Best FJ to buy

[craigo]

Oh, by the way, the rear wheel bearings are not very well sealed from water.  You should never pressure wash them or they go out.  Even if ridden in the rain, they will go south.  That may have been the reason for the new ones.

One of the cheapest (in the long run) and best upgrades you can do is upgrade the rear wheel to a 17" from say, a GSXR or ?  17" tires are cheaper, more plentiful and last longer than the currently available 16"ers.  And should solve the rear bearing issues...

CraigO

[terryk]

I am new so best year for me is difficult to say. I have a 87 FJ 1200, guess that is the 1TX, and feel that this year is soid. If it have original graphics and paint, mine seems to, it attracts attention as well as a classic among guys running newer bikes. Yes, it is a bit buzzy but for me that is part of the experience of the FJ.

[andyb]

My point was best year depends on what you want.  They started off being a little more sporty (and require more modification to bring up to a more modern spec), and became a little better at touring as the years went by (gaining weight and frontal area).

So the question really is what kind of riding do you do?  Honestly I think that fundamentally it doesn't matter too much, as a couple of choice alterations will improve any of them to being pretty decent allrounders, so I would look for one in the best condition possible overall (unless you want a basket case because you're planning a huge mod list that involves throwing most of it away in the first place).  It's hard to modify fairing size and remove neglect, but anything else is doable.

[rlucas]

Ready to buy my first FJ1200. Looking at a 1991. Probably want a 3CV or 3XW. Any reason not to buy a 91 or what woul you recomend?

Rick you have stumbled upon what is widely agreed upon as the apex year of the FJ.  Others will soon be chiming in to back me up on this fact.

Oh, horseshit. Everyone knows that the '86 was the epitome of FJ development, not to mention the best-looking color scheme. After that, they got soft.

-Rossi-

[ribbert]

It seems to me that most people don't seek out a particular year but end up loving whatever year they bought.  Polls on 'best year' seem to merely reflect ownership.  There was only ever a bees dick in the performance differences when new and under dragstrip conditions and considering the variables of rider, weight, state of tune ( carbs, plugs, valves, cam chain etc) chain, tyres, altitude, fuel, compression, gearing, electrics, ambient temperature and so on, very few of our bikes have all these things perfect at any given time, so, performance differences are more likely to be determined by factors other than year model. Also, the days of getting away with riding flat out everywhere (for those of us old enough to remember) are now limited in most places we live to memories and drinking sessions. Still, there's always a road somehwere to ring it out, but these days usually only in short bursts.
The automotive industry is littered with great sports cars and bikes that evolved into shitheaps over their lifetime, but the FJ just got better. It was continually improved - front wheel, brakes, engine mounts, starter, fuel pump, gearbox, exhaust mounts, fairing, forks and probably other things I can't think of- without losing it's soul.  Looks are, of course, personal and there's really no dud year although mine is defineatlely the best looking.
There is no bad year for the mighty FJ and given the youngest of them is now 18 yo, condition and mileage should be what you're looking for, the rest you can fix or upgrade easily and cheaply.

[rlucas]

Rick – just so you don't get the wrong idea...

We have a long history of ribbing each other about what year is "best" or "best-looking". Naturally, the "best" year FJ is whatever year *you* happen to own. Plus, many of us are afflicted with "moditis", and few of our bikes remain totally stock for long, so a measurement of "best" really isn't applicable. Ribbert's right...there's not a hell of a lot of difference between years (except between the 1100 and 1200; even then it's mostly cosmetics and 100cc of displacement).

Bottom line? Buy the nicest example you can find, unless you enjoy wrenching (even then, the FJ is relatively easy to work on), ride the piss out of it, and come here for advice regarding repairs and modifications. Get to a Rally; an FJ is not required. This is the best group of enthusiasts I've ever been associated with, and you'll find plenty of help, advice, support and knowledge.*

-Rossi-

*Plus a few pot-stirrers and smartasses.

[moparman70]

To check for mileage ( if it has rolled over the 100k)- if the handle grips are original - check for wear.  My 86 with 120K KM's have palm wear marks but the paint and general condition look very new.  If the grips are aftermarket then all bets are off.  My 90 when purchased was original and showed no signs of wear so I could tell the 20K was all she had.   Also, check the compression of the motor -- probably the most important thing you can do -- they all should be even  + - 5 psi or so.  I am not sure of the readings but it should be over 100 ---me thinks around 120... check out this site more the specs may be here somewhere.

All cosmetics can be fixed but motors are too costly to fix -- better buying another.

86 is the best year --- but an 86 with the 89 front end and blue dots is the ultimate.

stevec