Hello from California. Almost an FJ owner I think need help deciding.

[rockhammer]

Hello I am from California and am considering a new bike here in the next week.  I currently ride a gs850 and feel the bike is a bit smallish for me.  I am six feet four inches tall. The ride is great but I feel cramped in the leg dept, riding for very long gets a bit painful in my left hip and I have no wind protection so I get burned out. 

So I am buying a bike this week.  I am choosing between two bikes. The 1991 fj 1200 with 33k miles in mint condition with upgraded front and rear suspension new, new tires, bar risers, corbin seat and an extra inch lower in the foot pegs.  Did I mention the bike is mint very clean garage kept.  The guy is asking 3k. 

The other bike I am considering is a 2002 concours.  60k miles it also has suspension mod, new tires, well maintained, heated grips, gps, radio, three wind screens full luggage with trunk two way communication system for driver and passenger.  3300

I am switching bikes because I want more wind protection and more comfort for long rides.  Also I want bags luggage because of the utility, I ride to estimates, school etc I would like to be able to carry my stuff with out a back back. 

The fj does not come with any luggage.  I am torn based on performance and comfort.  I like the connie for all its accessories.  But it has higher mileage.  I could always buy luggage for the fj.  What are the benefits of the fj over the concours? 

What do memebers here think?  Does the fj blow the connie away.  I like wind protection how much can I get on the fj.  I dont want total wind protection but 80 percent maybe.  I dont want to boil on hot days. 

Any help would be great. 

[Capn Ron]

Hey and welcome to the forum!  Where in California are you?  Lots of riders out here for get-togethers/rallys.

That '91 FJ1200 would be an excellent comfort choice given the rubber engine mounts, upgraded suspension, Corbin seat and wind protection.  I'm 6'2" (with proportionally long legs) and am very comfortable on my '92.  I knocked out a just over 17,000 mile road trip last year...You can read about it here if you're bored:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10252.0

There were moments on the trip where I wished for a few more modern features, but they were just that...moments.  By the end of the trip, with all things considered...I couldn't imagine a better bike to do 400 mile days for a months on end.

Take a look around here...there's a great community as well to help support your ride!

Good luck with your decision!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[rockhammer]

Hey and welcome to the forum!  Where in California are you?  Lots of riders out here for get-togethers/rallys.

That '91 FJ1200 would be an excellent comfort choice given the rubber engine mounts, upgraded suspension, Corbin seat and wind protection.  I'm 6'2" (with proportionally long legs) and am very comfortable on my '92.  I knocked out a just over 17,000 mile road trip last year...You can read about it here if you're bored:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=10252.0

There were moments on the trip where I wished for a few more modern features, but they were just that...moments.  By the end of the trip, with all things considered...I couldn't imagine a better bike to do 400 mile days for a months on end.

Take a look around here...there's a great community as well to help support your ride!

Good luck with your decision!

Cap'n Ron. . .

Hello Cap n

I wonder how smooth the ride is compared to an 1982 gs 850?  The bike I have now is smooth but I have not ridden many bikes to know how smooth the ride can get.  Do you think it would be smoother?  The suzuki is a shaft drive. 

[FJmonkey]

I spend way more time ridding day trips vs. weekends and the FJ is way better for me as it is sportier than the Kawi. I might think differently if I spent more time on longer trips. Capt'n Ron has shown us all the FJ can be loaded up and taken on epic rides. The luggage is already there on the Kawi. A serious consideration depends on if you like be your own mechanic. The FJ is very easy to maintain and upgrade. The engine is nearly bullet proof, one member here has over 300K on his original unopened engine. So an FJ with 60K is just breaking in. We are also spoiled because we have Randy at www.rpmracingca.com developing well designed custom parts to make our FJs way better than OEM, modern in fact. Plus this group is the most supportive that I ever met. Spend some more time browsing around here, you will a get feel that many of us are like family and this is one big digital campfire. I was plesanty shocked   to find many like myself here like the pay it forward way of helping. Depending on where you are in SoCal you can meet a few local FJowners. If you choose the Kawi you are still welcome to hang out here, not all that contribute own FJs. They just like it here. Cheers mate.

[fintip]

I know for me, it wouldn't be a question!

But I understand how it could be for others.

The FJ is truly a performance engine, and it feels that way. The Concours is a little heavier than the FJ, looks like it has a little better protection from the elements... Other than that, it seems to be:

corbin + lowered footpegs + bar risers + upgraded front suspension + mint

vs.

new tires + luggage you won't have to hunt for + comset

gps/radio/heated grips shouldn't come into the equation--smart phone and a bluetooth helmet does radio and gps, and heated grips can be installed yourself aftermarket cheaply and with little fuss.

