Yamaha XJR1300 - The Muscle Bike with an Old School Heritage

[@cliveeverett27]

Very nice specimen of a great bike. I have the 2009 injection version in black. Can't stop smiling when riding it. Nice and easy to work on too.

[@JohnKennedy-tq5ll]

Nicely done man, Ive got a 2004 XJR which I adore.

[@peterpage625]

I have just bought a 2002 xjr1300 Yamaha exactly the same colour as yours with under 12,000 miles from new and completely standard and original. Its my 3rd xjr1300 Yamaha I had a 2004 xjr1300 Yamaha in black and a 2014 xjr1300 Yamaha as well. Loads of Grunt very Reliable, a good bike for 2 up riding and can be used for touring.

[@mikebreen2890]

The grey with the black engine is gorgeous.

[@Supersleuth0987]

Yeah people rage about the blue one I like the grey and the black one too

[@mikebreen2890]

@@Supersleuth0987 There's a black one and I think a white one too, both of those do not do the bike justice. The speed block ones are all nice but slightly garish but I truly believe the grey on black with the black engine is by far the classiest along with the early short exhausts. Oh, and the later ones with the racing numbers looked awful. Just my opinion!

[@TheGoose81]

Real nice bike, I own a 2008 Fuel Injected version.

[@oldschoolgrech]

Lovely. Is it with the stripe type of decal on its sides? :)

[@TheGoose81]

No its the Black and Metallic Grey version. Still looks nice though

[@bobbymalta73]

Thks for sharing.

[@oldschoolgrech]

@@TheGoose81 great! I love how Yamaha used to experiment with different colours and graphics combinations thoughout the years. 🙂👌🏻

[@oldschoolgrech]

@@bobbymalta73 cheers. 🙂🍻

[@thailandtony]

Great looking bike, I've been considering whether to buy an old school XJR for some time. Having previously owned a Kawasaki Z1000 which is a great bike but not ideal for touring and difficult to modify for side panniers which also spoils the look.... I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on the XJR 1300 as a touring machine? Coming for the Z1000 which is a torque monster it's proving hard to replace, with bikes I like such as the Royal Enfields feeling very underpowered.

[@oldschoolgrech]

I totally agree with you, the Z1000 is just not made for touring, although one can tour with it (and I do plan to go abroad on my '03 Z1000 too, but will travel very light). One has to admit that the XJR is better in terms of riding position and functionality when it comes to adding panniers (although they can be fitted to a Z1000 too). I believe that the FJR1300 may also possibly be even a better option as its styling permits added luggage even more, while the fairing is exceptional for the purpose. P.S. with regards to Royal Enfields I also agree with you. I like their classic styling, and one can travel with it, but if one wants to have a bike with both practicality and style as well as performance, Royal Enfields would simply not qualify. I honestly like their simplicity though. One may also have a look at mid-sized bikes which are also great for touring and not as bulky (and not as powerful) as the XJR or FJR. I am referring to bikes such as the Honda CB500X and the Honda NC750X.

[@jimgracie6403]

I have a 2006 xjr that has done most of its miles touring Europe several times, great touring bike as very comfortable and torquey. Down sides are it has no screen from standard, it doesn’t have a great range on a tank of fuel maybe 150 miles on a good day and it doesn’t have a 6th gear so it revs quite high when cruising at motorway speeds. Still a great bike though.👌🏼

[@rainermassa2294]

My best Bike :-)

[@oldschoolgrech]

Cheers.

[@loneRider3910]

A classy muscle bike. Shame Yamaha ceased production, as they did with the Vmax. I own the 2014 XJR; fun to ride and traffic filtering is no problem. You should never load it down with side bags or other travelling paraphernalia as they definitely ruin its looks. If items don’t fit into a backpack, leave them at home (let’s face it, a true biker doesn’t need a change of clothes: LOL)

[@oldschoolgrech]

Yeah, it is sad that we won't be seeing new XJRs anymore. Hmmm maybe they would hopefully issue a new version of it, although it would not have the same engine. Hahh! You're a hardcore biker indeed! Haha.

[@kingcrust]

nice review

[@oldschoolgrech]

Cheers. ☺️

[@FabryRock]

Bad Ass bike

[@oldschoolgrech]

Cheers🍻 it truly is, a bully of a bike.

[@Ricky-dt4qv]

It’s not about the numbers, it’s how you use it in every day use… sounds familiar.. yeah