08 clutch problems

Anyone with an 08 have the infamous clutch problems. Mine is showing the symtoms, clunking hard into first gear, and hard downshifts.

That's the nature of the beast until the tranny has some miles on it. Also you will learn to load the shift lever before you shift. Both will get better with mileage.

Niehart said:

That's the nature of the beast until the tranny has some miles on it. Also you will learn to load the shift lever before you shift. Both will get better with mileage.

Click to expand...

I disagree, it is not the nature of the beast. If it was like mine it is going to get worse, so bad that you will need a new clutch and then you have to fight with Yamaha to cover it under warranty. Mine is a 06 and it appears Yamaha has not fixed a damn thing other wise you would not be posting.

Mine startred out like yours then it got to the point where when you pulled the clutch lever in, your bike would still be powering ahead for a few seconds unless you double,triple and quad clutched the lever. Down shifting became so hard that I thought I would bend the shifting lever. This was like this from day one and it got worse as the miles went on.

The wizards at Yamaha said keep riding it, it is under warranty. Then one day pulling in to a gas station I pulled in the clutch and nothing happened I hammered on the brakes and just stop short of wiping out the gas pump. I take it in again to the wizards at Yamaha. They told me there was nothing wrong with it. I asked them if they took the clutch apart and they said no. God Damn brain surgeons they are. They say keep riding it because it is under warranty.

Then one day in my garage I fire up old beauty until the temp bars reach 3 bars then I pull in the clutch put it into first gear and almost take out my garage door because the the bike lurched forward with the clutch in. Back to the wizards I go and tell Yamaha that I am going to sue them and now the Yamaha rep said if they take it apart and find nothing I pay for the cost. Well guess what my clutch plates were stuck together so bad two of them had broken cogs and the whole clutch had to be replaced. Well I had to get my told you so's in to the wizards of Yamaha and they tell me that Yamaha would pay for the labor but I have to pay for the clutch.

So I loose it on them especially when they had to order my clutch from Japan because Yamaha Canada had non on the shelves. So I had to get my dig in and say "amazing Yamaha said they are not having clutch problems with the FJR, first they heard of it. Something has to be wrong because you dumb asses don't have any in stock anywhere in Canada." I talked to the dealer's general manager and they said they would pay for the clutch which was good.

The final result is I have a new clutch which shifts like it should, matter of fact it is the best shifting clutch I ever had. The sore spot with me is I told them from day one there was a clutch problem and I had to fight like crazy to prove I was right and then to add more frustration they wanted me to pay for it because a clutch is a wear item. IT WAS LIKE THAT FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. My advice to you is don't go through the hell I had to through, your life is more important than a Yamaha defective clutch which was not assembled properly from the factory, Plates need to be cleaned and soaked which they did not do. I like my FJR now, but because of the bullshit I went through I am done with Yamaha Canada.

Good Luck be Safe

Yamaman

4wlow said:

Anyone with an 08 have the infamous clutch problems. Mine is showing the symtoms, clunking hard into first gear, and hard downshifts.

Click to expand...

Take it to the dealer. Tell them the symptoms you are experiencing in as much detail as possible. Be sure you have fully released the shift lever between shifts, and explain that to them too. Ask them to look for the tech bullitins on dry clutch plates. If this is your problem, the fix is simple, soak the plates. It was happening on '07s, so it's no leap that some '08s may also have the problem.

Don't wait.

Good luck.

Just saying put some miles on it first.

I have around 1000 miles on the bike now. I can say brand new I did not notice the shifting problems as much as I do now. It seems to be getting worse. Sometimes it shifts o.k. but most of the time I have to really hit the shifter to downshift especially 5th to 4th and when the bike is cold. I guess I will be ordering a gasket and checking the clutch plates. I have a service manual and I'm sure doing it myself will take less time than going through all the red tape at a dealer. I bought the bike several hours from home so my local dealer my not be very willing to jump right on the problem.

My was clunky sometimes until after about 6-8k miles. Smooth as silk now.

ceddec said:

My was clunky sometimes until after about 6-8k miles. Smooth as silk now.

Click to expand...

Mine's getting smoother too. I have noticed when it's cold, the lever needs to be all the way against the bar before putting into first. Not so sensitive after warming up. I just got my fancy Pazzo levers and want to see if they make much difference.

With the engine off you might perform a simple test on the clutch by putting the transmission in 1st gear, pulling in the clutch lever and rolling the bike back and forth to determine just how much drag the clutch offers when disengaged.

Constant Mesh said:

With the engine off you might perform a simple test on the clutch by putting the transmission in 1st gear, pulling in the clutch lever and rolling the bike back and forth to determine just how much drag the clutch offers when disengaged.

Click to expand...

x2

Sounds like another dry clutch. Soak the plates & it will shift great. Mine does now.I had the same problem.

