Hello from New Hampshire

[magge52]

Hi Guys, I'm new to the forum but have been browsing for the past few weeks to get up to speed with these bikes. I'm looking for a good sport tourer with power, comfortable for 400+ miles/day and good weather protection...without weighing 700 pounds and loaded up with electronic gadgets that just distract from the enjoyment of riding, imho. So the FJ fits the bill quite nicely. I'm really smitten with a lot of things on this bike-the styling, the power, the comfort. It's all really good stuff. Being of 80s vintage the 16" tires are a bit of a drawback for me, primarily because of limited replacements. I had a 90 Duc 750 Sport with 16" rubber that handled fine on the street and got along well with Azaros. What's the general feeling on the 16s v 17s? Hopefully this isn't an "oil" question!  

Others I've considered are the Concours, Beemer airheads/oilheads and Ducati ST3/4. I currently have a 75 Commando and a 97 Duc 900sp in the garage. The ST has been a strong contender but after owning the 900 going on 15 years I think it's time for a change but I'm not sure I'll be parting with it in any event-if I can convince the boss that 3 bikes are better than 2.    The Commando has been around since 87 and not going anywhere.

So there is an 89 available in dark blue (which is a way cool color with the gold trim) with 23xxx miles asking 1950, not bad from what I've seen on CL and fleabay. It has a Corbin seat and what look like Cobra mufflers but otherwise looks very original. I asked about transmission/2nd gear issues and they replied " as long as I'm a little careful to make the full shift, I don't have any 2nd gear issues" Not very encouraging so I'm looking for sage advice. From what I've read it isn't much of a problem with the later models but I don't want a big project bike and will easily pass on this one. Also have my eye on a 92 with 115xx miles, all original except a Corbin and asking 3800. It looks really good but I like the blue/gold of the 89 much better. Definitely not a deal breaker especially if it is as good as it looks in the pics.

Well thanks for reading and just maybe I'll be around a lot more. It sure has been a cool place to lurk around the past few weeks.

George

[jscgdunn]

Welcome,

Both are pretty low mileage.  The 89 seems like a better deal.  Unless it has been abused, 2nd gear should not be an issue;  this was weakness was corrected in the later models.  I prefer the 92's (3XW model) myself...a bit bigger fairing and more rubber mounting to reduce vibration.  Others say the 89 (3cv) model was the best.  With such low mileage, they both will meet your requirements.

My 2 cents.

Jeff

[FJmonkey]

Welcome magge52, the 16" can be upgraded to 17", I have done both front (FZR1000 87/88) and rear (GSXR 750, 92"), bolt on and ride. The 92' will have rubber mounted engine making for a smoother ride but the miles and price of the 89 seem more in line if the bike is in good shape. My 86' has the 2nd gear issue, I short shift past it and don't really worry about it. It does not pop out till about 7K so when I am getting my Kookalooo on, I shift at 6K. So if you want to test the 89', make sure you have a good shift into 2nd gear, and roll the power on quickly till the RPMs hit around 10K. If it does not pop out under load, all is still solid. If it pops out, pass on it, or ask for a lower price and deal with it or fix it. The Corbin seat is really good for me, other like the stock seat better. Let us know what you picked and post up pics....

[Capn Ron]

Welcome to the group George!

Obviously this bunch is very biased toward the FJ and for what you describe you're looking for, it fits the bill!    Those both sound like good candidates...I originally fell for the FJ at a dealer showroom looking at that '89 paint scheme.  Very nice!  I ended up buying a used '92 ABS a few years later and it's been outstanding for the 17 years I've owned it.  Not a lot of differences in the newer years ('89 and up)...they already have the 17" front wheel, use a fuel-pump and have a bit more fairing than the early models.  As has been mentioned the '91-'93 years got more rubber in mounting the engine for less vibration.  I can attest that they are GREAT long distance tourers...AND can carve up a twisty road pretty well too!   

Again, welcome and let us know what you end up with!

Cap'n Ron. . .

[Flynt]

 

[Flynt]

I'm looking for a good sport tourer with power, comfortable for 400+ miles/day and good weather protection...

That's a '91-'93 IMHO.  The early ones have no protection and the middle ones just got ugly.  

Bold guys will go for a pristine "pink stripe" example.

Then the modding begins...  

