Hello there!
My name is Alvaro, I'm 36, from Seville, south Spain. I only got my license 4 years ago and I my 1st big bike has been a 1997 Honda revere/ntv 650 cc (very similar to honda hawk in america, but the Hawk is better).
Now I want a bigger bike that allows me long distance touring, so I'm looking for a Fj, either 1100 or 1200. Why a FJ? well, I still have a bike magazine with the 1100 on its cover (I was 10 years old and my pocket money always was spent in magazines!), and for me is more special to get a bike that was your dream bike when you were a kid than getting a new model...
After doing recent research on the FJ is when I really fallen in love with it, the torque, the comfort, the reliability, etc I also think it looks badass, specially the fj 1100, I would love to get one, bring it up to date and kick some ass!!!
I have found a 86' Fj 1100, with 23,000 miles, and the owner is open for a swap (my bike for his bike), the thing is, I believe I can drive across Spain & Europe with this bike (just normal touring, one up, luggage, 90 mph cruising everywhere), but most people I talk thinks that is too old of a bike for that.
What do you guys think?
Another option would be to try to sell my bike for cash and look for another model (my favourites are the 1100 and the 1200 3cv).
Thanks a million in advance!
Welcome to FJ owners Alvaro. Get an FJ any way you can. Its a great motorcycle. I have only owned my 84 FJ1100 for 2 months. Having owned numerous bikes over the years the FJ is my favorite. My original intention was to buy it, ride it home and sell it. After a few miles on it I got the FJ disease. I still own several bikes but this is the one I will keep. The Harley will go before the FJ will. After riding it home 3000 miles I know its great for cross country touring. Dave
Hello Dave, thanks for the feedback!
I cant wait to prove everybody wrong when I get my FJ~!!!!
Welcome Alvsro!
Sure the FJ could go as far as you want :good2: With regular and simple maintanice theres no limit for how long it will go. Mine 1200 have clocked 107.000 km and going strong. Did a complete engine rebuild last summer and now its good as new :smile:
You have definitely come to the right place for information and knowledge on the FJ
Cheers from Norway
Ken
Welcome Alvaro ! The FJ is a fine bike with all the power you need. As to if it is the right bike for you is difficult to say. It is a comfortable bike to ride with good power for what they cost. They are 20 to 30 years old and might require some updating and maintenance of long term wear items such as hoses etc.
There is lots of information and help here. We have a lot of members that have owned there FJ's since new. They have forgotten more than I know about the FJ's. Do a good inspection and let us know if you have questions. Difficult on the internet but if you can post some good pictures of the bike we can probably spot things to look at or give suggestions.
George
Welcome Alvaro, the 86' is a sporty bike that tours well. I love my 86', had it for the last 17 years. 23K miles is still breaking in the engine, if the bike was properly maintained you should have no problems with taking a long ride home. Some things to look at before you take a long ride.
1. Check the condition of the chain, the FJ can eat low quality chains very quickly. Make sure there is room for adjustment and no tight spots.
2. Check the clutch slave, they like to leak, the front sprocket cover will have paint bubbling up or missing. If so you may need to bleed it once or twice to get it home. So bring tools and brake fluid.
3. Check the date code on the tires, a 28 year old bike with only 23K might have some really old rubber. Being that it is the only thing keeping you stuck to the road, don't risk any rides on old rubber. Even new cheep rubber is better than old good brands.
4. Brake lines, if they have not been changed or upgraded in the last 6 or 7 years then they need a good inspection. 1200CC's of raw power and torque is all fun and games..... till the brakes don't work. :shok:
5. Check the brake pads, easy and quick, always check the easy stuff.
6. Check fluids, oil, brake, clutch, blinker fluid... etc...
7. Get a Power Ranger suit to match your Red and White (ambulance colored) rocket.
One more thing, take pictures of your adventure home with your FJ and post them up for us, we love ride reports. Enjoy.
AKA.. The Red Power Ranger
Wow, cool, thanks a lot for all your replies!!!
Ken, I hope to get that far on the odo!
movenon, I know the only way to know for sure if its the right bike for me is owning one, my only concern was if the 86 fj can be use as an everyday & touring bike despite its age.
FJmonkey, I think your sentence is great: sporty bike that tours well, really what Im looking for!!! The list you gave me I will take it with me when we meet. Dont worry I will make lots of pictures of every trip I make and it will be my pleasure sharing it with the site (after all, I have been checking lots of pictures from this site already)
I will test ride the bike but after that I am taking it to a mechanic so he can check it out...the owner is a retired racing driver and I guess he will not screw me, but he is asking for 1,800 euros for the bike (2,445 $), so it better in good shape, cuz there is plenty fj for peanuts around here that need work...
