"The 70mpg FJ1100" - Getting more from your FJ1100

[Anti-Dive Dave]

That touched a nerve?  Ha ha!! Anyone would think I was pointing at certain folk who I have never met. It wasn't directed at anyone inparticular within a keyboard distance. I was referring to some guys who have these super track lookalike bikes (the ZXRs, the GSXRs and the like).  Young kids who have just passed their test 5 minutes ago, and think they are a Moto GP champion.  In our town, they think they're on a race-track with the way they leave the only set of traffic lights we have.

They think it's impressing people, who turn round to hear this machine getting ripped as fast and as loud as possible through the gears, when they are still only in a 30mph zone.  When all we are thinking is "what a complete ass".  Well, I am thinking that anyway. 

I've got no objections to folk riding the FJ or any bike hard (I used to in my younger days) but many crashes later, it starts to hurt, and you wise up a bit. 

Yes, I can still keep up with "the boys" if I wanted too.  I can whip their ass on roads and still surprise many.  I sat my advanced bike test years ago, and I qualified as an British Motorcycle Federation Advanced Riding Instructor later.  Young folk on superbikes have pulled up beside me at lights when I have had some old dog of a bike, and must have thought as they laugh and shake their heads: "what an old fart....riding that dinosaur peice of crap...where's the flashy paint mister?...the matching leathers?...the super loud exhaust to scare the neighbours as you leave for work at 4am..?".

I just sit there, bike laden with luggage, battered, bruised and leaking oil.  Lights go amber and I'm already planning my route down the road, as he is still admiring himself in the shop windows.

Lights go green, and I am away and through traffic, whilst I see him in the mirror stall it in frustration at missing his chance to cane me.

In my youth, when all I had was an MZ ETZ 251, I whipped a senior rider who was showing his "skills" on a road using a Honda CB750.  He was great on straight roads, and used fantastic speed, but he was just a flurry of brake light everytime he approached a corner.  It's here I caught him up everytime and overtook him.

Still, y'all ride how ya want - who am I to trash how you ride it, or why you ride it.  Just stay alive if you can, and respect those who don't want to meet an early grave.  Personally, and I hate to say this, but  "I ride hard because a life lived as safely and conservatively as possible is a life wasted..." is a hell-of-an-attitude to have behind the controls of a vehicle.

You have been lucky up untill now, young Sky Walker. But the force will not always be with you!

As some say on here:  keep the shiny side up and the sticky side down.

Regards anyway,

A Qualified Dork  .

If you ever get a chance in the States to see a guy called "Gerry Palladino", go have a look at his motorcycle roadshows.  He runs courses called "Ride like a Pro", and the best riders out there can learn a thing or two!  (That plug was NOT aimed at anyone....just passing on interesting info, that some may find interesting....some may not.....!!!)

There.  That's another post that will ruffle many feathers in the hen house.     

Maybe I should write a disclaimer at the bottom of all my posts....these opinions are that of the writer....and are not meant to piss people off. The folk and admin at FJ Owners.com take to responsibilty for anything this guy writes or the backs he manages to rub up the wrong way. The writer wishes to express his personal views within the bike riding community, and hopes that no offence will be taken at anything you read before you.  Beers are available at the bar, it's your round, and no I don't want potato chips.

[Anti-Dive Dave]

You mean the whole point of owning an FJ (be it an 1100 or 1200) is to ride it balls out everywhere...ride it like ya stole it...thrash it to within an inch of it's life?.........Where did I say that?

Ok, Sire, you didn't say that.  But, that's what I assumed you were driving at.  Yup, I know, It's dangerous to assume.  Gets one into a whole heap of shit that was never meant.

You wanna know who I blame for all this?  That stupid bugger who posted the article in the first place.  I mean, don't these people stop to think that there will be follow on comments?

I want the guy who posted the article banned for nearly starting a riot.

Oh....hang on......

[Anti-Dive Dave]

All this and I'm only 42.  I think I am turning into one of those Sunday drivers.  Y'know...the BMW....the flat tweed cap, the pipe and slippers.  Just out for a Sunday bimble...stop off for tea and scones along the way.  Keeping a mental diary of every fence-post I pass, as I trundle through the countryside, gently rocking from side to side from the beat of the boxer.

