The following article was published in the British bike magazine "Practical Sportbikes" - Issue 26 - December 2012
I have posted it here in general discussion, and a moderator/Admin can move it to the relevant file section (Modifications or Maintenance etc)
The 70mpg FJ1100
You don't need to buy a boring modern bike to get parsimonious fuel figures. Phil Hackers 25 year old FJ1100 has been made frugal and fun.
PHIL HACKER is not a man to back down from a challenge. He does, after all, race an FJ1100 that regularly beats R1s, and makes his living specialising in the venerable air-cooled Yamahas.
So, when he decided his intention to get 70mpg from an FJ1100 at 70mph, and 60mpg at 80mph, few batted an eyelid, let alone doubted his ability to deliver on his promise.
"The BMW F800 and Honda NC700X seem to be the only bikes offering reasonable fuel economy. Modern cars manage more than 50mpg, yet are five times the weight of a bike," says Hacker, "so the question I asked myself was, 'why can't my bike do 70mpg?'"
Phil feels that we only have ourselves to blame. "We've never demanded decent fuel economy from the manufacturers. We all seem to want 150bhp and 180mph in something the weight of a crisp packet...or do we? On our busy roads, we generally ride around at 80mph, so what is the benefit of my FJ having a 150mph top speed? I knew I'd gladly trade some top end for better mpg."
First step in the project he'd dubbed "mission Impossible", was for Hacker to look at the FJs fuelling.
"Dyno testing over the years has shown that the FJ runs rich. This was a deliberate ploy on the part of Yamaha for engine longevity in hot climates," says Phil.
A baseline run showed that the FJ was delivering 44.8mpg at 80mph. Dropping the needles one notch, advancing the ignition four degrees by slotting the backing plate Burt Munro style, and fitting smaller jets specified for the Swiss market helped it to 55.37mpg – a 23 percent improvement.
At 70mph, the FJ now gave 66mpg – a huge improvement over the previous 54mpg.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next weapon in Hackers armoury was gearing, lowering the engine rpm while still maintaining the target mph. Standard gearing is 17/40 and after some experimentation, he settled on 19/38. Phil is also a fan of the "Broquet fuel catalyst" and gives that some credit for 80mph consumption of 62.6mpg at that point. A slight flatness in acceleration above 3000rpm was corrected by enlarging the carb diaphragm slide hole.
Around that time, a Dyno run revealed that the 80,000 mile engine was down to 97bhp. A good standard FJ makes 108bhp. Compression was still tolerably good at around 90-110psi (cold).
"Kent cams" had been very interested in Hackers "mission Impossible", and had reground a set of OE camshafts for better fuel consumption and increased torque at low rpm. In the process of fitting the Kent cams, it was obvious that the FJ had had a seriously stretched cam chain, and this and the power loss eventually led to a top-end overhaul.
Meanwhile, a Metzeler ME880 160/80-16 rear tyre with its larger diameter helped to lower the gearing to give 80mph at 4000rpm.
Testing the FJ against the Honda NC700 at 80mph saw the Yamaha deliver 63.6mpg against the Hondas 70.7mpg. There was still some way to go to match the frugal NC700, but Phil wasn't done yet.
"My next step was fitting a set of XJR1200 inlet manifolds. The theory was, that the reduced inner diameter of these manifolds would quicken the flow of fuel and air and aid combustion, but I was worried about it affecting the 80mph goal. I reduced the idle mixture and the size of the air jet to richen up the mixture at low revs.
The final pieces of the puzzle were restrictors in the headers to increase back pressure, and a home-made 38T rear sprocket to give 80mph at 3700rpm. Phil fitted a non O-ring chain, and reverted to the standard air jet and filter.
The result? At a steady 80mph, the FJ1100 now returns 69.12mpg.
Having exceeded his own target, you might think Phil would be happy? Well, almost. "There's more to come yet," he promises. With Phils track record, we believe him!.
Practicle Sportsbikes, Issue 26, December 2012
Wow impressive.
Best I ever got was 42 mpg I think.
:good2:
70 mpg from an FJ is very impressive.
58.8 mpg for US gallons is also pretty impressive.
25.01 Km/L , again impressive
as is 4.0 L/100kms
All above numbers describe the same fuel use economy.