Frank

[movenon]

Welcome to the forum. The FJ's are all a fun bike to ride. If I was shopping I would probably try to get a 91-93 but the 89-90's are pretty sweet also.  It's what ever fit's you.  They are a good bang for the buck and IMO lean more toward the touring end of the spectrum than sport.  Stock weight is published at 568 Lbs plus or minus a bit.  You can modify them to be more sporty.  What I enjoy about the FJ is it is easy just to hop on and ride.  Works good around town or on the road.  They are a basic carbed air cooled bike with enough power to make things interesting.  With 30 years worth of information, "how to's" and modifications. Sold world wide and parts are still pretty available.  Let us know what you buy.  Really a fun bike for those 300 milers.
George

[Capn Ron]

Really a fun bike for those 300 milers.
George

300?  FJMonkey, Skymasteres and I knocked out a 450 mile day ride a few weeks ago...just for kicks.   On my big tour I averaged well over 300 miles a day with some days topping 600 miles...it just added up as I ended up where ever the day wanted to take me.  It's a glorious bike to spend time with...to see the country, to meet some good friends, to stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles.  Life must be lived as we go along and on an FJ, the true joy is in the trip...  

Cap'n Ron. . .

[Joe Sull]

Hum...Cow hampshire. Kangamangus Evans Notch

[Bones]

To think that this bike is "still" getting rave reviews from people about being the ultimate sport tourer after 30 yrs in production says a lot about the original design. But what is it that people like and dislike about it.

My dislikes :  The Weight :mine fell over one day while coming off the centre stand off camber and the position it landed in needed three blokes to pick it up, I was told as a young fella that if you can't pick it up, then you shouldn't be riding it.

Air cooled:  Normal running where I live is no problem, but slow riding in summer in first / second gear gets the oil temp in the high range to the point of switching off.

Tyre selection: 16 inch tyres front/ rear in decent compound compared to 17 inch.


Likes:

Comfort : it's a bike you can do big distances on in one day, and get off feeling reasonably fresh, without having to see a chiropractor.


Power:  It has more than enough for everyday riding through the week, and on weekends load it up with luggage and a passenger and the bike won't even crack a sweat. Use the power in anger and you'll still have sport bike riders checking their mirrors wondering what the hell it is behind them.


Looks :  The FJ is a good looking bike and has stood the test of time over the years. It still gets admiring looks and comments regarding its shape.


Maintenance :  It's a simple air cooled motor that will last forever, easy to maintain. and parts are still readily available.


I wouldn't be surprised in years to come if it went down in history as the best sport tourer ever built. Time will tell.

                                                      Tony.

[ribbert]

300?  FJMonkey, Skymasteres and I knocked out a 450 mile day ride a few weeks ago...just for kicks.   On my big tour I averaged well over 300 miles a day with some days topping 600 miles...

Cap'n Ron. . .

I'm 60, unfit and have a bad back. I recently did a 940km day on winding roads and couple of hours of twisties and the only complaint I had was running out of daylight and having to pull in for the night, I was just getting in the groove. I only have a standard seat with a lambswool pad and have no plans to upgrade it. I do have a regimen of movements and stretches while riding to alleviate pressure and fatigue, a throttle lock and regular stops.

My Sunday rides are always between 500-700kms and I'm always disappointed when I get home and it's over, even if it's after dark or cold or wet.

Being able to this without the benefit of youthful stamina and fitness says a lot about the bike. Showroom comfort doesn't always translate into long distance comfort.

As far as picking one up goes, there's a big difference between a controlled lift and an adrenalin fuelled lift. The latter is a breeze 

Noel

[Klavdy]

FFS,Three blokes to pick up a bike?

HOW TO PICK UP YOUR MOTORCYCLE - FALLEN OR DROPPED BIKE

[FJmonkey]

My dislikes :  

The Weight :mine fell over one day while coming off the centre stand off camber and the position it landed in needed three blokes to pick it up, I was told as a young fella that if you can't pick it up, then you shouldn't be riding it.

Tyre selection: 16 inch tyres front/ rear in decent compound compared to 17 inch.

I have picked up my 86' on my own, the adrenalin probably helped as I had only moments before low sided it. It was damn heavy.

My 86' has 17" wheels and modern rubber touching the road. Not to mention the tires are less expensive than the old school 16".

[yamaha fj rider]

Welcome George. Both are great bikes, you are going to half to go see and ride them before deciding. No bad choice just which is best for you.

Kurt

[Oman75]

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, and the rear sprocket was changed. The 42 tooth or 41 tooth was replaced with a 38 tooth and a premium chain was also installed.
The bike can be ridden for four hundted miles a day but you may want to replace the wind screen with one which will deflect the wind over your helment.

I also bought a BMW K1200 RS. It also is being modified for me and since it is not possible to lower the bikr I am having tip over bars fabricated and installed to protect the side panels. This bike is a true Sport Touring machine. Prior to the cycle going into the shop I was running at 120 mph up a hill and it felt like I was only running 55 mph. This is why I am having it set up for me.
Oman75