Hi! New member from London.

[ryanschoebel]

Now, this is something that is going to sound a little hypocritical. Is the FJ a good first bike for someone? NO. Was it my first motorcycle, and basically what I learned to ride on? YES.

All young guys are generally thrown in a blanket of immaturity and stupidity (for good reason!). It is entirely possible to learn on an FJ, and do fine. It took me 2 years to drop the bike, and even then was because of heavy rains. If the proper lessons are given, and Konrad keeps in mind just what this bike is all capable of, he will do fine.

As for the learning requirements in the US, they are dumb. Here in AZ, all you need to do is have a motorcycle endorsement is take a written road test, and show that you can quick stop, u turn, and weave cones. Boom, you have a motorcycle licence. I personally took a private course, given by folks who have been riding all their lives. Having never even sat on a motorcycle before, I was given a 250cc Honda CBR, and taught how to navigate the bike around a closed course, nice and slow. We never passed more than 18 mph,  and while what I learned in that class was invaluable, it did not prepare me to go home and hop right onto the FJ1100. It took me two weeks(!!) to stop stalling the FJ consistently, because the bike had so much more power to give, and the clutch was so much less forgiving. But I did it, and I have racked up thousands upon thousands of miles on 2 different Fj's. These bikes are amazing, as long as new riders have a little common sense. Light throttle touch, easy shifts, and proper maintenance (and upgrades as you can), make these bikes just fine.

TLDR, to me, its much more about the rider, and their own sense of caution and self that dictates whether or not you can ride an FJ from the start.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome Konrad, looks like you got a wide variety of opinions based on experience. The FJ as a first bike can be done, has been done. Take it easy and give all bikes the respect required to avoid injury. I rode in the dirt a little when I was a kid. Then my first street bike was a 400 twin air cooled. Then a 700, then a 600, then the FJ.

The FJ is easy to work on and maintain if you like mechanic work. That part of the FJ is really good for ownership. And you get an awesome support group with members all over the world. So if the FJ is not your first bike, you can get one when you are ready. We will be happy to have you join our digital campfire.

[ribbert]

.....All young guys are generally thrown in a blanket of immaturity and stupidity.....

There's a reason for that Ryan, those of us that survived it and are still around to comment on it were once young guys ourselves, we speak with authority.

Noel

[Bones]

.....All young guys are generally thrown in a blanket of immaturity and stupidity.....

There's a reason for that Ryan, those of us that survived it and are still around to comment on it were once young guys ourselves, we speak with authority.

Noel

Yep, I'm in my sixty's now and sometimes wonder how I made it this far after some of the stupid things I did when younger. A couple of friends I grew up with weren't so lucky.

[ribbert]

.....All young guys are generally thrown in a blanket of immaturity and stupidity.....

There's a reason for that Ryan, those of us that survived it and are still around to comment on it were once young guys ourselves, we speak with authority.

Noel

Yep, I'm in my sixty's now and sometimes wonder how I made it this far after some of the stupid things I did when younger

.....and so say all of us!

Ha, I'm not only wondering how I survived my youth but how I survived my 50's. After my last few rides I'm even wondering how I'm surviving my 60's. I am forever grateful that I'm not constrained by my calender years and that in some respects I have never fully matured.

Noel

[oldktmdude]

It is entirely possible to learn on an FJ, and do fine. It took me 2 years to drop the bike, and even then was because of heavy rains. If the proper lessons are given, and Konrad keeps in mind just what this bike is all capable of, he will do fine. 

If I remember correctly your post on this fall, it was not the rain that made you fall, it was your in-experience in wet conditions that caused it.
It's amazing how many riders blame other things for their accidents and not themselves.

[ryanschoebel]

 If I remember correctly your post on this fall, it was not the rain that made you fall, it was your in-experience in wet conditions that caused it.
It's amazing how many riders blame other things for their accidents and not themselves.

If you read my post about the drop, you would recall that I didn't blame the wet conditions. I know, and admit that it was my own fault for the crash. Thats also why I go on to say "if the proper lessons are given". I know that it was on me, I have never said that it wasnt. I am saying that it was a contributing factor.

