Why an FJ

[Jeff0308]

Question?  Why is it people choose the FJ to buy / modify / personalize it over buying a new bike?  I have been debating for a while about wether to fix mine or move it on and update to something newer. Can't make up my mind. I'm interested in people's views. Jeff

[aviationfred]

Hi Jeff,

Read the Safe Money article in this online magazine. Page 25 and 26

http://RideMSTA.com/mstaforums/index.php?PHPSESSID=0d0c5e402ab1795a1470530127b41821&action=downloads;sa=downfile&id=54

Fred

[Jeff0308]

Hi Jeff,

Read the Safe Money article in this online magazine. Page 25 and 26

http://RideMSTA.com/mstaforums/index.php?PHPSESSID=0d0c5e402ab1795a1470530127b41821&action=downloads;sa=downfile&id=54

Fred. 
The link won't open fred

[aviationfred]

It opens in a PDF file. click on the link and you should get a prompt at the bottom your you computer screen.

[Country Joe]

Fred,
I think that article pretty well says it all!

Joe

[Urban_Legend]

I have asked myself on many occasions that very same question. There is no right or wrong answer. I have owned new bikes, and they are wonderful. You get on, turn the key and off you go. No waiting for it to warm up blah, blah, blah. But the FJ has a soul. They are easy to work on, and with the right lovin are good for another 30 years. I think i also love my FJ because i can sit on it all day and get off feeling fine. My Triumph Daytona 675 was a pure rocket, but after a few hundred km i needed to stop and find a nice bit of dirt to lie down on. I also has a Triumph Sprint ST which it a great tour/sports bike and very FJish in its riding feel (except for the sound of the Triple - i love that sound), but was very expensive for parts.

The new bikes I feel have lost that certain something.

Mark

[Jeff0308]

I have asked myself on many occasions that very same question. There is no right or wrong answer. I have owned new bikes, and they are wonderful. You get on, turn the key and off you go. No waiting for it to warm up blah, blah, blah. But the FJ has a soul. They are easy to work on, and with the right lovin are good for another 30 years. I think i also love my FJ because i can sit on it all day and get off feeling fine. My Triumph Daytona 675 was a pure rocket, but after a few hundred km i needed to stop and find a nice bit of dirt to lie down on. I also has a Triumph Sprint ST which it a great tour/sports bike and very FJish in its riding feel (except for the sound of the Triple - i love that sound), but was very expensive for parts.

The new bikes I feel have lost that certain something.

Mark

I rode the BMW R1200RT. Ive always liked them. . Left a great impression, the $ to buy figure also did. . Im on the verge of either fix of forget it.
My wife wants me to upgrade it, as she feels its a money pit and i have to many issues with it. I did explain that i haven't done the clutch yet as i was happy to nurse it until I'm ready to decide..... The time has come...... She reckons its uncomfortable as well. Yes I get sore arms from it but I'm looking seriously at the handlebar option from ABM (i think they  call themselves.) The $ exchange rate and postage is a bitch from either the USA or UK. The carbs and vale shims have got to get done recushion the  seat a flip screen visa and a couple of other cosmetic bits. In all its about $1600 maximum including the $ exchange. The club reg and insurance is way cheaper. approx $800 difference from full reg to club including insurance between the 2 bikes. The bike shop owner / repairer is saw on friday reckons the FJ all day. workability and cost of repairing. Also h thinks mines in great condition for its age. It has swayed me a bit. My other concern is will i get more use out of a new bike than the FJ??  Don't know. DECISIONS!!!

