Which one from these three?

[kneescraper]

Hey all,

Want alittle bit of input from you guys, dont mind if its just personl preference or experence....either is good.

Style of riding using either one of these bikes would be weekend riding, say 300kms or so in one go...some fanging but no wheelies or any of that stuff. Has to be good at 2 up with gear and have good seating. Good power in low to mid range and also sound good :)

First one being the Yamaha XJR1300 SP, Ive ridden the old mans one and it is very nice, got debaffled exhausts and its sweet.

Second one being Honda CB1300, well its a Honda so it will start every time, good looking but kind of old-ish looking, not sure.

Third and final is the Suzuki GSX1400, bigger engine, maybe more power down low thanks to the larger CC? Looks sexy as but I have heard bad things about the handling?

Im after the big nakes bike just because Im a tall chap that loves the raw muscle look. Also one point to think about is after market parts like screens, exhaust or any other bing.

Cheers.

[MIXONE]

All three are very similar and do the same job so ride them all and choose the one your heart tells you to.
I'd have any one!

[kneescraper]

By riding each one doesnt tell me others thoughts on how they last with KMs under them, if they have common problems, if parts are cheap etc etc.

I also understand that they are much the same however when test riding them I wont beable to do a 300KM trip to see how it runs in long distances.

[nallac]

Going by looks only i'd take the GSX1400,

find Beyonds write ups on his 14's...very good write ups..

[Hitcher]

Want alittle bit of input from you guys, dont mind if its just personl preference or experence....either is good.

Do you want to buy new? If not, I'd add a Kawasaki ZRX1200R to that list. I had one for about 36,000km and it was my preference from that range of bikes by some margin.

All of the bikes you've listed require modifications: suspension, seat and mufflers. All would also benefit from braided lines.

[Taz]

You left out the KTM950SE Super Enduro. Now that's a naked bike that's not restricted to the road...... Worth a thought.

[Hitcher]

I get the impression that what is being looked for is a newish Japanese naked inline-four muscle bike for less than $15,500. Otherwise I would have recommended a Triumph Speed Triple.

[beyond]

The talk about bad handing on the GSX1400 is bullshit pure and simple.
You just got to set them up right and with the standard suspension set right you can't beat them.

When I first got both mine on standard suspenders and settings I changed them straight away. Still standard suspenders but properly set up which I did myself.
Stops the front end diving under hard braking... gets rid of the wallowing under fast sweepers and turns the bike into a machine that loves the tight stuff.

Low down torque, great for two up, carries lots of gear... (11 litres under the seat alone) and will hit 260kmh.

You can't beat them... the best of the three. :whistle:

Search my threads for reviews... I've done three of them on this bike and have yet to find a better machine to suit my purposes.

[beyond]

Oh, forgot to mention you can ride them all day. Been to Napier and back in one day no problem and the longest was 1200kms in 13 hours to the East Cape and back in one day. Felt real good when I got back.

[Edbear]

Oh, forgot to mention you can ride them all day. Been to Napier and back in one day no problem and the longest was 1200kms in 13 hours to the East Cape and back in one day. Felt real good when I got back.

Not that you're biased of course...:whistle:

All three are very good with little to choose between them. They have all been around long enough to show up any shortcomings, too. Only complaint I have heard about any of them is the pillion peg height on the Honda.

Hitcher's comment on the ZRX is worth considering, too. Not quite a couch like the others but reports have all been of high praise. A faster, more sporty bike but still comfortable.

No issues as regards longevity, may be a bit of a difference in resale value with the Honda having a slight edge over the others. The GSX1400 has gained a wide and loyal following, check out the websites.

[beyond]

Here you go mate:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=95303

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=85594

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=26613

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=34913

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=34914

[AllanB]

As they have all proven to be ultra reliable, consider a low km used one - you'll save thousands to spend on suspenders or what-nots.

[ducatilover]

They are all great bikes, I love the gsx though, superb looking bike. Or a laguna seca replica xjr....all three have got plenty enough grunt, the gsx having the fastest arm dislocation out of all of them ;)

[The Stranger]

Haven't ridden any of them. But having ridden with Beyond, I really wouldn't bother with the Yamaha or Honda - and apparently he's a shit rider too, so it must be the bike that makes the difference eh.

[ducatilover]

Haven't ridden any of them. But having ridden with Beyond, I really wouldn't bother with the Yamaha or Honda - and apparently he's a shit rider too, so it must be the bike that makes the difference eh.

I have had a ride on the xjr. Not too impressive. Good enough bike but not exactly exciting.

[beyond]

Haven't ridden any of them. But having ridden with Beyond, I really wouldn't bother with the Yamaha or Honda - and apparently he's a shit rider too, so it must be the bike that makes the difference eh.

LOL Bang on mate... it's the bike. Turns even a shit rider into a reasonable one :)

[AllanB]

Bandit 1250 - add to the list.

Can you get them naked in NZ?, I've only seen ones with screens.

[Bumblebeeman1150]

After 20,000 absolutely trouble-free and always entertaining kilometres on my CB1300 I say you can't leave it off the list. I didn't mind the GSX1400 when I tested it (several times, as I worked part-time for a Suzuki dealer) but the Honda is better finished and super strong. None of them are race bikes and all benefit from having the suspension set up just right. Truth is, all the big four nakeds will give you what you want but the Honda gets overlooked for reasons that have nothing to do with how it goes or how it compares. If any machine can have character, it has it, Honda badge or not. Some bikes you just connect with. That's my CB13.

