FJRiders.com

My FJR has been running a bit rough since we got to Quebec.

As I take off, if I baby the thottle and clutch, it will fart and misfire once or twice, and actually died on me a couple times. While putt putting around at lower speeds, when I go to let off the throttle (as I'm releasing the throttle), it will hiccup at times as well. Kind of like an exaggerated shaft jacking phenomen. If I run it in touring mode, it's less pronounced, but still detectable. For a while, I thought "ride more stress less", but something's not right.

At first, I thought it might have been stale fuel, but now 7-10 tanks in, from various sources, that's not it.

No check engine light. No change in fuel mileage - if anything, it's better, but the speeds here are slower. I've checked nothing so I can't say more. T/Bs have never been sync'd, but I'm not seeing that as abruptly causing this.

I can ride it like this until I get home and have better abilty to deal with it. Basically, I'm leaning on the clutch just a little more on take off to ensure it doesn't die. Otherwise, it's not a big deal.

But - just for shits and giggles, anybody got any ideas?

Sparkplugs and/or a coil that isn't up to snuff?
Might be a cruddy fuel injector...

Problem with earlier Gen III+ bikes was the throttle position sensor. Seems to me that problem was less significant in later years.

Take it here:
viewtopic.php?t=8006

blind squirrel wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:21 am Take it here:
viewtopic.php?t=8006

Timing is just a bit off. I mean it's close. We will be home by then.

FJRoss wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 8:57 am Sparkplugs and/or a coil that isn't up to snuff?
Might be a cruddy fuel injector...

Problem with earlier Gen III+ bikes was the throttle position sensor. Seems to me that problem was less significant in later years.

52Km (33K miles - look at me using metric!!). Original spark plugs. Not likely, but not unheard of. I get a new set of plugs at the house - easy try.

While I'm in there, I could test the coils, if I knew how. Thoughts?

Hppants wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:43 am

FJRoss wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 8:57 am Sparkplugs and/or a coil that isn't up to snuff?
Might be a cruddy fuel injector...

Problem with earlier Gen III+ bikes was the throttle position sensor. Seems to me that problem was less significant in later years.

52Km (33K miles - look at me using metric!!). Original spark plugs. Not likely, but not unheard of. I get a new set of plugs at the house - easy try.

While I'm in there, I could test the coils, if I knew how. Thoughts?

Have a look at the plugs when you take them out and compare - a bad coil MIGHT show some evidence with the plug appearance. I don't know what people are getting out of Gen IV OEM plugs, but it would seem to me that 52K km might be getting to the point where there could be issues. Are these "conventional" or precious metal plugs (iridium or platinum)?

Might try a couple of doses of Yamaha Ring Free. Or Techron, although it is not as commonly available in Canada.

FJRoss wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:54 am

Hppants wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:43 am

FJRoss wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 8:57 am Sparkplugs and/or a coil that isn't up to snuff?
Might be a cruddy fuel injector...

Problem with earlier Gen III+ bikes was the throttle position sensor. Seems to me that problem was less significant in later years.

52Km (33K miles - look at me using metric!!). Original spark plugs. Not likely, but not unheard of. I get a new set of plugs at the house - easy try.

While I'm in there, I could test the coils, if I knew how. Thoughts?

Have a look at the plugs when you take them out and compare - a bad coil MIGHT show some evidence with the plug appearance. I don't know what people are getting out of Gen IV OEM plugs, but it would seem to me that 52K km might be getting to the point where there could be issues. Are these "conventional" or precious metal plugs (iridium or platinum)?

Might try a couple of doses of Yamaha Ring Free. Or Techron, although it is not as commonly available in Canada.

OEM (original) plugs - not irridium.

I could try a can of seafoam - that wouldn't hurt anything.

Hppants wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 10:01 am

FJRoss wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:54 am

Hppants wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:43 am

52Km (33K miles - look at me using metric!!). Original spark plugs. Not likely, but not unheard of. I get a new set of plugs at the house - easy try.

While I'm in there, I could test the coils, if I knew how. Thoughts?

Have a look at the plugs when you take them out and compare - a bad coil MIGHT show some evidence with the plug appearance. I don't know what people are getting out of Gen IV OEM plugs, but it would seem to me that 52K km might be getting to the point where there could be issues. Are these "conventional" or precious metal plugs (iridium or platinum)?

