New to The FJ

[DieHappy]

Welcome Eddie, wicked smart folks on here.  Bout all the info you could ever need on the mighty FJ....

[Shane4371]

So your saying pass the test on a bike you can ride.get your license,then go ride a bike you can't ride to pass the test on.brilliant idea!!

[Country Joe]

Shane,
Don't you suppose that there are some pretty good reasons that the MSF courses use 250cc bikes for rider training? I'd rather have Eddie successfully get his license and then get progressively comfortable and competent on his FJ. Otherwise,  the only place that he can legally get time on his FJ is in a parking lot. Sure, all of us can learn something from parking lot drills, but that only takes you so far.

[giantkiller]

Like I said I had been riding my dad's cb750 for awhile. Probably would be better on an easier bike, just because most people get a little nervous when taking the test.

Or ride illegally like I... Or take a rider's course. Might make insurance cheaper.

[Flynt]

brilliant idea!!

Thank you...  I thought it pretty basic.

Frank

[Nova]

It is, in general, always a better idea to start small and work your way up. It's why pilots train in a Cessna before they learn to fly a 777 or an F-35. It's why you begin with go-karts and not a Formula 1 car. It's why you give your 16 year old a Corolla and not a Corvette.

I actually like the way the licensing system works in much of Europe. You get your licence and can ride a bike up to a certain CC for a period of time before you can graduate to the next level.

[4everFJ]

It is, in general, always a better idea to start small and work your way up. It's why pilots train in a Cessna before they learn to fly a 777 or an F-35. It's why you begin with go-karts and not a Formula 1 car. It's why you give your 16 year old a Corolla and not a Corvette.

I actually like the way the licensing system works in much of Europe. You get your licence and can ride a bike up to a certain CC for a period of time before you can graduate to the next level.

Yeah, the new rules in most of EU are pretty good, although not so popular with the youngsters.....

You can get your license when you are 18.

18-20 years: Maximum 125 cc and 15 bhp.
20-24 years: New test and maximum 47 bhp (no limit on cc).
24 years+: Passed previous test. No limitations...

Tough rules, but it prevents an 18 year old kid with no experiense from buying an FJ...  

[Bones]

In Australia we have a LAM (Learner Approved Motorcycle) scheme in place where you can ride a motorcycle up to 660cc as long as it doesn't exceed 150 kW per tonne. The days of being restricted to a 250cc while learning to ride are over, which is a bonus for people of larger statue who don't have to squeeze themself's on to tiny bikes, plus it makes it safer to ride something that will keep up with traffic comfortably.

Certain 250's like rgv's nsr, tzr, kr-1's etc... are banned because of their power to weight output, but the system has a few flaws in my opinion concerning 2 strokes, because even the less powerful ones like Suzuki x7's, Yamaha RD's etc...up to 400cc which are approved have power bands which can, and will catch a learner out when that front wheel goes skyward when not expecting it. It's not the power they produce, it's the way they deliver it, but anyway that's just my opinion.

Over all it's a good system with most manufacturers now coming onboard making specific models to suit that are that good that some riders don't feel the need to upgrade and are hanging on to them long after they legally need to.

[fjbiker84]

You won't have to pass a riding test in Alabama - just a written exam - unless things have changed since I last had pass an Alabama motorcycle license test which was back in 2006.  I bought my FJ while living in Alabama many years ago but moved it out to California some years ago.  I would second (or third) the comment on rebuilding the brake system.  Replace the old brake lines and rebuild the brake calipers.  The pistons lose power when corrosion and old brake fluid sludge builds up inside the calipers over time.  The brakes may seem like they work but not well enough when you really need them to.  This is a great forum - enjoy your FJ!

[Tuneforkfreak]

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

That's pretty cool. I took my test on my brother's 1979 Kaw LTD 1000 in 1986 the year I got my drivers license. Ah the motorcycle memories.

[DieHappy]

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

That's pretty cool. I took my test on my brother's 1979 Kaw LTD 1000 in 1986 the year I got my drivers license. Ah the motorcycle memories.

Took my test back around 1995 on a 1976 Kawasaki kz900..Miss that old bit*h...

[FJ_Hooligan]

Took my motorcycle test on a Hodaka 100 when I was 15 back in '72. 

On the way home, my throttle cable snapped about a block from the house.  Timing is everything...

[jagcofj]

Hi guy's new here, I pick up fj 1200 1989 will need help that's for sure. How come sometimes when you buy something people can't be truthful about the condition the bike is man the things I get my self into.

[FJmonkey]

Hi guy's new here, I pick up fj 1200 1989 will need help that's for sure. How come sometimes when you buy something people can't be truthful about the condition the bike is man the things I get my self into.

Welcome fellow '89 owner. Have you made a list of issues yet? That seems standard for buying anything used. If the bike has sat for a few months or more then plan to get the carbs thoroughly cleaned. Not just cleaned, a full rebuild cleaned. How many miles on your FJ? Aside from getting it running the safety issues should be next. Brakes, tires, chain (sprockets), suspension (forks, shock, linkage bearings). Clutch hydraulics are likely in need of a bleed or rebuild. Since you found the FJ ZeeMap you might have a few members near by to help as well.

[jagcofj]

Hi guy's new here, I pick up fj 1200 1989 will need help that's for sure. How come sometimes when you buy something people can't be truthful about the condition the bike is man the things I get my self into.

Welcome fellow '89 owner. Have you made a list of issues yet? That seems standard for buying anything used. If the bike has sat for a few months or more then plan to get the carbs thoroughly cleaned. Not just cleaned, a full rebuild cleaned. How many miles on your FJ? Aside from getting it running the safety issues should be next. Brakes, tires, chain (sprockets), suspension (forks, shock, linkage bearings). Clutch hydraulics are likely in need of a bleed or rebuild. Since you found the FJ ZeeMap you might have a few members near by to help as well.

Thanks fjmonkey, I been working on the bike for a week now. Cleaning it up some wiring repairing some of the fairing that's has crack. Will be posting soon.