[TexasDave]

Question?  Why is it people choose the FJ to buy / modify / personalize it over buying a new bike?  I have been debating for a while about wether to fix mine or move it on and update to something newer. Can't make up my mind. I'm interested in people's views. Jeff

In my case there are a lot of reasons. First I think it is a very nice looking bike. The design does not look out dated. The younger riders always gather round to see what it is and I THOROUGHLY enjoy telling most of them that the FJ is older than they are. It goes way faster than I need to and I love the acceleration. It is easy to work on and most parts are still available. With Randy's suspension upgrades front and rear it handles very well for the speeds I ride at. I have spent over twice what I paid for the bike on mods but that is still way below what I would have spent on a new bike. Lastly the FJ owners (some of whom I have met) seem to be a great group of guys.  Dave

[Alf]

I've ridden and ride a lot of motorbikes because people think I'm a kind of guru and can improve their bikes performance with my advices (silly people  )

My reasons are clearly exposed in my web. Take a look http://www.fj1200.info/Home.htm

Simply I cant find a bike that do everything AND with that superb reliability in my summer travels that I can trust without no hitch of doubt. Only 1 time in more than 500.000 kms. I've had to phone to my road assistance for a tow: my actual FJ broke the pull throttle cable

[giantkiller]

I've probably spent the most on my fj1350r so far( $7800). And now I'm building the Turbo probably going to be a 1380 Turbo inverted forks r1 Swingarm 86 midnight blue with stock graphics in red and so far have about $4500 into it wil probably be about $6500 done.
I'll have a pretty much all new bike... That'll smoke a busa and has a collector plate.($19 registered and never have to pay again)

[PaulG]

Only 1 time in more than 500.000 kms. I've had to phone to my road assistance for a tow:

Holy crap! 500,000 km?!  Judging by a map of the island that's like a thousand times around it!   

Anyway... why an FJ?  (see all of the above)  My reason to get one was it ticked all the boxes on my list of criteria, some of which were....

• bulletproof mechanics
• "low tech" (relative to new bikes)
• comfortable
• parts availability
• commonality of production runs
• ease of maintenance/running costs
• Oxford dictionary "Sport Touring" : Yamaha FJ

etc......

I researched for a couple of years (having been off the road for a while) and the FJ kept popping up.  My previous bike was a 97 R1100GS which was demo'd in an accident.  At the time I thought it was the near perfect bike for my needs, but life changes.  Even then it was too high tech.  Any glitches that came up had to be repaired by the dealer.  My other bikes I owned (82 750 Seca, 81 KZ 750, 78 R80/7) were all simple bikes to work on and I did a lot of my own maintenance on them.  I wanted to return to a bike like that.  I didn't want something sparkling new (though there are times....  ).  I actually missed that sensation of pulling something apart and fixing it then amaze myself that I actually did it right - sometimes the first time too!  But since this FJ has been so reliable (despite my efforts)  I haven't had to do much of anything to it, once I got it sorted after I bought it.

I've pondered whether to keep it or pass it on, but the basic fact is there isn't another bike out there that could replace it.  The "sport tourers" of today are more like farkle tourers (IMHO).  Yes, possibly more reliable, but more like touring bikes with a smaller seat, luggage, and windscreen.  The pendulum has swung too far to the touring side.  And to be blunt - too fucking expensive!  Pardon moi Francais terrible  Plus.... BMW has managed to really uglify the R series street bikes too.... 

That being said... If I could afford a new/newer bike AND keep the FJ that would be great.  I just can't see me dumping the old girl for something newer though.  I've also probably sunk more money into it than what I paid for it, and I have minimal mods (so far).  But just based on a cost comparison, that's still a hell of a lot cheaper than payments and insurance for a new one.

So just another 2 cents worth.  Good luck!   

[Charlie-brm]

I invite any "corrections" to my opinions, but I've given this a lot of thought since taking ownership in 2012 of a 1984 with no mods that I can identify. Myself, I'm a wiring guy so I have done relays for the coils and headlight, same as I did for my previous XS750 Special.

To me the FJ is like owning and working on your own 30 year old 350 Mustang or Camaro. They haul the mail, they make noise, they are relatively comfortable and relatively crude by today's standards. They are not as slick or technically sophisticated as the current models (getting to be like laptop computers on wheels), and I never forget for a second that I'm on a potentially hairy machine that exceeds anything I have in mind yet it can be docile all day. If I didn't have to refuel three times on a good day I would rarely need to even get off for a break.

