Yamaha Muscle - 99 xjr1200 or 98 1300sp?

**HanSoloNZ** · 17th July 2008, 22:54

Looking at getting a new bike, something like the zephyr 1200 i had a couple of years back, these two stood out, 99's done 3500kms and the 98 12,000kms, is there any significant differences? do the 1200's come with the ohlins suspension etc.... any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

Black ones the 99.

**NZsarge** · 18th July 2008, 02:41

Originally Posted by HanSoloNZ

Looking at getting a new bike, something like the zephyr 1200 i had a couple of years back, these two stood out, 99's done 3500kms and the 98 12,000kms, is there any significant differences? do the 1200's come with the ohlins suspension etc.... any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

Black ones the 99.

1300SP without doubt.
Sorry I don't know the ins and outs of XJR's that much but I know what I like and I like the 1300, I think it's quite a bit nicer bike.

**martybabe** · 18th July 2008, 18:32

I aint from around these parts so I'm not sure how you can have a newer 1200 than a 1300?. The standard 13 and the sp ran along side each other in Europe and then the 1300 sp spec ran on it's own, both after the 1200, which to my mind means the 1200 is likely to have been manufactured earlier than the 13 despite being registered later.

Anyway, none of that maters, The sp is one hell of a bike, better looking, slightly more grunt, if memory serves and updated suspension. I owned the Kenny Roberts colour 1300sp for about a year.Can't fault it apart from the wind blast, yes I know it's naked but for some reason, it offers zero protection from the wind unlike many other nakeds, much over 100k and it's a real pain in the arse. Many are fitted with a small screen and it makes a huge difference.

As a fan of muscle bikes,I urge you to consider the GSX1400. An equal and rival to the yam. The yam wins on build quality for me but the GSX is far more rewarding to ride, full of character and once in the torque zone, it feels much quicker.

Any of the above are better made and ride much better than the zephyr IMO.

Which ever you end up with, and there all good, enjoy mate.

**Dak** · 18th July 2008, 22:12

Consider also a CB1300, I'm slightly biased though as I have one :-) But I went down the same road, tried both the yammies and the GSX but in the end the CB was the one for me, excellent build quality and very very smooth power delivery and smooth as silk to ride. Also, as far as the Ohlins suspension goes on the yammies, not 100% but I'm pretty sure they aren't true blue Ohlins, they are a cheap japanese version made when Yamaha had ties with Ohlins and are not re-buildable.

**Motig** · 18th July 2008, 22:55

I prefer the blue one. Blacks just not my color.

**Griffin** · 18th July 2008, 23:42

Im a cruiser dude myself but if I had to recommend one of these to you I would say go for the black one. Black is much cooler than blue.

**SPman** · 19th July 2008, 01:00

Currently run a 2002 1300. Suspension, "ohlins" is actually a japanese rebadged brand. "Soqi" I think. Easy to modify - extra 10-15 hp with minimal mods. Handling is........mid '80s...but you can hustle along pretty quick and its comfy - like an old warhorse, really. I'd like another sportsbike, but I'll still keep the XJR when I do - it's fun!

Black is much cooler than blue.

Nah - black is boring - blue grows on you after a while - you can get the earlier SP's in yellow/black - the 70s Yamaha race colours, which isn't bad.