This is my bike, the one I will swap for the Fj:
(http://media.moterus.es/photos/2676349/2013-10-21_17.39_thumb_l.jpg)
(http://media.moterus.es/photos/2676393/2013-10-21-17.42.23_thumb_l.jpg)
(http://media.moterus.es/photos/2676397/2013-10-21-17.42.23S_thumb_l.jpg)
(http://media.moterus.es/photos/2676401/ss_thumb_l.jpg)
Main change is the cbr 600 198 front end (now it has proper suspension, better wheel and two discs), rizoma bits, K&N filters and custom seat.
I think it looks nicer and I know it rides much better now than the original.
My aim was to make it look like it came out like that from a Honda dealer, mods but respecting the original, that is what I want to do with the FJ 1100...just subtle things!!!
So thanks for the tips, I will def. go for it, I will keep you posted!
Adiossss
Welcome to the group, :hi:. Sport-Touring across Europe will be no problem for the FJ. Plenty of power and torque.
Parts are very easy to get for the most part. We have Randy at RPM. www.RPMRacingCA.com (http://www.rpmracingca.com) for great OEM parts and custom engineered items.
Sounds like you are expecting a case of Moditis. It is a wonderful affliction that will have your FJ smiling and you wallet crying.
Fred
Moditis!!! jajaja good one!, from now on I wil name it that, spells the same in spanish!
I have moditis since I got my 1st bike (50cc enduro thingy), I swapped the engine for a Honda NSR 80 cc, wheels included...those were the good times!!
I recently attended an FJ rally in Tennessee, USA where one of the other attendees (Mike R.) showed up, who had just ridden in from California. Roughly 3,000 miles (~4,800km) -one way! He has his machine fitted with an auxiliary fuel tank, so he needs to stop less frequently. He left to ride back a couple of days later. My point is that the FJ can become a very capable long distance bike. Another member in Denver has more than 200,000 miles on his FJ. My point to this, is that they can, with even a modicum of maintenance, be very sturdy, reliable bikes.
Welcome here.
Dan
Dan's post just reminded me of a recent and quite relevant post of an epic ride on an FJ. Meet Capt'n Ron, get comfortable, once you start reading you will want to read till the end.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10252.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10252.0)
Yes, the FJ is great for long rides.... Thanks again Ron for your effort to document and share your adventure with us.
Quote from: Dan Filetti on January 16, 2014, 07:13:13 PM
I recently attended an FJ rally in Tennessee, USA where one of the other attendees (Mike R.) showed up, who had just ridden in from California. Roughly 3,000 miles (~4,800km) -one way! He has his machine fitted with an auxiliary fuel tank, so he needs to stop less frequently. He left to ride back a couple of days later. My point is that the FJ can become a very capable long distance bike. Another member in Denver has more than 200,000 miles on his FJ. My point to this, is that they can, with even a modicum of maintenance, be very sturdy, reliable bikes.
Welcome here.
Dan
And it wasn't the first time Mike had made that ride, either. :good:
Bienvenido al grupo .... usted ha encontrado el mejor grupo de ciclistas en el mundo. Propietarios FJ no sólo son de buen carácter y con clase ... pero están llenos de información valiosa para ayudarle a mantener su bicicleta funcionando incluso mejor de lo que fue originalmente disigned hacer. Una biblioteca de información se halla disponible apenas para pedir ..... De parte de todos nosotros en el grupo, especialmente de nosotros aquí en Canadá ..... espera que
CanDman
Dan, thanks for the input, wow almost 5.000 km, that's mental with ANY bike, let alone with one bike most (ignorant) bikers think is too old for RnR...
FJmonkey, that is another mental ride,(saved the whole thing on my phone so I can read it on the WC ;-) then again the latest Fj seems to me like the one version that is better for Hardcore Touring, well done from Capt'n Ron, I hope some day I will have that much spare time to do a tour like that!
CanDman, hello mate, another drummer here! (i see u got a Neil Peart vibe going on with your set up), I more or less get what you trying to say in spanish...but I really appreciate your effort! Mucha gracias!!!
Well, looks like FJ is the bike choosed by cool folks, thanks a lot to all of you, I dont even have the bike but I feel very welcomed, Im really looking forward getting a FJ and share my experience with you guys...also looking forward to prove wrong to all the people here who thinks a bike from 86 is not a bike you can use everyday and for touring!!!
