FJRF004: The 2006/7 Altitude Fix

[Capt. Bob]

I had the ECU replacement on my bike performed. The tech and another employee searched though the paperwork a few times to figure out to mark the bike to indicate the recall was performed. They told me this is the first recall they performed that Yamaha did not indicate some method to mark the bike to indicate the recall was performed.
Thoughts?

Did they miss the method to mark it the bike somewhere in the paperwork?

I didn't sign anything so it must be in the paperwork they file.

Capt. Bob

 

[Herkypilot]

No mark on mine either, but you should note, my service dept said its not listed as a "recall" which would be mandated by the NTSB. This is a "product improvement" so maybe that's why an indication on the bike isn't required.

Herkypilot

 

[Euro-Feejer]

New ECU in action today: did a 117 mile loop including a gradual fast 65mph climb that previously caused the surge-falter thing (900 to 4500 ft). No problem... the new ECU did great even though I didn't push for high rpms on the climb! Got decent gas mileage, considering the first 45 minutes were on German Autobahn mostly at 80mph, including a short faster stretch where I was edging upward my personal record for speed (120mph in a 5-mile no-limit stretch), and considering the hill climbing (40mpg avg). Even seems to cruise evenly at slow speeds (30-35mph) through towns, more smooth when I choose a lower-revving gear versus higher revving.

Thanks to all you who pushed Yamaha to solve this.

 

[co425]

well just went through a full tank after the ecu change. Gas mileage is exactly the same. No issues to report except a little abrupt throtle in low gears. I am still playing with the co settings i am up to 4 plus now i used to have it at 7. I am going to increase it until the ubrupt throttle response goes away. Hopefully by plus 7.

 

[sychron]

Service Mgr. at Champion M/C Costa Mesa, Ca. ordered ECU on Tues. Installed Thurs. No problems. Runs great.

 

[heretic]

Good news. Carey's Cycle here in Ogden installed the new ECU on my 07 Thursday. I took it out on a 300+ mile loop today. Here's the rundown.

Altitudes from 4300 ft here in Ogden to over 10,000 feet over the pass from Evanston WY to Kamas UT. Several 3000+ feet elevation changes. One of my favorite rides. On this loop, I had always experience severe surging. Temps ranged from 15 to 40 deg F. Once, after a leisurely decent of about 1500 feet, I thought I noticed a hesitation after giving it a little throttle mid way through a curve but I have been second gussing that observation ever since. If it was real, it was fairly mild and I was unable to repeat it. Other than that (I have to stick with my first impression), the ride was the smoothest I have ever experienced. The FJR responded to mild adjustments, both increasing and decreasing, of throttle without noticeable hesitation or surging. This was a huge improvement in those long tight varying radius turns compared to the hesitation-and-surge that used to make life a little too exciting. I went through all of the conservative riding routines and easy climbs that used to result in surging. No problems. Sweet!

But enough of trying to list the facts. The real story is the return leg of my loop over East Canyon. Instead of trying hard to cause and then "detect" a hesitation/surge, I just had fun. The real result in the ECU change is in the confidence I gained in being able to accelerate and decelerate at will, without any surprises. No more slowing more than should be necessary going into the corners! The bike now gives me what I want, WHEN I want it.

My chicken strip is now a little narrower. Or to summarize this whole report, this is the first time I have ever scraped my boot in the corners.

 

[PTINSTRUCTOR]

Good news. Carey's Cycle here in Ogden installed the new ECU on my 07 Thursday. I took it out on a 300+ mile loop today. Here's the rundown.
Altitudes from 4300 ft here in Ogden to over 10,000 feet over the pass from Evanston WY to Kamas UT. Several 3000+ feet elevation changes. One of my favorite rides. On this loop, I had always experience severe surging. Temps ranged from 15 to 40 deg F. Once, after a leisurely decent of about 1500 feet, I thought I noticed a hesitation after giving it a little throttle mid way through a curve but I have been second gussing that observation ever since. If it was real, it was fairly mild and I was unable to repeat it. Other than that (I have to stick with my first impression), the ride was the smoothest I have ever experienced. The FJR responded to mild adjustments, both increasing and decreasing, of throttle without noticeable hesitation or surging. This was a huge improvement in those long tight varying radius turns compared to the hesitation-and-surge that used to make life a little too exciting. I went through all of the conservative riding routines and easy climbs that used to result in surging. No problems. Sweet!

But enough of trying to list the facts. The real story is the return leg of my loop over East Canyon. Instead of trying hard to cause and then "detect" a hesitation/surge, I just had fun. The real result in the ECU change is in the confidence I gained in being able to accelerate and decelerate at will, without any surprises. No more slowing more than should be necessary going into the corners! The bike now gives me what I want, WHEN I want it.

My chicken strip is now a little narrower. Or to summarize this whole report, this is the first time I have ever scraped my boot in the corners.

This is really great news and I, for one, thank you for the information. Builds back the confidence in the bike. My wife and I ride northern New Mexico mountains almost every weekend and with the altitude changes, we have both experienced the "surges". Thanks for the report.

 

[heretic]

This is really great news and I, for one, thank you for the information. Builds back the confidence in the bike. My wife and I ride northern New Mexico mountains almost every weekend and with the altitude changes, we have both experienced the "surges". Thanks for the report.

