Back in the saddle 25 yrs later

[Johnnybad1]

My last bike was a Yamaha Seca 750 when I was 25 years old and a broke student. I rode that thing full time in Vancouver, rain or shine, night and day all year for 5 years. Grew up with a few dirt bikes also. During my riding days I rode other bikes also - like the FZ750, Sportster, KZ1000's etc.

I'm 50 now and just sick and tired of bike fever every spring - time to get back into riding again.

I'm looking for a little advice. I think I'd like to get into a Sports/Touring bike with a more upright riding position. I'll be out on the highway a lot. I've been looking at early 90's Katana 1100F, Kawi ZX11's and would like to find a Yamaha FJ1200 but they seem rare. I'm looking at older bikes due to budget around $4000.

What do you think....are those good choices? Not easy to get a test drive when looking at used bikes.

Take care,

John P.
Bragg Creek.

[BuzZz]

I have an FJ1200 and it does sound like the kind of bike you are looking for. I have not ridden any of the other's mentioned so I can't say for sure how they would be for you. I have ridden a GSXR1100 and can say that that motor ( basically the same as the Katana uses) would be a good choice. I suspect strongly that the Kat would be right even with the FJ for you, it has a more upright seating position and softer chassis than the GSXR.

The Kawi might be a little too aggressive for long-ride comfort, it might not be. That depends on your body and your personal preference.

Watch the bodywork on any FJ's you look at. It is made of the crappiest plastic they could find, and age makes it as brittle as Granny's hips. Second gear gets balky to engage and it can slip out of second on bikes that have been shifted hard too often (common to most bikes of that time period). Other than that, they are a good, dependable bike and you can ride them all day.

Good luck finding a bike.

[Big B]

I've also seen Triumph Sprint ST's and Honda VFR's in your price range, the Honda doesn't come with bags, but Givi makes a set for them, both are very reliable bikes. Throw a leg over a bunch and see what fits ya.

[Johnnybad1]

Hey thanks for the feedback. I found an 85 FJ1100 in the area with about 55,000 kms the asking is $1,900. Might be a good way to get back into the sport without spending a wack of cash at the outset. See how I like it and go from there. That's a 580 lb bike so should be pretty stable in the freeway in the high winds Calgary gets from time-to-time.

I always like standard bikes and saw the bike I'd really like to have with a bigger budget is the Kawasaki ZRX 1200R....

John P.
Bragg Creek, AB

[BuzZz]

The biggest problem I have with the FJ is it's weight, they are a heavy old sow of a bike. But for real world riding, the poundage is not really a problem. Even with all that bulk, a good crosswind will still push it around the lane. And when doesn't Alberta have a stiff wind blowing the wrong way, eh? lol. I've ticked off many miles leaned over at 20* fighting a dam crosswind....

And again, most bikes in that class and time period suffer from the same poundage problem.

I am a big fan of the ZRX, pretty cool bike. Lack of wind protection for long distance trips is my biggest issue with them, but I tend to travel at somewhat , ahem, elevated speed.... but don't tell the cops.

[redwing]

I'm a new rider and maybe should not have an opinion but I do. I looked at bikes for perhaps 6 months. One bike that caught my eye was a k1150. It had a complete record of maintanace. It also had all the fairing and all the bags. It probably weighed slightly less than 600 pounds. The bike I have weighs 500 pounds wet and more with me on it. I have ridden past 18 wheelers and mine didn't move. The boxer mortor has been around a long time and is rock solid. I like them. Buy what you want or you might regret it. If you settle for less it will be.