Electric fuel switch went on the blink, leading to intermittent fuel starvation until it was disconnected.
Massive torque, great power and good comfort.
It is heavy, but apart from that, there's really nothing to criticize.
The turbulence is more than you'd expect from its reputation, but this can be cured with a custom screen. That done, it's superb.
Keeping up the the latest, greatest 600s is a blast; without the associated back/wrist/wallet pain.
Just ditch the bellypan before you wear through it.
The FJ1200 was and is a phat bike.
The 1TX was the first and best. This engine was king on the drag strip after the GSX1100 and only beaten by the newer oil cooled GSXR engines after that. We now have the Hayabusa engine as king, but the good old FJ will still pop your arms out of their sockets. Mine was stock and after replacing all the frame bearings, rubber, valve shim settings and carb balancing it was like new, even if it still looked rough
A heavy bike to roll in and out of the garage, R1 calipers make better stopping power. Once in feet up mode it is effortless and hyperspace fast. Will eat ANY sports race bike half its size for lunch up to and over the legal speed limit.
The early ones have a 2nd gear problem, it jumps out under hard acceleration, bad ones were factory re calls, but rare.
Get one if it is cheap, but look for warped brake disks up front, they are fabricated and wear unevenly and warp with heat, you will know about it when you feel it through the lever.
Fork seals need a special tool to undo the damper rod from inside (shop job for most) If it runs well and has a ticket, then change the oil and nail it hard, in that order.
Got an '89 FJ1200 for $2000 in 2006, put about $2000 into it to rebuild the carbs, replace the carb-rubbers, plug-wires, fork seals, sparkers, front and rear tires, mirrors, fuel pump and a lot of electricals.
The bad:
It's a whiney, moaning, buzzy, rattling thing that has all kinds of weird sounds that make you think "Yamaheap" when riding it.
The electrical wiring is not up to what you expect from most other Yamahas. There were so many little problems with the wiring on this thing, it was almost death by 1000 paper cuts.
It's the heaviest bike I've ever ridden. A little scary to move around by hand.
The air cooling of such a large engine makes it inappropriate for much stop and go traffic.
The Good:
The noises this machine make are common to all FJ1200s. It's just the way they were the day they rolled out of the factory.
It's ergonomics are spectacular: You can cruise at 125 MPH for hours, it's so comfortable.
The Hayabusa of its day with completely explosive power at lower speeds.
If you use it only to tour, for which it's very well suited, you won't have to worry about its air cooling.
I've had the same 1990 FJ 1200 since 1991 (it's now late 2007) and I've replaced the fuel pump (last year), the chain three times in about 85,000 miles, some wheel bearings, the front brake discs (just worn from years or use), and that's about it.
With regular oil changes and an occasional carb balance and valve clearance check, the thing runs and runs and runs.
It still makes power about like new, it's comfortable, it's decent, though not great, in the twisties, and if you want to pass somebody on the highway at 60 mph, shifting down is not part of the procedure. You just twist and go.
There are faster and better handling bikes, and more comfortable bikes, but for year-in, year-out functionality and pleasure, it's hard to beat an FJ, still.
I have a 1990 FJ and love it. I just celebrated the 39,000 mile mark and feel that the bike is among the best on the road. I feel that it will some day be a collectors item. I love my FJ!
Tyler
Seattle, Washington.
I am the original owner of a 1984 FJ1100. While it's had many upgrades over the years, it's always been dead reliable. I never had the dreaded 2nd gear problem that some have but then again I never abused the bike either.
It has FZ wheels (17") and radial tires, R1 blue pots calipers and ungraded fork internals and a showa rear shock (fully adjustable). This and Corbin seat and luggage rack with removable top box gives me the best of both worlds. Modern rolling stock with air-cooled simplicity.
I'll never sell the bike. It's an original and the 1100s were a little lighter and sportier than the later 1200 models. It's been a great bike.
I have an 86 LTX. Upgrade the soggy rear shock, put on a decent sports exhaust, put a stage 3 jet kit through the carbies and a high flow air filter, upgrade the brakes with stainless brake lines and an FJR1300 master cylinder. Put some decent tyres on and you've got yourself a reliable, comfortable torque monster that is an all round pleasure. This bike is tops!
