Your opinion please

**TheTractorman** · 11th February 2007, 21:56

Thinking of buying a "classic" jap tourer,have been offered a 1984 FJ1100 in really good order around 70km original kms.I'm after a good weekend ride but would prefer an older style machine,have always and still am an early Trumpy rider but would like a change.As the title says I'd appreciate your opinion of these machines and any pitfalls you may know of.Thanks in advance.

**avgas** · 11th February 2007, 22:02

good bike but i wouldn't call it classic. thats usually defined as a bike that would be faster without fairings. z1 cb7 etc

**TheTractorman** · 11th February 2007, 22:06

Fair comment.I didn't really know how to classify the thing.So you'd recommend them as a bike?

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 11th February 2007, 22:08

Originally Posted by TheTractorman

Fair comment.I didn't really know how to classify the thing.So you'd recommend them as a bike?

The FJ is a good realible solid Sports/Tourer (more Tourer now than sports but in its day)

**avgas** · 11th February 2007, 22:18

FJ11 was a fantastic bike, but how much coin do you have to spends as modern sport tourers are not super expensive either.
FJ11 wasnt really my style, was not really a fan of the 90's 1L+ bikes. too much weight for my liking.
FZ750/FJ1100 were different sides of the coin with the sport/tourer 90's yammy range. More sport with the FZ more tourer with the FJ.

**T.W.R** · 11th February 2007, 22:49

Had a 85 FJ11 for a short period of time, parted company due to a major altercation with a MkIII Cortina

As a mile eater they set a benchmark for others to follow

originally marketed as a sportstourer but they aren't that agile, weight & 16in wheels didn't help.
Robust lazy motor with mountains of torque, thirsty on fuel though but a large tank gives them a respectable range and they can be loaded up with heaps of gear & pillion and it doesn't make any difference to them.

**Mort** · 11th February 2007, 23:29

16 inch front wheel may mean decent tyres are hard to find if you want sticky ones

**MaxB** · 12th February 2007, 00:27

Years ago a mate lent me his 1100 while on his OE. After that I went out and got an FJ1200 and put about 80000ks on it.

Good points: unbursatble motor. muscled up mid range, all day comfort, high mileages possible, good 2 up, good for luggage.

Bad points: anti-dive brakes that didn't work, soft front suspension, screen too low, 16 inch wheels causing flop into corners, weight.

Ping me off list if you want to know the details.

Oh and in its day it was considered a sports bike. I remember a Yank magazine got a genuine 150mph and 10.8s 1/4mile on a test of the 1100. They used drag racer Pee Wee Gleason as the tester. But nowdays its just another sport tourer.

Hope this helps

**montsta56** · 12th February 2007, 16:30

Mate Have ya thought about a ZZR, I dont reckon you can go to far wrong with a ZZR1100, There fairly cheaps these day's an mine's been bulletproof, Farkin quick as well as

**paturoa** · 12th February 2007, 18:26

Originally Posted by TheTractorman

....but would prefer an older style machine.....

how about an 81 GS1000s - check out my signature link

**TheTractorman** · 13th February 2007, 20:24

Thanks for the offer,the FJ still has my eye tho.

**Bonez** · 15th February 2007, 17:48

Originally Posted by TheTractorman

Thanks for the offer,the FJ still has my eye tho.

Should be a good bike. Farely unbustable, there was an issue with some regarding counter shaft bearings IIRC. As mentioned it has a 16 inch front wheel but any decent bike shop can get tyres for them. Tis a "classic" in it's own right too

. Continued the mile crunching tradition of it's daddy the XS1100. But wasn't shafted as it were, pity really.

**batesclan** · 19th June 2008, 16:47

I'm on my second one.

Good riding position for me (6ft) so can do the distance.

Heard them called iron guts and jelly legs. Plenty of grunt for touring but let down a bit in the twisties with handling, weight and brakes.

Mines moded now so stops and goes round corners. Have owned an FJ for 17 yrs and will keep it for a while yet.

If what your after is something to for touring its ideal, stick it in 5th on the open road and leave it there. Round town has a tendancy to overheat a bit due to air cooled motor. Only really noticed it on Auckland motorways, fixed that by moving to the Bay.