Educate me about 'muscle bikes'
Discussion
Honda CB1300, Suzuki GSX1400, Yamaha XJR1300, Kawasaki ZRX1200
What are they like to live with?
I am considering one for later on in the year to bimble around. According to this website ( http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Honda/CB1300/Dyno... ), it seems the one to go for would be the Suzuki if I am more interested by torque than bhp.
They're all considered though.
What's the fuel consumption like on them? are they fairly easy to work on?
One major consideration: it would see very little use and will be kept in a dry place.
Cheers.
What are they like to live with?
I am considering one for later on in the year to bimble around. According to this website ( http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Honda/CB1300/Dyno... ), it seems the one to go for would be the Suzuki if I am more interested by torque than bhp.
They're all considered though.
What's the fuel consumption like on them? are they fairly easy to work on?
One major consideration: it would see very little use and will be kept in a dry place.
Cheers.
I love them! I have a real soft spot for big engined bikes without fairings.
I've only had a short ride on an XJR 1300, but it was great fun. They are quite heavy, aren't as nimble as a sportsbike due to the old fashioned suspension set up and don't turn in as sharpe as a more modern bike.
They look awesome though, however I prefer the older models with the big old fashioned exhaust on each side and orange indicators.
Try before you buy, but I reckon you won't be disappointed as long as you understand it won't be a 'modern' riding experience.
I've only had a short ride on an XJR 1300, but it was great fun. They are quite heavy, aren't as nimble as a sportsbike due to the old fashioned suspension set up and don't turn in as sharpe as a more modern bike.
They look awesome though, however I prefer the older models with the big old fashioned exhaust on each side and orange indicators.
Try before you buy, but I reckon you won't be disappointed as long as you understand it won't be a 'modern' riding experience.
Great question. I've been deliberating exactly the same question over the same 4 bikes the past couple weeks and will follow this thread with interest.
I've test ridden the CB1300 and was not impressed. Test rode the ZRX1200 and thought it was great fun. XJR1300 looks a bit 'soft' imho. But I am drawn to the GSX1400, although never ridden it.
I've test ridden the CB1300 and was not impressed. Test rode the ZRX1200 and thought it was great fun. XJR1300 looks a bit 'soft' imho. But I am drawn to the GSX1400, although never ridden it.
The ZRX1200 handled remarkably well - generally an old school but very capable chassis that was happy side-to-side, mated with a great motor.
CB1300 just felt heavy and reluctant to turn in, although perhaps some of the heaviness could be dialed out. Real quality finish though.
GSX1400 - saw one on the weekend with twin zorsts from both sides. Looked and sounded
CB1300 just felt heavy and reluctant to turn in, although perhaps some of the heaviness could be dialed out. Real quality finish though.
GSX1400 - saw one on the weekend with twin zorsts from both sides. Looked and sounded
Edited by spareparts on Tuesday 25th January 12:37
the gsx1400 will do 1.6 leptons (indicated), apparently. So hardly slow, and it eats most 600's on useability. Bit ponderous though, and please buy some new fork springs if you're going to thrash properly. Good underseat storage until you do an undertray. Akra system adds tons of horses and drops tons of weight.
The xjr I had, repeatedly broke exhaust studs and had a rubbish clutch. It also felt hinged in the middle, and not where the swing arm joined the frame. Still went well though.
The xjr I had, repeatedly broke exhaust studs and had a rubbish clutch. It also felt hinged in the middle, and not where the swing arm joined the frame. Still went well though.
Biker's Nemesis said:
Hooli has a GSX1400, he done some serious miles on it so he'll be as good as anyone to give you and opinion on that model.
