FJ1100 vs FJ1200

[Alf]

I have a complete FJ reviews collection: from mags when the FJ appeared (Bike, MCN, Motorcyclist, Cycle World, Motociclismo, La Moto, Sports Rider, PBikes...) to last mags (Practical Sportbikes, Classic Motorcycle Mechanics...)

I´ve been reading in my reviews that when first appeared, FJ 1100s were measured around 112-115 CV at the rear wheel, most of them European models. Motociclismo even obtained 125 cv, after corrected with a Bosh dyno factor correction to 115 cv.
Last year Phil Hacker (British FJ club owner) bought 1 FJ 1100 completely STD to compete in the new British Classic series and he dynoed 109 cv rear wheel horsepower, very good in a 25 years old bike, but consequent with a 115 cv new bike

FJ 1200s have been always around 105-110 CV. In fact, when I changed my FJ 1100 for a new 1200 3 CV in 1991 I was disappointed because the new bike didn´t accelerate like my 1100. I sold it after only 2 years and 44.000 kms: even with the usual performance treatment (KN, Dynojet, Exhaust, ignition advancer...) the 1200 never run like my old 1100, and with a lot more vibes

Only after years of refinement and tricks I think I´ve got the 1100 feeling in my actual 1200: grunt, power and smooth and fast acceleration until the red line

I continue thinking that the 1100s were more powerful than the 1200s. In fact I think that I´m going to start to look for a good FJ 1100...

[fintip]

This is hard to believe, though it's interesting that more than one FJ11+FJ12 owner seems to feel this way. The reviews of the time seem to say that the 12 had more power everywhere, especially the midrange, with just a slightly higher top speed.

What did you do to your 12 to finally make it match your 11? What were these tricks and refinements?

[teeeeeceeeee]

IIRC The FJ1100 was first intoduced as a "Sports Bike" and therfore was slightly lighter & geared more for acceleration. Also different camshaft profiles.

Remember that upon early release the FJ1100 was raced in the World Superbike Series before the change to 500cc 2 stroke GP bikes.

In reality the FJ1100 is more of a "Sports Bike" and the FJ1200 a "Sports Tourer"

Kookaloo


TeeCee

[teeeeeceeeee]

Correction - FJ1100 raced in 1984 Production Touring Series.


TeeCee

[yamaha fj rider]

My insurance company calls it sports touring also and that is fine with me. Saves me big $$$$$$$$$. 1200cc sport bike very expensive to insure. 

Kurt

[Arnie]

Correction:  All years FJ both 1100 and 1200 had the same part number camshafts.

Arnie

[andyb]

Going from an XS1100 to a FJ1100 was a massive jump.  FJ1100 to FJ1200 won't be anything like that big of a difference, and won't impress in the same way.

Also look at the bikes they were compared to at the time.  A GPZ900 was a top sportbike in 84.  In 86, the GSXR1100 was stomping everything else flat in the performance world.

[aviationfred]

I have noticed in the Magazines, Ie. Cycle, Motorcyclist, Cycleworld. the 84 and 85 1100's had the lowest 1/4 mile et's. The engines mostly kept the same horsepower numbers. Not sure why the 1200 et's came out slower. I am going to taske a few WAG's. Transmission gearing changes, sprocket size changes, additional weight, larger fairings??? These are just my guesses as possibilities.

Fred

[SlowOldGuy]

I agree with Andy.  The jump from my XJ1100 to the FJ was huge.  I like both of my FJ just about equally.  The '93 is just as much fun to ride as the '85.  The '85 provides a slightly more raw experience, but there's not much difference between them.

Comparing 1/4 mile times is a waste of time.  Usually the times are "corrected" anyway.

The 1100 had the highest sprocket gearing with 17/42.  That would probably account for any difference.

Plus, what does it matter?  If I rode 1/4 mile at a time it would probably matter, but I don't.  Just like the kid that asks "How fast will it go?"  That doesn't matter either.  It's how fast it gets there or how much fun it is that makes the only difference.

DavidR.

[Alf]

What did you do to your 12 to finally make it match your 11? What were these tricks and refinements?

Take a look to my web. You have all the mods and tricks that I´ve tested in my 4 FJs that I´ve ridden for more than 300.000 kms

[Alf]

Also look at the bikes they were compared to at the time.  A GPZ900 was a top sportbike in 84.  In 86, the GSXR1100 was stomping everything else flat in the performance world.

Every British mag rave about the GPZ 900 saying that FJs were left behind as a sport bike when the Kawa appeared. The reality is other: the GPZ failed in each European competition where run, the same that the special VF 1000 R... because in 84 there was a bike that won everything: the FJ 1100.

And in a open road in the real world, simply there is no way the GPZ could compare with the FJ. And if the road is tight and with a lot of curves the GSXR 1100 rider will see the FJ irretrievably stomping away

[Alf]

The '93 is just as much fun to ride as the '85.  The '85 provides a slightly more raw experience, but there's not much difference between them.

Between my FJ 1100 with 165.000 kms on it and my 1st 1200 3 CV bought new just after the 1100, there were so much difference that I sold just only 2 years after without any tear, completely disappointed

A STD 1200 feel struggle and restricted passing 7.000 rpm, when the 1100 feel smooth and look for the redline like a pit bull... like my 1200 now, but after a lot of mods and 1 step front, 1 step back...

I think that I have to buy another 1100, restored it and testing again side to side ;-)

[ribbert]

DavidR's right, in the real world, what's it matter.

It was only hair splitting differences when they were new and given the age of our bikes now and the amount of tinkering that's been done, you could fill a page with the variables that would affect performance.

Alf's view on the late model 1200 with the much larger fairing being a slug compared to his '85 is interesting.

When I ride the FJ without the fairing it goes like the clappers and can be thrown around like a 250, it goes from battleship to speedboat. 

The fact is, it doesn't ride any different, it's psychological, but just looking out over a couple of instruments sure makes it feel different.

The silly thing is I KNOW this, but damn, it's fast and light without the fairing (which weighs very little)

Noel

[fintip]

Interestingly enough, "Doc" used an FJ11 for the base of his fjracer, and bored it up himself, instead of going with a stock 12, it seems. (You guys know about this, right? This was an amazing read, I went through the entire thing: fjracer.com). I wish he had commented on why he chose the 11 over the 12 for his base platform, might be revealing.

Maybe I'll send him a message, or go post on their board.

[fintip]

Hey Alf, is that collection digital or print? If it's digital, any chance you could share it?