Hi Barry,
This is rather shocking. In order not to cause a flaming contest on the GTS
page, a mail only to you.
If Yamaha spent five years preparing the FJR, they could at least have
nicked the good points from the GTS, like ABS, a proper windscreen, a
fairing that does not rub against your shins, a useful pillion position, not
to mention RADD. This probably implies that we can forget seeing a proper
succession to the GTS throne in any reasonable time.
This does not devaluate my opinion of the GTS in any way, but I think it is
an indication that good engineering in Japan does not automatically
translate to competent marketing or competent technicians in Europe. I have
some trouble with the Yamaha dealers here in Switzerland, in that Yamahas
usually are traditional bikes without any electronic wizardry, but I somehow
doubt that because of the emergence of the FJR electronics, all Yamaha
mechanics will suddenly undertand the GTS EFI. I have a similar problem with
my exotic oldtimer, a Mercedes 6.9, with hydraulic suspension which the MB
dealer is utterly unable to cope with. It does hone my technical skills
somewhat, and I am forced to have a second car in spare parts.
As a result of your mail, I might contemplate redoubling my effort in
finding a newer GTS without selling my current one, finding a good service
manual, and maybe I should break into a big Yamaha dealer to steal the GTS
diagnosis equipment ;-)
I wish you luck in your search for a GTS and many miles without interference
of electronic demons.....
Kind regards,
Vincent Disselkoen
-----Urspr�ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: GTS-1000 Owners List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]Im Auftrag von
Barry Edwards
Gesendet: Dienstag, 5. Juni 2001 14:57
An: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Betreff: Re: Servicing Issues
Thanks for your input Vincent. I've been away for the weekend, so now I'm
back the search is on in earnest.
Interestingly, I attended the German FJ Owners Club rally in Hamburg. I met
one of the senior sales team for Yamaha Germany, who was there with the FJR
doing a promotion. Germany is the most important touring motorcycle market
in the world, so a big effort was being made. His name is Horomi Kuroi.
I talked about the GTS to him. He confirmed that all production ceased
around '96 and all bikes bought after this had merely been in storage. It
seemed a sore point for him, as the sales team may have had considerable
input in identifying the bikes market, though perhaps not him personally.
Development on the FJR started immediately on the cessation of GTS
production, so they've had a long time to get it right. Therefore he wasn't
that pleased when I demonstrated to everyone there, that the FJR has cramped
legroom for the pillion passenger and for that reason I was hoping to buy a
GTS :>)
Barry Edwards
----- Original Message -----
From: Vincent Disselkoen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; Barry Edwards <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2001 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Servicing Issues
> Hi Barry,
>
> My wife has a Honda VFR, I own a GTS, and we don't trade much. My wife
> doesn't like the infamous GTS inertia under 5 mph. If I drive the VFR, in
> comparison, it definitely handles toylike at 'parking speed'.
>
> But now try a nasty curve with bad asphalt, which the GTS regards as an
> ironing board, with something like a VFR.... I'd say, set your priorities.
>
> Regarding the GTS's computer hardware: Yes, I had and have some trouble.
> But an EFI/sensor malfunction does not automatically mean that your bike
is
> out of order. In fact, the EFI's 'emergency program' seems to be quite
> failsafe.
> The problem is finding a dealer with the correct knowledge and diagnostic
> hardware to find the problem, so you might want to find a specialist in
the
> vicinity in case your local 'family business' dealer has no experience
with
> the EFI.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Vincent
>
