I bought this 1988 FJ1200 3CV as my first bike after doing my DAS in March 2006. It has a very good owners club http://www.fjclub.co.uk and you can get just about all the parts through them at good prices and also find loads on Ebay!
On to the bike. Mine was tired when I bought it so I did the follwoing. Fitted an uprated clutch which took some 45 minutes, braided clutch cable, new clutch slave seals, braided brake lines and I've fitted R1 Calipers to front brakes. Heated grips and a flip screen for longer trips or cold weather. Avon Azaro ST's front and rear. K&N airfilter fitted as well.
The bike pulls like a train, goes very well, way quicker than I really need. I am using it as a commuter and it is returning 35mpg on my ride into London on a 36mile round trip. When I head out onto motorways, this climbs to 45mpg and at decent speeds as well. It is stable, comfortable, easy to maintain (I've given it 4 oil changes in some 4500 miles of riding). Quick enough to leave quite a few modern 600's and surprise a few litre sports bikes.
Not overly expensive to insure considering it is my first "big" bike and I've not got any "no claims" at the moment. Ebike costs me £280. I got a futher 10% off as I've done a BikeSafe day.
I can only recommend the FJ1200 as being a superb bike to start on. Gives you a taste of real power without being too overwhelming.
Yeehaaarrrrr, I have returned to biking after a 24 year gap, I read all the tests and decided on a fudge (FJ1200 3cv), as I am a lazy rider who does not like cog swapping. The FJ is awesome, it is 16 years old, pulls better than any train and with the Givi gear (wingrack, E52+2xE45's), R1 calipers, CBR 1000 mirrors, scottoiler+reservoir, it is just about perfect. I ride a lot of miles with my mate (doofus), he has a ZX9, and yes , he can out brake/corner/wheelie me, whenever he wants, but!!!!, in the real world, when we go out for a ride, he can not stay with me rolling on the power, he has to swap gears to stay in his power band, he is knackered after 100 miles (we all went on a 100 mile ride on Sunday, at the car park he was soaked in sweat, I was a bit warm, the GTR 1000 guys were a little warmer, the 2 BMW GS1150 decided we were going too fast and went home), he has to fill up after 140 miles, I go onto reserve at 160, with 1.8 gallons left, generally I stay in 5th most of the time and just use the torque, Doofus will pass me and indicate a stop, well before I need to, as his arms/back start to ache. Doofus is 25 I am 42. I love the FJ.
Well, what can a man say about bliss. My 86 FJ 1200 [red & white] is as many have said in this review. . . .one of the best investments of the motorcycling world. I've been riding motorcycles since the age of 4 [now 42] and this must be the best all rounder. One can scratch around mountain passes, cruise at 265 km/h [tested on a gatsometer], tour 1000km at a time or just sit and admire it from a distance. Parts are becoming pretty scarce, rear suspension needs upgrade to perform with the newer bikes, fuel consumtion is very good 16,4km/L @ 140km/h_[2 up], oil consumtion higher than normal in my opinion especially after high speed running through passes [although no smoke emissions], decent tyres scarce due to 16" rear rim. Overall the bike is a dream. Looking to add a FZ1[Fazer] to the fleet in the new year, but will be an addition and NOT a replacement. Any other riders from South Africa [Mossel Bay] wanna bond. . . .gimme a shout.
This is my 3rd review (last one 2 Jan 2003)I just can't get enough of this machine!This year done France,Spain and Portugal (4000 miles)with the FJ club,My 1989 2cv did not miss a beat in all those miles and we did't hang about I can tell you.If you get the chance get your FJ to Spain fantastic wide sweepy roads no cops (well very few)and definitely no Gatsos.So what you waiting for?Those roads were built for FJs
Have had my FJ1200A from new, 1993 and in the first 4 years did about 40,000 miles. I still have it now but don't get to ride it much. Best memory is a trip from Bilbao (Spain) to Barcelona. Taking it easy 2 up, slow speeds and fast. The bike was a dream, full luggage, tank bag, 2 up 120mph easy nearly all day. The bike was stolen a few weeks ago but they only got about 50m....ther is a real nack to stating my FJ and if you haven't got it-you wont start it.
Great Big bike that hauls while touring. I am looking for matching bags for 1993 Blue Silver FJ 1200. I have seen some in pictures of Euro FJs. Who knows where I can get touring bags. Regards, HK [Log in to view email]
See my previous review 24 August 2001 Done 9 countries in Europe this year but only covered 2500 miles this time. Got a taste of all that wet stuff in Germany,Switzerland and Italy and I mean wet!(Remember the floods in August?) But the FJ1200 2CV 2 up with full luggage didn't miss a beat, Even rode through snow in Switzerland in bloody august (Thank god for them long tunnels)Still had a big grin on my boat race when I got home [Log in to view email]
I've had my 3CV for over 8 years. Best 'real world' bike ever made. coming up to 60,000miles, never missed a beat. have braided brake hoses and R1 front calipers, Motad Neta, pro-springs, FJOC serviced. only problem - what can replace it when it gets to 200,000miles?
i got my 1987 fj1200 just a couple of months ago,hav'nt stoped smileing since,living in the south of spain makes for plenty of good weather touring,only gripe is very expensive insurance and can only get 3rd party,only gripe with the bike is the tacho don't work and there is not enough hours in the day to ride it.easy to handle,mases of grunt,a damn good m/c.best 2000 euros (£1200)i ever spent.