This is a UK magazine and you should be aware that they are almost certainly using UK gallons.
I really don't care what units you use as long as you identify which of them you are using.
Cheers,
Arnie
:biggrin:
Run those gears at 10500 rpm and I think thats 204 mph.If you can keep the back wheel planted and not spining.
Would not help fuel consumption though.
Do keep in mind that those MPG figures are dyno steady state numbers, no wind or front tire resistance, already up to temp (no choke) and never a start/stop. HUGE difference from real world MPG. Can you run a 19 front without cutting the cover? And yeah, like Arnie sez, UK gallons.
a Metzeler ME880 160/80-16 rear tyre ?
I bet that fit like a saddle on a sow!
Quote from: 1tinindian on December 01, 2012, 11:54:46 PM
a Metzeler ME880 160/80-16 rear tyre? I bet that fit like a saddle on a sow!
I am currently running on the back of my FJ1200 (1987 1TX), an Avon Azaro AV36 160/80-ZR16. As you can see, it's ZR rated, and I will never ever get the benefit of the money that was spent on it. It's perfect for those who run around at warp factor 4 speeds all day....but not me.
My next tyre choice
will be the Metzeler ME880 160/80-16.
It's not hyper speed rated at the V, VR, ZR etc, and is more commonly found on the likes of Goldwings and other large tourers.
But, for those who don't ride fast, this rear tyre will suit me to the ground. I've heard a lot of good reports on em.
Personally, I think it's a waste of money fitting high speed rated tyres if the rider won't get the benefit from them. Understandably, it will only affect the performance and handling of the machine if I ride the bike like a loony, with crazy speeds and hard cornering. But I don't ride like that, so, according to many motorcycle magazine reports, they also agree it's a false economy spending money on a high speed rated tyre, if yer never gonna reach those speeds.
As I am a laid back, "Captain Slow" rider, I like the fuel saving side of things and a tyre that can spread a heavy load occasionaly. Forget chicken strips...I still have the whole bloody bird on each side of my tyres.
Since riding, I have kept every fuel receipt and have worked out my fuel consumption.
I average around 45-48mpg (UK gallons) riding at between 55mph and 75mph. Which for an old bike and heavy luggage, that's pretty good to me. The main speed I stick to is around the 55/60mph. The occasional overtake at 100mph and a silly cobweb blow out sometimes around the 120mph mark. I use the engine to brake a lot, rarely touch the actual brakes and try to keep the throttle on "tickover"...which means the bike is appearing to move under it's own momentum, and I only use the throttle to keep it up to speed.
Sounds daft. But if you drive a car, and get up to speed, THEN take your foot off just a little so you are not physically driving the engine, you'll find the car will pull itself along. You can use the gas peddle to then feather the vehicle along - thus saving fuel. Maybe someone can explain in a more technical way.
ANYHOO -
for those in the UK wanting to calculate your MPG:1. Fill the tank to the brim. Set Trip.
2. Re-feul to brim after journey.
3. Take the amount of litres it takes to re-fill.
4. Convert litres to gallons - divide by 4.5864
5. Take mileage of journey, and divide by 4.5864 = vehicle return mpg.
The faster you go, the more fuel the bike uses...and the more money you have to spend on filling up more often.
The faster and harder you ride, the quicker you'll fuck up your chain and sprockets - made worse if you are a sloppy gear changer. (you hear many riders pulling away on fast sports bikes, rev...rev...REV...and then it's 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th before they are even 100 yards down the road. LAUGHABLE to hear them, seeing how fast they can go through the gears, and still only be doing 30mph in a built up area. That uses fuel and makes you look like a dork. (in my eyes)
I block gear change on my bike. I pull away in 1st ONLY if the need takes it.
Once away in 1st, I change to 3rd, and then 5th. You will save fuel like this, if the gear changes are smooth and match the engine speed. To slow down, look WAY ahead at the traffic, and use their brake lights as a guide to slow down - leave the gears alone (and the clutch leve - NO coasting), and just roll the throttle off. A good rider can be followed by an examiner, and on bends/corners/the front rider rarely lights up the rear brake light.
If I wanted gas gas mileage, I'd go buy a scooter. That's not the point of owning an FJ, even though they "can" get very good mileage when ridden conservatively as you describe.