I do. It's done 66.5k now. I've had a few electrical gremlins, but then it's always lived outdoors & gets used all year.I like it, it's a comfy bike that can cover endless miles. Handles well enough for me & goes ok too. Load it up with luggage or pillion & it makes sod all difference, it just goes anyway. Mechanically mine is fine & seems hardly run in, I honestly reckon its a 200k motor before a major rebuild. Mines got a Akra pipe & PC3, after a Dyno it's 124bhp & 97ft/lb. MPG is around 40 ridden normally, I got 53mpg once sticking to 70 & not accelerating hard. Mind you I got it down to 27mpg by staying in 2nd & 3rd to play.
If your looking at 14s then stick your head in at www.gsx1400.org - endless info & stuff there of people who love them. The only real issues with them is the rear shocks on the K2-K4 models tend to leak if the preload is adjusted with them dirty & the engine covers/fork lowers are prone to corrosion.
I have a ZRX1200 - moved to it from a VTR1000 - bought it cos I couldnt see why a CB1300 was almost 2K better.
I test rode a friend of a friends ZRX and loved it - ended up buying it!!
its fast enough - very grunty, so relaxed when cruising - it handles well enough to embarrass those peopel on Sports-bikes who dont really know what they are doing. When pressing on really hard, it lets you know when its out its comfort-zone, but does nothing nasty (VERY stable).
Ive fitted a ZX636 Front end to mine - USD and radial brakes, this lowered the front about 10mm, and it still doesnt get unstable - I fitted a steering-damper but its never been off the lowest setting, and Ive never had a tankslapper (VTR did it all the time).
I really like it - wish Id bought one years ago, as it suits me perfectly
I test rode a friend of a friends ZRX and loved it - ended up buying it!!
its fast enough - very grunty, so relaxed when cruising - it handles well enough to embarrass those peopel on Sports-bikes who dont really know what they are doing. When pressing on really hard, it lets you know when its out its comfort-zone, but does nothing nasty (VERY stable).
Ive fitted a ZX636 Front end to mine - USD and radial brakes, this lowered the front about 10mm, and it still doesnt get unstable - I fitted a steering-damper but its never been off the lowest setting, and Ive never had a tankslapper (VTR did it all the time).
I really like it - wish Id bought one years ago, as it suits me perfectly
Had a GSX1400 for 3 years. Lovely big sofa of a bike.
Get some aftermarket pipes on it and it sounds great. Mine had Beowulfs on and rumbled a bit like a big twin.
Not the sharpest tool in the box but perfectly capable and oh so stable. Pillion / luggage makes no difference. Ride all day comfortable but put a small screen on if you're doing lots of motorway miles. It took a couple of days for my grimace to fade following the (fairly quick) trip from Newcastle to Silverstone for the Moto GP last year.
I sold mine for the same as I paid for it 3 years before. I miss it though.
Get some aftermarket pipes on it and it sounds great. Mine had Beowulfs on and rumbled a bit like a big twin.
Not the sharpest tool in the box but perfectly capable and oh so stable. Pillion / luggage makes no difference. Ride all day comfortable but put a small screen on if you're doing lots of motorway miles. It took a couple of days for my grimace to fade following the (fairly quick) trip from Newcastle to Silverstone for the Moto GP last year.
I sold mine for the same as I paid for it 3 years before. I miss it though.
J B L said:
Thanks Hooli. 
What year did they move it from carbs to FI?
edit: found the answer...
Ask Wedg1e about the 'carbs' on mine What year did they move it from carbs to FI?
edit: found the answer...
He was raving about how carb bikes are more responsive than his FI Pan & how he'd enjoyed my 14 when we swapped bikes, right until I pointed to the nice obvious writing on the side saying 'Fuel Injection'
had my xjr since 02 from new now done 65000 miles on it. few times round Europe (France, Germany, Switzerland,Italy Hungary, Romania), an indicated 160 on the clock.the good thing about naked bikes is it keeps you under the tonne. cruising along around Europe i was getting nearly 200 miles to a tank. normal riding about 130 a tank 21 liters i think it handles ok. it might not be the best but i think it looks the best.now I'm looking forward to our little trip to Scotland in august.
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