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.

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.

Market competitors during its production years included the BMW K100RS, Suzuki's 1100 Katana, and Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-10.

Four exhaust downpipes join a box below the engine where the gases are split to exit through two silencers (mufflers).

[2] Both the FJ1100 and FJ1200 were fitted with an additional fuel vapour recovery system to comply with California emission regulations.

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.

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 safety feature of the FJ1200 is that the engine ignition is cut if the first gear is selected with the side-stand down, this is now commonplace on modern motorcycles.