I communte to work on FZ1 and ride between 70 and 80 mph for about 20 miles, then another 10 miles on side streets.
I average 48 to 50 mpg which is about 3X what my truck gets. Delivering that kind of economy plus the fun it provides on the backroads on weekends, it's a pretty good deal.
Like I said, if it was just about mileage, I'd be riding a scooter.
Also, I got great mileage out of a Dunlop D401 in 150/80-16.
DavidR.
Quote from: Anti-Dive Dave on December 02, 2012, 07:36:52 AM
Quote from: 1tinindian on December 01, 2012, 11:54:46 PM
a Metzeler ME880 160/80-16 rear tyre? I bet that fit like a saddle on a sow!
I am currently running on the back of my FJ1200 (1987 1TX), an Avon Azaro AV36 160/80-ZR16. As you can see, it's ZR rated, and I will never ever get the benefit of the money that was spent on it. It's perfect for those who run around at warp factor 4 speeds all day....but not me.
My next tyre choice will be the Metzeler ME880 160/80-16.
It's not hyper speed rated at the V, VR, ZR etc, and is more commonly found on the likes of Goldwings and other large tourers.
But, for those who don't ride fast, this rear tyre will suit me to the ground. I've heard a lot of good reports on em.
Personally, I think it's a waste of money fitting high speed rated tyres if the rider won't get the benefit from them. Understandably, it will only affect the performance and handling of the machine if I ride the bike like a loony, with crazy speeds and hard cornering. But I don't ride like that, so, according to many motorcycle magazine reports, they also agree it's a false economy spending money on a high speed rated tyre, if yer never gonna reach those speeds.
As I am a laid back, "Captain Slow" rider, I like the fuel saving side of things and a tyre that can spread a heavy load occasionaly. Forget chicken strips...I still have the whole bloody bird on each side of my tyres.
Since riding, I have kept every fuel receipt and have worked out my fuel consumption.
I average around 45-48mpg (UK gallons) riding at between 55mph and 75mph. Which for an old bike and heavy luggage, that's pretty good to me. The main speed I stick to is around the 55/60mph. The occasional overtake at 100mph and a silly cobweb blow out sometimes around the 120mph mark. I use the engine to brake a lot, rarely touch the actual brakes and try to keep the throttle on "tickover"...which means the bike is appearing to move under it's own momentum, and I only use the throttle to keep it up to speed.
Sounds daft. But if you drive a car, and get up to speed, THEN take your foot off just a little so you are not physically driving the engine, you'll find the car will pull itself along. You can use the gas peddle to then feather the vehicle along - thus saving fuel. Maybe someone can explain in a more technical way.
ANYHOO - for those in the UK wanting to calculate your MPG:
1. Fill the tank to the brim. Set Trip.
2. Re-feul to brim after journey.
3. Take the amount of litres it takes to re-fill.
4. Convert litres to gallons - divide by 4.5864
5. Take mileage of journey, and divide by 4.5864 = vehicle return mpg.
The faster you go, the more fuel the bike uses...and the more money you have to spend on filling up more often.
The faster and harder you ride, the quicker you'll fuck up your chain and sprockets - made worse if you are a sloppy gear changer. (you hear many riders pulling away on fast sports bikes, rev...rev...REV...and then it's 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th before they are even 100 yards down the road. LAUGHABLE to hear them, seeing how fast they can go through the gears, and still only be doing 30mph in a built up area. That uses fuel and makes you look like a dork. (in my eyes)
I block gear change on my bike. I pull away in 1st ONLY if the need takes it.
Once away in 1st, I change to 3rd, and then 5th. You will save fuel like this, if the gear changes are smooth and match the engine speed. To slow down, look WAY ahead at the traffic, and use their brake lights as a guide to slow down - leave the gears alone (and the clutch leve - NO coasting), and just roll the throttle off. A good rider can be followed by an examiner, and on bends/corners/the front rider rarely lights up the rear brake light.
Different strokes for different folks. Personally, if all I was thinking about was mileage, I would go out and buy a new little car like my 70 year old mother did. She gets 55-60 mpg. I am interested in knowing the mileage of my bike so I will know how far I can go before filling up again and not being stranded on the side of the highway but it is not a determining factor in why I drive my bike or how I drive my bike. And before I changed over to my 17" 5.5 Suzuki rear wheel, I was running a 180/70V16 and it was great. Not as good as the 17" by any means but better than stock size.
