mhiscox
Expedition Leader
This isn't the sort of thing that usually shows up here, but I always try to give the ExPo inmates first chance at all my stuff. It'll go on Craigslist and the other usual suspects in a few days.
Anyway . . . I bought this bike a few months ago and originally planned to use it as a parts supply to keep my much-loved FJ1200 sidecar rig in top condition for the long-term future. But after getting it home and checking it out on a few rides, this bike has turned out to be in much too good condition to dismantle with a clear conscience without first checking to see if someone else wants it.
This bike is in very good cosmetic and mechanical condition, and is downright excellent for its age. It's currently titled, licensed and registered, and it runs very strong, just like it should. This Yamaha is unusual in having no dings, dents, cuts, tears, etc. and the fairing quality, even the chin fairing, is much better than usual. The flaws are mostly all scuffs and rubs, places where the paint has been worn by friction; these would be pretty easy to fix if you were looking toward restoration, As is, though, this is an extremely well-thought-of sport tourer that would make a fine multipurpose everyday ride that can also cover some distance.
Here are a few more points that might interest a potential buyer.
-- The bike has 38,200 miles on it and, sadly, I can't tell you about any of the first 37,000 or so. The mechanical condition of the bike suggests that it received good maintenance and occasional replacement parts; the suspension, for example, seems better than it would be if it hadn't had any attention for twenty-two years.
-- Except for the wear items, everything on the bike is, as best I know (and this is my 4th FJ), stock, with the exception of the tinted Lockhart-Phillips windscreen. If originality is important, the buyer can have the well-worn stock screen off of my sidecar rig and I'll put this tinted screen on it.
-- The bike looks pretty much black in the pictures, and does look black many times. It is, however, a very deep blue metallic, and when there's light on it, it's a pretty sparkly dark blue.
-- The stock tool kit looks complete and is provided, but I did not receive the owner's manual from the previous owner.
-- The bike has Michelin Macadam 50 tires front and rear. They're in decent shape, but it's unknown how many miles they have on them. The Macadam is a pretty well-regard tire (4.5 stars from Motorcycle Superstore reviews) that is best known for being a good handling very high mileage tire; seems like most people get upwards of 10K miles.
-- Fuel economy, I recall from my others, is generally around 40 mpg, so you're looking at an easy 200 mile range from the 5.8 gallon tank.
-- Nice low (old school) pipes make it easy to mount saddlebags (hard or soft are available) and the flat metal tank top is excellent for tank bags.
I feel I got a very good deal from the previous owner when I got this, and since that time have spent a little money on a new maintenance-free battery and the Oregon license which is good for nearly two more years. I'd like to sell this for a FIRM PRICE OF $1,900; at that price it seems an excellent deal and I still get most of my money back. It's in Portland, Oregon, ready to go.
If you're not familiar (too young, maybe
) with the FJs, you should search on the internet for some of the information about this well-loved motorcycle. The FJ1200 is considerably lighter and more nimble than any true touring bike while being nearly as capable. Wind/weather protection is quite good and the seat is cushy for most with room to move around. And while it's no R1 or ZX, it handles well and, with 130 horsepower, it can go faster than you need to go. All in all, an excellent compromise, especially as it is nimble enough to serve as an all-weather daily driver for those who might need one. The closest modern equivalent in size, power and concept is probably Suzuki's Bandit S.
A number of additional pictures of this bike are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/mhiscox01/DarkBlue89YamahaFJ1200
and you can get a quick overview of the bike and its specifications here:
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_fj_1200_1989.php
and there's also an active FJ Owner's Club here:
http://www.fjowners.com
If you go to the FJ Owners site, check the Bikes for Sale section to see how this asking price compares with others that are available. (Hint: It's pretty cheap.)
I'll leave this bike for sale for a few weeks, and if it doesn't sell, I'll store it and go back to the idea of keeping it for parts backup. But since it's in such good shape and completely ready to go, it'd be nice if it went to a good new home. PM me if you have any interest.
