New owner in Seattle

[Vsekvsek]

My friend gave me a killer deal on an FJ1200 1989 with 38300 miles on it in cherry condition. I think he wanted me to get a good deal so he would have a riding partner. lol.
Everything works and it purrs. Been a dirt biker for last 35 years. Am 45 now and still have an 09 WR300 husky that I ride every weekend. This is my first dabble into street biking. Got this baby for $1700!!! Seemed like a steal to me. Plus the low price got me past the wife firewall. Now I am afraid I will like this thing so much my Husky will sit more.
Any tips are welcome as essentially I am absolute beginer as street and maintenance is a total different animal over dirt. Even though been riding offroad all these years.

[FJmonkey]

Welcome, sounds like you got a really good deal. Too bad its not Red and White...  . We love to tease each other on what year we ride..... Make plans to attend next years rally in June, rally's totally changed my FJ experience. Ride while you can, maintain and modify when you can't. Read up and use the search function to answer questions already answered. We will help with the rest. Kookaloo dude...

[andyb]

If you've ridden dirt and gotten good with bike control, the only difference on the street is that there are cars.  Pay attention to them and what they're likely to be doing, and you'll be fine.

[aviationfred]

Welcome to the group, Another 89 has joined.. There is an immense depth of knowledge here. If you have a question about anything, there is sure to be someone who has encountered it and is more than willing to give advice and answers.

Fred

[Vsekvsek]

It's funny because being a former mxer and hard core  dirt biker I always had to have the latest and greatest bike. This 89 FJ though is one of the first older bikes I am content with. I was eyeing those new NC700 x's but think this is gonna be cool bike. Plent of power reliability and comfort. Plus being  an older bike I am not as worried about thieves.

[FJmonkey]

It's funny because being a former mxer and hard core  dirt biker I always had to have the latest and greatest bike. This 89 FJ though is one of the first older bikes I am content with. I was eyeing those new NC700 x's but think this is gonna be cool bike. Plent of power reliability and comfort. Plus being  an older bike I am not as worried about thieves.

Heh. if you were really worried about theft then you should have painted it Silver and White..... Safe as possible with that color... 

[aviationfred]

Thanks Monkey,,,,, Silver and White is Stealth Mode.......

[racerman_27410]

Welcome to the group! 

Looks like you got a great deal on a great motorcycle!


street riding brings higher speeds and crazy traffic into play (dont forget about wildlife).

Best advice i can give you is to believe that every cage out there wants to kill you (so ride defensively) and to never give up on making it around a corner (no matter how fast you're going)



KOokaloo!

Frank

[movenon]

Nice bike !!! Welcome ! My favorite color scheme . We have another member up in Seattle that just bought an FJ and is trying to get it back on the road. Hope you enjoy the bike and FJowners.com. as much as I do. Air and Iron.....

[zz28zz]

Welcome. Nice bike!!
Looks like most of the desirable mods have been done already. 

I also have a dirt bike background. The instincts you develop on the dirt are very beneficial on the street. They have saved my butt numerous times.
(I personally think dirt bike experience should be mandantory to get a M/C liscense, but that's just me :-)

A few street riding tips right off the top of my head:
Stay off the road paint, especially when wet!
Ride in the "tracks" of the lane. The center of the lane is where the oil drips off cars. Again, especially dangerous when wet.
Don't ride behind trucks if you can help it. Especially trucks that haul dirt/gravel, go off road or have ladders and whatnot hanging off. They can make life miserable.
Always keep track of the traffic in adjacent lanes. If you have to dodge something in the road, you need to already know if it's OK to change lanes. Have an escape route in mind at all times.
Be especially cautious of oncoming traffic making left turns. That's the most likely type of crash for a street bike.
When cruising on the freeway, the left lane is the place to be, especially true if there's a decent left shoulder.
When slowing to make a turn, always watch your mirrors for cars coming up on you. You can always turn around and come back for your turn-off.
When stopped at a light, watch for cars coming up behind you. Be prepared to bale off.
Also when at a light behind a car, if you see the reverse lights come on, back up!! I've seen numerous occasions where a car stops long and backs-up. Then forgets it is still in reverse when the light turns green.

Like my dad told me many years ago; Most important tip of all, you are completely invisible to most drivers. NEVER forget that!!

[Vsekvsek]

Perfect tips thanks. I figured first year I will ride like a wus until I get proper feel for it. People are such idiots when driving anymore. My non mc friends think I am crazy and think it's death machine. My attitude is when it's your time it's your time and theres not a dang thing you can do to it.

Oh and your right, it has a full aftermkt exhaust and after mkt disc brakes and new steel braided lines. Original owner was a aircraft mechanic and meticulous with taking care of it. Always storing in garage etc.How could I go wrong with this purchase?

Welcome. Nice bike!!
Looks like most of the desirable mods have been done already. 

I also have a dirt bike background. The instincts you develop on the dirt are very beneficial on the street. They have saved my butt numerous times.
(I personally think dirt bike experience should be mandantory to get a M/C liscense, but that's just me :-)

A few street riding tips right off the top of my head:
Stay off the road paint, especially when wet!
Ride in the "tracks" of the lane. The center of the lane is where the oil drips off cars. Again, especially dangerous when wet.
Don't ride behind trucks if you can help it. Especially trucks that haul dirt/gravel, go off road or have ladders and whatnot hanging off. They can make life miserable.
Always keep track of the traffic in adjacent lanes. If you have to dodge something in the road, you need to already know if it's OK to change lanes. Have an escape route in mind at all times.
Be especially cautious of oncoming traffic making left turns. That's the most likely type of crash for a street bike.
When cruising on the freeway, the left lane is the place to be, especially true if there's a decent left shoulder.
When slowing to make a turn, always watch your mirrors for cars coming up on you. You can always turn around and come back for your turn-off.
When stopped at a light, watch for cars coming up behind you. Be prepared to bale off.
Also when at a light behind a car, if you see the reverse lights come on, back up!! I've seen numerous occasions where a car stops long and backs-up. Then forgets it is still in reverse when the light turns green.

Like my dad told me many years ago; Most important tip of all, you are completely invisible to most drivers. NEVER forget that!!

[airheadPete]

Whimper... Congratulations, nice bike! I think that's the classiest paint scheme, though I love my '92's. It'll a great bike to ride out towards Aberdeen or over the pass to Methow. I'm an A&P as well, it teaches you to be demanding. A great deal, have fun!  (and Rentech engine bars from Randy at RPM)