Old and New

[Bounce]

Have a friend with an FJ that was a darker blue/white than that. He ran it in the 03 IBR when I ran my FJR.

 

[Bearly Flying]

Here's an Older Brother to Yours, Owned since new.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Wow bear.. I thought those were extinct. Nice!

:jester:

 

[TILAM]

...... Haven't ridden it since because it might not live up to my memories.

You'd be surprised... for short rides anyway. It's lighter, smaller, has a nice exhaust growl, and seems to have more road feel than the FJR which makes you want to throw it around a bit!

I guess it is smaller but not any lighter. I found that when I got the FJR I was amazed at how flickable it was compared to the FJ. I rode them almost back to back and actually had them at the same time (well for a day or so they both occupied my garage). I think the FJ has a bit more midrange grunt and also has a great top end rush too but for comfort and handling you can't beat 20 years of technology. I'd never say it wasn't a fantastic bike and I loved it and still look at them longingly

 

[karstenp]

...... Haven't ridden it since because it might not live up to my memories.

You'd be surprised... for short rides anyway. It's lighter, smaller, has a nice exhaust growl, and seems to have more road feel than the FJR which makes you want to throw it around a bit!

I guess it is smaller but not any lighter. I found that when I got the FJR I was amazed at how flickable it was compared to the FJ. I rode them almost back to back and actually had them at the same time (well for a day or so they both occupied my garage). I think the FJ has a bit more midrange grunt and also has a great top end rush too but for comfort and handling you can't beat 20 years of technology. I'd never say it wasn't a fantastic bike and I loved it and still look at them longingly

I have to agree. The FJ actually "feels" heavier than the FJR, particularly at low speeds. The motor on the FJ is amazing. Big carbs with definitely no lean spots. The power in the FJR comes on so smooth and with so much refinement that, when I first compared the two, it felt less impressive. A side by side drag did confirm that the FJR will leave the FJ quickly behind. When you twist the throttle on the FJ, it feels like a wild bucking horse just trying to break free.... a total blast.

 

[karstenp]

Here's an Older Brother to Yours, Owned since new.

Beautiful bike.....and owning since new is incredible. I absolutely love the red/white 1100's from 84 and 85. I remember it was the benchmark super bike to beat in those years. The 86 with the increase to 1200 and the continuation of the red/white colour scheme was my all time favorite.

 

[old Pilot]

Great thread. I don't have pics of mine but it was this model, an '84 1100, red/silver. One of the best bikes I've ever owned. I think my FJ1100 was quicker and faster than my FJR.

I do still have the windscreen from the FJ, complete with a few Alps passes decals.

 

[FJR Flyer]

I have to agree. The FJ actually "feels" heavier than the FJR, particularly at low speeds. The motor on the FJ is amazing. Big carbs with definitely no lean spots. The power in the FJR comes on so smooth and with so much refinement that, when I first compared the two, it felt less impressive. A side by side drag did confirm that the FJR will leave the FJ quickly behind. When you twist the throttle on the FJ, it feels like a wild bucking horse just trying to break free.... a total blast.

I get the opposite feeling. My '87 FJ feels like a mini-bike now. It feels a lot lighter, more flickable, and sportier. I feel like I'm riding "on" the FJ, while I'm more "in" the FJR. I've got a ton of miles on the FJ, so even after a year on the FJR, the FJ quickly feels at home to me. I think I'm probably still faster on the FJ. Of course, riding the FJR every day, that is slowly changing.

Love the FJR, would never give her up. But its fun to get the FJ out now and again.

 

[Bearly Flying]

A side by side drag did confirm that the FJR will leave the FJ quickly behind.

Uhmmm... Not so sure about that.

When the FJ ( Canadian Spec) was new it ran the quarter at 10.44 at 127 mph with Peewee Gleason on board.

Several of the Motorcycle Magazine Test Riders ran around 10.6 to 10.7 at 125 mph.

(When the FJ first came to North America, the US version was limited to 100 HP, the Canadian version was putting out 125 hp, I believe in 86 they finally gave both markets the same. Another minor difference is the "Lateral Frame Concept" decal on the front fairing, The US version did not have that decal.)

 

[lnewlf]

With mild mods my '89 ran 10.87 at Lebanon Valley Dragstrip and I am hardly Ricky Gadsen. Besides the 100 lb weight difference, gearing is a big factor- my FJ turns 3850 rpm at 60. Not sure if I'll try the FJR at the strip but I think the best I could hope for is low 11's. Now if it were possible to get a set of 4:11 gears or lower in the pumpkin...

 

[karstenp]

A side by side drag did confirm that the FJR will leave the FJ quickly behind.

Uhmmm... Not so sure about that.

When the FJ ( Canadian Spec) was new it ran the quarter at 10.44 at 127 mph with Peewee Gleason on board.

Several of the Motorcycle Magazine Test Riders ran around 10.6 to 10.7 at 125 mph.

(When the FJ first came to North America, the US version was limited to 100 HP, the Canadian version was putting out 125 hp, I believe in 86 they finally gave both markets the same. Another minor difference is the "Lateral Frame Concept" decal on the front fairing, The US version did not have that decal.)

True.... the earlier model FJs were actually faster than the later years per specs I have seen on the quarter times. Later years they ran in the 11's. Just dawned on me that it may have not been a fair test because I do not have the stock chain sprocket size on the FJ .... A few years back I changed the sprockets to reduce revs at highways speeds by 12.5%. This did have a noticeable negative impact on acceleration but greatly reduced revs at highway speed. Also, the FJ is getting into its senior years...... so dragging a 17 year old bike against a 3 year old bike is probably not fair!.

 

[Bearly Flying]

I'm just in the process of freshening up my 85, it was starting to show it's age.

Had the body work repainted to as near as stock as I could find, Race Tech emulators in the forks, Penske shock for the rear, 1250 big bore kit, higher compression and a higher lift cam. Smooth bore Mikuni's, updated ignition, a bit of porting and polishing and a ceramic coated 4 into 1.

Hope to have it complete and on the dyno before Christmas, Would make a nice xmas gift to myself.........

 

[FJR Flyer]

True.... the earlier model FJs were actually faster than the later years per specs I have seen on the quarter times. Later years they ran in the 11's. Just dawned on me that it may have not been a fair test because I do not have the stock chain sprocket size on the FJ .... A few years back I changed the sprockets to reduce revs at highways speeds by 12.5%. This did have a noticeable negative impact on acceleration but greatly reduced revs at highway speed. Also, the FJ is getting into its senior years...... so dragging a 17 year old bike against a 3 year old bike is probably not fair!.

Earlier years were lighter and made more power, I believe. Early years had aluminum swingarms, pegs, etc. Later years started getting bigger fairings and steel parts, leaning more towards the touring side of sport touring.

 

[Pepperell]

I don't know if they still do it, but insurance companies used to let you "share" insurance between two vehicles for a nominal fee, provided that only one driver (you) was allowed to drive them. If both were driven at the same time, the insurance was void. Might be worth investigating.

 

[gearman]

In about a month I'll have an FJ1200 up for sale. It's not as pretty as the bikes on this thread but it'll be priced to sell.

 

[BlueRidgeFJR]

Here is my 86' 1200 I had to sell in 2006 to buy our new house. :angry:

Good news is I have a new 08' 1300. :yahoo:

The 86' was sold to a guy in Alabama. I have been trying to locate it for some time, with no luck.....REWARD FOR ANY INFO LEADING TO ITS LOCATION!!

 

[MotorToad]

Where in Alabama?