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

[Pat Conlon]

It's funny Dan, that Frank sold his K1300 shortly after assembling the 1350 Wizard. Wonder why? I've been reading about them, but never ridden one.

The Duc would be fun. I've never thought about it being a long distance bike, but it looks like it could do the job.
Unfortunately the closest Ducati dealer is in San Diego, 2 hours away.

I fell in love with Gary Mastro's Aprilla Falco/Tuono hybrid riding thru the redwoods from Leggett out to the coast. So light, flickable. No need for brakes with that 1000cc twin, just roll off the gas and the compression will slow you down. With  six speed tranny, that twin was smooth as silk on the slab.

Interesting that Yamaha has the new 850 triple coming out although it needs a bigger tank.
A upgraded version of that triple in 1200cc with a larger tank and hard bags would fill the bill.

For now, I'm holding on to my FJ's....something I've been saying for 30 years ...  Pat

[Flynt]

The BMW K1300S ticks many of your boxes...

Yep.  Had one and it is an awesome bike.  Excellent luggage system, all the electronic stuff, and went like stink.



Current revision of Wizard won the fight, so my K13S got swapped for the Duc.

Frank

[Flynt]

Wonder why?

Wizard and the K13S were for the same purpose...  sporty touring.  My FJ is so tuned to my taste that I'd ride it for everything and the Beemer became a show piece.  I wanted a very different bike so the "horses for courses" approach would determine which bike goes.  The FJ can do anything the Duc can and vice versa, but they are at their best on different types of rides.  Twisty, bumpy, switchback filled run to Mt Hamilton = Duc.  Sweeping, smooth, higher speed runs with some slab transit and you're picking the FJ.

The FJ still gets more miles cause I love it so much.  The Duc goes to work on Fridays and goes on the redwood blast every couple of weeks.  FJ goes to work other days and gets a weekly thrashing like Mike experienced last week.

That's why...

Frank

[Flynt]

GOD AWFUL DRY CLUTCH NOISE?!?! How do people DEAL with that???

My FJ is loud too with the flatsides clattering and the Akra thumping...  The Duc is just a different loud and the exposed clutch is sooooo  cool to see spinning next to your foot.

Frank

[FJmonkey]

GOD AWFUL DRY CLUTCH NOISE?!?! How do people DEAL with that???

My FJ is loud too with the flatsides clattering and the Akra thumping...  The Duc is just a different loud and the exposed clutch is sooooo  cool to see spinning next to your foot.

Frank

Dry clutches saves lives... Or the loud pipe and FS carbs emulating a dry clutch...

[simi_ed]

Well Pat, this KTM MAY meet your requirements.  It meets mine, perhaps except for the eye appeal thing ...




The specs are awesome (180 hp, 415 lbs dry weight!).  2 up looks rather dicey, but it sure has all the bells & whistles of a new bike.  ABS & TC, ride by wire, water cooled V-twin, Brembo mono-blocs.

Here are some reviews:
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2013/10/ktm-officially-unveils-1290-superduke-r-180-hp-in-a-lightweight-naked/
http://cyclenews.uberflip.com/i/205581/0

[~JM~]

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. 

Buy the bike with the least miles. There are after-market luggage pieces for the FJ. This is how mine used to look prior to me buying it.



I don't know the maker of the luggage, but it's available.

Good luck
~JM~

[Dan Filetti]

Well Pat, this KTM MAY meet your requirements.  It meets mine, perhaps except for the eye appeal thing ...




The specs are awesome (180 hp, 415 lbs dry weight!).  2 up looks rather dicey, but it sure has all the bells & whistles of a new bike.  ABS & TC, ride by wire, water cooled V-twin, Brembo mono-blocs.

Here are some reviews:
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2013/10/ktm-officially-unveils-1290-superduke-r-180-hp-in-a-lightweight-naked/
http://cyclenews.uberflip.com/i/205581/0

THAT bike has been on my list of bikes I'd like to beg/ borrow/ steal a ride on, and has been since I first read about it...  I will someday.  