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on December 02, 2012, 08:15:56 AM
If I wanted gas gas mileage, I'd go buy a scooter. That's not the point of owning an FJ...
You mean the whole point of owning an FJ (be it an 1100 or 1200) is to ride it balls out everywhere...ride it like ya stole it...thrash it to within an inch of it's life?
I think when it was launched, it was classed as a "sports tourer". Giving the owner a choice whether to hammer it down freeways and motorways....get his knee down on a corner of a race track, or, use it for plodding round the planet in comfort and style.
I bet there are many FJ owners who just use the bike as a get around. A town bike. Never toured or been on a race track. Some never seen the ton. Some, like me, are not into the sports performance and tweaking it to get that extra 0.0000005 bhp.
I ride it cos I like the look of it. It fits my lanky frame, and has 2 wheels. It has the capability to haul HUGE heavy loads that other bikes in my past have failed at. It returns reasonable mpg for its age and it handles better than "some" modern bikes.
It was cheap to buy (although I spent shitloads getting it roadworthy), and it's cheap to run (ish). Insurance is cheap too.
I am not a biker, but a guy who rides bikes. Scooters only manage 30mph and have dangerous little wheels. So, I went for something that has that little extra poke should I need to. It alkso doesnt take me 4 hours to cover 30 miles and all I can fit on it is a half eaten sandwich under the seat.
Horses for courses Mr David Sir! Every rider is different, but the end result is the same: We all choose to ride bikes. It's just that not all of us choose to ride like there's no tomorrow!
Remember: Being 5 minutes late in THIS world, is better than being 5 minutes early in the next.
The FJ was launched as a balls out superbike, and was hailed as the winner of the superbike war of '84. It was only because Yamaha went with another platform that they slowly started repurposing it as a sales tool as a sports tourer...
I HIGHLY doubt there's an FJ in existence that has never seen the ton.
I rode 125cc scooter 350 miles in a day once, mostly at 60 and 70 mph. Got damn good gas mileage, too... And I had a milk crate to fit as much as I ever needed to carry (obviously didn't tour on it...)
Not being 5 minutes late isn't why I ride hard. I ride hard because a life lived as safely and conservatively as possible is a life wasted...
As for gears, I don't rev at the lights and I shift up to 5th as soon as possible in town, unless I'm in stop-and-go... You get the best economy in 5th. You're the one who sounds like a dork to me...
:sarcastic:
(popcorn)
Quote from: Anti-Dive Dave on December 02, 2012, 09:23:50 AM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on December 02, 2012, 08:15:56 AM
If I wanted gas gas mileage, I'd go buy a scooter. That's not the point of owning an FJ...
You mean the whole point of owning an FJ (be it an 1100 or 1200) is to ride it balls out everywhere...ride it like ya stole it...thrash it to within an inch of it's life?
Where did I say that? Perhaps you need to work on your comprehension.
My comments were directed at Hackler's mods. I'll bet when he's finished he's going to have an FJ Turd that a Chinese knockoff scooter will outrun. I also like his comment about cars weighing 5 times as much. Weight has minimal impact at speed, it's wind resistance. The aerodynamic drag coefficient of most cars is a fraction of what a motorcycle is. He'd probably do better to work on bodywork drag instead of engine efficiency.
I remember an article back in the '80s when a lot of bikes started coming with full fairings. Someone calculated that at 150 mph, it takes only 12 HP to overcome the internal friction of the drivetrain. Unfortunately it took about 150 HP to push the air out of the way.
My point is the FJ delivers decent mileage in stock trim and is fun to ride as fast (or as slow) as you want to.
Let me put it this way: I'm going to mod my FJ for maximum fuel mileage ... yawn ..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
DavidR.
:sarcastic:
That touched a nerve? Ha ha!! Anyone would think I was pointing at certain folk who I have never met. It wasn't directed at anyone inparticular within a keyboard distance. I was referring to some guys who have these super track lookalike bikes (the ZXRs, the GSXRs and the like). Young kids who have just passed their test 5 minutes ago, and think they are a Moto GP champion. In our town, they think they're on a race-track with the way they leave the only set of traffic lights we have.
