[CMan]

Seems like you guys have really gone off tack. Not only wrong / no bikes, but cars!!! Aaaaarrrgghh!!

Oooops, sorry about that!

To bring it back around (some), I REALLY do like the look of the engine w/out that cover.

 

[VLJ]

My leg rubs that little piece on my fz09

Maybe it is a heat shield on the FZ-09, then. Not sure why they used a different, much larger piece on the XSR900, but I certainly prefer the look and sound of the motor without it.

I guess my legs just aren't long enough to cause any issues with touching either the tank or the clutch cover. In any case, finally, a reward for being short! Yay!

 

[Rocky_MTN_FZ09]

Pretty sure the FZ-09 piece is just supposed to mimic the look of a dry clutch. Otherwise, I'm not sure how it's acting as a heat shield. It has no insulating material, and it's not covering anything a rider would normally touch. I think it's purely cosmetic.

The XSR's secondary cover at least includes backing foam. The local tech thinks it's for sound-deadening purposes. Perhaps it is. I don't know. I do know it doesn't seen to deaden any sound. If it's a heat shield, well, against what is it shielding heat, and why wouldn't the FZ-09 and FJ-09 also need it then?

I find it acts as a bit of a heat shield when stopped, by stopping your leg from coming in direct contact with the right side engine case.

pic off google search

 

[JustWantToRide]

My leg rubs against it on my FZ, and if I stay tucked into it then it gets pretty hot - so I figure it's a vented heat shield. Why make it different on the XSR - because the XSR is about being different.

 

[Utahusker]

Hello VLJ,
Did you replace the lower right fastener with a shorter one? It's too long to be used without the plastic cover, due to the longer length.

 

[VLJ]

Yep, had to shorten the bolt.

 

[CMan]

VLJ,

Now that you've had that shield off for a while, how do you like it? Have you figured out why (other than for looks) Yamaha put it on there?

Also, any idea what size the bolts are? I'm considering doing this and might just pick up some shorter bolts at Home Depot (if I can find some that'll work).

 

[VLJ]

No idea, as to the size of the new Bolt. The guy at the shop took the stock bolt and machined it down to fit.

Though this may make no logical sense, the only difference I've noticed with the cover removed is the motor just plain sounds better, almost as if I'd swapped pipes. The sound is deeper and louder, with a meaner rumble. The mechanic told me the cover was a sound suppressor, not a heat shield, and maybe he was right. I certainly haven't noticed any increase in heat, but then my leg never comes in contact with the clutch cover.

So, I really don't know what its function is, but I know it looks cheap and ugly, and I much prefer the look and sound without it.

 

[Motogeezer]

I'm planning on putting a black triple tuning fork decal on mine.

 

[CMan]

No idea, as to the size of the new Bolt. The guy at the shop took the stock bolt and machined it down to fit.

Though this may make no logical sense, the only difference I've noticed with the cover removed is the motor just plain sounds better, almost as if I'd swapped pipes. The sound is deeper and louder, with a meaner rumble. The mechanic told me the cover was a sound suppressor, not a heat shield, and maybe he was right. I certainly haven't noticed any increase in heat, but then my leg never comes in contact with the clutch cover.

So, I really don't know what its function is, but I know it looks cheap and ugly, and I much prefer the look and sound without it.

Thanks VLJ!

 

[lowflying]

Took my heat shield/noise suppressor cover off today. Easy as. The bottom right bolt too long issue can be solved short term with a few washers. I happened to have a stainless steel bolt of the perfect length on hand. It even had the allen head in the same size as the other bolts.

Ride report: I does seem to improve the sound somewhat. I'm still in the break-in period so haven't been revving it past 6 grand. Maybe it makes a lot more noise when you rev it out.

For me, the lack of a heat shield is not a problem. I don't seem to touch it with my leg or boot when riding. None of my dinosaur bikes have heat shields and it's never a problem for me, so I reckon this thing is probably designed for noise suppression.

