YAMAHA XJR1300 (1998 - 2014) Review

Year: 2001

Best bike I’ve ever owned

Buying experience: Private £1200 as a running project spent a year and another £1200 sorting her out now she is perfect 63000 miles and pulls like a train

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £150

vääntö/ kiihtyvyys

Buying experience: liike,hyvä uutena

Version: Sp

Year: 2010

It’s a proper motorcycle. Not covered in plastic like a race replica that sad people can pretend on. It is also not an adventure bike that goes along a bridle path and the rider thinks they have done the Dakar. (A two wheel Chelsea tractor)

Buying experience: £4500, Dealer

Year: 2007

Good reliable bike. Only downside for me as I get older is the weight of it.

Version: 2001 Sp

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £50

Best feature, looks(Kenny Roberts colours)+fantastic motor. A bit on the heavy side,compared to modern bikes. Yes I would recommend to a friend .

Buying experience: Bought in 2010 on eBay for £2500 with only 2000 miles on the clock,

Version: sp

Year: 2003

very comfortable user friendly

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £180

Comfy, powerful and loads of grunt. Suspension on soft side, quite thirsty when ridden hard.

Version: SP

Year: 2004

Annual servicing cost: £140

What can I say about this bike, well I will never understand why they changed 4 into 2 to 4 in to one, it looks awful, and everyone will say the same it totally ruins the look of the bike it looks unbalanced from the back end, and the size of that muffler, looks rediculous, it totally spoils the look of the XJR, that's one of the reasons I will not buy a new version of this bike the older model like mine is a much better bike by far, looks better and sounds better if I did I would be changing the whole set up of it and put it straight back to 4 into 2

Buying experience: From a dealer, back in 2004 £5100, THAT WAS A GRAND CHEAPER THAN GETTING IT FROM PLYMOUTH where I live I went to Peterbrough to get that bike

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £180

Great torque and acceleration. Easy to ride. Not the best on fuel and suspension a little soft when pushed hard

Buying experience: Bought from dealer, think I paid a fair price but the bike had very low mileage, just over 2000 miles and 7 years old, full service record, 1 owner.

Year: 2008

Had this bike and sold it to buy a CB1300. Mistake. Now looking for another XJR. Hugely underrated bike which is evident by the price of second hand models (not the plastic newer ugly version). Best thing for me about this machine (asides from the big air cooled motor) is the comfort. I'm 6`3" and I need something that I don't dwarf and feel comfortable on. Owned GSX1400 and CB1300. Yam sits at the top of the tree overall simply as it is better made, more reliable and more comfortable than the others. For anyone looking for a comparison the GSX offers `slightly` more grunt low down. Everything else the Yam is better. The CB felt cramped and it didn't seem to have the go or the character the other two had. Fuel economy is surprisingly good for a big air cooled 4 and the engine looks the business. Sometimes I wished I had another gear but really it isn't too bad a deal. The fuel pump rumbles in the tank (normal) when it primes so don't be thinking there's an issue. Without a can it sounds muted.

Buying experience: Great. Will be doing it again.

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £150

Never let me down, keep it clean and serviced, no issues

Buying experience: From a dealer brand new in 2001. Not a great experience, but the dealer is gone now (Motorcycle City in Bristol)

Version: The Black Version 2011_XJR1300_01 (like Metallica's Black Album)

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £500

Love my beast - her name is Li'l Dragon, and usually after riding for an hour or so, she's affectionately called Tweety by yours truly (thank goodness no one can hear me talking to my motorcycle and lock me up in an asylum!). I'd recommend these motorcycles to anyone who wanted a retro air/oil-cooled muscle bike that is PURE muscle bike - all the way down to the 5-speed gearbox - and a gorgeous engine block that impresses the eye even when the motorcycle is just parked. A Suzuki GSX1400 may have had slightly more presence in terms of engine capacity for some people, but the Zook's 6-speed transmission killed it for me. Muslce bikes aren't really for racing or for long road trips, so I couldn't see the benefit of 6 gears - the extra gear kind of killed the spirit of a pure muscle bike, I thought. I do wish Yamaha Motor Co. had kept the twin exhausts, but no regrets at all - this baby has a smaller engine than the Zook1400, about 5 or 6 foot-pounds less of torque, but pumps out the same 105bhp anyway. Reliability-wise, it's a Yammie - enough said! Good build quality, and reliability is fantastic so far. Wouldn't trade her for anything. You can still buy this brand new in Australia - woo hoo!! Get one before they go out of production (I know they stopped selling'em in Europe a couple of years ago). https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/products/motorcycle/road/sport/16-xjr1300 I wish the mirrors were bigger and captured more of the road behind me - there're idiot drivers and morons on the road in every country... luckily, I abide by the law and do complete head-checks before I move lanes or do things like that. XJR1300s get a full vote from yours truly - the last of its kind - get one yesterday, people!!