Do you have the new ECU yet? I'm eagerly waitng on detailed ride reports from more FJR owners so that I can compare my experience with others. In particular, I'd like to know how others who have tried some of the alternate performance/smoothness modifications view the new ECU. Also, I only have the one cycle. Rather than a simple before and after comparison like the one I did, I'd be interested to know what riders of multiple bikes and those who might have a better feel for objective/absolute smoothness think of the improvement.

As far as "building back confidence", I didn't really know I had a lack of confidence. The FJR is very different from the rides I had in the past. My last ride was a 650 VStrom. I've loved the Feejer since I bought it last July. I just didn't realize how much I compensated in my riding until after the new ECU. Now I'm eager to try other performance and suspension tuning and tailoring to see what else I might have been missing.

I'll be watching this thread for your report and your comparison to my observations. I'm guessing that the mountains of NM compare with those here in UT and that your experience with the surges have been as annoying as mine.

 

[JR'SFJR]

Dealership installed ECU this morning. Took about 30 mins. Now, I need to get out of flat land FL to find some altitude. At least, we are set for NAFO in Denver area next summer.

 

[Ignacio]

Dealership installed ECU this morning. Took about 30 mins. Now, I need to get out of flat land FL to find some altitude. At least, we are set for NAFO that may be in Colorado next summer.

Fixed it for 'ya.

 

[RacinRay]

I called my dealer today to set up an appointment to get the ECU replaced. The dealer said he hadn't heard anything on a recall for the FJR so he took my number and said he'd call me back. A few hours later he calls me back and said I was wrong about the recall, it's actually a service bulletin. He then says I have to leave the bike for at least a week! I said it was a 1/2 hour job once they get the part, but he said that's not the way they do it.

Now I'm thinking why bother? I've ridden up Mt. Mitchell on the BRP and all through the Adirondacks with no problems.

any thoughts?

 

[Capt. Bob]

I called my dealer today to set up an appointment to get the ECU replaced. The dealer said he hadn't heard anything on a recall for the FJR so he took my number and said he'd call me back. A few hours later he calls me back and said I was wrong about the recall, it's actually a service bulletin. He then says I have to leave the bike for at least a week! I said it was a 1/2 hour job once they get the part, but he said that's not the way they do it.
Now I'm thinking why bother? I've ridden up Mt. Mitchell on the BRP and all through the Adirondacks with no problems.

any thoughts?

Is your VIN # included in the service bulletin?

I wonder if all of the 06s are affected?

Could be the way you ride.

Capt. Bob

 

[ELP_JC]

I wonder if all of the 06s are affected?

Only late '06s. Another alternative way to know is to check the stock CO numbers: if 5,18,18,21, it's affected. Or just ride the bike to a mountain and you'll know right away. Good luck.

JC

 

[escapefjrtist]

I wonder if all of the 06s are affected?

Only late '06s. Another alternative way to know is to check the stock CO numbers: if 5,18,18,21, it's affected. Or just ride the bike to a mountain and you'll know right away. Good luck.

JC

Beg to differ JC...Mine is a very early '06 and is on the recall list. Never has had any of the symptoms that have affected the '07 bikes. I'm still sitting on the fence whether to go ahead and fix something that isn't broken on mine.

--G

 

[06FJRider]

Hi Escape,

I too have an early model '06 and can attest that they are affected by this issue (at least mine is behaving as such). I am also on the recall list and gotten my letter from Yamaha. We do not have the same heights /mountains as some other lucky ones do but the mountains up in New Hampshire can induce this (at least for mine).

If you think you are never going to be at heights, I would not worry about it. Most of my rides are between sea level and 1500 feet with absolutely no issues; it was a foray into the higher elevation of the Mt Washington area recently that induced the issue. I'm having it done since it was not a pleasant experience and I would not want it happening at a critical time.

My local dealer is in Hudson, NH -- I checked with them this week (talked to the service manager in person) and he confirmed that he was aware of it and has parts on order for me /others.

G' Luck! Luis

 

[painman]

I wonder if all of the 06s are affected?

Only late '06s. Another alternative way to know is to check the stock CO numbers: if 5,18,18,21, it's affected. Or just ride the bike to a mountain and you'll know right away. Good luck.

JC

Incorrect. My 06 is one of the first made that year and has the problem and is on the list as well....PM. <><

 

[FJR1300Mark]

I too want to thank TruWrecks Warchild et al. This forum and FJR guru riders like them contributed greatly to my decision to get the FJR.

Thanks

 

[BkrK12]

Installed my new ECU today. Bike seems to run fine - exactly the way it did before. As a side note: Dealership wanted to do the install and I wanted to do it myself. After a discussion with the service manager about it, I got him to agree that, if I was smart enough to get the old one out and bring it to him without damaging it, he'd give me credit for being smart enough to install the new one myself. Saved me a ride in 42 degree weather and sitting around while they got around to doing the work.

 

[Jim T]

I got my letter from yamaha about the new ecu to fix the surging. I haven't ever experenced any surging that I know of. Is it still a good idea to get this done

 

[sonicspeed]

just had my ECU installed today. put over 100 miles on it and bike runs great......

also had them take slack out of throttle, throttle seems fine too