1984 Yamaha FJ1100

(Page 4 of 4)

September/October 2008
Story and photos by Robert Smith 
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Before the FJ, Gil owned two Japanese Superbikes from an earlier generation: a Yamaha XS1100 and a Honda CB900F. A near spill on the XS, caused by the bike’s huge torque and its short driveshaft, convinced Gil to replace it. “It was a pretty good handling bike,” he says, “but around town it was a real dog.” Gil was making a turn on city streets, and opened the throttle to accelerate. “The rear end jacked up and nearly ran me into oncoming traffic,” he says.

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What does Gil like best about the FJ1100? “The handling,” he says. “It holds the road so well. Once you’ve got it on the move, it handles like a dream. And if you do break traction with the back wheel pulling out of a turn, just close the throttle — it hooks up no problem and away you go.”

I took Gil’s FJ out on the street, and was immediately impressed by two things: how its weight seemed to be focused low down, making it easy to maneuver at low speeds; and how smooth the engine was. Gil also enjoys the FJ1100’s broad powerband and the “adrenaline rush” he gets every time he winds on the power. “It’s one hell of a strong bike,” he says. “Just twist the throttle and it pretty much explodes.”

Gil also reports that the anti-dive system on the front fork works well, preventing the front end from bottoming out under hard braking. And though he has heard reports of second-gear failures on some bikes, his own FJ has been faultless. The FJ is Gil’s only Japanese bike. He also owns a 1960 BSA Super Rocket and 1968 and 1970 Lightnings, a 1971 Norton Commando, a 1968 Triumph Bonneville, and a rare 1963 Matchless G12CSR.

Does he ever plan to sell the FJ? “One of my sons wanted to take it off me,” he says. “I said, ‘You can have one of my other bikes — you certainly can’t have that!’”  MC

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  • robbie 6/1/2009 9:19:56 AM

    I have owned a 1984 FJ1100 for the past 3 years and I plan on keeping it forever. It has been a great touring bike for me, easily knocking off 350 mile days without complaint. I have never had any mechanical problems,the bike starts first time every time. It is very quick off the line and travels at 100 miles an hour on the highway without a whimper! Best bike I have ever owned.

  • Arne Helge 3/15/2009 7:10:06 AM

    I turned 18 in -85, and thought the FJ11 was the most exciting superbike at the time. As I was a student, it was too expensive, but during the spring of -91 I bought a -85 model. The first year I didn`t do anything to it but ride, but during the next winter I turned it into at better functioning and looking bike. A new paint scheme in a shifting red/orange colour depending on the light, repaired the jumping 2. gear, Barnett clutch plates, Progressive Suspension front springs, White Bros rear damper. It transformed (big time) the "saggy" original suspension, and the bike had much better cornering clearance and a much sharper feel in the turns. The frame is strong, as I found out during a near high-side (in jeans) at 170 km/h because of a crappy Michelin touring tyre at the back... Got my pulse racing... Didn`t keep that tyre for long!
    When I bought the bike, I had already tried a GPZ900. When I got on the FJ, I instantly felt at home. It felt more compact and "little" (the kwacker was more of a stretch), and with lighter steering. Great torque to. Very comfortable, and I used it also for commuting in early spring and late autumn because of the nice fairing protection. This time of year the other "bikers" I met was mostly either other FJ riders or BMW riders (I live in Norway). The high mileage of second-hand FJ also prove the touring qualities of these bikes.
    I friend of mine had a Kawa GPZ1000RX at the time. It had better brakes and aerodynamics (when reaching 180 km/h, the RX simply shot away), but I think the FJ was a more forgiving and easy bike to ride. With little fuel in the tank and a heavy passenger, the FJ also pulled fun wheelies without using the cluch or jerking the handlebars.
    The later FJ12`s (from -89) is a better bike (brakes, 17-front wheel), but the design of the first model is more sporty and distinctive. A great bike, and its status as a classic will surely increase.

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