These are bikes closer to my house:
http://www.milanuncios.com/motos-de-segunda-mano-en-andalucia/fj.htm?desde=500&marca=Yamaha (http://www.milanuncios.com/motos-de-segunda-mano-en-andalucia/fj.htm?desde=500&marca=Yamaha)
The one Im in talks to make the swap for mine is this one:
http://www.milanuncios.com/motos-clasicas/yamaha-fj-1100-111147502.htm (http://www.milanuncios.com/motos-clasicas/yamaha-fj-1100-111147502.htm)
Mostly because the guys wants a trade and because he wants to take my HOnda and take the mods much further than me jejeje
Adiosssss
¡Hola Álvaro!
Conozco un par de FJteros en Sevilla q están restaurando o llevan habitualmente sus FJs. T puedo pasar sus mails
Respecto a lo de viajar: todos los años m paso a la Península y hago en un mes alrededor de 10.000 kms por Europa. Y lo bueno de la FJ es q con 4 cosas q lleves sabes q no t quedas tirado ni aún si t caes. Y el motor es absolutamente indestructible
Y no sólo viajar: una FJ bien puesta a punto da guerra a motos modernas. Lo q mola es la cara q se les queda cuando se bajan de sus minimotos Manga y t miran... y si la prueban alucinan lo bien q va. No en vano en su día arrasaba en las Series y hoy día en la clase pre-injection contra FZR 1000 o GSXR 1100
La gente de este foro es muy maja y amable.
Pásate por mi web q t va a gustar
Y ahí tienes mi mail para lo q quieras
Saludos
Alf
Coool Alf, good to know I also have people in my hometown!
Hello fellassss
I was looking to be part of this family and get myself a nice fj...but I havent found anything half decent close home so I have to go far from my hometown (700 km away) and I found this:
(http://s13.postimg.org/nry4au68j/IMG_20140210_WA0000.jpg)
(http://s13.postimg.org/h2rkutkwj/IMG_20140210_WA0001.jpg)
(http://s13.postimg.org/dkfkyfk0j/IMG_20140210_WA0002.jpg)
1989 Yamaha fj 1200, two owners, 65.000 km, top case + side bags ready, all original ,unmolested and looks almost mint. Price is a steal (1,363 $ ) I have the checklist with my with all the things I should look for (thank you guys!!!), but what do you guys think? I know is difficult just by looking at the pictures, but some feedback will be much appreciated
Muchas gracias
oooops, sorry about the size here it is biiger size:
(http://s13.postimg.org/ansjy5e6v/IMG_20140210_WA0000.jpg)
(http://s13.postimg.org/mqxvlpp93/IMG_20140210_WA0001.jpg)
(http://s13.postimg.org/y4kewwzrr/IMG_20140210_WA0002.jpg)
Well the price looks good. Is the mileage in km or miles ? Hard to tell much from a picture. How is the chain ? Any paint missing or damaged down by the oil filter ? Hows the battery ? Check for frame corrosion, tires that kind of stuff. Its all fixable. Have you test rode it yet ? I notice the fairing on the left side, on top has a piece of ABS missing. What is the knob on the right side panel for ? Just giving you things to look at. "The easiest money you make is buying it right". :good2:
George
It looks like he keeps it in his living room.... Did he charge you an admission fee to look at it?
Don't fall in love with it until you see it in person, go see it in person, check for obvious signs of abuse, misuse, accident damage etc. I'd want it to start and run, at least halfway decent. If it looks good, the steering seems OK, the suspension goes up and down, etc. --- Buy it.
The price sounds really good for a bike with that mileage that is in good shape. For that price, I'd gladly clean the carbs or repair a leaky clutch slave even if there was some minor issue such as this.
Also, the Blue '89's are the best looking anyway. :-)
Hola Alvaro, the bike's owner knew enough to change the mirrors...(a good sign)
'89 is a good year. And a good price.
I agree with Mark, check for the big stuff, the small stuff you can fix.
Start the engine cold and check for smoke indicating valve seals. Feel the engine, make sure it's cold.
I'd buy it.....
Best wishes. Pat.
If you ask me and the above mentioned things are good I would say go for it :good2:
My reason is that I bought a `86 couple of years ago and am really happy with it but the bike you are looking at has the things I miss having on the `86, that is 17" wheels and no anti-dive mechanizm on the front forks.
Also, like you have been warned about before, check all things made of rubber, tires for example.
My bike had 15+ years old tires that I replaced asap before riding any distance and the brake lines are on top of the to-do list.
