Muscle bikes - which one?

Muscle bikes - which one?

Author
Discussion

LeftmostAardvark

Original Poster:

1,434 posts

163 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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Bike change time and I think I'd like a big, lazy monster this time - xjr1300, gsx1400 etc. will be secondhand (probably £3-4k mark) and will be used all year round (including commuting). I know hooli has a gsx and from search I think he generally likes it, but is that the way to go or something else?

Thanks

evo8

468 posts

214 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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From what I have read and spoken to people about, the GSX seems the favorite, but the XJR is a cracking bike also. the Kwak may also be woth a look as well as the CB. If you fancy something a little different have a look at the Yam Bulldog (BT1100). I have not ridden any of them but I was going to get the Bulldog but life got in the way and in the end my budget would not stretch that far.
I look forward to reading this thread as I love Muscle bike and will own one of then soon!!

plastic orange

148 posts

200 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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If you are after a bit of 'muscle' then look no further than a Honda X11. Honda build quality plus a lot more power than GSX 1400 etc. Gain another 20hp with a full system too. They are pretty rare (exclusive?), and obviously getting on a bit, but low mileage ones are out there. They use essentially the same engine as a Honda Blackbird so mileage really isn't an issue.

Pete

sjtscott

4,215 posts

230 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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plastic orange said:
If you are after a bit of 'muscle' then look no further than a Honda X11. Honda build quality plus a lot more power than GSX 1400 etc. Gain another 20hp with a full system too. They are pretty rare (exclusive?), and obviously getting on a bit, but low mileage ones are out there. They use essentially the same engine as a Honda Blackbird so mileage really isn't an issue.

Pete
One thing to note about the X11 is that it only has 5 gears, guess they just removed the blackbirds 6th because it would be utterly pointless on an unfaired bike given how long blackbirds are geared

MonkeyBusiness

3,912 posts

186 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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Recent thread here about 'Muscle Bikes'
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Thursday 27th November 09:04

Tall_Paul

1,915 posts

226 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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Saw this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014... on biketrader, it's an XJR1300 (not an XJ 1250) and looks very cheap and in good nick. Alarm bells maybe? or a bargain for someone?

plastic orange

148 posts

200 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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sjtscott said:
One thing to note about the X11 is that it only has 5 gears, guess they just removed the blackbirds 6th because it would be utterly pointless on an unfaired bike given how long blackbirds are geared
There are some X11 owners who have fitted Blackbird engines to get 6 gears, but as a standard X11 does 160mph, how much more do you need?
The X11 engine has a milder inlet cam and smaller airbox intakes to provide more torque low down than a Blackbird. Some say that the X11 is the sporty Blackbird.
Mine has 143 RWHP, and is super tractable from low revs till the limiter. My friend has a mildly tweaked Busa, and he says the X11 is quicker out the corners than it.
I tried my mate's GSX 1400 and thought it was pretty poor all round in comparison, but he's had at least 8 of them over the years, so they must have something going for them.

PO

dapearson

4,252 posts

223 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Always liked the gsx14 but never owned one. However i have had one of these. The much rarer ZRX1200R:


Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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LeftmostAardvark said:
I know hooli has a gsx and from search I think he generally likes it, but is that the way to go or something else?
I'm not too up on the others, but compared to a XJR the GSX has an extra gear & seems to need less revving for the same speed/acceleration.

TBH I'd never heard of a GSX14 when I got mine, I went in to try a Tiger 855i & the salesman suggested the Suzuki when I didn't like the Tiger. Almost 96k on it now & apart from 4k services & a sprocket carrier bearing with every chain the only real repairs have been an oil cooler, the cooler pipes & a TPS. Bits like steering bearings & fork seals are just servicing to me.

ETA: £3-4k should get a cracking GSX14, if you want pointers to the common faults give me a shout as I know most of them.

jhoneyball

1,764 posts

275 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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not sure what comes under the category of "muscle bike" but I love my K1300S

rufusgti

2,528 posts

191 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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My friend has decided to sell his GSX 1400. Fantastic bike. He's in south Wales, will happily pass on his info if your interested.

Ridiculously quick bikes. Seems very capable as an all rounder. Would absolutely love to take it across Europe.

LeftmostAardvark

Original Poster:

1,434 posts

163 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
quotequote all
rufusgti said:
My friend has decided to sell his GSX 1400. Fantastic bike. He's in south Wales, will happily pass on his info if your interested.

Ridiculously quick bikes. Seems very capable as an all rounder. Would absolutely love to take it across Europe.
Yeah, potentially (depending on price, condition). Can you pm me some details please.

rufusgti

2,528 posts

191 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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emailed you the details, although I must apologize as it's actually a zzr 1400.

LeftmostAardvark

Original Poster:

1,434 posts

163 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Heh, thanks, but probably not for me then.

Speed addicted

5,561 posts

226 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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I got a CB1300N this year as a bike to go along side the VFR1200 that I could ride without constantly doubling speed limits.

I got mine reasonably cheap at £3k for a 2007 bike with 17k miles and a full history.

It's a lovely thing, fast enough with massive torque and good handling. Every time I get on it I question the need for the VFR.


SteelerSE

1,885 posts

155 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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Does a Diavel count as a muscle bike...? lick

LeftmostAardvark

Original Poster:

1,434 posts

163 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
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Update: picking a gsx 1400 up tomorrow. Photos as soon as I can take them off my phone and get them less than 2mb.

Clinton Baptiste

657 posts

181 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
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LeftmostAardvark said:
Update: picking a gsx 1400 up tomorrow. Photos as soon as I can take them off my phone and get them less than 2mb.
Nice one, what colour?

LeftmostAardvark

Original Poster:

1,434 posts

163 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
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Clinton Baptiste

657 posts

181 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
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Lovely, enjoy!