I don't cry or freak out if it gets some dings or a plastic part snaps from age. There is a wealth of information about mods and sourcing parts. Much of that becomes a source of conversation even if I have no intention of following through on them.

I keep an eye on what's coming out each year and I've yet to see anything under $15,000 that has the looks, tractable power, classic style with at least a third of the body under fairings; and the one piece seating for rider and passenger I insist on. Some of us just like "ol' skool" and grin when we get compliments on the looks, especially when admirers are told how old it is.

[Bearly Flying]

A Friend of mine bought a brand new 84 FJ1100 back in the day. He let me take it for a spin, WOW!!!!.

The following year, a Dealer had an 85 in stock. $4400 with a jacket and Helmet thrown in. The bike has been across Canada to both Oceans, down through the States several times, put in multiple thousand mile days, never let me down. My Wife, altho supportive of my riding, never sat on or rode with me on that bike.

Time marches on, the FJ was starting to show it's age. Some scuffs here and there, harder to start, suspension sagged,etc.

When Yamaha introduced the FJR 1300, I began reading about it and all the positive feedback it generated. In 2005, I bought a new FJR 1300 as a stable mate to the FJ.

The second day I had it, the Wife walked into the garage and said," Aren't you going to take me for a ride?" After getting her the appropriate gear, off We went, She loved it. ( except for the seat. A Russel Day long seat later...) The FJR became the main bike, the FJ sat in the corner.

I debated about what to do with the FJ, to sell it would bring virtually nothing, so I stripped it down and rebuilt it with a 1250 big bore kit, redid the bodywork, Handlebar risers, Corbin seat, Upgraded the suspension, converted to radial tires. And it is basically a brand new bike again.

I use it as a local run around bike, (Hooligan Bike) It is a blast to ride, pulls like a freight train and surprises a lot of the younger Sport Bike crowd. Now the FJR sits until I want to go on a longer trip.

[Alf]

Only 1 time in more than 500.000 kms. I've had to phone to my road assistance for a tow:

Holy crap! 500,000 km?!  Judging by a map of the island that's like a thousand times around it!  

Everyweek I ride around on the twisty roads of the island (250-300 kms). (Seriously, the effort is like to ride 800 kms. by 2nd order roads in Europe. Anyway, I dont count double  ). And every summer I travel to mainland Spain to ride in Europe. I born in Madrid. I rode 165.000 kms. in 5 years with my firts FJ 1100, since track days to North Cape in Norway. My 4th FJ mark now 148.000 miles.

After my 2nd baby this past summer is more difficult for me to take the ferry and lost 6 days going and coming home, so I bought 1 FZ 750 in Madrid and I rode it 7.000 kms. I´m trying to sell it to buy my 5th FJ in order to leave it in Madrid and ride it all summers

[Pat Conlon]

Alf, we are most fortunate to have you here with us on our forum.  

Through the years, your Fast Jota website has helped hundreds of FJ owners, myself included. Thank you Alf!

For me, Why an FJ? Simple. I've always been a fan of the UJM since the CB750 days and when this new bike from Yamaha came out, it was the best bike made in 1984. I almost went the Honda VFR route but glad I didn't. One ride on the mighty '84 1100 and a visit into the kookaloo zone sold me. I've had my bike since.

If you do not work on motorcycles, then an FJ is not for you. You're better off with a newer bike and spend your $$ at the service dealer.

If you don't mind working on your bike (saving $$) FJ is not a bad choice. I find it kinda fun modifying the FJ. Seeing what works, what doesn't.
It's a hobby.

In the modern era of $30,000 motorcycles, I believe buying a good, well maintained, used FJ is still one of the best values in motorcycling....
..... but not for everyone.