They think it's impressing people, who turn round to hear this machine getting ripped as fast and as loud as possible through the gears, when they are still only in a 30mph zone. When all we are thinking is "what a complete ass". Well, I am thinking that anyway. :nea:
I've got no objections to folk riding the FJ or any bike hard (I used to in my younger days) but many crashes later, it starts to hurt, and you wise up a bit. :empathy:
Yes, I can still keep up with "the boys" if I wanted too. I can whip their ass on roads and still surprise many. I sat my advanced bike test years ago, and I qualified as an British Motorcycle Federation Advanced Riding Instructor later. Young folk on superbikes have pulled up beside me at lights when I have had some old dog of a bike, and must have thought as they laugh and shake their heads: "what an old fart....riding that dinosaur peice of crap...where's the flashy paint mister?...the matching leathers?...the super loud exhaust to scare the neighbours as you leave for work at 4am..?".
I just sit there, bike laden with luggage, battered, bruised and leaking oil. Lights go amber and I'm already planning my route down the road, as he is still admiring himself in the shop windows.
Lights go green, and I am away and through traffic, whilst I see him in the mirror stall it in frustration at missing his chance to cane me.
In my youth, when all I had was an MZ ETZ 251, I whipped a senior rider who was showing his "skills" on a road using a Honda CB750. He was great on straight roads, and used fantastic speed, but he was just a flurry of brake light everytime he approached a corner. It's here I caught him up everytime and overtook him.
Still, y'all ride how ya want - who am I to trash how you ride it, or why you ride it. Just stay alive if you can, and respect those who don't want to meet an early grave. Personally, and I hate to say this, but "I ride hard because a life lived as safely and conservatively as possible is a life wasted..." is a hell-of-an-attitude to have behind the controls of a vehicle.
You have been lucky up untill now, young Sky Walker. But the force will not always be with you!
As some say on here: keep the shiny side up and the sticky side down.
Regards anyway,
A Qualified Dork :mocking:.
If you ever get a chance in the States to see a guy called "Gerry Palladino", go have a look at his motorcycle roadshows. He runs courses called "Ride like a Pro", and the best riders out there can learn a thing or two! (That plug was NOT aimed at anyone....just passing on interesting info, that some may find interesting....some may not.....!!!)
There. That's another post that will ruffle many feathers in the hen house. :bomb: (popcorn)
Maybe I should write a disclaimer at the bottom of all my posts....these opinions are that of the writer....and are not meant to piss people off. The folk and admin at FJ Owners.com take to responsibilty for anything this guy writes or the backs he manages to rub up the wrong way. The writer wishes to express his personal views within the bike riding community, and hopes that no offence will be taken at anything you read before you. Beers are available at the bar, it's your round, and no I don't want potato chips.
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on December 02, 2012, 04:27:35 PM
You mean the whole point of owning an FJ (be it an 1100 or 1200) is to ride it balls out everywhere...ride it like ya stole it...thrash it to within an inch of it's life?.........Where did I say that?
Ok, Sire, you didn't say that. But, that's what I assumed you were driving at. Yup, I know, It's dangerous to assume. Gets one into a whole heap of shit that was never meant.
You wanna know who I blame for all this? That stupid bugger who posted the article in the first place. I mean, don't these people stop to think that there will be follow on comments?
I want the guy who posted the article banned for nearly starting a riot.
Oh....hang on......
:blush:
All this and I'm only 42. I think I am turning into one of those Sunday drivers. Y'know...the BMW....the flat tweed cap, the pipe and slippers. Just out for a Sunday bimble...stop off for tea and scones along the way. Keeping a mental diary of every fence-post I pass, as I trundle through the countryside, gently rocking from side to side from the beat of the boxer.
Sitting at home, working out my fuel economy, and reeling in horror as I used up 2.6ml extra cos I missed that vital gear change before I overtook the farm tractor at 26mph.
Sad times ahead. Or are they here now?
I already smoke a pipe.
OH SHIT - I'm one of them. :dash2:
Well, it has been relatively quiet here for a bit.
And you certainly do like to type. :biggrin:
42 ? you're (only) 42 ? Can't decide if you sound like your 82 or 18. :boredom:
Arnie
:scratch_one-s_head: I'd go with the 82.
