The FJ model started life as a 1100 in 1984 and has evolved over the years into the 1200 from 86. It then came with ABS as an option, though to 93 though they were still being imported and sold new up to 96 I've had two FJ1200 a 3CV type and a 3XW7 type. The one I have was the last in line bought new in 96.

As it has evolved, it has been called; a high performance sports/tourer, then a sports/tourer then a tourer, says something about bike development.

It has a bullet-proof inline 4 with 16 valves DOCS producing 125HP and a huge amount of torque. Five speed box and chain drive. With a low centre of gravity and a very comfortable riding position it makes for a great touring bike. My wife Jane (who rides a Virago 535) reckons the passenger seat and position is great. She has slept across France on the back of it once, coming back from the Le Mans 24 hour. I have GIVI luggage on mine with the possibility of mounting 3 x 45 litre boxes on the back. Loaded this buggers up the handling no end with tank slappers starting during braking at about 40 MPH cured by leaning over the tank with the misses leaning over me. But with the boxes on Jane sits in armchair comfort .

Things I've done to it:

• Added the Givi Luggage.  
• Added a Scotoiler, which I now know to be essential to this bike.  
• In the useless cubby-hole on the left side I've put an inline cigar lighter socket on a coily wire with fuse to the battery. This takes an extension lead to the tent for: Light, Phone Charger, Camcorder Charger etc. It's also an easy way to charge the battery without removing the seat.  
• The single headight will not match the speed of the bike and a 100/80 watt bulb would be the ideal replacement if it wasn't naughty to do so. The bike's electric's have no problem with this mod, allegedly.  
• I've put beepers on the indicators (I know it's sad but I have been known to leave them on.)  
• Ground the end stop down a tad on the side stand so that it has less tendency to roll forward off of the thing.  
• Fitted the trick, flip up screen that came as an option.

Things I'm going to do to it:

• Fit a touring reservoir to the Scotoiler. (Again Scotoilers are essential to this bike.)  
• If I can find a space fit some Maseratti air horns I've got knocking about.  
• Build up a unit to cycle the ABS via its' test socket every time I start the bike. This helps the ABS from sticking through lack of use (if you are not heavy on the brakes that is).  
• When the chain and sprockets wear out, fit a smaller 38T rear sprocket to lower the revs at cruise speeds. (But with a Scotoiler, 30K miles a chain and sprockets is not unusual, it beats the 6 - 7K miles without.)

Things to know if you get one:

If it's an ABS change the brake fluid every year. Brake fluid absorbs water and the inner workings of the ABS stick with minute rust areas on the steel valves. If this happens Yamaha want £1300 plus vat for a replacement. The only recommended repair to the ABS is done (not with Yamaha's blessing) by the FJ owners club. This alone makes it worth while joining, plus there are lots of other reasons like good prices on spares and consumables. Good advice to be had and lots more. (See UKRMC FAQ for details about them.)

If you are capable of dealing with high tolerance hydraulic units, there are detail where you can source the O-rings etc for a rebuild in the FAQ too. But be it at your own risk and it's not for the faint hearted. If you want to test out the ABS on a FJ1200 with out the resorting to getting up to 30 mph, slamming the brakes on and seeing if you can throw it down the road. Or you haven't access to Yamaha's expensive piece of ABS test equipment try this, at your own risk:

Locate the 4 pin test socket behind the right hand side panel. Take out the blanking plug. Looking at the socket, short with a paper-clip the two pins nearest to the sockets retaining clip. While apply front and back brakes together, turn on the ignition. The ABS will go through its' own test sequence and you will feel the front and the rear brakes pump up and down. This over, turn off the ignition and remove the paper clip. You will need a good battery to do this, the ABS draws AMPS!

If you are looking for new exhaust bits the down pipes and collector box are the same for all the models, only the silencers differ in detail.

Things I like about it:

• An engine with so much torque and power.  
• Low centre of gravity.  
• Very comfortable seat and riding position for rider and pillion.  
• A very, very capable touring bike.

Short tale:
On the way to the Mediterranean, loaded up with all the GIVI luggage and a tent, for a week end at the Bol d'Or with my brother in law Chip, it was my turn on the back. We were swapping over each fuel stop. I'd nodded off and was woken up by the toes of my right foot hitting the road. My eyes opened slightly to realise we were leaning over quite hard. Thinks to self, we must have left the Motorways and be on the mountain roads, our planned route. Open eyes wider, no, we were still on the Motorway. Ease up to look over Chips shoulder and before my Arai took control of where my head was pointing realised the speedo was around the 145 mph mark. So I sat down and went back to sleep. Apparently some French bikers had gone past and he was catching them up.

Things I don't like:

• It needs two head lights for night time (this can be overcome, see above!)  
• It needs a louder horn.  
• It needs 6 gears (the smaller rear sprocket will help.)  
• It needed a shaft drive (Scotoiler solves most of this problem.)  
• Two up with luggage it is very easy to grind the centre stand down on bends.