I have had all kinds of bikes over my 30+ years of riding and the bikes that I am liking the most are my FJ and Honda XR400R for the off road
You will enjoy the FJ, just find the correct one for YOU !! :empathy:
Having MPH on the outer and KMH on the inner face on the speedo, I'd say it would be 65.000 miles not klm's. That would be a bit over 100.000 km. either way it's not a lot for these bikes, mine has 107.000 km, burns no oil, and still goes like a cut cat. Enjoy it.
Tony.
Doooooooooooooooooohh!! :dash2:
Good morning
This is why I get to you guys, I didnt noticed the missing plastic (movenon, thanks) and Bones, you are right, I was so blinded I didnt really noticed, it has 104.000 km, not 65.000...it is not the end of the world, I've been reading lots of posts here and milage is not an issue...but he told me over the phone 65.000 kms (I dont believe he didnt knew it was miles), so, what kind of seller is that...and the price now is too high!! I love this FJ, but is along way from home...let's see if the seller wants to drop the price...a lot.
Thankyouthankyouthankyou guys
Hola
Its even better 104.000 than 65.000 in a bike of this age: the engines gain performance when well used. Leaving them stalled get hardened the oil seals and the bike spend a lot of oil and leak for the head, cylinder gasket...
Read in my web the test between 3CV & 3XW FJs at the FJTeros in the menu. That pristine 3CV have been not used in a long time and it was immaculate with only 24.000 kms... until it started to be properly used and swear oil for all its gaskets
Alf, as usual, spot on! It makes a lot of sense, most of the problems with older bikes appear when they are not used for long periods of time. Now the only thing I need is the buyer to lower the price (1,050 euros), the bike looks very well kept, but still high milage
hi Alvaro I'm Glenn from aus i bought a fj 1100 about 23 years ago, it had 95000ks on the clock and my girl friend and i did 5000ks in 2 weeks and didn't miss a beat that is when i found out the odometer was f@#*& so who knows how many K's it had done ,, my point is the fj's just go on and on , had it for about 4 years NOT A PROBLEM.
PS i now own a 1993 fj 1200
Hello Glenn
Im not concerned that much about the mileage, is that the guy told me 65.000 KM (he even put it in an ad) and I dont believe that he didnt knew that his odo was in miles,not km...
I also have to ride 700 km to get back home, will you trust somebody who is lying to you?
Finally the price is too high now!
At 1050 Euros, and the photos that are posted, This looks like a heck of a deal. I have seen FJ's that look nowhere near as good as this one sell for more money.
Fred
Quote from: aviationfred on February 11, 2014, 05:17:57 PM
At 1050 Euros, and the photos that are posted, This looks like a heck of a deal. I have seen FJ's that look nowhere near as good as this one sell for more money.
Fred
Yep, I agree with Fred....
Judging by the picture of the clutch line, Looks like the bike already has braided ss brake lines...
Someone knows what they are doing, a very a good sign.
Pat, you the man, thanks for pointing out those things (mirror view - braided ss brake lines), I think I start to get a sense of the use the bike has been given...the seller claims the fj was thrown in a deal for a van, and the owner was a bike collector, who has several 70's - 80's sportbikes.
FRed, thanks for the comment, but I still think that the price is a bit too high, mainly because he states in the ad that the bikes has 70.000 km and the asking price is 1.050 euros...so if the actual mileage is 104.000 km I should pay him 700 euros!
Here is more pictures from the ad now:
(http://s29.postimg.org/em24wrenr/111112.jpg)
(http://s29.postimg.org/g2dnewhkn/323232.jpg)
(http://s29.postimg.org/t7t5l0bg7/2121212.jpg)
Thank you guys
Alvaro, BUY the bike, even though the mileage is higher than advertised, it could've just been an honest mistake by the owner when advertising. Not sure how much 1050 euros is but I think it would be a reasonable price for what your getting.
I saw a couple for sale in Australia the other night, they ranged in price from $4.000 to $6.000, and looked nothing special.
104.000 km is nothing for these bikes, so go by the saying that : if it looks good,chances are it is good.
Tony.
Tony, 1,050.00 EUR=1,578.72 AUD, so I should buy a container, fill it up with spanish fj and have a holiday down under !!!!(that's on my bucket list, btw)
Now seriously, I will see if I can make the trip over there by train (5h trip) at least I will see it, I have the feeling I will regret not at least checking it out....
Will keep you posted
Thanks a million
American and Aussies guys: be present that in Spain there is a BIG CRISIS. For around 1500 EUR you can buy near any bike, including Thunderace, GSXR 1100, YZF 750, ZXRs, etc etc etc
It NEVER hurts to negotiate! Offer what you think it's worth and negotiate from there.