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First Impressions


johan

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I received my Race Blue Tracer yesterday and rode it to the office and back in typical London commuting traffic. Today I took it for a 2 hour ride in the Kent countryside. It was overcast and very windy, so not ideal conditions. Here are my first impressions:
 
I love it! I am very happy with the purchase, although Yamaha still has my soft ABS cases and the heated grips on back order. They did fit the Yamaha fog lights - expensive but they appear very well made and in my view enhances the on road presence. I certainly seem to be noticed during filtering, more so than on my previous ride, a XJ-6.
 
Engine: Not as smooth as a four, but much more tractable and even in "running-in mode" very eager. All the power I need. I noticed the "snatchiness" that some riders complain about. My impression is that is probably not down to the fuel injection system. It feels like a very sensitive throttle, almost as if the Y-CCT is "geared", so that the smallest movement of the throttle hand induces more significant throttle opening or closing. I think it is something I'll get used to and perhaps learn to control. I was also riding with winter gloves (heated grips on back order Yamaha!). I wonder of the heated grips have a larger diameter, this might help reduce the "gearing" and provide more control?
 
Handling: Wonderfully balanced and with the wide handlebars has excellent low speed characteristics. I noticed the somewhat choppy ride, especially on English country lanes and B roads. It is a trade-off that I can live with; I love how easily it turns and the low speed handling. I also noticed the "head shake", especially when crossing a high bridge with a 30 MPH cross wind. And although it is noticeable I don't think this is a dangerous motorcycle. Because of the wide handle bars I think it feels exaggerated. I think the suspension is up to the job, I'd like an expert to help me set it up. Another member of this forum fitted a steering damper, I think he is spot on, it might be more effective than a suspension upgrade.
 
Riding position, comfort and wind protection: Very comfortable riding position, my legs feel so much better than on the little XJ-6. Very relaxed on the arms and wrists. My backside will have to get used to the new more upright position and resultant changed contact area before I make up my mind about the seat. After two hours I could feel it, but again, probable will get better as my body adjusts. Wind protection is good. My head rides in turbulent air, and while I don't feel buffeting it is noisy. Perhaps a better helmet (than my Shark Vision R) or I suspect a higher touring screen? I am 5'8" and sit very comfortably with my riding boots almost flat.
 
As soon as it has had its first service I am planning a trip to Yorkshire and a trip to Europe is on the cards this summer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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I received my Race Blue Tracer yesterday and rode it to the office and back in typical London commuting traffic. SNIP  They did fit the Yamaha fog lights - expensive but they appear very well made and in my view enhances the on road presence. I certainly seem to be noticed during filtering, more so than on my previous ride, a XJ-6.  
 
 
 

If you are willing and able, it would be great to see a pic of the fog light hardware.  I like where the OEM foglights mount, under the fairing, as opposed to mounted on the sides of the fender, but I would like to go the cheap eBay light route, and would like to see the Yamaha light mounting hardware for inspiration when it comes time to fabricate a mount.  Also, how are the fogs controlled?  Always on if the bike is on?  Or is there a switch? 
 
 
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@johan I have about 2,500km on mine and agree with pretty much everything in your write up. You definitely get used to the throttle, I have no complaints. The heated grips aren't any larger, as far as I can tell, but I didn't really think about comparing them before I tossed the old ones.
 
I've been tossing around the idea of the fog lights. They look bigger in your photo than they do in the accessories catalog. I don't know if I want to spend the $500 CAD they cost though. Could get similar lights for way under $100. I'm sure theyre top quality, but damn they're pricey. How do they wire in? Where is the switch, does it look stock or like an add on? Since they're Yamaha parts...
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Yamaha will have some fly leads hidden under the plastic, I think under the screen hardware on the FJ. These are usually 4 way Sumitomo plugs. There will be one for the heated grips, one for the accessory lights and another for the second accessory socket.
 
The heated grips & lights plugs will have 4 pins - one earth, one live with the ignition on, one live when the engine is running (i.e. headlamp relay on) and one wire that returns to the ECU.
 
I know this from my Super Tenere which has the same items in the accessory range. I identified each wire using a multimeter and trial and error. My BTeC in electrical engineering finally came in handy.
 
