Yam XJR1300 or Honda CB1300?

[cmoore]

many thanks for this thread and loads of other "threads / web" advise which helped me take an XJR1300 for a test ride...I ended up buying a 2005 model....very happy with it!!

[schrodingers cat]

Jebus Dont think my car has that.

I agree. When I drive it the tank is definately smaller than 22l but when I fill up and pay it is 104 liter.

Must be a leak somewhere to atmosphere...

[GrayWolf]

many thanks for this thread and loads of other "threads / web" advise which helped me take an XJR1300 for a test ride...I ended up buying a 2005 model....very happy with it!!

Damn and I had just ;found' a road test for CB1300,FJ1300,XR1200.......
As an ex (in storage) FJ1200 rider, that motor has a history of over 20yrs now (1100, 1200, 1300cc)... it's solid and almost unbreakable. I was VERY tempted to get an XJR1300 or FJR1300 as I have decided to replace the Zed before I put too many K's on it and render it worthless.... I have still gone 'tuning fork' but in a different direction (2 cyl).

[ducatilover]

Don't get an XS11... they're shit heaps, bending wobbling wallowing tanks, more toque than the frame can handle (they have a habit of twisting and wobbling exiting corners under power), plus that one has the boring seat and bars.


The three bikes you've chosen are all grouse. The XJ looks hot, the CB is a good bike and the GSX has all the torque you'll ever need.
For me? It'd be the GSX, I'd love to have that much torque.

[ducatilover]

that motor has a history of over 20yrs now (1100, 1200, 1300cc)... it's solid and almost unbreakable.

My father had an FJ12 with 260,000km on it. Still went pretty well

[Brian407]

As an ex (in storage) FJ1200 rider, that motor has a history of over 20yrs now (1100, 1200, 1300cc)... it's solid and almost unbreakable.

Goes back a little further than that. The 1978 XS11 motor is the forerunner of them all, and even now with the XJR, they share a common design.

[GrayWolf]

Don't get an XS11... they're shit heaps, bending wobbling wallowing tanks, more toque than the frame can handle (they have a habit of twisting and wobbling exiting corners under power), plus that one has the boring seat and bars.


The three bikes you've chosen are all grouse. The XJ looks hot, the CB is a good bike and the GSX has all the torque you'll ever need.
For me? It'd be the GSX, I'd love to have that much torque.

Hahahaha Gawd I love these posts,,, I have the original MCN magazine with the XS1100 road test.. it was considered a reasonably good handling bike in its day... (goes into misty eyed reveire about REAL MEN on REAL bikes) The main 'point'? about the XS is the MOTOR, it, like the FJ it 'spawned' is almost unbreakable. There were NO 'good handling' bikes then in comparison to today. The FJ your Dad had with the 'lateral frame concept' (stolen from bimota btw) was considered the 'first' decent handling power bike frame... and they handle like an ocean liner in bends.
And I agree that the 260,000km's just goes to show how good those old 'anachronistic' FJ motors are... and the OP has made a good choice.

[Brian407]

Don't get an XS11... they're shit heaps, bending wobbling wallowing tanks, more toque than the frame can handle (they have a habit of twisting and wobbling exiting corners under power), plus that one has the boring seat and bars.

All that you talk of, while true, is easily fixed at minimal cost. Being a Duke lover (and I am too) of course you're gonna find the seat and bars 'boring', but for the style of bike they're on, they're far from it. In fact it's one of the more comfortable cruisers I've ridden in many years, and many miles. More Torque than the Space Shuttle is how they're often described by riders who truly know them, and if one 'truly' knows them then they know how to handle that tourqe in cornering.

But you're right, Dont get one, but not for the reasons you've expoused, but because they are now over 30 years old and need a rider that appreciates them to keep them ticking over nice, and looking good, not some space rocket jockey who's only interest is in talking about how fast he can take the corner at the end of the road, and what speed the red line is at.

Oh, and BTW, the bars on 'that one' arent original, they're off a Honda something. (changed by a previous owner) They're not the 'cow horn' design that was standard and are more of a semi western style with the handgrips angled more downward, which is much more comfortable, but someome who truly knows the bikes would know that already.