Might try a couple of doses of Yamaha Ring Free. Or Techron, although it is not as commonly available in Canada.

OEM (original) plugs - not irridium.

I could try a can of seafoam - that wouldn't hurt anything.

Seafoam wouldn't hurt, but I might expect Ring Free or Techron would be better if the issue was gummed fuel injectors - although I wouldn't hold my breath that any of these would magically transform behavior. You are well beyond the recommended change interval for plugs but I know lots of people have greatly extended Yamaha's change recommendations without issue. As mentioned, the individual plug condition might offer some insight into a funky coil (or injector) - worth at least having a look.
Good luck!

Hppants wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:40 am

blind squirrel wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 9:21 am Take it here:
viewtopic.php?t=8006

Timing is just a bit off. I mean it's close. We will be home by then.

It's not like you haven't ridden that far on a trip before.

-OR- Drop it off and do a fly-n-ride back up.

Just FYI..... there have been a few lately having similar issues with FJR's.... long story, but most every possibility has been discussed. I say yes to the Seafoam in case there's water in the fuel. Won't hurt. Injectors and coils are very likely OK...... plugs are due, try that first.... note you can use iridium CR8 or CR9EIX, same as previous generations. The Gen3 OEM plugs are what's called extended tip (think Euro emissions), but nothing physically has changed with the cylinder head since 2003.

Discussions in another sandbox are ongoing. We ain't quite got there yet, but might be low fuel rail pressure. The FPR (regulator) is part of the fuel pump assembly. No worries, cheap fix.... need a bit of apparatus to check fuel pressure......

Might I remind you of this thread..... I was just reading it again last night.... you can start from the beginning to see everything that was tried or skip to the second last page......
viewtopic.php?t=5478&hilit=injectors

You had to f@$k up and go buy a bike that needs an OBD reader......LOL.

Pants, do you have the OBD reader adapter cable? Might reveal something?

You are only a days ride from Ray

What about TPS? I remember Ray's post-mortem on one of those. I didn't change plugs on my 15 until 32k miles. Worked fine.

Could be TPS, but hard to diagnose... the problem with the limited OBD apps we can get is it doesn't tell you much. Yes you can see if there are any error codes and clear them. If any, might maybe give you some clues, but not that helpful.... Gimme the pre-OBD diagnostics screens for an FJR....

raYzerman wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 10:46 pm Could be TPS, but hard to diagnose... the problem with the limited OBD apps we can get is it doesn't tell you much. Yes you can see if there are any error codes and clear them. If any, might maybe give you some clues, but not that helpful.... Gimme the pre-OBD diagnostics screens for an FJR....

Too bad they didn't make a GS-911type device for an FJR, that thing is a very powerful tool.

I am not a huge believer in a TBS making a whole bunch of difference one way or the other but if you've never done one at all perhaps it is contributing to the problem?

I'm betting Spark Plugs - an easy and simple fix. Always look to the simplest solution first.

If you don't have the requisite tools, check out Princess Auto.

bigjohnsd wrote: ↑Sat Aug 09, 2025 5:48 pm I'm betting Spark Plugs - an easy and simple fix. Always look to the simplest solution first.

If you don't have the requisite tools, check out Princess Auto.

Canada's answer to Harbor Freight.

Wnat to thank everyone for their help here. I've read through the referenced links. Before I go "TPS" hunting, I think I'm going to just try a can of seafoam. Even if it doesn't help, as log as it doesn't get much worse, I'll ride it like that until I get home. Then I'll change the spark plugs and check the T/B sync (since I'm there anyway). After that, we'll see...

To be continued likely in a couple of months....

I'd order up some spark plugs and give them a quick swap on a rainy day. No sense riding a couple of months with a sick motorcycle if it's easily fixed. And if it doesn't fix it, then you've done one thing that still likely needed doing anyway.

gixxerjasen wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 10:02 am I'd order up some spark plugs and give them a quick swap on a rainy day. No sense riding a couple of months with a sick motorcycle if it's easily fixed. And if it doesn't fix it, then you've done one thing that still likely needed doing anyway.

You might find a key on top of the engine while you are in there too!

I agree with Jasen, it’s a pretty simple elimination process and if you get some rain day work in.

Have you considered finding the proverbial “levee” road like you have back home and blowing the gunk out? I know the safety factor along with the ticket avoidance component does factor in while being in a new environment.