Yam XJR1300 or Honda CB1300?

[ducatilover]

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.

There was a chap in Carterton (Gary) who had done a fair few km on his XS, was a nice old bike.

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

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

That's the same as the XS my father had when I was younger. That'd do me, I'd be a knob and cafe race it though. I love this one

[NZsarge]

.


That'd do me, I'd be a knob and cafe race it though. I love this one

Yeah i gotta say, that's a nicely modified XS11

[eekdacat]

Kawasucki, two strokes and its all over.

[Big Dave]

Mr Ducatilover, it was actually the standard suspension of the day that was 'inadequate' for the power and weight of the bikes.
I had two of them, a 2nd hand F and brand new RH model. Any handling vagaries were remedied by the installation better suspension components.

[ducatilover]

Mr Ducatilover, it was actually the standard suspension of the day that was 'inadequate' for the power and weight of the bikes.
I had two of them, a 2nd hand F and brand new RH model. Any handling vagaries were remedied by the installation better suspension components.

I've never pushed one.
But, I was told by a long time (mental) XS owner, that if you were a mad fuck, the torque can twist either the frame or swing arm on corner exit ( must be mad to push so hard ) you can set them up in to a dirty slapper.

This particular person doesn't tend to exaggerate. Have ridden with them multiple time and seen their fast pace vs moderate and it's more than I'll ever do (I'm faggot slow though.)

[Big Dave]

I've never pushed one.
But, I was told by a long time (mental) XS owner, that if you were a mad fuck, the torque can twist either the frame or swing arm on corner exit ( must be mad to push so hard ) you can set them up in to a dirty slapper.

This particular person doesn't tend to exaggerate. Have ridden with them multiple time and seen their fast pace vs moderate and it's more than I'll ever do (I'm faggot slow though.)

Nah. Crud suspension. All I could afford was S&W shocks at the time and even they fixed it. I loaded them up plenty too. Worn swing arm bearings, old steering heads far more likely.

This one had over 110 ponies.

Solid as a rock.

This one went a lot of the way around Aus - 2 up.





People believe the Mach 3 had a 'hinged frame' also. Plenty of latter day articles documenting that if you fit them with modern suspenders the hinge disappears on them too.

[ducatilover]

Nah. Crud suspension. All I could afford was S&W shocks at the time and even they fixed it. I loaded them up plenty too. Worn swing arm bearings, old steering heads far more likely.

People believe the Mach 3 had a 'hinged frame' also. Plenty of latter day articles documenting that if you fit them with modern suspenders the hinge disappears on them too.

Bloody good to know, thanks BD!

Will keep that in mind when I start planning a cafe racer build.

[Big Dave]

Yeah - that was my experience with them anyhoo - your pal might have a friday afternoon special.

[Subike]

yup that wallow in cornering is a concern, unless you do something about it
I have quite often experienced it and it can be very un nerving to say the least
But I have never had it turn into a tank slapper in the 7 years of riding the beast.
A good fork brace on the front reduces the fork flex and progressive springs front and rear change the whole attitude of the bike.
My 79 has the fork brace and progressive springs and 25mm longer rear shocks, corners not bad for its age and weight. but can still wallow.
My 80 has just the OME suspension, I would never want to try and push her as hard into corners, it wallows and bucks , wanting do toss me into the awaiting asphalt .
Again, its learn to find your comfort zone, and the bikes, then ride within it.
Interested Dave on how you managed to get 110hp out of a std, the best I know of is 105 with a turbo.

[Big Dave]

Interested Dave on how you managed to get 110hp out of a std, the best I know of is 105 with a turbo.

Bought it that way - traded my SR500 on it - the previous owner claimed 120, but I never believed it - 110 seemed feasible based on everything I've read claimed it made 95 ponies stock
eg: http://www.realclassic.co.uk/yamaha04102900.html
Happy to stand corrected there if you have a better source.

I never dynod it though. It had big Mikunis fitted with pod filters, cam, pistons and Dunstal pipes that were pretty much unrestricted.

[GrayWolf]

yup that wallow in cornering is a concern, unless you do something about it
I have quite often experienced it and it can be very un nerving to say the least
But I have never had it turn into a tank slapper in the 7 years of riding the beast.
A good fork brace on the front reduces the fork flex and progressive springs front and rear change the whole attitude of the bike.
My 79 has the fork brace and progressive springs and 25mm longer rear shocks, corners not bad for its age and weight. but can still wallow.
My 80 has just the OME suspension, I would never want to try and push her as hard into corners, it wallows and bucks , wanting do toss me into the awaiting asphalt .
Again, its learn to find your comfort zone, and the bikes, then ride within it.
Interested Dave on how you managed to get 110hp out of a std, the best I know of is 105 with a turbo.

I'd have to agree with a lot of the old bikes handling issues being suspension related. Knew a few guys even back in the 80's fitting later model larger diameter forks, and Koni etc shocks to bikes. There were a few that did have some frame/swing arm issues. I believe the Z1 had its swingarm altered and the H1/H2's did end up with bracing in some areas of the frame. Fork flex was an 'issue' with the weight and levels of quickosity of some bikes. As commented here, I would love to se the difference that modern suspension components would make to these bikes... and of course lets not forget how skinny and 'technicaly challenged' the tyres of that era were!

[ducatilover]

I'm actually rather interested now that suspension seemed to fix the older bikes
Now, who has a 6cyl Kwaka Z for me?

[Edbear]

I'm actually rather interested now that suspension seemed to fix the older bikes
Now, who has a 6cyl Kwaka Z for me?

He probably won't sell but the mintest one I know belongs to Classic_Z in Whangaparaoa. He owns Hibiscus Coast Service Centre in David Sidwell Place. His bike is usually at the workshop.

[ducatilover]

He probably won't sell but the mintest one I know belongs to Classic_Z in Whangaparaoa. He owns Hibiscus Coast Service Centre in David Sidwell Place. His bike is usually at the workshop.

I'd sell unusual parts of my anatomy for one

[Hinny]

Now i have never met you so can neither judge your riding abilities nor your physical capabilities but, the bikes you have indicated you are keen on are big bikes. Not just in performance but physically large and heavy. I am a big lad and have been riding for over 40 years and have owned and or ridden most options that are available now and in the recent past. I would suggest you look for a lighter bike and one with the least amount of plastic for your first step away from learner bikes. Now that may sound patronising and i don't mean to do that but I have three sons who I have encouraged to ride and while i had some control we did manage to choose medium bikes after the learner process.

Just my thoughts.

I now have the TDM900 and for me....me...it is the best motorcycle I have ever owned. Nearly 30 kgs lighter than a ZRX and able to handle gravel a bit more safely...for me.

Good luck with your search but ride em, don't look at em on the net.

Good advice here.
Big bikes don't make you life easy. Bloody heavy to move around. Easy to drop if you get off balance. Expensive on gas. Rego has gone through the roof.
Do you really need to pull a plough?
I would advise looking at a bike below 6oocc.
The Honda Hornet is 599cc 102bhp 220kph 173kgs 19litre gas tank. Cheaper rego, better fuel economy, good range, easier on tyres, go well.
Quotes from one review:'The Hornet is incredibly easy to ride fast' and ' I love crazy 200hp machines, but really, they straight up suck for commuting as do big sport tourers or cruisers.' and finally 'The Hornet is the perfect motorcycle.' (Ketzal "Hollywood" Sterling.-The motorcycle review.com)
What more could you want?