The Yamaha FJ1200 is a
sport touring motorcycle produced by the Yamaha
Motor Corporation between 1986 and 1996.
Development - FJ1100
Yamaha released the predecessor to the FJ1200,
the FJ1100, in 1984. The bike was popular,
and competed well against others in the "sport-touring"
class of motorcycles. This class is characterised
by retaining sportiness while integrating
more street-friendly riding characteristics,
including good manoeuvrability as well as
long distance comfort, such as a more upright
seating configuration designed to reduce back
strain and a large fairing to reduce fatigue
from wind resistance. Emphasis is placed on
a balance of utility and sport, rather than
pure performance orientation. The machine
was noticeably narrower than many contemporaries,
Yamaha achieved this by placing the alternator
behind the cylinders instead of the more normal
position on the end of the crankshaft.
FJ1200
In 1986, the decision was made by Yamaha
to boost the performance of the FJ1100 by
increasing cubic capacity and adding upgraded
suspension and other components. The result
was the FJ1200. Produced in three main successive
versions (1TX, 3CV and 3XW) each updated version
benefited from improvements to bodywork, front
and rear suspension components, and the addition
of an optional ABS-equipped version (FJ1200A)
from 1991 until 1996, when Yamaha discontinued
the FJ1200 in the United Kingdom. The model
was discontinued in the United States in 1993.
Market competitors during its production years
included the BMW K100RS, Suzuki's 1100 Katana
and Kawasaki's ZX-10.
Engine
The FJ1200 uses a four cylinder in-line layout
and is air cooled. Sixteen valves are operated
by a chain driven double overhead camshaft,
valve clearances are adjusted using shims.
The four constant velocity carburettors are
mounted in a bank behind the cylinders and
feed each cylinder through short intake manifolds.
Four exhaust downpipes join a box below the
engine where the gases are split to exit through
two silencers. The crankshaft is geared directly
to the clutch, no counter balancer shaft is
used. Starting is by electric starter only.
Lubrication is wet sump using a trochoid pump,
an oil radiator assists with cooling. Both
the FJ1100 and FJ1200 were fitted with an
additional fuel vapour recovery system to
comply with California emission regulations.
Transmission
The FJ1200 uses a five speed sequential close
ratio gearbox, the gear shafts are only removable
by splitting the crankcases. The clutch is
of the wet, multiple-disc diaphagm spring
type and is hydraulically operated. Final
drive is by O-ring chain and sprockets. A
safety feature of the FJ1200 is that the engine
ignition is cut if first gear is selected
with the sidestand down, this is commonplace
on modern motorcycles.
Chassis
The frame of the FJ1200 is manufactured from
mild steel box-section and uses a perimeter
layout, the fairing and upper rear section
use separate cylindrical tubing sub-frames.
The rear shock absorber is placed vertically
behind the engine and connects to an extruded
aluminium alloy swinging arm via several forged
aluminium rocker arms. The 17" front wheel
is held between 41mm spring and oil damped
forks. The FJ1100 and early FJ1200 models
featured adjustable anti-dive units and a
smaller diameter 16" wheel. The FJ1100 and
early FJ1200 used twin ventilated disc brakes
for the front wheel with a single ventilated
disc at the rear. FJ1200 models, 3CV &
3XW, used solid front discs but retained the
rear ventilated disc, front brake calipers
were upgraded to a four piston design. An
Anti-lock braking system was used on the FJ1200A.
A full fairing protects the rider, varying
height windscreens were available as options.
Electrical system
The FJ1200 features a standard 12 volt electrical
system. The alternator and starter motor are
mounted behind the cylinders. Yamaha's self
cancelling indicator unit is used and a variable
resistance gauging system is used to monitor
engine oil contents with associated warning
lights. A large fuel gauge is provided as
is a low level warning light. Nippondenso
Transistor Controlled Ignition (TCI) is used
in conjunction with two coils. The FJ1200
fuel reserve system is unusual in that when
the fuel level reaches approximately 5 litres
remaining ignition is cut to two cylinders
giving the impression that the vehicle is
running out of fuel, a reserve switch mounted
in the fairing restores the cut cylinders
allowing the rider to continue normally.
Riding impressions
The FJ1200 is outdated by today's technological
standards, but still has merit in several
areas, especially in terms of handling and
ride comfort. The engine is a reliable and
efficient workhorse geared to provide ample
torque even low in the RPM range. The top
speed on a standard bike is around 155mph,
but its virtues shine in the 80 to 90mph range,
where a light twist of the throttle can propel
the rider past other traffic without changing
gear. The rider and passenger are treated
well by a wide and comfortable seat, and the
frame and rider positioning are suited even
to tall riders. Because of the long production
run of this model, with relatively few changes,
parts are readily available and owner groups
are numerous.
Specifications (FJ1100/FJ1200)
|
FJ1100 |
FJ1200 |
Engine |
1097cc (66.94cid),
4-stroke, four-cylinder, air-cooled,
in-line |
1188cc (72.49cid),
4-stroke, four-cylinder, air-cooled,
in-line |
Power |
125.00 HP (91.2
kW)) @ 9000 RPM |
130.00 HP (94.9
kW)) @ 9000 RPM |
Bore Stroke |
74 x 63.8 mm |
77 x 63.8 mm |
Compression Ratio |
9.5:1 |
9.7:1 |
Fuel System |
Mikuni BS36 36mm
carburettor x 4 |
Mikuni BS36 36mm
carburettor x 4 |
Fuel Tank Capacity |
24.5 L (6.5 US
gal, 5.4 Imp gal) |
22 L (5.81 US
gal, 4.8 Imp gal) |
Lubrication |
Wet
sump |
Ignition |
TCI
(Digital) |
Transmission |
5-speed,
constant mesh |
Final Drive |
Chain |
Overall Length |
2230 mm (87.8 in) |
2235 mm (88 in) |
Overall Width |
730 mm (28.7 in) |
775 mm (30.5 in) |
Overall Height |
1230 mm (48.4 in) |
1245 mm (49 in) |
Seat Height |
780 mm (30.7 in) |
790 mm (31.1 in) |
Ground Clearance |
140 mm
(5.5 in) |
Wheelbase |
1490 mm (58.7 in) |
1495 mm (58.9 in) |
Weight incl. oil,
gas, etc |
261.0 kg (575.4
pounds) |
259.0 kg (571.0
pounds) |
Suspension Front |
Telescopic, coil
spring, adjustable spring preload,
brake linked anti-dive system |
Telescopic, coil
spring, adjustable spring preload,
adjustable rebound damping |
Suspension Rear |
Link-type, gas/oil
damped, |
Link-type, gas/oil
damped, 8-way adjustable spring preload,
12-way adjustable rebound damping |
Brakes Front |
Dual
hydraulic disc |
Brakes Rear |
Single
hydraulic disc |
Tires Front |
120/80-VR16
through '87 120/70-VR17 '88 on |
Tires Rear |
150/80-VR16 |
|
