New to The FJ

[Eddieb]

Hello future friends. I am picking up a 1986 Fj1200 tomorrow. This is going to be the first Motorcycle i have owned and im super excited. I do not have any experience with working on the Fj's or any motorcycle for that matter, I have a fair understanding of mechanics. The fj that i am getting runs and seems to be in good condition. I am very appreciative to all future information that i receive from this forum. 

                                                                                                                    Eddie B

[Flynt]

This is going to be the first Motorcycle i have owned and im super excited.                                                          

Hi Eddie,

Do you have your license already?  How much riding experience do you have?  The FJ demands some respect...  lot's of power and not so good brakes/suspension can get you in over your head quickly.  Be careful.

Welcome to the forum...  where are you located?

Frank

[Nova]

I can't second what Flynt said enough. The FJ is a muscle bike. It's tempting to "see what it can do." Don't. It WILL kill you. We want you riding and loving your FJ for a long long time.

[Pat Conlon]

I love FJ's  but I can think of better 1st bike's

[balky1]

Some guys already said this, but to buy a 1200 ccm bike as your first is not good. Don't get me wrong, nothing bad should happen if you use your brain, but there's a reason why every biker will tell you to start with something smaller and progress to the big ones. And yes, FJ is definitely a big one. Big, heavy, powerful bike.

Be smart! 

Ivan

[Eddieb]

Hi Frank,
I do not have my motorcycle license yet. I am well experienced on dirt bikes but not so much on street bikes. I am located in Birmingham Alabama. The last thing i want is to cause harm to myself. I have driven a few street bikes but never owned one. I learned a long time ago to respect anything that you get on that has wheels.


Hi Eddie,

Do you have your license already?  How much riding experience do you have?  The FJ demands some respect...  lot's of power and not so good brakes/suspension can get you in over your head quickly.  Be careful.

Welcome to the forum...  where are you located?

Frank
[/quote]

[Eddieb]

Thank you for the heads up. I do not plan on driving it like a maniac. I chose this bike because i am a very big guy (6,2 300 lb)  and i wanted something i felt was stout would compliment my weight. I will totally keep your advise in mind.
I can't second what Flynt said enough. The FJ is a muscle bike. It's tempting to "see what it can do." Don't. It WILL kill you. We want you riding and loving your FJ for a long long time.
[/quote]

[Eddieb]

Ivan, Thank you for the advise i will stay mindful of it.

Some guys already said this, but to buy a 1200 ccm bike as your first is not good. Don't get me wrong, nothing bad should happen if you use your brain, but there's a reason why every biker will tell you to start with something smaller and progress to the big ones. And yes, FJ is definitely a big one. Big, heavy, powerful bike.

Be smart! 

Ivan

[fj1289]

Thank you for the heads up. I do not plan on driving it like a maniac. I chose this bike because i am a very big guy (6,2 300 lb)  and i wanted something i felt was stout would compliment my weight. I will totally keep your advise in mind.
I can't second what Flynt said enough. The FJ is a muscle bike. It's tempting to "see what it can do." Don't. It WILL kill you. We want you riding and loving your FJ for a long long time.

[/quote]

At your size - suspension updates will be an immediate need -- FJs are under sprung and under damped to begin with for an average sized rider, even more so as old as they are now.   

Enjoy!

[Urban_Legend]

Hi Eddie

Welcome to the best community in the world. I hope you enjoy your FJ as much as the rest of us on hear. Threat her with respect and loving and she will treat you right. Just have to remember that an un-upgraded FJ is a bit like having a supercharged big block in a 40 year old mustang. It will go really fast and get you there quickly, but stopping and turning may be an issue.

For a big guy like yourself at the very minimum, I would check/rebuild the brakes and most definitely get the forks rebuilt. They are a really good bike, but as others have said, not for the novice. The sponsor/operator of the forum in one of the best places for FJ parts and good advice (their banner is at the top and Randy is a top guy).

Pat Conlon also has forgotten more about these bikes than most people will ever know. Heed his advice.

Take it easy and keep her shiny side up.

Mark

[Alte Fahrt]

Welcome to the forum. I'll just add my 2 cents worth. When I first started riding street bikes at 16 an old fart gave me two pieces of advice that I still follow today.

1. If you stay afraid of it, you'll stay alive on it.
2. Always assume nobody else sees you.

[Eddieb]

Mark,
Thank you for the advise i will start getting everything together for the forks and brakes Rebuild.

Hi Eddie

Welcome to the best community in the world. I hope you enjoy your FJ as much as the rest of us on hear. Threat her with respect and loving and she will treat you right. Just have to remember that an un-upgraded FJ is a bit like having a supercharged big block in a 40 year old mustang. It will go really fast and get you there quickly, but stopping and turning may be an issue.

For a big guy like yourself at the very minimum, I would check/rebuild the brakes and most definitely get the forks rebuilt. They are a really good bike, but as others have said, not for the novice. The sponsor/operator of the forum in one of the best places for FJ parts and good advice (their banner is at the top and Randy is a top guy).

Pat Conlon also has forgotten more about these bikes than most people will ever know. Heed his advice.

Take it easy and keep her shiny side up.

Mark

[Eddieb]

Your advise is strongly noted...

Welcome to the forum. I'll just add my 2 cents worth. When I first started riding street bikes at 16 an old fart gave me two pieces of advice that I still follow today.

1. If you stay afraid of it, you'll stay alive on it.
2. Always assume nobody else sees you.

[Flynt]

I do not have my motorcycle license yet. I am well experienced on dirt bikes...

The dirt bike experience is great IMHO...  takes the fright out of a slide on the street.  Also gets you on the inside of the bike on your turns.

On your bike, please use Randy's help to make sure it is as safe as it can be for you.  Brakes are very important, so put any discretionary money in that direction first.  The suspension will get you by as long as you're going easy.  Once you decide to pick up the pace, you'll need to do it for safety as well.

For the license, you'll probably want to borrow or rent a smaller bike for the coursework and any riding test you've got coming up.  FJ isn't optimal due to size, weight, power, air cooled engine, ease of dropping on its side, etc...  A nice little enduro 250 or something along those lines is easier to pass on.

Welcome to the madhouse.

Frank

[giantkiller]

I took my test on my first fj1200 back in 86. But had been riding my dads cb750 on the streets for a while.