XS1100 vs FJ1200

[QTreiber]

Hello,

I own a 1978 XS1100 Standard, which I very much like (engine character, ergonomics, handling(!), sound). 

I have an opportunity to buy a 1986 FJ1200 and was wondering how similar/different these bikes are, especially in terms of power delivery, handling and sound.

Is there anything I should be aware of, e.g. technical issues for the 1986 model year?

Any advice is appreciated.

Greetings from Colorado,
Armin

[Pat Conlon]

Is there anything I should be aware of, e.g. technical issues for the 1986 model year?

Motors are the same. 5 speed transmissions are the same. Ergonomics are the same.
The 1989's+ had 17" front rims and dogbone swingarm linkage and the 1992'-'93's had the smoother rubber mounted motor.

Nothing wrong with the '86 other than the wonky fuel reserve switch and the industrial red and white colors.
Actually the red and white kinda works in your favor. People keep pulling over 'cause they think you are some sort of ambulance.

It's the general consensus that the original '84 FJ1100 Silver and Red is far more attractive.

[FJ111200]

I've got 2 XS1100's and if you mean the comparison between the XS and the FJ, well they are a world apart.

[SlowOldGuy]

My '82 XJ1100 was a farm tractor compared to my '85 FJ.  Best motorcycle upgrade I ever made.

DavidR.

[Ganboy70]

I also had an '82 XJ11, the engine/trans design without shaft drive would be the only comparable(s) I can speak of.  One thing you won't miss at all moving from an XS/XJ11 to an FJ is not having to mess with the lousy manual cam chain tensioner

[FJTillDeath]

According to this(XS 1100)
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_xs_1100_1979.php

Comparing it to the FJ...
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_fj1200%20%2086.htm

The FJ looks much better. I can only post about on sheet data as I have never ridden an XS but with more power, higher top speed and being lighter(somewhat) I would say the FJ is a ton better

[Dan Filetti]

Slightly off-topic but my first 'real road bike' was the venerable XJ 550 Maxim, which I rode the hell out of.  Great bullet-proof bike, really taught me a lot about street riding. 

Regarding this thread overall, it occurs to me that the XJ/ XS series fits nicely into that 'UJM' (universal Japanese motorcycle) category.  Which, by the time of the early-to-mid 80's, these bikes, by all 4 big Japanese manufacturers, were so very prolific [and sucessful] that Harldly Davidison was at real risk of going out of business.  In response, the US instituted tariffs aimed directly at impeding the sales and import of Japanese motorcycles, and therefore, helping the slumping Hardley sales.  Interestingly, AMF has seen this trend coming and sold Harley, back to ~Harley [Willie G. and other investors] in 1981. It was these folks that managed to convince congress to institute the tariffs.

Ultimately, IMO, the tariffs were wrong-headed policy.  Read more here, if you have any interest:  http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa032.html but I digress....

...Whereas, the FJ was meant, I believe, to be a bird of a different color/ game-changer/ paradigm shifter...  With its perimeter frame, full[er] fairings (a distinct nod to aerodynamics), molded gas tank etc., significantly more R&D dollars went into the FJ than any of the recent XJ/ XS releases. 

The FJ was over-shadowed some by the big Suzy, which was released at the same time. This is a shame really, this may have been the beginning of the motorcycle mags raving about [largely-unusable] top-end power, that got those high[er] numbers, at the expense of mid-range [usable] torque -something the FJ has in buckets, and a trade-off that Yamaha engineers made intentionally, seems to me.  [Alternatively, perhaps it was the introduction of liquid cooling, and then fuel injection that caused, or at least fostered the irrational race to the highest top end power...]

Even today, the mags do not seem to get it, despite the success of the R1, (again, it's Yamaha bucking the trend with its cross plane crank, and before that, the 20 valve design) with less power, more mid-range torque, these bikes compete well enough on the track, but excel on the street, where 95% of the bikes life will be.  Yet, if you read the various mags, as I do, the snarky 'under-powered' moniquers abound.

-I'm just rambling now...  someone stop me...  Nevermind, I'll do it myself...



Dan

[FJ111200]

One thing you won't miss at all moving from an XS/XJ11 to an FJ is not having to mess with the lousy manual cam chain tensioner

It's not that much hassle, what is it, every 4,000miles?  But the latest mod for the cct is to fit an automatic one from a V-MAX. Straight swap.
My first serious love affair with big bikes was the FJ, then along came an XS and it's like an addiction. After 30 odd years there's always something that will need fixing, but once you get on top of them they are a joy.
Both mine are non standard and that's part of the appeal for me, they can be altered fairly easily.

[craigo]

I can think of 3 positives in upgrading to the FJ.  #1, you get rid of that shaft.  You know how when you pin the throttle and the rear rises before you go forward?  That'll be gone.

#2, you get a real comfortable, good handling sport touring motorcycle with a nice fairing and great egros.  Downside is that pesky 2nd gear issue, which I understand the XS1100 shares with the 87 and younger FJs.

#3, you get great advise and a plethora of information from all of us on this forum.   

Buy the FJ, you will not be disappointed.


CraigO

[FJ111200]

Of couse buy an FJ, i'm not saying stick with the XS, it's a different kettle of fish.

No prizes for spotting the upgrade.

[Mark Olson]

well the xs I used to have I rode thru a window of my neighbors house when the brakes failed.(rally story)

the shaft shuffle is a pain to deal with and it always seems to run wide in corners when ya push it.

get the fj and you will feel better.

[rktmanfj]

Of couse buy an FJ, i'm not saying stick with the XS, it's a different kettle of fish.

No prizes for spotting the upgrade.

Those old FJ front ends turn up everywhere... somewhere around here I have a pic of one on an H2

[QTreiber]

Thank you very much for the encouraging info!

Now I am really eager to get the FJ1200...  I like the white and red.

Armin

[Mike 86 in San Dimas]

Right  choice. There really was no need to bite on Pats  silver bait, everyone knows the red and white are the best looking.

[FJmonkey]

Right  choice. There really was no need to bite on Pats  silver bait, everyone knows the red and white are the best looking.

And Pat's Silver & Red still looks like an Ambulance, just for the Highly Polished Upper Class....