FJ1200 suspension advice

[Bytor]

Pretty close to buying a 92 FJ1200, high miler (100k+) but engine in tip top condition. Allowing for the bike price I'd have about a grand to sort out the suspension which I believe is stock at the moment. So what could I do for a grand or under?

[FJRider]

Replace the rear suspension units ..... for a GOOD set, a grand would do it. Dont be put off by the cost .... it will give you a much better handling bike. Well worth the money.

[Robert Taylor]

To be honest yes you could find a budget rear unit for slightly less than $1000 but budget almost invariably means budget perfprmance and budget compliance! Bear in mind that we have a very high ratio of bumpy roads here in the shaky isles that challenge suspension control and ride comfort much moreso than in first world economies ( Northern Europe, North America ) So in practice budget options are less ''successful '' than in countries with a higher ratio of well groomed and smooth roads.

The front end needs just as much help to bring it up to a decent level of control and performance, namely Race Tech emulators, being the original, best performing and most reliable. Combine that with linear wind springs appropriate to your personal stats and machining and modification of the damper rods. The front forks on these always were soggy and I remember thatVvividly from the first days I set eyes on an FJ1100 at Mitsui Yamaha in England, the then Yamaha distributors for the UK.

Send me a pm and Ill forward you a menu of options. Getting it done properly does cost but ''cheap is not best''!

Do ride that bike before you buy and make sure there is no inkling of it trying to ( especially ) drop out of gear in second. Do a second gear takeoff to load it. Plus all the normal things like worn carburetor metering needles and nozzles which are VERY expensive to replace. If it needs no choke to start from dead cold and / or if its lethargic to start when hot then it likely has worn carburetors.

[imdying]

Bear in mind that we have a very high ratio of bumpy roads here in the shaky isles

Damn right, here in Christchurch the roads are even bumpier than usual!

[Pussy]

Damn right, here in Christchurch the roads are even bumpier than usual!

.... AND shakier!

[imdying]

Didn't notice them when you were driving or riding, and they've basically stopped now.

[FROSTY:Me]

If the FJ has factory suspenders I'd say throw your money at the front end

[martybabe]

Excellent choice and you're quite right, the engine is good for 3 times that mileage if you look after it but the suspension will be very tired by now. I have known one unit fail due to the linkages having bugger all lubrication from new so beware any notchiness/stiffness from out back.

The Doc from the FJ owners club in GB is more knowledgeable than anyone on the planet for all things FJ and every kind of suspension mod and upgrade has been tried there over the years. If you're really serious about purchasing the mighty FJ1200, you should maybe join them fellas on line. A big shout out for Robert Taylor above too, the geezer knows his stuff.

Ground clearance can be an issue, especially fully loaded with a special friend and luggage, and tyre choice is a bit limited but other than that and a few short comings in the suspension dept, she'll serve you well for years, wish I still had one.

[admenk]

As Martybabe has said, FJ Owners club (UK) were a great fountain of knowldge for me when I lived there. Also do loads of parts as well, although with the shipping costs to NZ, that may be out. I'm sure there were suspension upgrades available in their parts list - have a look and see if they're online.

( Just looked, they are : http://www.fjclub.co.uk/page6.php - may give you some more info)

I took mine to Europe loads of times, 2 up with a full set of hard luggage, and I'm a fat sod of the biggest order, and had no problems. Did manage to set a pannier on fire once, but that's another story...

[FROSTY:Me]

Dang it --I THREW AWAY a 20000 mile old rear shock for an 94 FJ sorry dude

[Bytor]

Damn owner sold the bike before i could talk turkey with him - how rude!

Oh well back to the drawing board - CBR1000F or maybe a certain ZXR750 that someone is selling...