If I was a horse, they'd have shot me years ago.
Apologies for the elektronic diahorea most times. :sorry:
Quote from: fintip on December 02, 2012, 03:14:16 PM
The FJ was launched as a balls out superbike, and was hailed as the winner of the superbike war of '84. It was only because Yamaha went with another platform that they slowly started repurposing it as a sales tool as a sports tourer...
This is correct... The FJ11 was Motorcyclist Mag's Fastest Bike of the Year in 1984, the last year they did FBOTY. She was Intro'd as a Superbike. Then Yamaha intro'd the FZ series and re-made the FJ12 as a Hyper Tourer.
Makes 2 of us at 42, who else is under 50, and over 35
Quote from: fj11.5 on December 02, 2012, 09:17:03 PM
Makes 2 of us at 42, who else is under 50, and over 35
Aye. 44
Dan
Checking in at 45 :good2:
Interesting. Not the first place I'm out of my era.
22
Sorry if I was bit harsh back there. I could have said all of that a lot more kindly. I think I misunderstood you earlier as well; I shift up through 1st to 5th with a focus on being efficient and smooth, no revving unless I feel some reason to do so. I don't see it much, but I guess you meant someone slamming the throttle and short shifting while revving high. In that case, yes, they'd look like a dork. (Also. Haha.)
When was the FZ introduced?
Era takes second place, :biggrin:were all here for the Fj,s
Sometimes, treating stoplights like a dragstrip is needed stress relief. Of course, i live in serious nascar country, and some of our roads LOOK like dragstrips. Really. But, at least i dont sound like a pissed off sewing machine like a lot of the newer machines. cheaper than buying ammo and paying range fees and almost as loud.
Quote from: fj11.5 link=topic=7980.msg 73111#msg 73111 date=1354504623
Makes 2 of us at 42, who else is under 50, and over 35
Close, I just made the cut-off at 48!
I ride a lot smoother now, compared to my younger years.
I concentrate on trying to be smooth at speed while practicing better control without looking like a dork! LOL!
Don't get me wrong though, I love the speed and performance of my FJ, but I tend to think more of the transmission, clutch, chain and sprockets and the undue wear and tear on them that sloppy riding can do to them.
And in all honesty, my new outlook on my riding style was inspired by my first FJ rally and paying attention to the other riders that impressed me with their riding skills.
Back when I was 16 and just starting to drive, my dad told me that he was more impressed with the way a person looked while smoothly driving down the street in a nice car, compared to someone who was hell bent on over driving his car in all the wrong places. "Just remember", he said, "someone is always watching, whether you think they are or not".
On the subject of MPGs, I have never been terribly worried out such things. Granted, it is good to know what your getting on a trip, for fuel stops, but it was never a consideration when I bought my FJ.
I wanted the style first, and the performance second.
That's right style first, because I LOVE the way the FJ looks, and it is what has sold me on the FJ (of ANY year model) from the very start.
ramblin ends....
Leon
65 the other end of the spectrum. I just go down the road, not to fast, not to slow.... Not racing anyone just having fun... Geez maybe I should put a switch on my brake light turning it off going into the corners :) Allways wanted to know how to look good... Only if it were that simple or gave it any thought.
It was a good article by someone trying to see what could be done with the FJ in the MPG area. Hard to compare it with a Honda NC700X that is 670 cc at 470 lbs and has a 6250 RPM rev limiter built into it. (rev limiter, is that our future ?), not mine. It still was interesting to read. Also like to read about what is done on the other end of the spectrum even if I don't have a burning desire to go much above 100. Living next to Nevada I have went so fast for so long that it wasn't fun anymore. Slowing down to 80 was like a crawl. The good old days when there wasn't a speed limit for miles. Still there are stretches of HWY 93 and 318 that are fun to let loose on occasionally.
http://www.sscc.us/ (http://www.sscc.us/)
checking in at 47 , started with a minibike at 5 yrs old . I have had so many motorcycles I can't even name them all . :scratch_one-s_head:
my words of wisdom : ride your own ride , go fast or go slow but ride your ability . there is always someone better than you . be your own man.
