have that ECU restriction. I am asking the NHTSA to look into this potentially life threatening situation and request that Yamaha re-address this new problem.

The Yamaha FJR 1300 between 2016 and 2020 was subjected to a recall due possible to transmission. This was documented in the NHTSA as well as Yamaha - the recalls has been completed for many motorcycles including mine. Resolution - As part of that recall they replaced the transmission with a reinforced 2nd gear and main shaft (as we riders understand it), and they performed an ECU re-flash to prevent RPMs over 4k while in 1st, 2nd and 3rd with clutch open. Issue - The ECU - Rev limiting kicks in between 1 to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd at <35 mph with clutch open (pulled) - 4k RPM max. While these are not typical speeds for those gears - needing more power happens in cases of emergency maneuvering. If at any time you need a bit more power and you hit the throttle at that lower speed, you open clutch, hit the throttle and expect power. But no, you can't get above 4k rpm. Essentially leaving you in a potential perilous predicament. Now think about this RPM limiting is about emergency maneuvering. If one finds themselves having to move out of a dangerous situation (either stopped or moving slowly) where you need that 'bit more 'umph' to get going get going an out of the situation quickly, its not happening! And that is exactly how I found out about this. I needed to maneuver out of a dangerous (rear end) situation and hit the throttle only to find pout that it stopped at 4k RPMs. As any experienced rider can attest, when you need power to move into safety, you expect the motorcycle to respond. Yamaha has taken this ability away. This I find it to be a serious safety issue and Yamaha has placed many (~4k) riders in this predicament with this restriction. Interesting related fact - the exact FJR1300 2021 models with the same transmission as the one used in the recall for previous affected ones does not have that ECU restriction. I am asking the NHTSA to look into this potentially life threatening situation and request that Yamaha re-address this new problem.