 

[Glandwr]

Hi, I've just put a deposit on an XSR9 and I'm so pleased to read about the redundancy of this piece of plastic! Well done VLJ, thanks. This is one design feature I did not like (as well as the electrical boxes up near the headstock - another thread on that soon no doubt).
I might look into replacing the cover with the MT-09, sorry FZ-09 as you guys know it, cover.

 

[Paul G]

Pretty sure the FZ-09 piece is just supposed to mimic the look of a dry clutch. Otherwise, I'm not sure how it's acting as a heat shield. It has no insulating material, and it's not covering anything a rider would normally touch. I think it's purely cosmetic.

The XSR's secondary cover at least includes backing foam. The local tech thinks it's for sound-deadening purposes. Perhaps it is. I don't know. I do know it doesn't seen to deaden any sound. If it's a heat shield, well, against what is it shielding heat, and why wouldn't the FZ-09 and FJ-09 also need it then?

The guard on the 09 is to protect the paint on the clutch cover from being worn away the rider's shin

 

[Moto26]

The guard on the 09 is to protect the paint on the clutch cover from being worn away the rider's shin

I'm not making any contact with my clutch cover with the plastic removed.

However... I'll have to come up with a way to keep from rubbing the paint off my swingarm with my left heel! Every time the suspension compresses, I can feel the swingarm pushing on my foot. Same thing used to happen on my R6. (Size 11-1/2 boot, Euro 46, I believe)

 

[Rocky_MTN_FZ09]

A small patch of something like this on the swing arm will solve your rubbing heel issue.

Or something like this will work as well.

Lizard Skins Frame Patch Kit > Accessories > Bicycle Protection > Misc. Bike Protection | Jenson USA

 

[grb]

Well, this sure was a pleasant surprise. It turns out that the ugly plastic clutch cover isn't a replacement for the textured black metal piece on the FZ-09 and FJ-09. Rather, it's an additional cover that sits right on top of the normal metal cover. It uses the same three screws as the equally useless fake "ventilated" clutch cover piece on the FZ-09.

So, instead of having to order a different cover to get rid of that eyesore, all we have to do is remove it.

Stock...

View attachment 26700

After removing the plastic cover...

View attachment 26702

The stupid plastic cover, which, apparently, is designed to reduce noise, but doesn't seem to do anything...

View attachment 26704

View attachment 26705

You could easily paint the silver part and retain the noise/heat/protector cover and its functionality. Just a possibility

 

[G-PRIMO]

I'm planning on putting a black triple tuning fork decal on mine.

Yep. That is what I will do also!

 

[soggy dollars]

G-Primo, yeah, was thinking of the same solution.
I have a friend that is a graphics girl/sign maker.
I'm going to have her cut me a few in matte black vinyl.
Also gonna get the radiator covers powder coated matte black.

 

[G-PRIMO]

G-Primo, yeah, was thinking of the same solution.
I have a friend that is a graphics girl/sign maker.
I'm going to have her cut me a few in matte black vinyl.
Also gonna get the radiator covers powder coated matte black.

My previous job was at a sign shop...I did stuff like that all the time. Was thinking flooding the circle with Carbon fiber vynal and incert the XRS logo. Once my bike gets here I will do a few ideas...if anyone is interested, just PM me and I can have a few made up!

Another idea on the radiator shrouds is that you can use Plasti dip. It is removable if you not that committed!

 

[emjay]

My previous job was at a sign shop...I did stuff like that all the time. Was thinking flooding the circle with Carbon fiber vynal and incert the XRS logo. Once my bike gets here I will do a few ideas...if anyone is interested, just PM me and I can have a few made up!

Another idea on the radiator shrouds is that you can use Plasti dip. It is removable if you not that committed!

Precisely what I was going to try. I've got some cans of plasti-dip around, so was gonna give that a shot.