I have had my 1990 FJ1200 since new, and through the years it's been my pride and joy. It has taken me from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico, both coasts in Canada, and as high as Pikes Peak in Colorado without so much as a hiccup.
Through many of those tours, it has towed a small cargo trailer as well.
I'm still on the original sprockets, run Metzeler tires, top line chain and so far it has 148,000kms and can still outrun some of the newer bikes. The engine is starting to use a small amount of oil (synthetic), and it will get a few new parts for the carbs this spring, along with a valve adjustment before it hits the road again.
I am looking to find a rear rack/sissybar setup now. All in all, it's been an amazing bike, and will do me well for many years to come with some love and attention...
Dan
British Columbia
Canada.
I've owned my FJ1200 since 1992. I've gone round trip cross continent five times with this bike and it never let me down. Even when the temps were over 120 and below 20, this bike started, ran, and handled better than most.
I was going to pick up the new FZR touring, but when I saw the price... I choked. By accident I found another 1992 FJ1200 for sale and yep, mint condition. Bought it and rode it home (5 hour ride) and loved it. Like these bikes so much, gonna keep the mint one mint and gonna have the old one performance max tricked. For those of you who don't know what that means, I know a guy with a Hyabusa... and he knows I'll be looking for him '=}.
The only problem I've ever had was a slight imbalance in the engine that initially tore up the front fender and rattled the fairing into bad shape. That vibe has been there forever, but will be gone once the engine is rebuilt, blueprinted, and tri-harmonically balanced.
Looking forward to this summer... LOL.
Take care, be well... and later daze.
I own a 1993 FJ1200 ABS. What a killer bike! Bought it in 2001 and will not sell.
Have Hepco Becker hardbags, Corbin Seat, K&N air filter and just converted to R1 brakes. The R1 conversion allows you to keep ABS, which I like... especially in rainy Seattle, Washington.
Just ticked over 40,000 miles and have done nothing but normal upkeep. No 2nd gear problem. Also added MRA windscreen and spoiler. Just replaced steering head bearings... what a difference. New rear Ohlins shock is on order.
None of my Honda's were ever this good. If you don't have a FJ, most wish they did. Jon.
I've owned my '90 FJ 1200 since '95 and it's been a true love affair. Completed 6K+ mile US tour several yrs. ago (15) day duration and no discomfort with Corbin saddle. K&N/jet kit/Kerker gives flawless throttle response and GIVI luggage mounts with Goodwill Samsonite resulted in dry/secure storage. Must add that the combination allowed stable 120+ mph touring in desert regions with no drama what so ever. Overall a great bike if balanced compromise is your cup of tea. NCTriad - 2009.
Gday, Tim from the wide brown land downunder.
I owned a 94 model for 2 years and traded it on a 98 1100 Virago. Bad move! The FJ had 250,000km on the clock when we parted, and the compression in the cylinders was still as good as new!
As earlier comments have stated, it's a heavy bike to move around the shed (even though I'm 6ft tall and built like a brick dunny) however once rolling it's a joy to ride and can certainly put even the most up to date sports bikes to shame. No major problems during ownership, added a scottoiler and a givi top box. Regular services every 6000 km are important as she was my only transport due to the divorce! Stay upright.
I owned a 1989 FJ years ago. When I decided to dump four wheels for two again, I searched for and found another FJ. Some dude advertised a 1990 FJ (purchased originally in Japan and shipped) with 12,500 kms on the odo. I went to see it, and while short, the belly pan, everything was there and in pretty clean condition. I bought it and sank about two large into engine cleaning, carbs, front end and suspension.
With that done, the FJ is nothing short of torque monster with the road manners of a hooligan. It runs about 150 horsepower with CVs and loves to ego-crush Benz AMGs and Porsches. From a dead stop, the rear suspension squats down to compensate for the power and builds from there, with an explosive arm-pulling rush from 6000 to redline.
I run only the best Metzelers, and with these I can stay with much smaller road rockets in the twisties. Come spring time, my FJ "Destroyer" gets a rack of Mikuni RS38s and K&Ns, with a ported and polished head. Methinks body armour will be required too. Rubber down everyone!
Note: A Comments RSS Feed is available.