new to the forum. Should I get an FJ?

[smalltownrider]

Good Day from Canada.  I am brand new to the forum.  It looks like this is a good bunch of contributors. 
I'm seriously considering getting an FJ1200.  My first question is simple: Should I get an FJ or look for something else?
I want a simple, older bike that is a reliable and fun ride.  I'd like to stay away from modern electronic EFI bikes because they are more complex to repair and more expensive up front.  I have heard a lot of good things about the FJ regarding its power output and handling.  2nd question: Is the FJ as good as people say it is?  Is it better than other bikes from its era?
A bit about me: I'm 50 years old, looking to get back into riding.  I have a very good understanding of mechanics, and have done my own auto and ATV maintenance for a long time.  I'm not afraid of minor bike maintenance.  I may be doing some two up riding, but mostly I'll be using any bike I get for solo sport touring. 
Thanks for any feedback.

[giantkiller]

Well I bought my first fj1200 in 1986. Then owned 9 other bikes. Then got into atvs for a while bought 9 different atvs. Wore most of them out. Still have a hopped up Raptor 700. Then a friend who had bought an fj1200 after riding mine told me he  still had his. And sold it to me. I realized how much I loved fjs again.  I now have 13 motorcycles.  7 of them are fjs. Most of my bikes are projects...only 4 running right now 2 of them are fj1200s. One of my fun projects that I keep hoping to get back to is going to be a turbo 86 fj. Stock motor first. Should be 220-230 hp. My 2 that are running are a little modified.

But out of all the bikes I've owned and ridden. I would rather have an fj than anything.

[Waiex191]

Welcome!  It's hard to beat an FJ. Especially given what you seem to be looking for.  

[Waiex191]

Regarding other bikes of the era, back in the day I rode a buddies ZX11.  It was more awesome. But the FJ is still darn fast and great for less than insane pleasure riding. Great for long trips and commuting. Up above 7000 RPM it is a demon though there are faster bikes. It's a bike that will meet your needs until you need to step down to a moped due to age.

[fj1289]

Regarding other bikes of the era, back in the day I rode a buddies ZX11.  It was more awesome. But the FJ is still darn fast and great for less than insane pleasure riding. Great for long trips and commuting. Up above 7000 RPM it is a demon though there are faster bikes. It's a bike that will meet your needs until you need to step down to a moped due to age.

No need!  Follow Pat's lead - when that time comes he plans to convert his FJ to a trike!

You can find bikes better for specific purposes than an FJ - but you will be hard pressed to find one better at all the things an FJ is very good at!  One of the best all-rounders ever - and with RPM providing excellent parts support still (though we are beginning to see a few more obsoleted parts from Yamaha - but Randy and Robert continue us to find alternate sources for some of those parts ...)

Go for an FJ!  You won't regret the decision 

[smalltownrider]

7 of them are fjs.

Really?!  Will you sell me one?

Thanks for the replies.  I pretty much had my mind made up but you guys helped. 

[gdfj12]

I'd say an FJ fits your list of attributes very well. I currently have 3.5ish FJ's, my current running '89 is a bit modified, the 2nd '89 is needing a little TLC, 1 '87 being rebuilt from the ground up and a bunch of parts that amount to about 1/2 of an '85 FJ. 

So, greetings and find an FJ. Check this site out for advice on what to look for. Ask questions if you need to.

[Motofun]

So...you come to a FJ forum to ask whether you should buy a FJ?     Of course we're all fans of this bike!  I've owned probably 20 different bikes from all of the 4 major Japanese brands (and a Hodaka just for grins).  The FJ is still one of my favorites even at 38 years old.  (Not me, the bike)

[giantkiller]

7 of them are fjs.

Really?!  Will you sell me one?

Thanks for the replies.  I pretty much had my mind made up but you guys helped. 

The 2 that are running no. I have a basket case. With a title.  Well several baskets. And boxes.lol

[smalltownrider]

I'm looking at several on Kijiji.  The one i'm most interested in is a 1993 with 52,000 km, good shape, $3500 Canadian.  Also 1989, good shape, 99,000, $3000.  Should I be worried about nearly 100,000 km?

[Waiex191]

My '89 has about 65,000 km and is still awesome even though it sat for 14 years.

[gggGary]

Is the FJ for you?
Define your 80% of the time ride?
They are pretty.
And big and heavy, well suited for high speeds fairly fast corners. In town and on tight roads they're a bit porcine, not flickable.
As with any 30 year old bikes there will be maint issues. Plastic covered 4 cylinder bikes are tightly packaged, getting things done can be futzy. I still haven't figured out a way to reconnect the crankcase vent tube to the airbox fitting.............
I've had 100's of bikes, The FJ has it's niche.  Only you can decide if it works fits your needs.

[Waiex191]

Is the FJ for you?
I still haven't figured out a way to reconnect the crankcase vent tube to the airbox fitting.............

Get it lined up and press it in with a large flat blade screwdriver.

[gggGary]

Is the FJ for you?
I still haven't figured out a way to reconnect the crankcase vent tube to the airbox fitting.............

Get it lined up and press it in with a large flat blade screwdriver.

Ahso! so you leave the elbow on the tube? 
Hadn't thought of doing it that way.  Actually the tube was off the elbow when I got the bike.

[Waiex191]

Ahso! so you leave the elbow on the tube? 
Hadn't thought of doing it that way.  Actually the tube was off the elbow when I got the bike.

Yes - the elbow has never been off the tube on my bike.  It is a bit fiddly but once you get good at it it's no big deal.