Buying experience: I got her in a private sale. I bought mine off its first owner in October 2016 when he told me he was getting too old to ride his beast. She was garage parked, and had done only 10,000kms since he'd bought her in 2011 - so he had effectively run her in. She'd just been serviced by the famous Greg at Dahlitz Motorcycles in Queanbeyan NSW, and had been sitting there doing nothing when my eyes fell on her... "Do they still make these, James", I asked. "They'll stop production soon, but that's one of the last of its kind Anish", he replied. I went to my bank, organised for funds, and bought her off good ol'James. Rode home with a BIG smile on my face. No insects were ingested during the homecoming of my motorcycle. James had kept all receipts of service (all stamped in the factory manual, anyway). If you've gotta buy these, go to a Sydney dealer first - you're likely to get a better price than you can in Melbourne or Brisbane. Might even be cheaper to ship from NSW to other states.

Version: Naked

Year: 2009

It's big, it's heavy and it's a 'proper' retro bike with a real look to the engine but can still be easily ridden lock-to-lock at slow speed and scrape the hero blobs at higher speeds. I had to trade mine in after repeated left knee problems left me unhappy with pushing it up off the sidestand.

Buying experience: Bought from the now-defunct Yamaha dealers in Brackley, good people to deal with.

Year: 2005

BEST OVERALL BIKE...just does it all

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £400

I'm on my third Yamaha XJR now, miss the older carb' model though as it gives a smoother ride. Does not depreciate much as 10 year old XJR'S are stil 2-3K. Would recommend to any one over a certain age who is not out for sports bike performance.

Buying experience: Crescent Yamaha in Bournemouth could not be faulted, excellent service, my 2nd Yamaha XJR from them.

Sorry to offend but have had one of these for a number of years and found it to be a bit on the dull side. Its a lovely looking bike dont get me wrong and looks great on the drive,and has a reliable engine.You can spend a small fortune tuning and sticking R1 forks on the front but why not just get a different bike all together.This bike nearly made me give up biking as it just didn't give me the buzz and i found it to be a bit to hum drum.Honestly i would get a bandit much better bike and comes with six gears!!

I have had all sorts of different bikes in the last 5 years,never went for Sports bikes because I'm too creaky tried most others though. I can't believe the XJR has slipped under my radar for so long. I bought this one new at a good discount. This bike has just about everything I need. Plenty of smooth up and go, good looking big bike that is more agile than it looks, rides like a magic carpet, good comfort on both seats and plenty of street cred. I'd like a sixth gear and a gear indicator and that would be about it. Reliability and build quality will have to be continued at a further time but look good so far.

My first encounter with one of these bikes was when I went round our drummer's house, and there this beast was in his drive. Three years later I had bought one and I haven't been disappointed. Ok, I bought mine when you could buy them cheap (£4K for a 1 yr old bike, bargain), and I haven't stopped grinning since. It has a lorry load of torque in any gear and hits the national speed limit briefly before waving it bye bye :-) It is a proper big muscle bike, a bruiser and badged as a worthy street bike. I love it to bits, even though there may be faster bikes, even bigger ones, but none compare to the aggressive look and that big old headlight comin down the road atcha! I'm 47 yrs old. I should be in a reclining armchair wearing a pair of M&S finest slippers smoking some pipe, reading a sermon, but no, I'm a rock guitarist riding a big, brash, heavy black XJR. Nothing better!