Thanks,
Mike
Anyway . . . I bought this bike a few months ago and originally planned to use it as a parts supply to keep my much-loved FJ1200 sidecar rig in top condition for the long-term future. But after getting it home and checking it out on a few rides, this bike has turned out to be in much too good condition to dismantle with a clear conscience without first checking to see if someone else wants it.
This bike is in very good cosmetic and mechanical condition, and is downright excellent for its age. It's currently titled, licensed and registered, and it runs very strong, just like it should. This Yamaha is unusual in having no dings, dents, cuts, tears, etc. and the fairing quality, even the chin fairing, is much better than usual. The flaws are mostly all scuffs and rubs, places where the paint has been worn by friction; these would be pretty easy to fix if you were looking toward restoration, As is, though, this is an extremely well-thought-of sport tourer that would make a fine multipurpose everyday ride that can also cover some distance.
Here are a few more points that might interest a potential buyer.
-- The bike has 38,200 miles on it and, sadly, I can't tell you about any of the first 37,000 or so. The mechanical condition of the bike suggests that it received good maintenance and occasional replacement parts; the suspension, for example, seems better than it would be if it hadn't had any attention for twenty-two years.
-- Except for the wear items, everything on the bike is, as best I know (and this is my 4th FJ), stock, with the exception of the tinted Lockhart-Phillips windscreen. If originality is important, the buyer can have the well-worn stock screen off of my sidecar rig and I'll put this tinted screen on it.
-- The bike looks pretty much black in the pictures, and does look black many times. It is, however, a very deep blue metallic, and when there's light on it, it's a pretty sparkly dark blue.
-- The stock tool kit looks complete and is provided, but I did not receive the owner's manual from the previous owner.
-- The bike has Michelin Macadam 50 tires front and rear. They're in decent shape, but it's unknown how many miles they have on them. The Macadam is a pretty well-regard tire (4.5 stars from Motorcycle Superstore reviews) that is best known for being a good handling very high mileage tire; seems like most people get upwards of 10K miles.
-- Fuel economy, I recall from my others, is generally around 40 mpg, so you're looking at an easy 200 mile range from the 5.8 gallon tank.
-- Nice low (old school) pipes make it easy to mount saddlebags (hard or soft are available) and the flat metal tank top is excellent for tank bags.
I feel I got a very good deal from the previous owner when I got this, and since that time have spent a little money on a new maintenance-free battery and the Oregon license which is good for nearly two more years. I'd like to sell this for a FIRM PRICE OF $1,900; at that price it seems an excellent deal and I still get most of my money back. It's in Portland, Oregon, ready to go.
If you're not familiar (too young, maybe
) with the FJs, you should search on the internet for some of the information about this well-loved motorcycle. The FJ1200 is considerably lighter and more nimble than any true touring bike while being nearly as capable. Wind/weather protection is quite good and the seat is cushy for most with room to move around. And while it's no R1 or ZX, it handles well and, with 130 horsepower, it can go faster than you need to go. All in all, an excellent compromise, especially as it is nimble enough to serve as an all-weather daily driver for those who might need one. The closest modern equivalent in size, power and concept is probably Suzuki's Bandit S.A number of additional pictures of this bike are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/mhiscox01/DarkBlue89YamahaFJ1200
and you can get a quick overview of the bike and its specifications here:
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_fj_1200_1989.php
and there's also an active FJ Owner's Club here:
http://www.fjowners.com
If you go to the FJ Owners site, check the Bikes for Sale section to see how this asking price compares with others that are available. (Hint: It's pretty cheap.)
I'll leave this bike for sale for a few weeks, and if it doesn't sell, I'll store it and go back to the idea of keeping it for parts backup. But since it's in such good shape and completely ready to go, it'd be nice if it went to a good new home. PM me if you have any interest.
Thanks,
Mike
