Prospective new owner... from xjbikes.com

[fintip]

So I've been teaching myself motorcycle mechanics at a ridiculous rate via xjbikes.com and youtube, and am onto my second XJ 650 now (an idiot without insurance wrecked my first while it was sitting in the parking lot...  ). (I started riding with a Honda XR90 dirtbike right before I turned 11... Rode that bike into the ground!

So I'm going through the motions with this second one, and finding that it's... Great, but... Tame? I can't help but feel that I'm ready to 'upgrade', move on a bit. A 120 top speed sounds awfully small now, and the acceleration is fun, but... It doesn't scare me anymore, you know?

I'm a bit of a speed freak (and also careful), but I also realize that a modern 1000cc sport bike is too much bike for 99.9% of the human population to utilize (including myself, since I don't ever go to a track). I also sincerely believe in an inline-4 engine and (at the moment) have no desire for a V of any kind. Ergonomics are huge for me, though, as I really like riding on long trips, so that's another thing that turns me off about modern sport bikes. I also really want a bike I can work on myself, and that seems to be less the case for modern bikes. And I'm a bit attached to the Yamaha marquee, you know? This bike is really well built and I love it--as a machine, at least--to pieces. Working on it has really been a joy.

Anyways, tying all this together... I've been thinking of either jumping to a XJ 900 Seca... Or, perhaps, just maybe, an FJ1100/1200? The motorcyclespecs.co.za page for the FJ1100 isn't very forgiving, as the article referenced, instead of being glowing like every other review I've read, is a comparison of it with a GSXR and a Kawa of the ear in which it fares relatively unfavorably, make it sound like an afterthought big bore 1100 that vibrates too much.

But that's just one review, and a comparison with the best bikes of that era! I guess my question is something like...

What are the similarities between the XJ and FJ series bikes, if you know?
What's this bike like to work on?
What are the problems with this bike? (Tranny's second gear in early models, it looks like? Anything else?)
How often does one do the valve shim adjustment on these bikes?
How expensive are they?
What should I watch for when looking for one to buy?
What is notable between the 1100 and 1200? Is the 1200 generally looked upon as an improvement over the 1100, or different?
What's the maintenance cycle like for these bikes?
What are its shortcomings?
What upgrades are just taken for granted, need to be done/should be done ASAP?

Thanks so much!

Also, does anyone ever run these bikes naked? I've never had a faired bike, and that could be fun, but just kinda curious.

Seems like a great forum you guys have! 

[FJmonkey]

Welcome, like you I wanted a bike that was sporty but good for long rides as well. My 86' has fit the bill very well for me. I rode it many years as a stock bike. In the last few years I have put some upgrades on that really improve the handling and looks. I like to do my own work and find the FJ easy to work on. Did the valves the first time last year, used info I got from this site and the Climer's book. Never again will I take it in to a mechanic for a tune up. I have the second gear issue so I keep it under 6K in 2nd gear and get my Kookaloo in 3rd gear. If you are located near any other members they may help you when you go to look at a bike you are considering buying. Maybe the bike is closer to them and they can look at it for you. Some members here are actually that nice. If you are worried about vibration look for the newer models that have rubber engine mounts 89 and up I think. RPM is working on after market mounts to upgrade the older years to rubber mounts so the years may not matter.

[fj11.5]

Welcome mate, i went from an xj 750 seca to an fj1100, would of killed myself on the xj, awesome bike but i was running out of things to scrape  , , fj,s do everything you could  ask for ,,, oh ps,  monkey just wondering what part of the engine mounts are rubber mounted, as my 84 is rubber mounted at the front?? 

[FJmonkey]

oh ps,  monkey just wondering what part of the engine mounts are rubber mounted, as my 84 is rubber mounted at the front?? 

Maybe Randy will clarify but my understanding is the early FJs have ridged mounts that were changed in the newer years to rubber to deal with vibrations. Members with newer bikes posted about vibrations had found their mounts had frozen. Clean, grease and the ride is smooth again. Randy's mounts are on my upgrade list.

[fj11.5]

No worries, thanks mate  , ill compare it to my newly aquired 89 tomorrow, but the 84 seems to be mounted the same after a quick look tonight 

[1tinindian]

91 was the first yerar for the front rubber mounts.

[fj11.5]

Ok, thanks tin, are they a round bushing with ridges on the outside and shaped like a top hat,    best i can describe them this time of night

[Firehawk068]

I had a Seca II 600, was a great bike. Easy to work on and maintain, super reliable, awesome on gas, however it was a bit too tame for me.......I ended up teaching my wife how to ride with it, and then we had kids..She lost interest, so I sold it to finish the upgrades to my FJ

You'll find alot of similarity between the bikes XJ vs FJ in riding position, cost of maintenence, and ergonomics..........obviously the FJ is much more powerful, and a bit heavier.....

Also, does anyone ever run these bikes naked? I've never had a faired bike, and that could be fun, but just kinda curious.

I've heard of a few that ride naked, but most of us prefer the proper riding gear for good measure  

[1tinindian]

Ok, thanks tin, are they a round bushing with ridges on the outside and shaped like a top hat,    best i can describe them this time of night

Try this link mate, should answer any questions you may have on the subject!
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=3613.0

Leon

[fintip]

What are any other differences between different year-models? Were there different generations, or even more than two? What all years were these made?

[yamaha fj rider]

The XJ's are middle of line, FJ was at or near the top. More performance, more comfortable. Not putting down the XJ series but the FJ is an improvement. You almost never find a person who tries the FJ and doesn't like it. Go for a test ride I think you will be sold. You like working on bikes FJ is for you. Hope this helps?

Kurt 

[1tinindian]

What are any other differences between different year-models? Were there different generations, or even more than two? What all years were these made?

The US market saw the FJ from 84-93, skipping the 88 model year.
The rest of the world DID get the 88s, plus production lasted till 95, IIRC.

Some have broken down the FJ production run into 4 generations.

84-85 These were the 1100s, most pure of the breed.
86-87/88 First of the 1200s. Belly scoops go bigger and mirrors mounted to fairing.
89-90 First with the 17" front wheel
91-UP Redesigned fairing/ Headlamp and rubber mounted engines.

Leon

[Flynt]

91-UP Redesigned fairing/ Headlamp and rubber mounted engines.

...  and by far the best looking/riding/performing of the bunch...   

[fintip]

Flynt, is that your bike as your avatar? Isn't that the wikipedia pic for the FJ series?

Everyone: Did the FJ1100 disappear once the FJ1200 started being made?

Sounds like there weren't ever any real modifications to the engine/tranny other than being bored out to 1200?

Prices! What did you guys buy yours for? How rare are they? Are they usually beat up due to having been treated like the superbike they are, or do y'all find they are generally in reasonable condition?

Hope it's not blasphemy here, but have any of you guys ever tried the competitors of the era that this bike had (Kawasaki GPZ1000RX, Suzuki GSX-R1100)? Any opinions on those bikes?

[1tinindian]

So fintip, your asking alot of questions here, which is OK, but could you go to the intro page and give us a little about yourself as to where you live, your name, and that sort of thing?
It will help us, help you.

Leon