Time for a change ... again! Thinking XJR1300

[Ninja51]

The dictionary definition of retro is "of a style or fashion related to the past".
Alternatively, it is an abbreviation of retrograde, meaning a backward step.
Well either way I have to say cheerio to my beloved ZX9R cos someone in the UK has me by the short and curlies, but at the same time I'm thinking maybe its time for a change. Mrs Ninja and I have covered many touring miles on the "nine" and enjoyed every one of them both in the UK, Europe and now NZ. As a tourer the Ninja was fine and for a sportsbike it was quite well suited for two up work, but we're thinking that more mid range grunt and a torquier motor with a comfier seat might be the way to go now. So this time we're looking at an XJR1300 Yam. Ive had retro bikes before (ZR1100 Zephyr) so I do realise that it wont be long until I fit a few add ons. . screen etc. Just wondered if any KBers have had first hand experience of said machine?
I'd be interested to hear your views. Admittedly an FJR1100 would be my first choice but the pennies won't stretch. Life's a bitch!

[skelstar]

Reckon those are fantastic looking bikes. Not too expensive.
Saw one at TSS and thought it looked great. Loved the springs (yellow I think) and the can(s). Not too much chrome either.

Which colour you getting?

[beyond]

Hiya,

Go for the GSX1400. Heaps more torque and great all rounder. With good tyres on it you can toss it around the twisties no problem, it's great two up
but can boogie with the best when you want to. With fuel injection it's ultra smooth and a good commuter on the motorway as well.

Best bike I ever bought.

[Ninja51]

Reckon those are fantastic looking bikes. Not too expensive.
Saw one at TSS and thought it looked great. Loved the springs (yellow I think) and the can(s). Not too much chrome either.

Which colour you getting?

Hey Skelstar...
The very same one in TSS...hopefully. Unless someone beats me to it.

[Ninja51]

Hiya,

Go for the GSX1400. Heaps more torque and great all rounder. With good tyres on it you can toss it around the twisties no problem, it's great two up
but can boogie with the best when you want to. With fuel injection it's ultra smooth and a good commuter on the motorway as well.

Best bike I ever bought.


Now there's an interesting thought...might just check em out. Thanks for that.

[zadok]

Those Gixers are amazingly well priced.

[kerryg]

The dictionary definition of retro is "of a style or fashion related to the past".
Alternatively, it is an abbreviation of retrograde, meaning a backward step.
Well either way I have to say cheerio to my beloved ZX9R cos someone in the UK has me by the short and curlies, but at the same time I'm thinking maybe its time for a change. Mrs Ninja and I have covered many touring miles on the "nine" and enjoyed every one of them both in the UK, Europe and now NZ. As a tourer the Ninja was fine and for a sportsbike it was quite well suited for two up work, but we're thinking that more mid range grunt and a torquier motor with a comfier seat might be the way to go now. So this time we're looking at an XJR1300 Yam. Ive had retro bikes before (ZR1100 Zephyr) so I do realise that it wont be long until I fit a few add ons. . screen etc. Just wondered if any KBers have had first hand experience of said machine?
I'd be interested to hear your views. Admittedly an FJR1100 would be my first choice but the pennies won't stretch. Life's a bitch!

I had an XJR12000 for a while. Was never that taken with it, tell the truth. It might of course have been that I didn't set up the suspension properly or the tyres were no good (it had Macadams on it I seem to remember) or summat, or I might be talking shite, but I always felt I was kinda sitting atop a bus. Felt wooden, awkward, heavy, unwieldy. Just didn't suit me. On the other hand I owned a GSF1200 Bandit and a GSX1200 and liked both of them. So go figure. Best to ride the XJR and then decide. Don't think you've got any particular issues with reliability etc (that stonking great aircooled engine has been around since the mid-80s and is a good 'un)

[miSTa]

I read somewhere that the GSX1400 was way better than the XJR1300 (not a bad bike by any means either).

There was (is?) a 14 for sale in Rangiora a while ago, 28000km, $9000, in immaculate condition, don't know if he still has it. I have his number here somewhere.

[beyond]

Here's some review links on the GSX1400.

Also, if you get one you can join the GSX1400 owners club in the UK.
As a member you can get the full workshop manual and they provide the best suspension settings for the beast, which make it handle real well.

You may have to copy and paste these links:
http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/portal/alias__bikepointau/tabID__5760/ArticleID__118599/DesktopDefault.aspx

http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/portal/alias__bikepointau/tabID__5760/ArticleID__118272/DesktopDefault.aspx

http://www.bikebuyersguide.ie/article.asp?listMode=review&ID=549

http://www.mcnews.com.au/#

http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=229909&fSectionId=920&fSetId=381

http://www.streetbiker-mag.com/sb0118/3.html

http://www.twistgrip.co.za/review_suzuki_GSX1400.htm

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/gsx-1400.htm

http://www.two.tv/BikeSelecta_InDepth.asp?hidSearchType=quicksearch&MA_ID=21&ED_ID=88

http://www.gsx1400.org/

[Hitcher]

Stay with Kawasaki and get a ZRX1200R. It will run the arse of an XJR and any of the other big "retro" nakeds, particularly when the going gets twisty.

[Lou Girardin]

Had a look at the faired CB1300?

[Hitcher]

The CB1300S? Honda hit it a bit too hard with the 'retro' stick and, disappointingly, it only comes in that dodgy white and red. There's an after-market screen for the naked CB1300 that looks and probably does the job much better than the S's nose. I still reckon that the ZRX1200R is a better bike.

[Lou Girardin]

Honda are prodding the memories of all those '80s Bol 'd Over riders.

[wari]

TIme to shave yurr shorrt an' curr-leys .. :sherlock:

JUst'an i-deer .. :drinkup:

OH yeah .. I Read'an art-tickle on those retro' 4 .. came out thus ..

cb1300
zxr1200
xjr1300
gsx1400

OR sump-think .. :scratch: .. um .. butthats just from mem-orry .. so .. who k-nows . .. :spudwhat:

:drinkup:

:spudwave:

[Hitcher]

Since I sold my 2002 ZRX, Kawasaki-san has added a couple of extra litres fuel capacity, remedying its one major flaw. I would buy a new one in an instant, apart from another flaw -- extremely frozen crotch during winter riding.