I fitted my own heated grips to the Super Tenere tapping into Yamaha's harness. The mating half of the connector is already there, you just need to find suitable pins to solder onto your wires and pop them in the holes, or just cut off the Yamaha plug and solder or join the wires using some other connector. Self amalgamating tape will waterproof any connections.
 
Edit: make sure any accessory lights are wired into the same circuit as the headlamps so you don't put the tiny battery under stress when starting the bike
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wessie - u have a photo showing the hidden wiring ?
no, someone else mentioned it earlier today - I have not gone hunting for the wiring, yet[1] 
the details are from my knowledge of how Yamaha do things - the accessories are generic to many models, come as plug and play and the wiring for them is fitted to every bike they are approved for
 
have a look in the other threads in the "how to" section on lights & grips
 
[1] I may do if Yamaha don't supply the heated grips in time for the autumn
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Instead of cutting those connectors off just get the correct AMP pins and seals...
Details and instructions could be found here...: http://www.mt09.net/t4098-installation-des-clignotants-led-a-l-avant or here: http://www.mt09.net/t1871-tutoallume-cigare-sur-prise-accessoire-Yamaha
Excuse the French...but it's about the pins, for more details use Google translate.
 
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I'll post some photos showing the mounting brackets and the switch. The switch is the only part that looks a bit like an afterthought, it is a rocker switch and neatly waterproofed, it just does not look like the rest of the Yamaha switches. The fog lights function completely independently from the head lamps, you switch it on and off as needed. 
 
http://i.imgur.com/mhMu9U1.jpg
 
http://i.imgur.com/nlBs1Zp.jpg
 
http://i.imgur.com/U4zoxsx.jpg
 
http://i.imgur.com/s1ohjef.jpg
 
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Nice phots. How did you wiring the lamps ? Is there already wiring inside fairing ? Cost is 499$ hère. I thune to expensive and will see for an alternative.
They were fitted by the dealer papihog, but elsewhere on this thread are some discussions by Wessie which I think are correct. I can follow the two cables and they are neatly routed to below the instruments where they disappear, but I think there must be an existing plug/plugs. Yamaha also offers a second accessory outlet so I assume there must be adequate provision. I have heated grips on back order and they also need to be supplied. I understand they are controlled from the multifunction controls so there will be provision for them also (this is why I did not want to fit Oxford grips as suggested by the dealer), I don't want another control panel.
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Yes, the problem with aftermarket accessories is that you can end up with handlebars that look like something from a Flash Gordon movie. I have some very good heated grips used on my last bike which I could easily install. It would mean having a rotary controller that looks like something from a Mk1 Ford Escort (UK 1960s model). So, I am paying the premium to have the Yamaha heated grips with integrated control, if they ever turn up, as I already have a RAM ball and a 12/5V accessory socket cluttering up the bars.
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Yes, the problem with aftermarket accessories is that you can end up with handlebars that look like something from a Flash Gordon movie. I have some very good heated grips used on my last bike which I could easily install. It would mean having a rotary controller that looks like something from a Mk1 Ford Escort (UK 1960s model). So, I am paying the premium to have the Yamaha heated grips with integrated control, if they ever turn up, as I already have a RAM ball and a 12/5V accessory socket cluttering up the bars.
:) lol, Mk1 Escort! I'd like to fit the Scottoiler eSystem, but have not figured out where I'll put the controller. Since you don't need to see it once it's set I think I'll try to mount it under the seat, where it will also be more protected - I've read reports claiming it is susceptible to rain damage. I need to fit a Ram mount and the webbing for my Kriega bags, but the weather you sent us from the west coast has just turned up and it is thoroughly unpleasant, thanks. 
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@johan - seen this Tutoro oiler, or do you already have the Scottoiler? I have it working on my bike. Seems to work well and no electronics or vacuum needed. I have not posted a review as it is in a state of temporary attachment with zip ties as I need to find where the luggage brackets go before deciding on its final position. 
 
Tutoro are based in Lydney, Gloucestershire, about 40 mins from where I live on the other side of the same county.
 
Weather: cloud breaking up now so once I have watched the F1 GP replay I might get a ride on the bike. 
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