3CV or 3XW

[peteh]

Hi guys, just wondered what you think is the better bike 3CV or 3XW? I love my 3XW to bits but ive never owned a 3CV, im on my 3rd 3XW and wouldn't dream of parting with it

[ribbert]

Hi guys, just wondered what you think is the better bike 3CV or 3XW? I love my 3XW to bits but ive never owned a 3CV, im on my 3rd 3XW and wouldn't dream of parting with it

You may as well have just gone and asked the oil question!

I like my 3XW, being the evolved model it has many improvements over the earlier bikes, I won't bother listing them, but it's quite a list, and I prefer the styling.

However, the one feature that does it for me is the rubber mounted motor, which is about the only thing that can't be upgraded on the earlier bikes. I would not trade that smoothness for anything.

A few guys here have both.

It appears that everyone here loves whatever model they own, and I don't believe I have ever heard one person say, in hindsight, they would have sought out a different model from the one they own and I've never heard of anyone "upgrading"

Just don't believe anyone telling you the earlier bikes are faster.

As semi-classic cars and bikes age a particular year or model often comes to the fore as "the one to have"

With the FJ's I have seen none of that and all models enjoy the same popularity and desireability

I do believe that secretly, they all wish they had 3XW's, if only for that lovely Aqua stripe.

Noel

[Dads_FJ]

Why 'either', collect them all!

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7930.0

[1tinindian]

I do believe that secretly, they all wish they had 3XW's, if only for that lovely Aqua pink stripe.

Noel

Fixed that for you!

[fj12_rider]

I dont think either is "better" they are both great bikes . I own a 3CV only because it`s the one that I found on offer at the time . Any of them would have done . I wanted an FJ , I got an FJ , the model REALLy doesnt matter (unless you are very very anal, which i`m not) . The really early ones have a gravity fed fuel system , I prefer the fuel pump , only because it`s easier to start after a tinkering , other than that who cares ?

Why are you on Number 3 ? You keep breaking them or selling them ? I`m keeping mine period and will NEVER sell it !

[yamaha fj rider]

If you like and are happy with it, that is all that maters. Everybody has different reasons for the year FJ they like or own.

Kurt

[FJSpringy]

the 3CV is a girls bike the 3XW is a mans bike, goodness knows what FJR's are for 

[Dads_FJ]

the 3CV is a girls bike the 3XW is a mans bike, goodness knows what FJR's are for 

fixed   

the 3XW is a girls bike the 3VC is a mans bike, goodness knows what FJR's are for 
[/quote]

[aviationfred]

I have had an 85 FJ1100 and currently own a 3CV. When the 1200's came out, I lusted after one due to the larger intake scoops, fairing mounted mirrors and over all different look of the fairing. I do like the idea of rubber engine mounts on the 3CW's, but i don't know about the pink stripe. I do like the stealth coloring of the White and Silver on the 3CV. I would say that I would be happy with any of the 3 generations of the 1200.

Fred

[FJSpringy]

the 3CV is a girls bike the 3XW is a mans bike, goodness knows what FJR's are for  

fixed  

the 3XW is a girls bike the 3VC is a mans bike, goodness knows what FJR's are for  

fixed your attempted fix and re-fixed  

the 3CV is a girls bike the 3XW is a mans bike, goodness knows what FJR's are for  


BTW i really like my 92 3xw, a very manly motorcycle 

[fintip]

Haha... One of my favorite topics...

If I had to pick, I'd take the 3CV in a heartbeat. No question for me. I respect Noel's opinions, and certainly to each their own--we all love the bike we have and have the bike we have for a reason--but that "lovely" stripe and styling is a matter of taste that varies across generations and individuals. As for vibration, the FJ11, which I still really want, and think I'd prefer, supposedly had a lot less vibration than the 2nd and 3rd gen FJ's, and with vibranators and good grips, I imagine it'd be just about unnoticeable. Personally, even on the my last trip with the 1TX, which was one of the models known to vibrate so much it damaged its own fairing bits if care isn't taken, I didn't mind the vibration. I did get a tiny bit of numbness in my thumb and pointer finger on my right hand (same as my old XJ650, actually, oddly enough) once or twice on longer rides without gloves, but using the throttle rocker that came with my bike completely alleviated that issue for me. Further, the numbness stops bothering you if you just ignore it and drive on after a while, as I found with my old XJ. Gloves also help. My bike also has 70k miles, and no fairing damage from vibration as far as I can tell, making me think that that issue is related to state of tune...

All that to say, what is a deal breaker to Noel is a non-issue for me. Everyone has their own priorities. I value lightness, and like the styling of the older bikes, and like the idea of an aluminum swingarm, and the vibration is an almost-non-issue for me. Noel prefers smoothness, the more modern styling, and weight is a non issue for him.

Still, I love the 1TX I have, and can't imagine letting it go. I think I might just start a collection of ambulances, one of each of the two first generations. Only advantage for the 3CV over the previous two generations for me would be easier-to-upgrade front end, and the loss of the ridiculous electronic reserve petcock that only the 1TX had; weight increase is a disadvantage for me with the 3CV. Also, while the black/gold and the white/gray 3CV's are good looking, the Red/White really is the best styling in my eyes. The 3XW doesn't really have anything I want, and has a few things I don't--and while a few people here have made the 3XW look damn good, in general, I find the last generation's stock look the least attractive.

So you're really going to have to make a pro/con list for yourself, because this is truly a to-each-their-own issue!

As for what a man's bike is... I think we really all know that the XJR 1300 is the real man's bike. Everything else is just for fun.



Edit: On second thought, the most manly FJ ever is probably Doc's FJ11. That has to be one of the finest carbureted bikes in existence... Now that's a bike I'd be interested in collecting.

[aviationfred]

+1 Kyle, all well said.

Fred

[FJSpringy]

Peteh, you have to take these replies in their context, these poor guys wake every morning and head out to look at their 1tx's or 3cv's and and they just feel sad and the jealousy of us 3XW owners must consume them. You and I just hop on and ride these guys have to hitch up their petticoats and pinks dresses before even getting on the bike.

All I can say is that jealousy is a terrible thing and we must strive to support our less fortunate brothers ( I was going to say sisters but this paragraph is all about manly support )

We are all FJ riders and must stick together or at least wait at the coffee shop for the 3cv's to turn up 

[craigo]

3CVs all the way, so long as the correct mods are in place.

CraigO

[ribbert]

Peteh, you have to take these replies in their context, these poor guys wake every morning and head out to look at their 1tx's or 3cv's and and they just feel sad and the jealousy of us 3XW owners must consume them. You and I just hop on and ride these guys have to hitch up their petticoats and pinks dresses before even getting on the bike.

All I can say is that jealousy is a terrible thing and we must strive to support our less fortunate brothers ( I was going to say sisters but this paragraph is all about manly support )

We are all FJ riders and must stick together or at least wait at the coffee shop for the 3cv's to turn up 

Good to see someone not constrained by political correctness and the balls to tell the truth.

Noel