Tough decisions.....

[motohorseman]

I had my FJ1200 sold to a collector in the Omaha area, but my 17 year old son expressed some interest in it.

I was floored, if he is serious, I'll sign it over to him and get him started. First, even though I am not a fan of it, I'll put him in the MSF course.

While some may not think the FJ1200 is a good "first bike", and they may be correct in some cases, my son is well over 6' tall and fits like a glove on the FJ. It's not the bike that gets someone in trouble, and my first was a 1972 H1B triple, so, well, I'm seriously considering it.

The thought of being able to spend time riding with him is priceless, he even expressed interest in riding distances with me, like, well, that would be about the best think ever IMO.

Flame away, comments welcome, any and all -

[Tiger]

  Steve,
No one knows your son like you do...and if you think he will, with the right training/guidance, make a good rider/riding buddy, then why not 

John.

[jamesearthdrum]

I fully agree with Tiger. Your taking the right steps to discovering if he's ready. My son wanted a 600, after riding a Buell Blast for a year, because some hotshot teammate of his had one. I asked him if he thought he wanted to be like everyone else, or did he want a bike that was a classic and would get noticed for the right reasons. We found him an '85 FJ1100 that had the sporty look he wanted, and he has grown to appreciate it.

james

[Dads_FJ]

Not tough at all... I let my 17 year old ride my FJ all the time.  What's more important I believe is teaching by example, ""All the gear all the time", risk management etc... rather than the bike he's on.  What a great opportunity for BOTH of you, enjoy!

[giantkiller]

My first bike was my 86 fj1200. Also my first loan payment. Bought new in 86. I put 14,000 miles on it in 2 1/2 months ... and totaled it. When a guy cashed in front of me @ somewhere north of 135mph. We both walked away from it. (Lucky) but we both were wearing full gear.

[motohorseman]

Not tough at all... I let my 17 year old ride my FJ all the time.  What's more important I believe is teaching by example, ""All the gear all the time", risk management etc... rather than the bike he's on.  What a great opportunity for BOTH of you, enjoy!

I'm a bad example, never have been a fan of gear, know the pain of crashing, also know the odds.....

When it comes to him, well, he'll probably have to gear up -

"Do what I say, not what I do"

[RichBaker]

Is the kid sitting next to the pump wearing nylon MX pants??  If so.... STOP!  In a crash, those will melt into his flesh.....   

[Dads_FJ]

doh!  I guess it only gives the illusion of safety.  Thanks for the heads up!

[VaughanCustoms]

IMO anyone getting on a bike is a risk, I have known people who have started with small bikes with no power and ended up getting hurt because they couldn't get to speed or one friend got blown off the road by a truck. My 85 FJ1100 is my first bike for me to own but I have riden a 750 shadow, a Vulcan 800 and a CBR 600rr. I like the feel of the FJ the most and thats why I ended up buying it. To be honest the power scares me a little and I think thats a good thing because I am alert and trained to know what I can and can not do. I have fast cars but at the end of the day its your body taking the hit or a car body when in a car and thats huge. Be smart is really what it comes down to.

[ApriliaBill]

 I've always been of the school (within reason) learn to ride on what you're going to ride. My kid just got his license and he was bent on getting a 250, but I gave him a FJ600 I had in the garage. He now tells me it's the best thing ever. The older bikes don't react like the hyper rockets they build today. They are plenty fast but give you a pretty fair warning of what's about to happen.

Your son will be fine. Unless you see he lacks skills, only be positive. I never say anything that will put doubt in his head. I mention when he hits a corner right and keep a close eye on him. Right now I've been taking him on the nastiest roads I can find, this is so if I'm not around, he won't be overcome by something he hasn't seen before. I kind of believe in gorilla training, long technical rides, he gets experience and I don't have to sweat when he's out on his own. I don't like the tip toe approach, I want him to have confidence when he's out and I'm not there.

Any way, for the size of your kid, I think the FJ will be a great bike. He needs to understand the kind of power the bike puts out, but other than that support him all you can. If you see it's a problem, then have a talk with him and see if maybe something else will fit him better or if he needs more instruction. Good luck and have fun...

[FJ_Hooligan]

Most modern sportbikes do a majority of the work for you.  Therefore, many new riders never develop the fundamental skills or mental processing and understanding of how to ride fast AND safely.  When they get into trouble, there's nothing for them to fall back on.  So starting off on a bike that actually requires you to ride it (and understand what's it's doing and why) will help develop the required skills. 

I remember my first ride on an R1.  I was astonished at how easy it was to go fast on it.  I really didn't need to think about what I was doing, just hang on and let it do all the work. 

Hooligan

[skymasteres]

Well, I guess I'm going ot be the one to say it.

In spite of all of the evidence to the contrairy, guys that started out on them and were fine, I have to say just DON'T put your son on a FJ1200 right away.

Yes, it can be done. Yes, it's likely that if you make it PEFECTLY CLEAR that he is on a mechine that needs the UTMOST respect he might be okay. But what if?

What if he get's into a tight spot, is overwhelmed mentally and does the wrong thing? That's a lot of power on tap for someone who doesn't have the experiance that weeks, months, or years in the saddle builds. The odds have been mentioned as well as the consequences. But why not take control over what you can? A 550# 100+ HP bike is a lot to handle. I know he's 6' and the FJ has a marvelously low center of gravity. But a mistake can be costly.

Put another way. If you pick up a 500 Ninja, or an inteceptor 500 for $500-$1200 and ride it for 6-9 months you can sell it for most of what you paid for it. (Provided you don't crash it.) And you get the experience to move up. The FJ still needs to be treated with respect, but it gives some experience to fall back on in that "oh shit" situation...


Nobody can eliminate the possibility of an accident. All we can do it optimize the factors that are within our control... 

[JPaganel]

I like my FJ. I think it kicks butt. However, I am very glad it wasn't my first bike.

[fj11.5]

I started off on heavy bikes compared to what else was around at the time, cb250 n 80 model,then up to gsx 750 ,80, same time gs 750 79, , also rode around on cb900 81 model,  rg250 scary fast once the revs were up,fzr 1000 ect,, all were given great respect till I felt confident enough to tease them to go quick,  at the time I weighd 55 kg,at 5'8" so I learned very carefully to hold on snuggly 

[Pat Conlon]

I like my FJ. I think it kicks butt. However, I am very glad it wasn't my first bike.

Exactly. I'm glad my first rifle wasn't a 30.06...... 17 year old, first bike, a FJ that can go a buck fifty..
what could go wrong?