SimonD said:
Oh! Dallara the UK rag "BIKE" has photo's of the new '06 FJR1300 without a clutch lever (seems you change gear with buttons rather like on some "sporting" autos). What's going on here? Is this on all models for all markets? An optional extra? Is this the begining of the end for the clutch as we know it?
For 2006 there are two different Yamaha FJR models... The "standard" FJR-1300-A, which does have ABS and Yamaha's linked brake system, but a conventional 5-speed gearbox with a normal manual clutch - complete with left-side handlebar lever. Then there is the FJR-1300-AE - same as above, but the "E" stands for "Electric Shift" - as in teh clutch and gearbox are actuated electro-mechanically. There is no left-side handlebar clutch lever, but added to the left-side bar is a set of paddles/buttons... You upshift with your left forefinger, downshift with your left thumb - or you can use a foot lever mounted in the normal location. None of these directly actuate the gearbox or clutch on the AE, but instead operate switches that actuate the clutch and make the shift through a set of servos... Not too many details as of yet on exactly how the clutch works coming ot a stop or leaving from a standstill, but most likely it is simply computer controlled and gathers data from sources like wheel speed sensors (already there for the ABS), throttle position sensors (already there for the E.F.I.), crank speed sensors (already there for various subsystems), etc. Ferrari has a similar electro-actuated clutch on some of its street cars, and the technology is old hat in Formula One... (you guys did know that Yamaha is involved in Toyota's F-1 effort, and used to be in car F-1 itself, didn't you?) "Launch Control" as it is often called in F-1 can give pretty dramatic starts...
However, if I go with the FJR-1300 it will most definitely be the "standard" old "A" model, with conventional shifting...
Why?
Well, you know me... I'm for as little computer-controlled, servo-assisted, "think-for-me" riding "aids" as possible for my motorcycle riding experience each ride. I can live with ABS, as long as it is completely transparent, and Yamaha's is by far the best in the industry in this regard. As for the linked brakes... Well, from what my buddies at Yamaha tell me, this is easily "worked around" with just some hose magic, and then is completely defeated with no adverse effects on the braking system. Cost to do this should be under $100.00, and is completely reversible.
Second reason... The Electric-Shift option adds almost $2000.00 to the price of an FJR, adds some weight and complexity, and is just one more thing to go wrong...
*NOW*, CVT transmissions really do interest me... That's a whole other ball-game. They were outlawed in F-1 years ago when Williams was developing one, and that was a shame, because had CVT's made a breakthrough on the world stage of F-1 and been successful, I think we would see them in more cars and bikes today - and they are a definite way to improve the breed for all of us.
Efficient, light weight, simple, reliable (in this day and age and with the materials available), foolproof in operation, and yet offer definite increases in performance across the board. Someday, they will change motorcycling forever... at least as long as internal combustion engines are still around burning fossil fuels.
Cheers!
Dallara
)...so they need a low seat height...and 600cc to them should be plenty.
..so they can be seen between the cars. 
. What's going on here? Is this on all models for all markets? An optional extra? Is this the begining of the end for the clutch as we know it? 
If there is no clutch (lever) then it must dissengage automatically when stopping and engage drive from standstill as the revs increase. As one who hates linked braking systems I can't see you liking this! Does your Yamaha dealer friend have any info for us?