Dan

[Pat Conlon]

Yea, the Super Duke is interesting (looks aside) a little small on the fuel tank @18L, 4.7 gal.

[rockhammer]

Ok gents please forgive me I am struggling here with what to do.  I dont want to buy a bike then regret it.  I have also come across an fz1 2002 with 25k miles for five hundred less than the fj1200 1992 with 32k miles.  Any one here ridden a first gen fz1 how does it compare to the fj1200?  Any thoughts would be great.  Again sorry for all the questions.  The thing is I bought my current bike a bit to quickly and found out it did not fit me well and I do not want that to happen again.

[Flynt]

Any one here ridden a first gen fz1 how does it compare to the fj1200?

It is a more modern, more nimble, sporty bike...  Has more of the sport bike motor with much less torque and more rev happy.  Many of the mods on an FJ will move it closer to the FZ (better suspension, better brakes, etc).  I think the comfort level is pretty similar, but you do have a bigger fairing with the later FJs.

I'd say ride them both and buy the one you like best.  Both great bikes and you can't go wrong.

Frank

[Dan Filetti]

This is not scientific, but I have seen several FZ1 accidents, and read (on here and elsewhere) about several others.  I have it in my head that it's a bike that is plenty capable of throwing an unsuspecting you into the bushes/ down the road.  At least, I gather, it commands greater respect (throttle control etc.) and immediate attention than the FJ.

Like Flynt says, ride em both, pick the one that fits.

Dan

[rockhammer]

Based on the prices I am seeing for 2002 fz1 i am begining to feel the guy that wants 3000 for his bike is asking a bit much.  Does 3k sound like to much for a mint fj1200 with mods I mentioned and 33k miles?

[~JM~]

I liked & selected the FJ due to the almost bullet proof & AIR COOLED engine. I prefer Air Cooled bikes as there is just one less system to maintain, plus they just look cleaner. I have not done much work on my FJ (haven't needed to yet) but it appears to be an easy bike to work on. There is not much in the way of anything that needs maintenance or adjustment.

If you are able to test ride the bikes, then do so & see which one feels the best to you. When it comes down to it, only you can pick out your bike. Which one feels the best & has the features that you want, or can easily be added later. Check out: http://www.kbb.com/motorcycles/#zipo=87f08a443f9e813cb5067ebdbe22aeeb  and:  http://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles  for an idea on values.

Of course you came to an FJ Board so we are all a bit biased.

Good luck
~JM~

[fintip]

I see that price on high quality FJ's with some mods in my area. 2200 would be the super low, 3300 would be the high. But this kind of thing varies by region. In the end, it's worth a mixture of what you're willing to pay for it and how much the guy needs to allow himself to part with it.

It's not an unreasonable price, but it's not a low price.

That it holds that value after 20 years and beyond, compared to the FZ1, might be a hint, though. Also, remember to think of things like: how much does a corbin seat cost again? Because in theory, to even out the price some, you could, for instance, put that seat on ebay and sell it and then buy a stock seat, recovering at least, for example, $150 there.

I paid $1100 for a non running FJ (earlier generation, not in as good cosmetic condition), but I was ok paying that because I knew it wouldn't take much work, and it came with a corbin as well as hard bags, which together were worth at least $300-$400, meaning I was really getting the FJ for $800ish.

A cosmetically pristine bike with that much fairing, this old, too, is a sign that the bike has been adult owned. It's hard to make sure a bike doesn't fall over once over the course of a few decades, you know?

My $0.02.

+Also, like JM stated, I was hunting for an FJ (explicitly) because I wanted an FJ. My personal reasons were likely a little different than yours, but air cooled, carb, ease of maintenance was definitely a factor. Insane torque was another big factor. And looks--frankly, I'm not much of a fan of the FZ1 look, but to each their own. History/character; the FJ was a game changer when it came out. (Inconsequential to some, mattered to me.)

You have to develop your own criterion, though.