Bought my 92 FJ1200ABS 2 years ago for £2000 .Done France and Germany 2 up no probs at all.I use this workhorse everyday if I can ,fast 150mph and just as happy arround town.Best and most useful bike I have owned in 20 years of motorcyling.Fitted a larger screen ,rear PFM disc ,upgraded springs ,wingrack and luggage and best of all 4-2 Viper race cans.Great fun to watch the sparrows fall out the trees in the morning when I start the bike.Cheap exhaust ,fits easy ,looks and sounds terrific . Paid £2000 for the FJ ,I do arround 25,000mls a year and appart from consummables ,never let me down.
Well I have owned my FJ for over three years and have covered about 13k miles (not a lot compared to some I know) and in that time it has never let me down. I love the torque when you wind it on in 3rd it flys and is quicker in top gear roll ons at speeds between 30 and 80 than almost anything else on the road. The fairing is great although the flip top screen I have fitted deflects the wind onto my lid. Handling on the Bridgestone Battleaxs is fine for a bike of its age and weight (although you rarely notice the weight as it is quite low down making the bike easy to manouvere). I have done 300 miles (with only a short fuel stop) with no discomfort and most passengers seem to think it is very comfortable. It does use the fuel a bit at 40 round town dropping to nearer 30 when you thrash it. But what other bike is as good for the money these days after all it does 150mph stndg quart 11.00 and has an excellent UK FJ Owners Club. So there you go my opinion of my FJ Nige
I have owned my FJ1200 FOR 6 months had a tour round the lakes in november( bloody freezing! )But pulls like a train and didnt miss a beat.Parts are easy ( and cheap ) to come by if you are a member of the FJOC and you can get all your servicing done by Doc who knows everything about the FJ. I have had no problems so far and planning a tour to Czechoslovakia in august with my partner on the FJ.I also have a CBX750 which will out perform the FJ on the twisties , but for long distance riding the FJ wins hands down! Summary: It is heavy on fuel compared to the CBX ( but it is a lot heavier and also 450cc bigger ) I have also owned a BMW R100RT ,the only way I can compare it to the FJ is its a lot smoother and has bags more torque. Mods: I have had a stainless collector box fitted ( £150.00 FJOC )Givvi Panniers( for the Czech trip)and an engine service ( FJOC ) All in all I am very happy with the machine and plan to spend some wonderful summer days riding my purchase.
FAST, VERY FAST THE ENGINE WILL OUTLAST THE BIKE. RIDE MINE ON MEZ2 GREAT PERFORMANCE. ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT IT SEAM TO EAT BELLY PANS ANY ONE GOT A SPARE ONE
My FJ1200 is currently being rebuilt purely for cosmetic reasons. It is a great workhorse and can be riden hard for hours without any problems for rider or machine. A very useful Owners Club exists Tel: 01454 299325.
Pulls like a train from anywhere in the revs. Is big and comfortable and fun to ride. Not a particularly good tourer though, as fast runs "drink the petrol" requiring stops every 120 miles. My BMW K100RS can cruise at the same speed, is just as fast and comfortable, but does 200 miles between fill ups.
this bike pulls like a tug and will fly if you klet it rev past 6500.it has the comfort and ability to do very long distance.its simple to repair and cheap to insure (group 8) 150+mph what more can you want.i love it
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
Performance
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USA wisconsin 87 FJ1200 red/white. I recently rebuilt my entire suspension and outfitted with new motad exhaust. I've owned her since 3000 miles and I almost sold her last spring..Now I own 2 yamahas kept her realizing the great value in a sport tourer. Timeless design I definitely agree. I went throught the whole bike from dash to kickstand. Ill keep it as long as they make parts for it. Great torque, ride and looks. Reccommend a progressive rear shock and front fork springs. New motad 4 into 2 stainless pipes are a great addition. What more can I say long live the FJ much loved. I only wish it was fuel injected..but mikunis are fine.
Owned for more than 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed October 2003.
Performance
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FJ1100 The bike I always wanted! why did I wait so long!! comfort,speed,goodlooks a plesure to ride. After a six year break from bike ownership the FJ has put a big smile on my face.Brought cheap as a stopgap to a honda VFR,The VFR may be put back for sometime... a long time!
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