Thinking oF buying a XJR1300

[brooker81]

Anyone had one any thoughts ? Be kind.

[fatbloke62]

years ago when I had my 600 fox eye I really could not choose which bike I wanted next out of  a vfr800, fazer 1000 gen1 or a XJR 1300, I've had the vfr I currently own a gen 1 and that itch for the xjr still needs to be scratched i'll watch this thread  and see if other folks have gone down a similar route  and their opinions of the xjr

[Grayo]

Anyone had one any thoughts ? Be kind.

I had one about 4 or 5 years ago and it was the worst bike I have ever owned.
It was a 2003 model that only had a 5 speed box and always felt like it needed another gear.
After a few months it suffered with severe clutch slip but apparently they all do. They go through clutches very quickly so the Barnett clutch conversion is recommended which is quite an easy job (but not cheap at around £130) .
Being air cooled the engine noise is very noticeable and sounds very "rattly". They also overheat very quickly if sat in traffic on a warm day.
I was glad to get rid of it and wouldn't even consider buying another one although Yamaha have probably made some sort of improvements to the later models.
Hope this helps. 

[Robgosty]

Had two XJR 1300s, big comfortable mile munchers, can be tweaked quite cheaply to get 120BHP+ on rear wheel, poor rear suspension, fitted Hagons to mine, thing to remember is its not an RI so it aint gonna ride like one, having said that surprised quite a few sports bike riders when i had mine, they see you in mirror give it a big handful to leave you for dead then look really surprised when you still in their mirrors, best place for info is here http://www.yamahaxjrownersclub.com/phpBB3/index.php  bike feels like it really needs a sixth gear but gearing can be played with, mine had a Barnett clutch to avoid clutch slip and clutch slave seals need replacing now and again, engine is fairly bullet proof tho

[misterjayb1]

I did fancy one til I actually I sat on one. Wow straight back to the 80's and did nothing for me, but then again I guess thats why folk buy them. Couple friends have them and they love their XJR'S.. ps they both the drag racing type    I would choose a gsx14 over an xjr

[sadlonelygit]

so was i......until i rode one.
big, heavy, slow steering, underdamped, undersprung, under geared, but with a full akra and modded carb rubbers quite brisk.
reminded me a bit of my old z1000.

[noggythenog]

Dont do it Brooker.....even i wouldnt....plenty other fish in the sea mate.....plus you'd look like an ant riding a bee

[celticdog]

I sat on one once, all I was missing was a set of stabilsers.

[stevie-g1968]

I tried one years ago.... best way to describe it..... it had hinges in the middle.... I bought a GSX400 , smiles better ... more torque more power.. and with a bit of tweeking handled well for a 1/4 ton bike.

[maddog04]

FJR is the way to go

[Ferg]

Get an XJR. You wont regret it. Amazing bike. Always puts a smile on my face. The torque is great. You don't need a 6th gear it pulls from less than 2000rpm. Its a real mans bike though that needs a bit of muscling about to get the best out of it. The twin shocks are great fun once you get used to it moving about. Like has been said its easy to embarrass sports bikes. Add a second pressure plate for the clutch issue. £10 and about 15 mins work. They are still making XJRs but not GSX1400s. Need I say more!!! Only thing that will defeat it is emission controls. I have been looking for an alternative for a couple of years but have held onto my 62k T reg XJR1300 as its so much fun.

If your a big girls blouse buy something else or a FJR but remember fairings are for fairies!!

[Millietant]

I'm with Ferg - my best mate has one and absolutely loves it. Yes it's big (so is he), but it's comfy, has been mega reliable and is more than quicke enough. As others have said, you CAN embarrass sports bike riders, especially on bumpy roads, but it does take a bit of man-handling (like all of the other big bruisers).


Andy used to keep up with the Fireblade riders amongst our friends in the late 90's on his XS 1100 - someone who had followed him and only just kept up told him he didn't understand how he could ride it so quickly when it weaved and wobbled on fast corners - Anby's reply was that it was easy, as it weaved and wobbled on EVERY corner, it was very consistent, so he always knew what to expect and just rode around/though it 🙂.
There's just a different mental approach needed for a big "naked".


And the engine is just a barely modified FJ1200 engine, which has be the best foundation the bike could have.

[heath]

Had mine since new, now 12 years old with 70 thou on her, only recently had to change clutch,

If you think these are slow you best get your arse to next years Spring meet and come out for a play

A proper mans bike, big, heavy and loads of fun and good on juice
What more can you want, will even play when loaded up

[tojjer]

I had one a few years ago. I found it great fun, smooth and powerful. It is what it is, a throwback to the 80's.

[Robgosty]

Had mine since new, now 12 years old with 70 thou on her, only recently had to change clutch,

If you think these are slow you best get your arse to next years Spring meet and come out for a play

A proper mans bike, big, heavy and loads of fun and good on juice
What more can you want, will even play when loaded up

Fooking hell , Fergus then Heath getting like overspill from XJROC on here

[heath]

Had mine since new, now 12 years old with 70 thou on her, only recently had to change clutch,

If you think these are slow you best get your arse to next years Spring meet and come out for a play

A proper mans bike, big, heavy and loads of fun and good on juice
What more can you want, will even play when loaded up

Fooking hell , Fergus then Heath getting like overspill from XJROC on here

Rob been on here longer the the OC mate

[Dinger1962]

My mate turned up at my house on an xjr1200 and of course i took it for a ride i was pleasantly suprised .a bit wallowy in the bends suprisingly quick and comfy not as nimble as my tdm 850 but i bought one anyway. xjr1300 in black(faster in black) had pair of hagons on the rear wider renthal bars and prog springs in front end far better handling than my mates had that for two years great bike its not a sports /tourer but can still put grin on face ..oh couldnt afford the sp model at the time comes with all the goodies mentioned as standard --ramble ramble--beer more beer

[brooker81]

Well didnt end up buying a XJR1300. Bought something else instead.