Search the forum for clutch problems and you will see many 07's had the same problem.

No need to buy levers or slave cylinders or hydro lines (unless you just want them) a simple clutch plate soak will fix it. And if you do it yourself it will only cost a gasket. Or take it to dealer cost 0.00. Use key words like ,safety issue, accident.

Do it before the clutch is ruined. If it is the dry clutch problem miles will make it worse.

Good Luck A.C.

I found that when allowed to warm up in the AM, there is no clunk and all is smooth. More noticable in the winter of course/colder climates.

What does one do to "soak the plates"?

thx

ZW

Yamaman said:

I disagree, it is not the nature of the beast. If it was like mine it is going to get worse, so bad that you will need a new clutch and then you have to fight with Yamaha to cover it under warranty. Mine is a 06 and it appears Yamaha has not fixed a damn thing other wise you would not be posting....

The final result is I have a new clutch which shifts like it should, matter of fact it is the best shifting clutch I ever had. The sore spot with me is I told them from day one there was a clutch problem and I had to fight like crazy to prove I was right and then to add more frustration they wanted me to pay for it because a clutch is a wear item. IT WAS LIKE THAT FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. My advice to you is don't go through the hell I had to through, your life is more important than a Yamaha defective clutch which was not assembled properly from the factory, Plates need to be cleaned and soaked which they did not do. I like my FJR now, but because of the bullshit I went through I am done with Yamaha Canada.

Good Luck be Safe

Yamaman

Click to expand...

That is aweful, and good for you for your tenacity.

zenwhipper said:

What does one do to "soak the plates"?thx

Click to expand...

The 'normal' method is dis-assembly and soaking the individual friction plates in an oil-bath.

If you're uncomfortable with that: an alternative (which may work?) is -- disengage the clutch, pull the lever in to the h/bar, whenever possible. For instance, if you habitually let the engine 'warm-up' for a brief period of time? -- keep the clutch dis-engaged during that time (maybe, wrap a small bungee-cord around it?). Running the engine with the clutch dis-engaged will allow, as much as possible, oil to enter the clutch baskets and coat the plates.

Not to start an 'oil-thread' -- but, you may want to try a different engine oil (just might flow in there better?).

These are what may work -- without dis-assembly.

There's also some discussion of modified clutch baskets (new Yamaha part numbers?) -- I think I read it here....? Traditionally, manufacturers add more holes in the clutch baskets to facilitate oil introduction.

Y'r Wlcm....

charismaticmegafauna said:

zenwhipper said:

What does one do to "soak the plates"?thx

Click to expand...

The 'normal' method is dis-assembly and soaking the individual friction plates in an oil-bath.

If you're uncomfortable with that: an alternative (which may work?) is -- disengage the clutch, pull the lever in to the h/bar, whenever possible. For instance, if you habitually let the engine 'warm-up' for a brief period of time? -- keep the clutch dis-engaged during that time (maybe, wrap a small bungee-cord around it?). Running the engine with the clutch dis-engaged will allow, as much as possible, oil to enter the clutch baskets and coat the plates.

Not to start an 'oil-thread' -- but, you may want to try a different engine oil (just might flow in there better?).

These are what may work -- without dis-assembly.

There's also some discussion of modified clutch baskets (new Yamaha part numbers?) -- I think I read it here....? Traditionally, manufacturers add more holes in the clutch baskets to facilitate oil introduction.

Y'r Wlcm....

Click to expand...

Grazi.

I have noticed some issues with my 08 in the realm of clutch / gear shifting. She's got about 350 miles on her. For the time being, I'm taking a wait and see approach at this point.

Scott

I have 1200 miles on my 08. Here is what I am finding. First thing in the morning when cold. Now cold for us west coast folks is low 40's. It will clunk, but once warm up, shift smoother.

Also, it will also depend on your foot location when shifting. I have found that if my foot is closer to the engine, I can get some mis-shifts, or will not go into gear. but if I bring my foot out and catch the shifter correct with just the toe of my boot, shift just fine. My shifter is raise up to the point just below the top line on the frame. I am going to lower it just a bit.

When coming home from work, with the sun out and eveything is heated up for the day, shift smooth as butter.

Joc

Just got my '07 back for the dealer, "Acton Motor Sports" Fairview, OR. They said the clutch plates looked okay and that they soaked them in oil as directed by the Yamaha rep. I felt a tight shifter for the first few miles until the engine warmed up. One of the directions they had for me was to allow for a good warm up. My honda doesn't require a long warm up period.

I'm hoping that the clutch will work well from now on, I love riding the FJR the most for sure.

Good luck with your new bike.

I didn't see anyone mention bleeding the clutch line or adjusting the lever to get more throw. It sounds like the slave end isn't moving far enough to disengage.