Saying hello or 'bonjour' from France

[robbo]

Had an FJ1100 years ago, followed by a couple of XJ900s, then a 1991 FJ1200, which I travelled all over Europe on with my girlfriend, and 22 years later we're still happily married.
I've had BMW GS bikes for the last 20 years, but had a hankering for an FJ again. Just picked one up tonight, which had been sitting in a garage unloved for a year or two. Fired it up, checked the tyres, chain, no oil leaks etc, then drove it 85kms home. I'd forgotten how smoooooth and powerful these were, especially when compared to the BMW boxer.
Looking forward to getting a few miles under the FJ's belt as it's a 1994 ABS model with only 55,000kms on it, or just over 30k miles.

I dare say I'll be picking your collective brains as I fettle with the bike, so thanks in advance.../Rob

[aviationfred]

Welcome Rob !   There are not too many 94' models owned here. We love pictures   . Lots of reading and help here, ask questions as you go and jump in anytime.  Check out the Files section and there are a lot of pictures in the Gallery.


Fred

[movenon]

Welcome Rob!  The FJ has a lot more power than the boxers for sure.  I am an old RT guy myself.  I might have another BMW but the FJ stays.... It's plain fun.
Read and ask all the questions that come to mind.  The FJ community is a lot like the BMW group,  the bikes have been around for a long time and there is lots of information out there to keep them alive and well.
George

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Rob, you will find a wealth of information in the files section as well searching the posts. Good to know that you found Kookalooo again. 

[ribbert]

The FJ has a lot more power than the boxers for sure.
George

This was certainly the case not too many years ago but not any more. The FJ will still win a straight out drag race but in practical road riding, there's nothing in it. My riding mate has a 4 yo GS, 105hp/ 200kg's /6 speed, the two bikes were absolutely neck and neck in roll on acceleration. Now that I have upped my gearing slightly he actually has an edge.
The late model 1200's, particularly the GS's are surprisingly quick but run out puff a bit over 200kph. The current model makes a 125hp!!
All things being equal you would be struggling to get past one and would need to ring every last pony out of the FJ to stand a chance.

I ride that BMW often and for considerable distances. It's a fantastic bike but I prefer the FJ. The owner can never get his head around that one.
Noel

[robbo]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, I'm gonna like it here. I'll still keep the GS, and the CX400, and the 2 x XT600 Teneres I've got sitting in the garage The GS is better than the FJ on a lot of the roads round here. I'm based 45 minutes from Nice, in France, but we're up in the mountains, so there are lots of REALLY twisty, narrow little roads.
One area the GS comes into it's own is the off road tracks in the Alps, which the FJ 'could' manage some, the 500km range of the GS and it's limited offroad capability are great. The GS has now done 138,000kms since I bought it new in Dec 2003. Can't see me getting rid, I've just got it sorted now ha ha.
Now to find a Haynes or Clymer service manual and get down to business.

[robbo]

Well, here's a photo of the beast. Now, having started a bit of research, it's a 3CX variant, which I 'think' is French only, made from 1989-1994, so it was registered on 1st January 1994, so must be a 1993 model, complete with ABS, which seems to work, as I deliberately stomped on the rear and felt it chattering.
So, here she is, be prepared to see photos of FJ in the Alps