[ducatilover]

Hahahaha Gawd I love these posts,,, I have the original MCN magazine with the XS1100 road test.. it was considered a reasonably good handling bike in its day... (goes into misty eyed reveire about REAL MEN on REAL bikes) The main 'point'? about the XS is the MOTOR, it, like the FJ it 'spawned' is almost unbreakable. There were NO 'good handling' bikes then in comparison to today. The FJ your Dad had with the 'lateral frame concept' (stolen from bimota btw) was considered the 'first' decent handling power bike frame... and they handle like an ocean liner in bends.
And I agree that the 260,000km's just goes to show how good those old 'anachronistic' FJ motors are... and the OP has made a good choice.

All that you talk of, while true, is easily fixed at minimal cost. Being a Duke lover (and I am too) of course you're gonna find the seat and bars 'boring', but for the style of bike they're on, they're far from it. In fact it's one of the more comfortable cruisers I've ridden in many years, and many miles. More Torque than the Space Shuttle is how they're often described by riders who truly know them, and if one 'truly' knows them then they know how to handle that tourqe in cornering.

But you're right, Dont get one, but not for the reasons you've expoused, but because they are now over 30 years old and need a rider that appreciates them to keep them ticking over nice, and looking good, not some space rocket jockey who's only interest is in talking about how fast he can take the corner at the end of the road, and what speed the red line is at.

Oh, and BTW, the bars on 'that one' arent original, they're off a Honda something. (changed by a previous owner) They're not the 'cow horn' design that was standard and are more of a semi western style with the handgrips angled more downward, which is much more comfortable, but someome who truly knows the bikes would know that already.

That got a reasonable response.
Now is it the part that I admit, I want one? But with flat bars.

[GrayWolf]

That got a reasonable response.
Now is it the part that I admit, I want one? But with flat bars.

Might I suggest looking for a 'black one' often called the XS1.1 'sport'.. had the two semi vertical hand grips for the pillion. AND flatter bars.

[Harry the Barstard]

Hey man,

I was in a similar position with regard to what bike to get a few weeks ago. I rode as many as i could.....even went way left field and gave a Triumph thunderbird Storm ($26K, so didnt buy that one), speedmaster and street triple a go at the Trumpy demo day up at waimuaku. I decided in on the CB1300. Picked me up a 2009 in mint nic 9000Kms.

Honda's and Kawasaki's have been the majority of the bikes of owned. Actually, my first bike when i was 15 was a CB125T..... the T was for twin (oooohhhhh ahhhhhh, i hear you say). Anyway as said before, ride as many bikes as you can get your bum on.

Personally i feel that Honda has the best build quality and the CB, a strong proven engin. I will be doing heaps of two up so the suspension on the CB is better suited and not to mention... and again this is just me, after all the test rides the CB was the one i kept wanting to go back to.

Horses for courses chap.......it all depends what floats your boat.

[Brian407]

Might I suggest looking for a 'black one' often called the XS1.1 'sport'.. had the two semi vertical hand grips for the pillion. AND flatter bars.

1981 XS11OORH. European Sports Model. Damned hard to come by these days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melbxs/...7608663179917/

[NZsarge]

many thanks for this thread and loads of other "threads / web" advise which helped me take an XJR1300 for a test ride...I ended up buying a 2005 model....very happy with it!!

Awesome, must have a ride on a XJR13 at some point, always fancied them.

[GrayWolf]

1981 XS11OORH. European Sports Model. Damned hard to come by these days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melbxs/...7608663179917/

DAMN they still look bloody intimidating, havent seen one in the flesh in over 20yrs. I didnt realise they were so rare over here. Good pic Sarge! Thanks for the memory jog.

[Subike]

Oh dear dear deary me
Shame you guys have not had the fun of learning to tame the beast that hides within the XS1100.
378k on my English 1980 F
250+ on my N Z new 1979 1.1
yup, you need to understand the bike to make her run well,
and maintenance? well, lets say tightening a few bolts after any decent ride is wise,
ride comfort?, can party all night after a 350mile non stop ride without sore arms or a sore butt.
but then what would I know of comfort.....dont need a newer bike, neither of mine are broken.

To the OP, nice choice, you will have many miles of fun on her,

Oh by the way, the 1-1 1100RH, had the newer cams and carbs, was slower than the 79-80 std, but yeah, did look hot,