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Review of the 1986 Yamaha FJ 1200
My bought-new 1986 FJ 1200 Friend for 20 years.
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Love of my motorcycling life. Boy did I ever do it right when I chose this over a used superglide.
Review of the FJ 1200 submitted on 2007-06-18.
I bought this machine in 1986 from Steve MOlitor at Cycle Shed in Elkton md. I rode it home to Utica NY in a one-shot break in on I-95 and I 90. At ride;s end, I ate dinner, and went out for some more riding.
That is how comfy this scoot is.
Since I began riding it, this machine has never leaked a drop of oil (excpt when I tried to self medicate it by overfilling the oil. Then, who wouldn´t blow oil out all over my tire (rear)..wheee!
Never failed to start even in extremes when I cranked it up in 19 degree weather in Utica NY.
I rode it through January of 2007 as my only transportation. It handles well in pouring rain.with good tires, it doesn;t hootchy and koo on rainy blacktop (but paint stripes are a booger for even the best machines.)
I have loaded it heavily and found it held up well, with no adverse effects..didn;t even breate hard when loaded with a week;s camping gear for Salmon River-Pulaski NY..salmon run.
I did have a habit of catching my boot heel on the rider left peg when trying to get it off to put down at stops. Dropped it once like that.,,footpeg hit left foot toes..broke two.
The machine is beastly fast..but it whooshes rather than thunders or screams. You crank it and you whoosh away lllwithy a faint buzz accompanying.
The engine if properly tuned, is quiet. if it is properly oiled, the valve train isn;t noisy.
The transmission needs another gear as the engine seems to be buzzing a bit hard for speed achieved in top gear. Now they are making a 6 speed for the new ones. hooray.
I have not pounced on the anti-dive system to give it a good test, but it seems simple to adjust ..as is the ride comfort level. Put it up toward harder.
The mirrors absolutely stink. I am a big guy and I can barely see to the rear because of mirror design. And replacements are Dollars 89 apiece with a weak aftermarket field. Booooo~
Muffers are quiet Hooray. Lights are fine and then some.High beam makes it daytime.
Windshield..bought a windshield extension made of rubber to add some height and wind protection for mel It worked.
The original Bridgstone tires got lumpy on me pretty quickly and I ditched them for a pair of Metzlers a corresponding size. Wow Wow Wow.Wow.I could stand at a light with my feet up on the Metzlers.
I cured all the motorcycle;s seemingly terminal ills with those tires..Now, if I could only afford another set. They wore a but quickly for me.
One berry berry bad ding was the rusting out of the fuel tank at 18 years
No matter how one keeps filled up, or uses stabil..rust never sleeps,and two years ago we laid out 750 in repairs and freight to and from a place in Pennsy which rebuilt the tank..and did it well.
Yamaha, please line your tanks!!1
Your machines live a long time...but we need that.
I get 35 mpg. I use premium..but can get away with running reg or mid grade too.
Only now is the seat vinyl starting to crack in spots an I am mending with sealer glue.
Checking air pressure is not particularly easy...
FJ 1200 would have been great with bags like newer ones or aftermarkets.
Tank bra is absolutely necessary.
Took it to the timing association once..drag strip..riding as though I had to ride it home and that I had better not break it. It managed , with an easy don;t break the chain or cut a tire valve launch..and a 250 lb rider...a fine 11.19 at 118.80 mph .at ESTA. in Cicero NY. Yep..we made it home too.
Fastest attained speed like a nut was on Rt 26 between Vernon Center NY and Rt 5 at ´The Boat´ restaurant.
129 indicated. (in cow country with open gates..duh.)
The two=-up riding seems agreeable to most backseat passengers.
The repaint we did after the tankfix has everyone in awe..stock colors and pattern.
The styling is not dated. it looks modern without some of the extreme angulatiry of later issued scoots It has looks and speed.but I think that its; absolute reliability, stability and tractability of the frame and total package in the perimeter frame yeilds a confident air to the cycle and rider which makes me feel ready to ride in conditions in which I would not on others..I want to go riding..and will even commit what I once said was the dumbest act one could voluntarily commit..to start off riding into a rainstorm.
I couldnt have spent my money better if I had a panel of angel-advisors singing Hosanna to God on the Highest and He says ´Buy a Yama, Tommy´.
Now to get some good used tires so I can pass inspection.and sprocket and chain.
I really put er to the test last year.
and we both loved every minute of the symbiosis. Go buy one and enjoy a feeling of security in motion combined with eyeball flattening acceleration in reserve.
Tom
This review of the 1986 Yamaha FJ 1200
was submitted by: Thomas E Loughlin Jr.
This review of the 1986 Yamaha FJ 1200 was posted by a visitor on Bikez.com and does not necessarily reflect facts, truth or Bikez.com's opinions. Please report profane or otherwise inappropriate content by following this link. |
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