1986 Yamaha reviews

Radical looking even after 15 years this bike kicks butt. It is completely reliable only requiring an occasional valve-adjustment every 25,000 miles. Mine (a full 750 in Canada) does the quarter in 11.58 at 116 mph, tops out at 140 mph prone, has real good brakes, is very nimble with it's 16" front wheel, being naked it is a little wobbly at ultra high speed but nothing that can't be managed. It's almost as quick as a VMax, whose style it emulates, and much quicker on a winding road. It wheelies real well, can burn-out like a dragster, is low to the ground but has reasonable ground clearance, it has a short reach to the bars which make it seem even smaller than it is. I've had over 35 bikes of all kinds, this one is the best and most versatile. Manny Show less

This must be the most underrated bike of the eighties. I bought it for 7500 guilders, not knowing what it was. The slightly detuned 20-valve (!!!) genesis-block has loads of torque. I never lose a traffic light GP and I take on everything, from Ninja's, CBR's to V-Max's. The combination of power and great handling makes it an ideal bike for in the city. With a top speed of about 220 kmh it will also do fine on the highway. Show less

I've only had this bike for five year's. I got it in trade for a truck worth about $1,500. I ride it as much as possible, mostly to work and back. It has about 54,000 miles on it but doesn't seem to mind. I often rode with a guy who had a "98" Buell (that's 12 years technology and 500cc advantage) he was always wanting to remove a few plug wires from my bike, stating "that's the only way he would be able to keep up." My point is that this is an all around good bike, daily driver, very fast and works well within a budget. Show less

This is the coolest cruiser out there. Different looks, great performance, easy to work on (you should not have to), and dependable as my faithful dogs. Lotsa factory chrome and the gold accents set it apart from the new age nostalgia bikes and it weighs a lot less. It will rev easily to 7 grand, how many other v-twin cruisers can do that and it stops as well as it goes. My only complaint is that it kinda short geared for running at 70 plus, but that is ok, just find the slower backroads and see little towns that pepper the landscape. Show less

My 1986 Phazer is so fast I can barely hold on to it! It"ll do every bit of the speedo. Show less

I bought the bike second handed, I figured I would keep it until July and then sell it and make a buck or two. Well it dropped a cylinder so I went with the rebuild, bored out to an 1188cc. Stage 3 K&N jet kit with filters, ape pressure plate, Vance & Hines header and exhaust, wow !!!!!!!!! The bike won fastest street bike in 1985 I know why. I decided to take the bike to the street bike nationals after 5 runs my best time was 11:16@131mph. I took this same bike around Lake Erie in 3 days awesome no discomfort at all. The bike is now up for sale, I have over 3700.00 invested and asking 3500.00 or best so if you are interested please contact me, this is an awesome bike, the best all arounder you can find.440-985-3853 ask for Gary p.s. I only have 9000 miles on the complete rebuild, new pistons, head, ECT...NO SHORT CUTS TAKEN,THANK YOU GARY HANES Show less

After spending years chasing the "latest and greatest" (the most recent were a ZX6R and TL-1000S), the state of my personal finances had me looking for the best choice in used. Along came the FJ and I've been hooked. Likely the most comfortable ride ever, for me. No, not the best choice for track day, althought the sparks coming off the centerstand are a hoot. Seriously, a great perch, still powerful even by today's standards as well as being reliable as an anvil. Rode from the WA/Canada border to Sacramento in 15 hours, could've kept going! Show less

I started off with an 84 1000cc midnight special. That was the best intro one could have to these bikes. They look great and handle superbly. When the runout models were marketed in NZ at $10,500.00 I couldn't get to the dealer quick enough. I have put about $1000 worth of extras on it, without over doing it. I use it everyday to go to work. It's great in traffic and if I want to go cruising in the weekend it fits that job just as well. I have a Honda goldwing as well but it is reall only the lack of a stereo that I jump on the 'Wing'.I have ridden the Virago [Virago stands for "wild woman" by the way] for four hours at a time before today,only stopping for gas. My bum hardly complained at all. I couldn't recomend a Virago more highly.!! Show less

Last spring I bought an FJ1200. It came with Avon tires that were in need of replacement. After fitting it with Metzler MEZ2 tires and a stage 3 K&N filter and jet kit I put about 3K on it over the summer. I mounted free flow dual mufflers that give a nice tone to the engine. Other than slight clutch slip when the engine is cold I love it. I like the weight and ride quality and the handling is plenty good for the type of sport touring I do. The only cosmetic change has been repainting the upper fairing and changing the scoops to red. Next spring I have planned a longer trip on it and I will mount hard bags before I go. I have had no problems with it other than a broken headlight adjuster. It is fast, reliable, handles well and is very comfortable. The tank is large enough for longer runs between gas stops. I see it as a very beautiful motorcycle and plan to keep it for a long time. Show less

Bought it used in 1994 with less than 12000 miles. Has been very reliable but with the standard pipes and jetting it had less than thrilling engine performance. Recently (finally!) put on Jardine pipes and re-jetted carb and the difference is astounding, but noisy. Feels much better at all speeds and throttle settings. Low weight, good (low) seat height, non-fussy shaft drive, and reasonable handling makes it a low riding standard with reasonable performance-now. I gave up, at least for a while, the search for a new 1100/1400 cruiser; they all weigh too much and seem "bulky" (wide and clumsy) when you ride them, other than the Suzuki Intruder 1400. Show less