XJR, GSX, ZRX, CB or other?

[Quasievil]

Looking at getting a new (to me) bike, not wanting a superbike any longer but want something I can still get a buzz on but can also tour the south island on no problems i.e 600kms without becoming a cripple as one would on a sports bike.
Im looking at a GSX1400, XJR1300 or a ZRX (varying capacites)

Im mostly keen on the XJR as the Ohlins is there and Brembo brakes, and I like the look of it but Im interested to hear from some of you that have had these bikes before.

The bike Im buying wont be new, be looking at the $6-8k mark, it seems that money buys a decent machine.

Cheers for the input.

[skippa1]

welcome back...........I would go for the GSX but I am biased towards Suzuki for the overall package

[Quasievil]

welcome back...........I would go for the GSX but I am biased towards Suzuki for the overall package

Cheers, it was a nice looking at a bit of Russian

So why a GSX other than your biased, what does it have that the XJR doesnt, seems on paper the XJR is a better bike to me ?

[skippa1]

Cheers, it was a nice looking at a bit of Russian

So why a GSX other than your biased, what does it have that the XJR doesnt, seems on paper the XJR is a better bike to me ?

I'm no expert when it comes to tourers and I see your point re the Brembos and Ohlins. I have ridden the Suzuki, not the Yamy but I did like the overall package. The suspenders are fully adjustable and replaceable with Ohlins if you like, they still have 6 pot caliper front brakes, not Brembos but then is the brand that important?
Overall, a nice ride in my opinion.....but you know what they say about those....

[manxkiwi]

Hey B, I've ridden the XJR, my mate's got one. You won't need me to tell you it pulls like a train from anywhere!! Quite nimble on the move too, probably thanks to the wide 'bars. Very comfy, though I'm not a fan of nakeds (at speed), this bike is a barrel full of fun to ride. I remember the brakes being awesome too. Of course that's only my opinion and I haven't ridden the others. Cheers.

[SPman]

Ride them all - they all have their good points - the XJR is a comfy old warhorse that can be hustled along a a brisk clip with a load and is a true retro - air cooled motor, handling and all, and responds to a few cheap and easy mods to liven it up a bit. Refurbish the front forks/springs for better front end feel as well. Real Ohlins rears would also be an advantage!
I haven't ridden the others, but the missus has ridden a ZRX and really liked it. But she also likes the XJR and rides that when she's tired or wants to relax, heading home after we've been out. The CB gets good reviews and, like the ZRX, also has a top fairing to help break that wind blast. I run a fairing/screen on the XJR in winter

[ducatilover]

I'm with SPman on this, they all have their good points and you can't really go wrong with any.
If it was me I'd be having a hard time deciding, I love the Yamaha's motor and bling bits, but the GSX has arm removing torque and the ZRX just looks horn.

[Maha]

Buy the one that brings on a bit of wood...the CB did it for me ...not the S model though.....
I could stack that thing up with a double pack/tank bag/ and Anne on the back and it wouldn't even flinch.
5th gear...leave it there, wind it on when you need to pass or whatever?...no need to use 4th.
The XJR would have been my second choice, they all be pretty much of a muchness really.
I put a tiny screen on the Honda, just took the wind of the upper body nicely...
Could easily go there again.

[mulletman]

GSX has 6speed box , 124nm torque from 2500, as said loads of adjustment suspension wise wallowy if not adjusted, get a 05 onwards have better steering head bearings better shocks on back, ( dont be fooled by the 'ohlins' on XJRs ) has heaps of underseat storage. These bikes WILL do 200 in third if you wanna cane em, and just as happy cruising using the torque (like most of what your looking at) .

You have plenty to choose whatever you decide which is great.

[leopardskin]

love my ZReX - like most owners I have put on aftermarket full exhaust with K&N pods (re-jetted) - plenty of grunt - 1100 (the 1200 will get you another 15hp) - light(ish) - only a 5 speed but don't need another gear. Adjustable front and back for preload damping and rebound. Pick them up at reasonable prices. Be a hooligan...get a Z!

