Hello from New Hampshire

[Bones]

FFS,Three blokes to pick up a bike?

HOW TO PICK UP YOUR MOTORCYCLE - FALLEN OR DROPPED BIKE

It fell over sideways away from me off camber into a garden bed that had a hedge as well as a stupid railing fence in it so you couldn't go around the other side to pick it up. I wouldn't say I'm a weakling, but I couldn't budge it in the position it was in. Level ground with nothing around it, Yes.

Luckily nothing was broken, just a scuff on the chin fairing and bar ends.

                                                   Tony.

[Klavdy]

Well, long as you didn't drop your stubby,

[magge52]

Thanks for the welcomes and replies. Great info to help me make a decision. Especially the trans info, good to confirm 2nd gear is not so much an issue on 89 & up. I will definitely take FJMonkey's advice on testing the trans.

I agree the price of the 92 at 3800 is high but the benefits noted for sportTouring make it appealing despite that it's not my fav color. It was a best offer ad so I would be offering less. The red/white color combo is killer but of all the other combos I like the 92.

Going to look at that 89 this weekend. Owner agrees to a test ride so hopefully the weather will cooperate. There's another blue 89 about 3.5 hours north of me that looks good. About the same mileage and price as this one and another about 1.5 east with 40k smiles and asking 2500. So it will be a busy weekend or two coming up.

Thanks again for all the input.

George

[magge52]

One of the 89s I'm looking at has the gold stripes on the fairing sides but not the FJ decals. Haven't seen this on other bikes. Maybe a repaint? And is there a noticeable difference in weather protection between an 89 and 92? Looking forward to test rides this weekend. Weather is supposed to be around the 60s.

George

[markmartin]

Maybe a repaint?

Yes, probably.

And is there a noticeable difference in weather protection between an 89 and 92?

I've never heard of anything to that effect. 

[ribbert]

And is there a noticeable difference in weather protection between an 89 and 92?

Not really, depends where you are. The non US 92's had these screens as standard which do give much better protection but at the cost of being a bit noisy.



Noel

[markmartin]

And is there a noticeable difference in weather protection between an 89 and 92?

I've never heard of anything to that effect. 

I misunderstood that question.    --I can't tell you about the '92, but the stock screen of an '89, if you're 5'-10", with standard bars,  will direct the wind just above your chest, hitting you in the neck area.  I found it annoying as hell, so I installed a taller aftermarket screen and kept cutting down until I was satisfied.  Now the air is directed just above my neck and my helmet is pretty much in clean (ish)  air.

[magge52]

I have a LaminarLip on my Duc, makes a big difference,. It deflects the wind to about helmet level without getting in my line of sight -I'm 5'8".

I've been searching for info on the alternator output, haven't found anything. I've seen pics of FJs with aux lights so I imagine they will handle heated gear.

George

[simi_ed]

I have a LaminarLip on my Duc, makes a big difference,. It deflects the wind to about helmet level without getting in my line of sight -I'm 5'8".

I've been searching for info on the alternator output, haven't found anything. I've seen pics of FJs with aux lights so I imagine they will handle heated gear.

George

George, several members here do run heated gear, I believe.  I do know the alternator output isn't too generous.  I seem to remember 30A at 5,000 rpm from the GYSM.  Since most folks don't run near 5K rpm much, it can get dicey depending on how much additional electric gear you're running. 

[Bones]

I've been searching for info on the alternator output, haven't found anything. I've seen pics of FJs with aux lights so I imagine they will handle heated gear.

George

Stats that I have state 360 watts. Should be enough to run extra lights etc... no problem. Just hook some up temporary with a volt gauge to see if the battery is charging around 14 volts.

                                          Tony.

[X-Ray]

Noel, I'm still going to send my screen to you, theres no way mine gets anywhere CLOSE to how clear yours is!

[ribbert]

Noel, I'm still going to send my screen to you, theres no way mine gets anywhere CLOSE to how clear yours is!

Haha Ray, yeah that was a LOT of work, even with power tools.
I started a second one a while back, the memories of doing the first one came back and I shoved it under the bench. Might need to leave it there a bit longer until the memory fades.

Noel

[ribbert]

I seem to remember 30A at 5,000 rpm from the GYSM.  Since most folks don't run near 5K rpm much, it can get dicey depending on how much additional electric gear you're running. 

Regardless of the figures, you're going to get most it at low revs, alternator output spikes at relatively low revs.

Noel

[Bminder]

I to wanted a sport touring cycle. I purchased 1989 FJ1200 which is immaculate, all stock with exception to the mufflers. I AM 5"7"" in height so modifications were required. A cycle shop in Tempe AZ. did the work for me. First the seat was lowered, second the handle bars were moved up and back,
Oman75

How did the move the handlebars up and back? What did they do to do that?

[magge52]

Test rode the 89 today for 5-10 miles on some pretty rough back roads, no highway unfortunately. I was really impressed with the bike. Having been on Euro twins forever the four was totally different. Pickup was linear and smooooth and it revs much quicker off idle. Didn't have as much low end punch or guttural feeling of the twins but it was sneaky fast. Some buzziness in the bars even with foam grips but it tended to smooth out above 3k. I took it up to ~8k in 2nd gear a couple times as FJmonkey suggested with no issues. The owner said he had missed 1st to 2nd gear a few times but then made sure his shift was more positive and had no issues after that. So I take off and sure enough I missed 2nd on my 1st shift. Thought I felt it snick into 2nd but made sure after that and no further misses. Wind protection was very good (for a sport tourer) with a larger aftermarket screen. I felt some wind on my upper arms but nadda on the shoulders or helmet, very comfy and it felt like there would be enough circulation in hot weather. The stock seat was very cushy but supporting and felt like it would stay that way for many miles. Brakes were oem and pretty spongy, definitely upgrade territory. Another thing I felt it needed was a 6th gear, 5th came pretty quick and it felt a little hurried. I didn't get a chance to cruise at highway speeds so I'll chalk that up to my lack of seat time on a 4 (or maybe gearing/sprockets). Overall I was really impressed with the bike. It looks like a really good fit for my needs - lots of power and wind protection, comfy ergos, low seat height so I can juuust about flat foot my 5-8 inches. And it carries its weight really well. I was genuinely surprised how easy it was to handle at slow speeds. Not knowing the area I got on a very sand covered road and had to make a u-turn to backtrack. All I could think of was not dumping it but it was actually pretty easy to do.

So, am I a new FJ owner?......well, no. I had the cash in my pocket and ramps in the back of my truck but I didn't pull the trigger. It was hard but I kept thinking the 92 would be just that much better for me with a bit larger fairing and rubber mounting to squelch the vibes. It was enough to say no, barely. So I'll call on that 92 this week and see what happens. It's about 5 hours away so I might ask for some assistance in checking it out if it gets that far.

Again, thanks for all the input and I think it's only a matter of time before one of these babies is in my garage.

George