That $300 difference will go a fair ways towards equalizing the difference on the FJ, and it sounds like it's already kind of in better shape. If you want hard luggage, you will have to hunt a little bit, but it's out there. Soft luggage can work pretty well, though.

Since you mention leg room as a primary concern, the risers and lowered pegs sound like particularly compelling points.

And, I may be biased, but I have always thought concourses felt a little soul-less. The FJ instills passions in a way a concours never could for me...

I'd go for the FJ if I were you. That's my two cents, take it for what it's worth.

The 1991 fj 1200 with 33k miles in mint condition with upgraded front and rear suspension new, new tires, bar risers, corbin seat and an extra inch lower in the foot pegs.  Did I mention the bike is mint very clean garage kept.  The guy is asking 3k.

The other bike I am considering is a 2002 concours.  60k miles it also has suspension mod, new tires, well maintained, heated grips, gps, radio, three wind screens full luggage with trunk two way communication system for driver and passenger.  3300

I am switching bikes because I want more wind protection and more comfort for long rides.  Also I want bags luggage because of the utility, I ride to estimates, school etc I would like to be able to carry my stuff with out a back back.  

Also:

I've driven a shaft that was supposedly a slight step up or at least equal (the yamaha xj650) to the GS850 (I almost got a '79 of that bike, but picked the XJ instead at the time). I also read a lot about those old GS's. I would say from what I've read about the later model FJ's, that if everything is in good order, it will likely be substantially smoother than the GS. A chain just takes more maintenance than a shaft--oiling once every thousand miles or so instead of once every decade () and checking tension as necessary. Not a big deal, but something you don't have to worry about with a shaft.

[aviationfred]

My 2 cents.....

Both bikes are Sport Tourers. They are on opposite ends of the spectrum from each other. The Connie leans more towards the full bagged touring and the FJ leans more towards the Sport side. The 91'-93' F's have the largest fairings of all the F's. I can give you a comparison with the fairing size....

I have 87' and 89' FJ's. The 87' has the smallest of the 1200 fairings. While riding it is noticeably smaller than the 89'. The windscreen is not as high, my hands on the bars are in the wind. The 89' fairing is 2 inches taller and 2 inches wider with turn signal bulges that are almost in line with the handle bars. In 50 degree weather I can wear summer gloves, my hands are out of the wind and comfortable. I have not ridden a 91'-93' FJ, but the 91's fairing is much larger than my 89's fairing. It should give great wind protection, but not so much as to roast you in the summer.

As already been mentioned, with bar risers, lowered pegs, and a Corbin seat. That should take care of most comfort items. The other thing to consider would be a standard, touring/flip, and vario windscreens. Self maintenance is a breeze for most mechanically inclined owners. No fancy electronics to short out. With Randy at RPM, OEM and custom parts are easily gotten. About everything that can happen to a FJ has been bestowed on the collective members here. The wealth of knowledge and willingness to share is Priceless.

The $300.00 difference in price can go towards a set of hard luggage. Used sets do come up for sale occasionally. I have $500.00 invested in my used hard luggage which included shipping from Canada.

Photos in full touring mode





Fairing size comparison, my 89' and another members 93'. The 91' that is in consideration has the same size fairing as the 93'




Fred

[Pat Conlon]

The Connie is slower, and heavier (680lbs) than the FJs but they are very, very good motorcycles.

The Connie's 6 speed gearbox (vs FJ's 5 speed) 7.5 gallons of fuel (vs 5.5) shaft drive (vs chain) water cooled (vs air) slightly smoother with a counter balance shaft (none on the FJ) easier valve adjustments, screw adjusters (vs shim over bucket) factory hard bags, better wind protection.

Both bikes have carbs....(bummer) so sooner or later you will have to get to them and clean them, I think the FJ carbs are very accessible with UniPod filters, I don't know about the Connie.

The Connie is a very, very good bike and has a tremendously loyal following. *Almost* as good as our FJs.

For a sport tourer, the Connie leans more towards the touring end of the spectrum.

The Lighter, faster FJ, leans more towards the sporting end of the spectrum.

[rockhammer]

Great posts so far.  After reading them I am more inclined to get the fj.  I am worried about the connie buzz as well. 

In regards to the gearing on the fj.  How smooth is the ride lets say at 80 mph?  What kind of rpms is the bike doing there.  I wonder which bike seems to work harder at higher speeds?