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Gday mate,

For me GSX, XJR, ZRX CB in that order.

The GSX is the most comfortable and powerful, it pulls as soon as you turn the key on, build quality is excellent and if your careful with the right wrist 300k out of a tank is possible. Its silky smooth motor never fails to impress when you wind open the throttle, As mentioned the suspension is fully adjustable and there is a very good forum full of useful information about mods etc. (I've owned 4 of these bikes and would own another)

The XJR would be my second choice for similar reasons to the Suzuki but the Suzuki does it all that little bit better in my opinion, The build quality isnt as good with laqured alloy parts suffering very early on and starting to look tatty. The ohlins shocks are a poor immitation of the real deal but Dr Bob will sort that for you. The air cooled engine can fry your legs in the summer.

The ZRX comes third, motor not as strong in the all important mid range. The beauty of all these bikes is their twist and go nature when in top gear, the amount of pure grunt the suzuki has outshines all the others.

CB........Im not a Honda man and to be honest a poor reason but it looks a little boring.

On looks alone the XJR has it especialy in blue and you can only think about blue for the GSX (its the faster colour )

Best you take em all out for a skid and make your choice, big retro nakeds are ace bikes.

[SMOKEU]

Buy a Hayabusa.

[pritch]

I have only ridden the CB, can't comment much on the others at all. Can't see that the CB looks boring, the red ones have an intentional visual link to earlier racers. These things are in the eye of the beholder though.

It is a Honda so the quality will be up there.

About those Ohlins shocks; all that glitters may not be gold. They may date from when Yamaha owned Ohlins and are quite possibly simply an exercise in badge engineering. A PM to Dr Robert would confirm that - or not?

[quickbuck]

Gday mate,

For me GSX, XJR, ZRX CB in that order.

The GSX is the most comfortable and powerful, it pulls as soon as you turn the key on, build quality is excellent and if your careful with the right wrist 300k out of a tank is possible. Its silky smooth motor never fails to impress when you wind open the throttle, As mentioned the suspension is fully adjustable and there is a very good forum full of useful information about mods etc. (I've owned 4 of these bikes and would own another)

The XJR would be my second choice for similar reasons to the Suzuki but the Suzuki does it all that little bit better in my opinion, The build quality isnt as good with laqured alloy parts suffering very early on and starting to look tatty. The ohlins shocks are a poor immitation of the real deal but Dr Bob will sort that for you. The air cooled engine can fry your legs in the summer.

The ZRX comes third, motor not as strong in the all important mid range. The beauty of all these bikes is their twist and go nature when in top gear, the amount of pure grunt the suzuki has outshines all the others.

CB........Im not a Honda man and to be honest a poor reason but it looks a little boring.

On looks alone the XJR has it especialy in blue and you can only think about blue for the GSX (its the faster colour )

Best you take em all out for a skid and make your choice, big retro nakeds are ace bikes.

Agree with all this....
AND I have ridden the CB1300.
As a Honda man, I found it lacked the soal, and bored me after 10 minutes... like all Hondas most would say...
The tank on the CB was quite wide, and it felt like it wanted to split my legs open all the time.
A knees out riding position is not for me.... May be it's a chicks bike
I did ride it in the most torential rain I have ever riden it (by accident), and still felt comfortable piloting a huge monster with A MILLION yard stones of torque.....

Thing is though, it felt tame compaired to the XJR... especially the Yoshi kitted one that was imported... That thing did awesome wheelies... and was Bogan Black.

[DR650gary]

Looked at those same bikes, nearly bought the XJR but after riding the ZRX1200, the others faded away. Not too sure where a previous poster get the idea that the ZRX is lacking mid range, it is possible he rode a broken one, but mine pulled from 2k rpm all the way to the red line and could lighten the front wheel at 140kph plus with little effort. Sold it and bought a TDM for a change of feel.

For me the lack of injection was an issue but the carbs are easily fiddled with and this site will get you through any issues.

http://www.zrxoa.org/forums/

Cheers