[Pat Conlon]

I think that our young Ryan is the exception to the rule.
From what I've seen, his instincts are advanced for his age.
We can teach fundamentals, time and practice will give you experience, but you you can't teach instinct.

[Bones]

.....All young guys are generally thrown in a blanket of immaturity and stupidity.....

There's a reason for that Ryan, those of us that survived it and are still around to comment on it were once young guys ourselves, we speak with authority.

Noel

Yep, I'm in my sixty's now and sometimes wonder how I made it this far after some of the stupid things I did when younger

I am forever grateful that I'm not constrained by my calender years and that in some respects I have never fully matured.

Noel

There's a saying I've heard Noel that states : WE MAY GROW OLD BUT WE NEVER GROW UP : I think that applies to most of us.

[krusty]

Yep, plus we grow out(ward) too.

[ZOA NOM]

Konrad probably logged back in, checked the thread, and logged out for good.

[Flynt]

It is entirely possible to learn on an FJ, and do fine. It took me 2 years to drop the bike, and even then was because of heavy rains. If the proper lessons are given, and Konrad keeps in mind just what this bike is all capable of, he will do fine.  

If I remember correctly your post on this fall, it was not the rain that made you fall, it was your in-experience in wet conditions that caused it.
It's amazing how many riders blame other things for their accidents and not themselves.

Ryan - this assessment is pretty harsh IMHO.  I had hundreds of hours on dirt bikes as a kid (great experience for sliding) and I've laid down a couple times when water mixed with oil and coolant on the road to make the only thing more slippery than fresh goose shit (about 100X a banana peel).  The only experience that's kept me for repeating is just not to go there...  I mostly get off the road when the rain starts if possible and wait for the crap to partially wash off and/or I take the "rain line" through such corners and make sure I'm moving dead straight and smooth if I do need to pass through the oily mess.  This is experience gained best by doing...  congratulations on Gettin 'Er Done!

OK...  Back to scaring off Konrad...

Frank

[Flynt]

So long Konrad, I'm pretty sure that'll keep you out of here for good. Too bad, really, I was happy to see a new face from the Mother Country. Try the FJ club over there I suppose.

How about a modern FJ?  Plentiful and pretty cheap used they're much more accommodating of a newer rider with excellent brakes/abs/traction control/etc from the factory. 

Old OEM FJs are a handful for very experienced riders and you get the added reliability issues associated with age.  However...

If it is what YOU want to learn on...  DO IT!

Frank

[Bill_Rockoff]

A modern FJ? Like, an FJ-09?  

Do we agree than an FJ1100 is too heavy, tall, and powerful for a beginner bike? Or do you think an FJ1100 would be fine for a beginner bike except that now it's too old? Because your suggestion is a bike that is even taller and more powerful, and those are still pretty heavy at close to 500 lbs. (Plus, they are 3 times the money of an FJ1100.)  

An FJ-09 is nearly 500 lbs, and the seat height is 33." The best thing about one of these bikes for teaching someone to ride a motorcycle is that you can start off by teaching them how to pick up a motorcycle that has fallen on the ground. Lessons involving "what to do with slightly more power than an FJ1100" would come later.  

Konrad didn't give us a lot to go on, as far as how much riding experience he has. He only asked "It is gonna be good for beginner?" Which begs the question, "What is beginner?" Someone who has ridden streetbikes but is new to large motorcycles? Someone who has ridden dirtbikes but would be new to streetbikes? A scooter rider used to riding in the city but who would be new to shifting? Someone who has never done any of these things?

Konrad, maybe you'll speak up and let us know a little more? What kind of "beginner" are you? What kind of bikes interest you? What about an FJ1100 made you interested enough to come here and say "hello" and ask us about them?

[Flynt]

...  I was just suggesting we not start off by chasing Konrad away from FJs...  Maybe FJ-07 is more appropriate, but in any case "you're crazy" seems to have chases a potential new owner/member away.  

Frank