New member Update

[Dhauk]

Hello FJ Family,
Just wanted to share my experience with you guys as a total noob, to let you know how I made out.
As I mentioned before my '93 FJ1200 is my first motorcycle and before that had little to no experience .
The snow has finally started to melt here in Northern Alberta,  the water laying in the streets that is ice in the mornings is melting well before noon this last week.
Three days ago was my first ride, it went well as I mentioned before I did have small amount of experience measured in hours twenty years ago.
I bought the FJ In January and have been waiting patiently to get on it. I spent my free time this winter on you tube soaking up countless hours of how to and moto Vlogs.
You tube is an amazing tool with some great people sharing there opinions and experiences. I had planned on taking a training course this spring and some of you mentioned I
should by another bike to start on. There just to darn expensive and I'm glad I didn't, it would of been unnecessary for me, I've put on a 120 km in the last three days and I am happy to report all is well.
I did purchase some crash bars just in case, I don't mind the look of them either. I took it slow and simple the first day out getting use to the weight and getting my arms and legs to coordinate them selves to operate a motorcycle. The streets are still quite slippery with gravel and sand on the edges from the winters wrath. I took it out on the highway and had it up to 120 km/hr , that's plenty fast enough and was quite comfortable, felt safe.
Day two I did much the same and found a small parking lot and practiced figure eights and small circle turning radius-slow speed maneuvers. My countless you tube training has definately paid off. Although I have to ride 10 miles to get to any kind of corners I have practiced counter steering in my lane on the highway, helps break up the monotonousness of going straight for ever..... lol
I have a question if someone has the time to share, was wondering where on the Tachometer i should be up shifting in each gear to get optimal performance or just to be gentle and kind to her. I've been shifting between 3000-4000 grand, I know I can go much higher.
Where is the power band in each of the gears and I'd like to know what the norm is on where you guys shift at ?

[FJmonkey]

The shift points have been posted, but I doubt anyone shifts as low as that. Shifting is more of a personal comfort zone, shift when you think it is time. The FJ will not care, lazy Sunday go to church speed or balls out drag your knees... Don't worry too much about the small stuff. Shift when it seams right...

Welcome to the FJ world...

[Mark Olson]

well,, The FJ has a very torque filled engine and will operate at pretty much any rpm you choose.

That said, the real power comes on after 6k rpm and will pull your arms out of their sockets . The kookaloo zone is over 6k rpm in 3rd gear .

For best millage keep it under 6k rpm and you will get around 40-45 mpg . If you rev it up into the fun zone 38-42 seems to be the avg.

Myself I like to operate in the kookaloo zone and rarely shift below 6k rpm.

with you getting used to the Fj , I would suggest shifting in the 4-5k rpm till you get used to the powerband . Then increase at your own pleasure.  

[Dhauk]

Thanks, I'm not ready for the kookaloo zone just yet, I knew I was shifting a little soon. Wise I think to start out slow and easy . I have all summer to gain experience ...... Perhaps maybe next year or two before I try a kookaloo

[Mark Olson]

Thanks, I'm not ready for the kookaloo zone just yet, I knew I was shifting a little soon. Wise I think to start out slow and easy . I have all summer to gain experience ...... Perhaps maybe next year or two before I try a kookaloo

Sounds like a good plan to take it easy as you get used to it . At the very least keep the rpm above 3k rpm so you have the ability to evade bad situations that can arise out on the road.

Find a nice straight stretch of highway and open her up to clear the carbon out of the engine, this will help with drivability. 

[Pat Conlon]

I had planned on taking a training course this spring and some of you mentioned I should by another bike to start on. There just to darn expensive and I'm glad I didn't, it would of been unnecessary for me, I've put on a 120 km in the last three days and I am happy to report all is well.

I don't think anyone recommended or suggested that you purchase a smaller bike for the training course. Renting a small bike can be a option. Many MSF accredited courses supply the bikes to their students.

I think you are making a tactical error by not attending a training course. In motorcycling there is much to learn, techniques to master, things that you can't learn on line sitting at a terminal.
For example, shifting points are a low priority compared to your braking skills......things like that...

I'll get off my soapbox now....

[movenon]

You seem to be doing good. As noted the FJ is a TQ monster and will plow throw gears without much concern.  FJ's peak TQ comes in at around 6000 RPM and she likes to run from there.  Around town I just shift when it feels good to me in that 3-4000 range. The FJ is a very forgiving bike.  I am in about the same boat as you. Lots of time on bikes but not so much on a sport / sport touring bikes and also live where the riding season is shorten up by winter.  I am envious of our Southern brothers who can ride just about any day year around.  In the hills with twistys you will find that riding in the 6000 + RPM range is nice as it provides nice engine breaking in the corners, less time on the brakes.
Enjoy and stay up right ! 
George

[Arnie]

I'll also chime in with support for taking a new rider course.
It will make you a smarter, safer rider.  Just do it.

As for shift points..... The FJ engine is able to pull from idle, so that's not a problem and there's enough power on tap to keep ahead of traffic (and therefore safer) easily.
Maximum power is at about 8500 rpm but you will rarely be able use it on the street (at least for long).
What I would recommend since you have a "late model" FJ with the rubber mounted engine is to keep the rpms over 3000.  That's about where the vibes start to be nullified and give you a smooth ride.
I also find that the 'sweet spot' for the engine is at about 4000 rpm.  Its revving enough to be able to instantly accelerate strongly and just feels good.
Enjoy your new ride.

[Flynt]

I'll also chime in with support for taking a new rider course.

Hell Yes...

I also find that the 'sweet spot' for the engine is at about 4000 rpm.  

It gets really super sweet at about 6K, don't die wondering...

Frank

[Dhauk]

Thanks guys for your tips ,
To clarify the reason I'm not taking the  training course is because I lost my job due to the down turn in the economy as a result of the low price of oil. I have kids attending college right now and can't afford to take the course now. I really wanted too, in the mean time I'm just going to ride and learn at my pace. I am also a volunteer fire fighter and have a lot of safety courses and hazmat and pump Op courses to take that are coming up that interfere with the motor cycle course I wanted to take . Plus it is 500 km's away with fuel and hotel probably a 1000 dollar weekend with the course included. Yes I understand braking is very very important I'm finding the coordination of it challenging but I'm getting it. Slow and steady and some ass time in the saddle is my only expectation this summer along with maybe getting my class 6 in the fall to be a legal and such........ I will be riding with experienced riders this summer and when my friend is feeling better from her upcoming shoulder surgery will follow me in her truck...... I have to try and be a good boy too and follow the rules .......ha ha , and so my wife don't kick my ass.
On a lighter note I did have a job interview this morning , keep you posted !

[FJmonkey]

Good luck on the interview and good thinking on taking things easy with the bike. Since you are riding, find time to practice braking. The more you practice, the more it becomes instinct. So if and when you have a panic stop, your are less likely to over/under brake...

[The General]

Thanks guys for your tips ,
....getting my class 6 in the fall to be a legal and such........ I will be riding with experienced riders this summer and when my friend is feeling better from her upcoming shoulder surgery will follow me in her truck...... I have to try and be a good boy too and follow the rules .......ha ha , and so my wife don't kick my ass.

mmmmm....that could be a division 6.1 me thinks!     

[movenon]

Good luck with the job interview.  Family and job are important.  Everything else will fall into place after that.  Enjoy the bike and ride safe.
George