I love my 1100, but ....

[ken65]

i couldn't imagine that much grunt, i thought my old r1 with about 150 hp was awesome, have fun.

[The General]

Well, my next bike is going to be a zx14r cant wait. 210 hp here i come, traction control, power modes, abs on board computer a true rocket ship this one and no bad reports that i have heard of yet. Still keeping the fj though, another 12 months and that ninja is mine.

A great bike. Careful of header corrosion under warranty. c

[Fj.itis]

Cheers for the heads up about the headers, will keep an eye out. I can only imagine the torque this thing produces, im going to test ride a few before i make it happen. Would of never considered a bike of this physical size before but all the reviews say its quite good in the twistys, not like a litre bike but im not into that extreme style of riding anymore anyway.

[ribbert]

....... but im not into that extreme style of riding anymore anyway.

Haha, of course you're not, you just need 210 horsepower to piddle down to the shops and back.
Your wife might buy that crap but it won't work here. 

Noel

[JMR]

The FJ1200 and Zx14 weigh about the same in stock form. If you change the exhaust on the ZX14 it is possible to drop about 35 lbs. They are very heavy systems (much heavier than the OEM FJ sustem. Anyway....point is both bikes can weigh the same with lightening but the stock suspension on any of the newer bikes is much better and they handle pretty well (for a large bike). The new Goldwing weighs about 850lbs with fuel and believe it or not they handle well too.

[FJ1100mjk]

but the stock suspension on any of the newer bikes is much better

The FJ suspension's disparity can be remedied, and with the following components, can produce a 'magic carpet ride', for just $1,585 (price does not include shipping, or mechanic's labor if you use one)...

Rear Shock

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMShock%2891%2D95%29

Fork Valves

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMForkValve

Fork Springs

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AFS%2E85

Fork Oil

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Motul5W

Fork Brace

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AForkBrace

Since your working on the 20+ year old forks, you may as well re-bush and put new seals and wipers in too...

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3AFJ41ForkR%2FBKit

[Fj.itis]

....... but im not into that extreme style of riding anymore anyway.

Haha, of course you're not, you just need 210 horsepower to piddle down to the shops and back.
Your wife might buy that crap but it won't work here. 

Noel

Hahaha, shhhhhh she will here you. Nah of course its gunna cop some stick but i used to take way to many risks in the early days and came off too many times pushing it to hard, its that type of riding im not into anymore.

Yeah those exhaust cans are huge, that will be the one thing i do change.

[Pat Conlon]

but the stock suspension on any of the newer bikes is much better

The FJ suspension's disparity can be remedied, and with the following components.....

Hey Marty, you forgot about 17" rims, tires, R-1 brakes with radial m/c...

There is no *full* remedy in the disparity, even with all the above FJ mods. They help, but unfortunately you are still behind the curve in comparing a modified FJ with the engineering advancements that the new bikes offer..
For example, comparing the FJ's 41mm fork tubes and 15mm axle, to a modern USD system with a hollow 21mm axle, or the heavier 1980's design 3 spoke 17" aluminum rims we use, to the new lighter rim designs, or the FJ's steel perimeter frame equivalency to the new aluminum box structures, or the FJ swing arm and small diameter back axle being as strong as the new offerings....just to name a few.
I could go on and on (I won't) but, you get the idea...

**Absolutely no question that the RPM components and the other modifications enhance our FJ's**
....but don't be fooled into thinking that the modified FJ is on parity with the new bikes.

All the above technical gobblygook means squat to me.....I still love my (modified) FJs
New bikes are a dime a dozen. My FJ's are unique.
As Frank Moore says, "The RDF is very low on our FJ's". (RDF = Relative Duplication Factor)

Park my FJ in a crowd of new bikes....and see which bike people come over to look at....
It happens every time.

[FJ1100mjk]

Pat:

I didn't forget, I just omitted the 17" hoops, modern braking components, or other things such as bar risers that many owners do to improve their FJ's. My reply was to JMR's comment about the suspensions, so I kept the reply to suspension components. No doubt the lighter 17" hoops will improve suspension action due to their lower contributions to unsprung weight, and the bike's handling as well.

[Fj.itis]

I agree with Pat, the unique bike character wins hands down. Thats the reason i built a fighter, just to be different. When it comes to the rideability and tech you cant go past a new bike, so why not own both. My fj is here till the day i die, too much blood, sweat and swearing to let it go. Thinking back when it was a pile of rubble in a big crate and my bro took one look at it and said " no way your going to put that back together".

[Pat Conlon]

.... My fj is here till the day i die, too much blood, sweat and swearing to let it go. Thinking back when it was a pile of rubble in a big crate and my bro took one look at it and said " no way your going to put that back together".

Chris, what you have done is remarkable.

You and all the guys that have taken a rusted, neglected (and in your case a disassembled) FJs and restore them, well,  they deserve a special merit award and recognition by the FJ fellowship. The highest honor.

It's the easier, softer way to buy a new FJ and keep it for 30 years, it's an entirely different matter to take a rusted hulk or parts of a rusted hulk, destined for the scrap heap, and lovingly restore it.

Major Kudos

[Fj.itis]

Cheers Pat, i feel all warm and fuzzy inside now. Most other non motorbike people have no idea what goes into a build like this and take it all on face value, nice that we all know what it takes to bring a bike back from the dead and the life lessons that it teaches you are priceless in my opinion.

Cheers again mate!

[bigbore2]

I am happy with the handling and did the Honda rear shock to improve the rear. I think the brakes are adequate for my riding and 17 tire choices are much better but i can live with the 16" offerings. I like to ride in the 75-85 mph range on a road trip. One can make good time and still be safe at that speed, IMO.

So the 92-93 models have rubber mounted engines that eliminates most of the engine vibration?  A good seat and I would be good to go.

Heard the ZX-14's are good road bikes as well, as some of you have posted.

Yes and the other need from a good road bike is weight. Lighter than the FJ and one will get blown around too much.