Older versus newer street bikes

[Dads_FJ]

Yeah, frankly, that is hyperbole. An FJ is still at least 80% of any modern production bike, and a modded one is probably more like 90%+...

Bikes just haven't gotten *that* much better.

Right, 'specially when you compare apples to apples.  It's really not fair comparing the FJ to an R1 or a BMW S1000RRRRR for example.

[yamaha fj rider]

This topic has got me thinking about a new bike. I don't like the FJR, too much like a gold wing. Looking for something more sporty but still able to ride for some distance. Looking around the bike that keeps coming up is the Yamaha FZ1. I am NOT GOING TO SELL MY FJ!!!! Just thinking about adding another horse to the stable. FZ1 would look good next to the FJ then the cafe bike. I need to go ride one but that could make this worse.

Kurt

[craigo]

Here is the thing...... many FJ'ers i've known to move on from the FJ have gone from bike to bike to bike .... searching for the elusive perfect motorcycle..... the grass always looks greener and all that jazz.


KOokaloo!

That happened to me after my 90 midnite blue baby burned down the house. I went to a ZZR1200 and soon realized I was once again taken in by a pretty face. Not near as comfy nor nimble as my old FJ. So I sold it and tried a Suzuki Bandit 1200. A nicer bike than that brute of a Kawi, but still, not my bike.
It took a few months, but my current FJ came on craigslist. Called, made the offer and I got her. I am now happy with my bike again. Especially after all the nice mods.
She is 23yrs old, has her little buzzes and vibrations. But she is sooo much more me than those other 2 21st century bikes.
My FJ, I think I'll keep her.

CraigO

[craigo]

If I were to get a new bike, it would be an early 2000 something 600cc bike like a CBR or an R6. Just for those days I want to carve up the canyons.
I would still keep my FJ though, that one is a keeper.

CraigO

[Dan Filetti]

Looking for something more sporty but still able to ride for some distance.

Kurt-

Have you looked at the older (800CC) VFR's?  They fit the sporty-touring-more-sporty-than-touring bill pretty darn well.  The 800CC V4, showcased Honda's engineering prowess for a time.  The single sided swing arm is a breeze to do things like adjust the chain and remove the back wheel, and I have personally seen that bike do some amazing [very sporty] riding.  The have few failure points (the regulator/rectifiers seem to be made out of paper...) but generally are good strong, do many things well, machines.

Just a thought,

Dan  

[yamaha fj rider]

Thanks Dan. Had not looked at the VFR but I ride with a local group sometimes and one of the fellows rides one. Will give it a closer look. Started out riding Yamaha's, just happened that the first bikes turned out to be and just kind of stayed with them. To this day, over thirty years later I still lean that way. Just sitting on the FZ1 or FZ8 feels like I could say on it for a while. Most of the other bikes I tried, no way. I find my self taking the DRZ400 for short hops around town these days. It's fairly comfortable to me even on an over two hour ride. Quick and light.

Kurt

[ribbert]

There is one test new bikes all fail for me.

"If you can walk away from your bike without looking back at it, you bought the wrong bike"

[Dads_FJ]

I was racking up so many miles on the FJ just commuting that I purchased an additional bike to keep the miles lower and wasn't actually looking to replace it.  Two bikes are nice for when one is being serviced or to 'loan' to a friend.  My TDM850 is a nice compliment with it's higher handlebars.  Besides I couldn't get enough for the FJ to justify selling it (yet). 

[aviationfred]

Besides I couldn't get enough for the FJ to justify selling it (yet). 

John,

If you ever do decide to sell the FJ, And would consider removing the belly fairing. I would buy the belly fairing. Of all the pieces and parts for the the FJ. The Lockhart fairing you have is what I am looking for the hardest.

Fred

[Dads_FJ]

A rare item indeed Fred, I will keep you in mind.  This guy lives in Minnesota (like me), contact him and if he's willing to sell maybe I can help make a love connection.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/3828243923.html

[fj11.5]

The lockharts look great,bit more airflow than the fully enclosed style

[fintip]

We have a 92 VFR in the shop that someone abandoned two years ago, became a side shop project. I've ridden it around a bit; fun little bike, very light. Great launch, not as much torque at the top. Didn't get to use it in any real curves, but the shop owner rode it on some twisties during a shop group ride, and despite being a loyalist for his ZRX1100, he found himself smiling at the end of the day and impressed by it.

I did find my wrists uncomfortable after 20 minutes, but some risers might help that. Different humans will fit differently, of course.

[aviationfred]

A rare item indeed Fred, I will keep you in mind.  This guy lives in Minnesota (like me), contact him and if he's willing to sell maybe I can help make a love connection.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/3828243923.html

John,

Thank You for the heads up on that bike.

I gave the guy a call and left a message. I hope I can make a deal with him.

fintip,
the 91'/92' VFR is actually what I was looking to purchase when I came across my FJ. The 91'-93' body style is my favorite among the VFR's.

Fred

[Dan Filetti]

92 VFR <snip> I've ridden it around a bit; fun little bike, very light. Great launch, not as much torque at the top. Didn't get to use it in any real curves, but the shop owner rode it on some twisties during a shop group ride, and despite being a loyalist for his ZRX1100, he found himself smiling at the end of the day and impressed by it.

I did find my wrists uncomfortable after 20 minutes, but some risers might help that. Different humans will fit differently, of course.

The 92 (750 CC) was a capable VFR but it was carbureted.  The Quintessential VFR, in my humble opinion, was the ~98 or 99 800CC.  They have Fuel Injection, and was before Honda decided to introduce VTEC to it.  The latest 1200CC VFR is ugly, and is too far afield from what a VFR is to me -plus it's $16K -$17.5K for a new one -a bit pricey for my tastes. 

Dan

[Flynt]

FZ1 would look good next to the FJ then the cafe bike...

I think the FZ and FJ are too close in purpose/capability.  Try a supermotard maybe...

Frank