[phred]

I want one.

[SPman]

XJR for a nice big comfy warhorse. Very easy to release another 15+ hp and lots of bits available. Handle fine - I have no trouble keeping up with sporties up to 100 mph, partic. in the twisties. Over that , who cares.....
Trouble is - they all have their good points - I prefer the looks of the XJR, even though I was after a ZRX at the time. In Europe, the XJR is king, in NZ it's the GSX14. The Hondas are more modern, the XJR's pure old school - air cooled motor and all. It just depends on whats available at the time, I guess.

[Maha]

After 20,000 absolutely trouble-free and always entertaining kilometres on my CB1300 I say you can't leave it off the list. I didn't mind the GSX1400 when I tested it (several times, as I worked part-time for a Suzuki dealer) but the Honda is better finished and super strong. None of them are race bikes and all benefit from having the suspension set up just right. Truth is, all the big four nakeds will give you what you want but the Honda gets overlooked for reasons that have nothing to do with how it goes or how it compares. If any machine can have character, it has it, Honda badge or not. Some bikes you just connect with. That's my CB13.

I would agree, albeit with a pinch of bias thrown because I own one.
Can only comment on the CB1300 in that, it does all that I ask of it. We took it on tour last year, loaded with a double back pack/tank bag and two-up, never moaned once. A week away/solo or a day trip for two :niceone:
The only thing I have done is replaced the can.

[NighthawkNZ]

... 300KM trip to see how it runs in long distances.

300km's a long trip... bwahahaha

[YellowDog]

The GSX1400 has to be the best value 'NEW' bike around at the mo.

Great looking muscle bike, but would need all the expensive luggage extras.

[martybabe]

All are pretty similar on paper, All comfy, reliable, quick and good looking, in my opinion.

I've owned an XJR13 and ridden A cb13 quite often, good as they are, in the real world, the GSX1400 is in a different class for performance, character, usability and fun.

Having got to know all of these bikes on a personal level, I reckon the Yam and the Honda are really good bikes but the suzy is simply outstanding. There are a few niggles, no bike is perfect, finish is marginally down on the Honda and the suspension does take a bit of fiddling to get right, no better or worse than the other two as far as quality goes but definitely quite sensitive to minor tweaks.

All three are good bikes but, for me,Once set up and on song the GSX14 makes the others look worthy but ordinary. In reality I wouldn't kick any of them out of bed and I doubt you will be disappointed with any of them.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Jantar]

...Style of riding using either one of these bikes would be weekend riding, say 300kms or so in one go...some fanging but no wheelies or any of that stuff. Has to be good at 2 up with gear and have good seating. Good power in low to mid range and also sound good :).....
All 3 are great bikes, but my choice would be the GSX1400. Great value for money and reliable as hell.

However for the short distances you're planning on you should probably be looking something in the 400 - 650 cc range.

[YellowDog]

All 3 are great bikes, but my choice would be the GSX1400. Great value for money and reliable as hell.

However for the short distances you're planning on you should probably be looking something in the 400 - 650 cc range.
300Km is a pretty good round trip.

[NighthawkNZ]

300Km is a pretty good round trip.


thats just our first coffee break... :crazy:

[slowpoke]

However for the short distances you're planning on you should probably be looking something in the 400 - 650 cc range.

My pisstake-o-meter is off the dial............but it's not telling me which way you are taking the piss! Given that Manfeild is 3.3km's long I wouldn't consider riding anything less than 600cc..........but a day(s) trip is all about dawdling all day(s), so something from the Lifan range is prolly a fair choice of transport. Ideal really, you can blow hours, days or even weeks and never be far from home.......

[Jantar]

My pisstake-o-meter is off the dial............but it's not telling me which way you are taking the piss! .........
No piss take here. Its 420 km round trip for me to join in with the dunedin crowd, add on an average 300 - 400 km ride with them, and my average day's ride is 800 km.

A trip "around the block" is 400 - 800 km depending on which block I choose, and 300 km is just a short ride I'd start mid afternoon to be home by dinner time. I was about to suggest that distances are a bit relative to which Island you live in, then I think of GIJoe and his wee pootles. :scooter:

[clauds]

Interesting topic, it is keeping me logged on this friday night!

[Maha]

No piss take here. Its 420 km round trip for me to join in with the dunedin crowd, add on an average 300 - 400 km ride with them, and my average day's ride is 800 km.

A trip "around the block" is 400 - 800 km depending on which block I choose, and 300 km is just a short ride I'd start mid afternoon to be home by dinner time. I was about to suggest that distances are a bit relative to which Island you live in, then I think of GIJoe and his wee pootles. :scooter:

Distances are relative to the individual rider, around the 500 km mark is enough for me in a day. Some enjoy riding longer, some not so. You must be a legend in the deep south.

Heres a thread about that very point..
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=95880

[NighthawkNZ]

You must be a legend in the deep south.

Actually he is for the big trips... ;) I'm happy to 800km in one day... but will admit I haven't done that since last year...