cheers my fj brothers :drinks:
Quote from: Mark Olson on December 03, 2012, 02:06:21 PM
. there is always someone better than you . be your own man.
cheers my fj brothers :drinks:
this is easily fixed by taking off first giving one a head start, the hard part is slipping their bike key in your pocket :good2:
well so far everyone is still able to do there own helmet up, and not young enough to need help or too old to remember how :biggrin:, so were still here for the love of Fj,s
I wouldnt want my fj set up with 19/38 sprockets because I like to ride daily.On the other hand I have more than one bike so one set up for mpg would be nice.I would only use it to go see my daughter in Tenn.Would use 1/2 the gas.Could bring sprockets with and swap them for riding when there if I wanted.
Save money on long road trips :good2:
19,38 gearing would be interesting on long rides , with lots of straight roads ,, as for the head start, a few of us used to pull up next to each other at traffic lights ect, and just as the lights changed, flick your mates kill switch off, and ride away as you do it , only in town as would be even more dangerous on a highway set of lights, , we must have grown up , as we no longer do this :lol:
48 here.... LOL I'm running 18/38 gearing It makes Brutus a bit easier to handle :biggrin:
KOokaloo!
49 for a few more weeks and still enjoy riding like an asshole burn outs, wheeles, jack rabbit starts
Don't seem to get to ride on the street as much as I'dd like to anymore
Arrrrggghhhhhh...........I be 42 as well mateys.............
I have been riding dirt bikes, and street bikes on and off since my late teen years, and I believe I still have lots to learn about riding skills.... :drinks:
Forty-five year old checking in.
An other weighing in at 42 :greeting:
Only 33 here.. Feeling pretty young which is a first for an online forum for me :good2:
James
55 here. What's that Roger Daltrey quote? Oh yeah, now I remember..
"I'm too old to give them but to young to rest."
Yeah, that's it....
(from the LP "the Who by Numbers)
CraigO
58 here. Started on a Suzuki 80 trail about a 1965 vintage.
Quote from: big r on December 04, 2012, 07:21:26 PM
58 here. Started on a Suzuki 80 trail about a 1965 vintage.
Was it sorta like this? :good2:
This is my son's 1967 Suzuki K11P, I believe the K15 was the trail model.
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb37/campsimonette/k11p.jpg)
Yep that is the one only it was red. It was a blast to ride , made an expansion chamber for it and really po,d the neihbours with the noise. Graduated to a honda sport 90. and the to a Kawasaki A7 avenger 350. That thing had a lot of power for a 350. Got into hot rodding for a while and didn,t have a bike for quit a while. Bought a 1982 Yamaha 920 virago, then a 82 Suzuki GS 1100E and now my FJ. Just picked a 84 wingfor me and the missus to tour on. She won,t ride on the fj. Big R
She won't ride on the Fj, , no dramas as passengers add to the fuel use, slow ya down , stuff up the handling and and, hope she dousnt read this :biggrin:,, at least I'm not the only one here over 30 going on 18, although some days feel 80 :scratch_one-s_head:
43 here and I've been riding since I was 18. I still manage to scare the shit out of myself occasionally and giggle like an idiot after. Never feel more alive than when I'm pushing it to the edge. I love motorcycles. :biggrin:
48 here, riding since age 20. I think "Doc" Hacker is older than I am by a good bit, and has spent a bunch of time racing motorcycles including FJs. So to assume that he's modding his FJ to get 70 (UK) miles a gallon because he's too slow to "ride it like it was meant to be ridden" is probably wrong.
Similarly, I enjoy the longevity of my new-tech radial rear tire on my FJ, but I don't think the limitations of an ME-880 touring tire would be the thing holding me back in the twisties. John The Beer Scientist had no trouble keeping up with the gang we rode with during the rallies he attended, and he was using Metzler ME-880s - on a Virago 750. More recently, I recall my then-18-year-old son bettering the pace of many of us (myself included) on the Cherohala and particularly Deal's Gap during the Fall East Coast Rally, riding an EX500 with, I think, a Kenda bias-ply rear tire. So, I think most of us (a few exceptions for the likes of Bill P, Frank, Kavin, Dean, Henry) would not exactly be hindered by an ME-880.
Cliff's Notes: I think Doc Hacker could leave 99% of us behind, even with an ME-880 rear tire, his new jetting, and 19/38 gearing - even on our favorite road, even on our best day.