Sitting at home, working out my fuel economy, and reeling in horror as I used up 2.6ml extra cos I missed that vital gear change before I overtook the farm tractor at 26mph.

Sad times ahead.  Or are they here now?

I already smoke a pipe.

OH SHIT - I'm one of them. 

[Arnie]

Well, it has been relatively quiet here for a bit.

And you certainly do like to type.   

42 ? you're (only) 42 ?  Can't decide if you sound like your 82 or 18. 

Arnie

[Anti-Dive Dave]

   I'd go with the 82.

If I was a horse, they'd have shot me years ago.

Apologies for the elektronic diahorea most times.  

[RichBaker]

The FJ was launched as a balls out superbike, and was hailed as the winner of the superbike war of '84. It was only because Yamaha went with another platform that they slowly started repurposing it as a sales tool as a sports tourer...

This is correct... The FJ11 was Motorcyclist Mag's Fastest Bike of the Year in 1984, the last year they did FBOTY. She was Intro'd as a Superbike. Then Yamaha intro'd the FZ series and re-made the FJ12 as a Hyper Tourer.

[fj11.5]

Makes 2 of us at 42, who else is under 50, and over 35

[Dan Filetti]

Makes 2 of us at 42, who else is under 50, and over 35

Aye. 44

Dan

[fj1289]

Checking in at 45 

[fintip]

Interesting. Not the first place I'm out of my era.

22

Sorry if I was  bit harsh back there. I could have said all of that a lot more kindly. I think I misunderstood you earlier as well; I shift up through 1st to 5th with a focus on being efficient and smooth, no revving unless I feel some reason to do so. I don't see it much, but I guess you meant someone slamming the throttle and short shifting while revving high. In that case, yes, they'd look like a dork. (Also. Haha.)

When was the FZ introduced?

[fj11.5]

Era takes second place,  :biggrin:were all here for the Fj,s

[Goetz]

Sometimes, treating stoplights like a dragstrip is needed stress relief. Of course, i live in serious nascar country, and some of our roads LOOK like dragstrips. Really. But, at least i dont sound like a pissed off sewing machine like a lot of the newer machines. cheaper than buying ammo and paying range fees and almost as loud.

[RichBaker]

When was the FZ introduced?

1987, IIRC.

[1tinindian]

Makes 2 of us at 42, who else is under 50, and over 35

Close, I just made the cut-off at 48!

I ride a lot smoother now, compared to my younger years.
I concentrate on trying to be smooth at speed while practicing better control without looking like a dork! LOL!
Don't get me wrong though, I love the speed and performance of my FJ, but I tend to think more of the transmission, clutch, chain and sprockets and the undue wear and tear on them that sloppy riding can do to them.

And in all honesty, my new outlook on my riding style was inspired by my first FJ rally and paying attention to the other riders that impressed me with their riding skills.

Back when I was 16 and just starting to drive, my dad told me that he was more impressed with the way a person looked while smoothly driving down the street in a nice car, compared to someone who was hell bent on over driving his car in all the wrong places. "Just remember", he said, "someone is always watching, whether you think they are or not".

On the subject of MPGs, I have never been terribly worried out such things. Granted, it is good to know what your getting on a trip, for fuel stops, but it was never a consideration when I bought my FJ.
I wanted the style first, and the performance second.
That's right style first, because I LOVE the way the FJ looks, and it is what has sold me on the FJ (of ANY year model) from the very start.

ramblin ends....

Leon

[movenon]

65  the other end of the spectrum. I just go down the road, not to fast, not to slow.... Not racing anyone just having fun... Geez maybe I should put a switch on my brake light turning it off going into the corners Allways wanted to know how to look good... Only if it were that simple or gave it any thought.
It was a good article by someone trying to see what could be done with the FJ in the MPG area. Hard to compare it with a Honda NC700X that is 670 cc at 470 lbs and has a 6250 RPM rev limiter built into it. (rev limiter, is that our future ?), not mine. It still was interesting to read. Also like to read about what is done on the other end of the spectrum even if I don't have a burning desire to go much above 100. Living next to Nevada I have went so fast for so long that it wasn't fun anymore. Slowing down to 80 was like a crawl. The good old days when there wasn't a speed limit for miles. Still there are stretches of HWY 93 and 318 that are fun to let loose on occasionally.
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