Good looking bike with a beautifull torquey engine , the handlings stable on bendy "A" roads but requires a bit more input on backroads but this adds to the fun !Its very comfortable to ride and my daughter says the pillion seat is one of the most comfortable places she's ever sat!Fuel consumptions good for a big bike 145 miles to reserve 39mpg , then a gallon left after that . Overall its a great bike !

As i said earlier had mine 11 yers never ever lay dwn on me , all over europe n the uk n ireland, original sp 1 of 98, best but not the last,

I bought my'ne when it was a year old off a guy who said "It scared him to death" and that "I wouldnt have it long before I got shut of it too". Well ya puff I've had it for 6 great years. Its a great cruiser and looks good washed and shiney parked up in any bike meet area. My wife loves the pilion on long rides as the seat is comfy as owt. It aint a race bike and bounces around. You have to treat it with respect when riding at speed. Its not called amuscle bike for nothing. Buy one of these and I can asure you of one thing, all day long biking fun.

This Bike is 100% Fun! Easy to ride smooth as a blackbird stops like an R1 What more do you want.It Handles very well at legal speeds with none of that rear wheel twitch ive had form single shocks,sits on the road lovely with very little movement from side winds unlike its competitors .The best bit, crack open the throttle and feel the force luke!the tourqe is addictive!The engine started its life well over twenty years ago but wow what an engine its so simple you will be skipping away from the service bay!Dont worry about the build quality its the same as all the others! Go get one you wont regret it.

Ive an 04 xjr with plenty of mods, dyno stage 1, 36y inlets, K@n, igniton advancer, bespoke carbon race cans etc, but easily the best mod ive done was to the handling by fitting a billet jack-up kit, raises the back end by 40mm making the steering angle steeper thus making it turn sharper. Totally transformed the handling, felt flat-footed b4 now feels as its if on the balls of its feet ! (190 rear tyre too)

I’ve had my XJR for just over a year now, bought it at seven months old with just 2000 miles on the clock and I’ve done 10,000 since then. It’s one of the first with fuel injection, so has a single huge exhaust on the right-hand side. All in all I’m pretty pleased with it – hankering after a change, but that’s me, not the bike. In town it’s great, really controllable in all weathers – including some unexpected sheet ice I found myself riding over. On the open road it’s brilliant fun in good weather provided you’re not after flat-out speed – much more than the NSL and the windblast and handling start to get in the way. Crosswinds don’t bother it in the slightest, but of course you’re pretty exposed when it rains – I fitted a fly-screen which helps a bit. I commute daily, 10 miles each way in 30 limits and I’ve been getting nearly 40mpg out of it – hardly a CG125 but not bad. I also do some longish runs quite regularly and I’ve been known to get 50mpg with no effort – though that involved sticking below 80 on the motorway. In general it’s not that expensive to run, though it does get through rear tyres – the original Dunlops (D208 I think) gave me less than 4000 miles, the Metzeler Z6s I’m running now look like lasting 6000 to 7000 which isn’t bad. The finish isn’t up to winter riding – loads of ACF50 and regular washing help, but inevitably it’s showing some corrosion – though I expected worse. The paint on the tank is thin – sneeze and it rubs off – but the engine seems to be standing up well apart from flaking on the generator cover. I’ve had faults fixed under warranty. First the clutch slave cylinder started leaking – new seals would probably have been enough but they replaced it. This has always been an XJR weak point apparently, probably because it gets covered in filth thrown up by the chain, but it’s a cheap fix and extremely easy. I also got an error from the engine management, which needed a pair of sensors replacing – worrying, as I don’t know how long the replacements will last. Now it’s out of warranty I’ve started servicing it myself, and it really is easy – no plastics to remove for a start, lifting the tank’s easy once you know how! I sometimes find myself looking for sixth gear; it doesn’t need it to be honest, but the difference between fourth and fifth isn’t great – fifth could benefit from being more of an overdrive. For daily use you need a topbox – there’s virtually NO storage space, even under the seat. Strengths: Engine, brakes, looks, comfort Weaknesses: Clutch slave cylinder, finish, no storage, no ABS option