[rockhammer]

Also I would say I would be doing more commuting than
touring.  I may do a tour though but it is not my main purpose in buying the motorcycle.

[markmartin]

My good friend bought an '06 (I think it's an '06) last year.  He hates the 6 speed tranny.  The hard bags are flopping around at speeds over 80, enough to upset the ride.
I've driven it.  It does provide more protection from the wind.  I feel like I'm sitting in the Concourse, and on the FJ. I don't think it handles very well at all.  It's definitely a big road touring bike, it really doesn't feel sporty.  I find a Gold Wing handles and feels way better than the 10-gen Concourse.  I'd go for the FJ and find some hard bags.  

[rockhammer]

My 2 cents.....

Both bikes are Sport Tourers. They are on opposite ends of the spectrum from each other. The Connie leans more towards the full bagged touring and the FJ leans more towards the Sport side. The 91'-93' F's have the largest fairings of all the F's. I can give you a comparison with the fairing size....

I have 87' and 89' FJ's. The 87' has the smallest of the 1200 fairings. While riding it is noticeably smaller than the 89'. The windscreen is not as high, my hands on the bars are in the wind. The 89' fairing is 2 inches taller and 2 inches wider with turn signal bulges that are almost in line with the handle bars. In 50 degree weather I can wear summer gloves, my hands are out of the wind and comfortable. I have not ridden a 91'-93' FJ, but the 91's fairing is much larger than my 89's fairing. It should give great wind protection, but not so much as to roast you in the summer.

As already been mentioned, with bar risers, lowered pegs, and a Corbin seat. That should take care of most comfort items. The other thing to consider would be a standard, touring/flip, and vario windscreens. Self maintenance is a breeze for most mechanically inclined owners. No fancy electronics to short out. With Randy at RPM, OEM and custom parts are easily gotten. About everything that can happen to a FJ has been bestowed on the collective members here. The wealth of knowledge and willingness to share is Priceless.

The $300.00 difference in price can go towards a set of hard luggage. Used sets do come up for sale occasionally. I have $500.00 invested in my used hard luggage which included shipping from Canada.

Photos in full touring mode

I like that luggage.  I am partial to the square luggage, real nice.  Good insight.  All posts have been great.





Fairing size comparison, my 89' and another members 93'. The 91' that is in consideration has the same size fairing as the 93'




Fred

[markmartin]

Great posts so far.  After reading them I am more inclined to get the fj.  I am worried about the connie buzz as well. 

In regards to the gearing on the fj.  How smooth is the ride lets say at 80 mph?  What kind of rpms is the bike doing there.  I wonder which bike seems to work harder at higher speeds?

You can change the sprockets on the FJ to accommodate the type of performance you want.  It's got plenty of torque.  I've gone to an 18 front and a 38 rear from a 17/42 stock gearing. BTW, I find 80 is where it feels the best.

[aviationfred]

 

In regards to the gearing on the fj.  How smooth is the ride lets say at 80 mph?  What kind of rpms is the bike doing there.  I wonder which bike seems to work harder at higher speeds?

I have 18/38 gearing on my 89'. I commute and ride around the city with it. I find the torque is more than enough for the tall gearing. My speedo bounces a bit at higher speeds. Riding with others on the interstate at 80mph indicates close to 4500 rpm.

The FJ never seems to work hard in any situation. Fully loaded luggage, big saddlebags sticking out, cruising 75-80mph for hours on end and getting 50+ mpg on the highway.

The 91' has rubber engine mounts. Smooths out a lot of vibrations. Also Randy at RPM www.RPMRacingCA.com has bar end vibranators. I have a set, they work wonderful to dampen handle bar vibration.

Fred

[Capn Ron]

Also I would say I would be doing more commuting than
touring.  I may do a tour though but it is not my main purpose in buying the motorcycle.

The FJ1200 is truly a "sport touring" bike rather than a "touring" bike.  That doesn't mean you can't gear up and log some 600 mile days on her in this trim:



Or just cruise around the twisty mountain roads in this trim with a place to throw in your jacket and pant liners if you ride into the wee hours:



Or no hard cases at all for a quick run down PCH:



The FJ has plenty of torque to spare so you can roll along in fifth gear most of the day...and handles great in the twisty stuff to have you working through the gears if you want.  It's hard for me to imagine a more versatile bike.

Cap'n Ron. . .

[Pat Conlon]

  ......All posts have been great.

See the quality you get when you hang with the FJ folks?

Try this, ask the same question over here: http://forum.cog-online.org/