But it sure is fun to look at my sticky radials and think "yeah, I'm that good." (As long as I don't accidentally say it out loud.)
Quote from: Bill_Rockoff on December 05, 2012, 07:55:36 AM
Cliff's Notes: I think Doc Hacker could leave 99% of us behind, even with an ME-880 rear tire, his new jetting, and 19/38 gearing - even on our favorite road, even on our best day.
To Bill's point, that the rider has much more to do with it than the bike, I have always enjoyed watching this guy on a Ninja 250 at Laguna Seca crush lesser riders on bigger bikes, including an R1: Lovely, and it illustrates the point very well I think...
Ninja 250 vs. the big bikes at Laguna Seca (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz03sQeX02c#ws)
Dan
I cant wait to get out to a rally and learn from some of you.
Keeeerist! Was the FJ a bike of our times or we of it? 44 yrs. here, starting to think this is the official bike of the 40-something club. I wouldn't change a thing, so - ride your own race.
Dang, now I want another Ninja 250......
Quote from: airheadPete on December 08, 2012, 12:11:25 AM
Keeeerist! Was the FJ a bike of our times or we of it? 44 yrs. here, starting to think this is the official bike of the 40-something club. I wouldn't change a thing, so - ride your own race.
QFT. I'm 43, 44 in a few months, guy I bought it from was 3 months younger than me. I blame it on the 80's coverage of endurance racing warping my psyche.
48th B-day next week for me. Grew up on an xr75. walls were fully covered by moto mag pages and brochures from the local dealers. Got into my first road machine at 17 on a V45 Honda Sabre...road it for a few weeks until i got my license.
Then at 23 or so i found bicycling and gave up on moto power for the next 23years. Every single spring though i had a horrible urge to look though the online ads for a moto again, and last year i could no longer fight it. The income tax return was exactly enough to put a 91Fj under me.
I'm working an IT job during the week and then during most other times i'm running what is becoming a successful, primarily real estate and commercial property, photography business. That extra load on my body and mind make the idea of going for a 50km bike ride a bit too much. By just hopping on the FJ and doing that same loop its become a very very good thing for my soul.
Eyes are looking for a second ADV bike now... :-)
Easterntide said, "48th B-day next week for me."
Yeah, me too. I've been a licensed motorcycle rider since 1967. That's 48 years, right?
Arnie
You don't get too old to ride, you get old if you stop riding.
I know that there are members that are not in their 40's. I have met a few :rofl:
This fall will be my last birthday in the 40's. :negative:
Thanks Bill for the video of the 250 hauling the mail. Very impressed. :drinks:
Fred
Thank's Dan for the video.
It's the same lesson we have learned when driving Miata's...it's all about corner speed.
Laguna Seca is on my bucket list.
I will be 61 next on the 20th. Still love the kookaloo, but the knees are starting to complain a lot more. Have'nt got the FJ out of the shed yet but it will be soon. We are having an early spring here and can't wait. Big R
Oh geezzzz.... another April 20th'er. How many of us are there exactly? What was going on 9 months before that? Do you know what your parents were doing the previous July?
Quote from: Charlie-brm on March 23, 2015, 02:08:40 PM
Oh geezzzz.... another April 20th'er. How many of us are there exactly? What was going on 9 months before that? Do you know what your parents were doing the previous July?
April 30 for me...
Quote from: FJmonkey on March 23, 2015, 05:43:27 PM
Quote from: Charlie-brm on March 23, 2015, 02:08:40 PM
Oh geezzzz.... another April 20th'er. How many of us are there exactly? What was going on 9 months before that? Do you know what your parents were doing the previous July?
April 30 for me...
same as my brothers birthday . that explains a lot. :wacko3:
Quote from: Mark Olson on March 23, 2015, 06:00:06 PM
same as my brothers birthday . that explains a lot. :wacko3:
29 days earlier would really suck....
April 01 for me...
good news is that folks remember it generally.
Quote from: Easterntide on March 24, 2015, 07:28:56 AM
April 01 for me...
good news is that folks remember it generally.
And, I bet many others say, "it figures" :-)
sadly yes :-)
but then i just snick it into gear and ride away on my FJ.....