100 thousand today

Well, not exactly, but this is my first post since so I thought I'd indulge
in a little self promotion.

Been riding for 6 years.
First bike: 91 ZZR250, did 14,000+ km in two years
Second bike: 93 FJ1200, did 26,000+ km in 10 weeks around North America
Third bike: 99 ZX-6R, just hit 60,000 after 4 years of riding around
Australia, UK, Western Europe and Scandanavia.

Celebrated with Superbike School level 1 at Broadford and currently my bike
is spread throughout the house gettting it's first major service done by me.

Cheers,
Duncan.

 

Hi Duncan,

I'm interested in purchasing an FJ1200 in the near future, could you please
tell me a little about your experienced with this bike and what you liked
about it and what you didn't ? I'm especially interested in the fact that
you moved from a ZZR250 to an FJ1200, big jump .. !

Would you buy an FJ again ?

Matt

 

"Duncan" wrote

Congratulations. I've got 180,000 on my current bike, but it took me
nine years.

Theo

 

Probably not. I got the FJ because I knew it would be a bike that I would
only have for a short time and I wanted to try something a little different.
For what I used it for it was great, it was bought purely for a tour around
North America and it did the job pretty well.
It's a very comfortable bike, huge amounts of torque, plenty of room for
luggage and was great for impressing the rednecks and even got respect from
die-hard Harley riders.
Quality wise I wasn't that impressed, over the 26,000 km I had the fork
seals go, a frame bolt shear, a short in the electrical system and a few
things cracking from engine vibrations. I bought the bike at 20,000 km and
I don't think it had been looked after too well. These problems probably
aren't that unheard of but if I compare it to 60,000 flawless km on the ZX
it doesn't seem as good.
The jump to the FJ didn't seem too bad but getting back on the ZZR250 after
the trip made me laugh out loud. I couldn't believe how small and gutless
it was, I used to think it was pretty fast .
That motivated me to get the ZX-6R ASAP.
Funny thing is, the FJ and ZX have about the same 1/4 mile time and top
speed but they're worlds apart. Under full throttle the FJ would spin the
rear wheel and wiggle around in it's not so rigid frame whereas the ZX just
raises the front wheel and goes like a rocket.
There were times on my 20,000 km tour of Europe on the ZX where I would've
happily swapped it for the FJ for a while.

 

Thanks Duncan !

Nice comments there .. any other purchases on the horizon ?

 

What is your current bike, and did you buy it brand new?

 

Not that I can see. I'm fortunate in that I think my 6R is near pefect
I'm yet to see a bike that doesn't have a drawback in some department that
would make me want my 6R back.
I'd like a more powerful bike some day, I love the look of the new R1 but I
can't see myself enjoying touring on it or riding two-up all the time.

 

"Bobby" wrote

1994 Guzzi California, and yes. I bought all my Guzzis new, but bought
a used one for the wife (as well as a new one).

Theo