On what you really want in a bike, i did just short of 50 miles and i was very impressed in the bike. heavy and sluggish with a very un sporty riding position, i was worried that the first 100BHP+ bike id ride would be too zaney, but as i found out, it was polite and quite merciful. the engine is one of my faves i think, with all the torque and power from halfway up the rev range, the drive away is smooth and controlled. twin ohlins, although its questionable at what grade on the rear do give great feel with a sturdy planted factory set up for the thin to the big guys. any major gripes are held over the bars (too high and close together) and maybe the resale value. these bikes never sold as many as Yamaha would of hoped, its target market generally get suckered in for the wow and show-off factors of american cruisers like hardly davidsons. but at 22, i liked it, apart from the bars hurting my shoulders (im used to a sv position!) it was a good call, i was often thinking of a ZRX1200 before the sv, maybe i should of, but then again, these arent really what ill want for at the end, but if its a big bike thats got handling to match the heady mix of old school ego and twin rear shocks, XJR is a very good option indeed. fellers.

I bought mine second hand in 2005 from a dealer in South London. Paid a bit over the top but thought the bike felt smooth and rode well having had an FJR1200 for four years. The bike looks great, handles really well on A roads (though the suspension can't keep up with the engine) and through traffic and has been rock solid riding through two Winters. Finish a bit flaky but buffs up well and though it's a cruiser and not a bruiser it's been perfect fun for riding across London and its surrounding green lanes. Top bike.

I bought my XJR new in 2005, I looked at other bikes but decided to go for the Yamaha. Great to look at, bullet-proof and proven engine, handles well for a 1300, good tourer, very comfortable for rider and pillion, all in all effortless riding and brakes to match.

Bought the bike new and rode it constantly for four summers and winters. The finish is not good unless really looked after, but hey, it's a good excuse to strip the bike and do some serious polishing and blinging which makes it look stunning. Plenty of mods available, Akro, bigger inlet rubbers, K&N, clutch spring and airbox mod make it dish out some 125 horses. Change the front springs for Öhlins and put some heavier oil in and it handles pretty well too. Strengths: Strengths are reliability, looks and ease of riding. Weaknesses: The finish is not good and if left it will soon look like a crusty old heap.

This is my second New Xjr. Nothing else compares. With 32 years of riding under my belt I think I know a good bike when i see one. Powerful air cooled motor with plenty of grunt. Only thing missing is the caravan tow bar. Sounds and goes even better with a four pipe laser system. Yep got one of those fitted as well. Goes like a good woman should. Strengths: Engine. Looks. Comfort. Grunt. Reliability. Weaknesses: Top heavy. Suspension.

I haven't found the bikes limits, which means every ride is a constant thrill. I can go faster, lower, smoother, further... whatever I want, the XJR is brilliant! The upright riding position is fantastic around town and country lanes - no good for motorways, but why have a motorbike and then use the motorway? Strengths: The sheer presence on the road, combined with immediate low down power that just keeps on coming. Fantastic comfort for rider and pillions. Weaknesses: Chrome gets tarnished quite easily, but maybe I should clean it more and ride it less? No!

Always performed faultlessly on many continental tours. Last summer in Hungary showed up its only real flaw- poor ride quality. Many Hungarian roads extremely BUMPY!! Strengths: Reliabilty, torque, looks. Weaknesses: Harsh ride on back roads.

In an earlier life, I had four XS1100's, one after the other. On returning I thought 'get the same sort of thing!' HMMMMMMMMMMMM. After owning this for 18 months Yamaha have replaced a large number of engine components and bike parts. Also three sets of clutch seals. Even the shocks and wingmirrors have all been changed due to corrosion caused by "using the bike in inclement weather" dohhhhhhhhhh. There are two types of bikers, those who own a bike, and those who ride bikes. I am rather disappointed that this machine turns out to be an owners, rather than a riders bike. BUTTTTTTTT what fun it is, good speed, (my sons loose me on their 600's though), two up no problems. Wind up the suspension and it gives reasonable performance. Torquey power source, with really good brakes, and a good long legged top end. Only sounded right when I put EVO's on from Blue Flame. Better fuel consumption and more BHP, and OH a sound to die for. (not literaly of course!) Strengths: Easy riding position, but a rather hard seat. Two up just as good. Luggage from GIVI fits well. Full fairing from TSP improved high speed performance and weather protection. Weaknesses: Japanese finish which cannot resist the cheap and nasty salt our councils throw every where.