Yamaha XJR 1300

BIG, as they, say, is beautiful. And in no context is that more appropriate than Yamaha’s latest XJR 1300. Whether or not this is the kind of bike that usually appeals to you, there’s no denying it’s a handsome beast. From the chrome mirrors to the piggy-back Ohlins shocks, the XJR turns heads wherever it goes.

Bearing in mind that housed within its tubular steel cradle frame is an engine of the size you’d normally find in a Ford Fiesta, the XJR is surprisingly agile. It’s a pure retro muscle bike, packed with cutting-edge technology.

The simple air-cooled motor is a tried and tested lump, which first saw service in 1984 in the bullet-proof sports tourer, the FJ 1100. Bored out by 100cc and with no fairing, the original XJR 1200 was introduced in 1995 and became an instant hit. Bored out again in 1999, the XJR became the 1300 it is now, albeit a carb-fed version. 2004 saw the addition of lighter wheels and uprated brakes, and then in 2007 Yamaha gave their stalwart classic a thorough makeover. Where Suzuki have dropped their rival GSX 1400 due to strict Euro3 emissions regulations, Yamaha have breathed new life into the XJR, giving it fuel injection, a revised catalytic 4-into-1 exhaust and a variety of cosmetic enhancements. And so, the legend lives on.

Out on the road, it’s a heavy old bus, weighing in at 222kg, but the huge dose of torque on tap makes riding it a real pleasure. It’s about as upright a bike as you can imagine, and your view of the analogue clocks and chrome-backed indicators serve to remind that you’re riding a modern classic. Yet this is still one fast bike. Make no mistake, £100,000 supercars will be blown away at the traffic light GP, although you’ll need some serious neck muscles to hang on past treble figures. The XJR also needs to be manhandled through the corners and it’s exhausting work riding one of these at a respectable pace. But you don’t buy an XJR to race, you buy one to rule the road; to be the hard man down the pub. No one messes with an XJR owner.

Attention to detail on the XJR is outstanding. Yamaha have enlisted the support of Ohlins (corr) shocks to keep the bike smooth over the bumps and, matched with chunky forks at the front, they do their job well. Look at any internet auction site and you’ll find many a punter happy to part with good money just for some Ohlins stickers, so to have the real thing attached to your machine is a big draw. Ride quality at the factory pre-set is slightly wallowy in the bends, but the shocks are fully adjustable, so given time to play, there’s scope to set them up just how you want them. On the plus side, the ride remains sure-footed even on this week’s ice-cold Tarmac.

The overall styling may hark bark to a previous era, but the razor-sharp brakes certainly don’t. They’re almost too good. Having formerly seen action on the R1 superbike, they knock off speed at an impressive rate.

A big bike needs a big tank, and the XJR’s 21-litre capacity is just right for the job. Fuel consumption is not too bad at around the 38mpg mark, giving a decent range of 175 miles or so. And if you plan on taking a pillion regularly, they’ll be delighted. The seat is not just vast, it’s very comfy indeed, and the huge grab rail behind is ideal.

So the XJR is your Vinnie Jones of the biking world. It’s old-school muscle for the 21st century. Forget CCTV, if you want to protect your home, get one of these to sit on your drive.

Article written: December 11, 2007

The Yamaha XJR 1300 was kindly loaned by Fowlers Motorcycles of Bath Road, Bristol. For more information about test rides, call Fowlers on 0117 977 0466.

OUR STEER ON THE YAMAHA XJR 1300

Price: £5,499 (@ Dec 2007)

Engine: 1,251cc inline four

Power: 105 bhp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 75 ft lb at 6,000rpm

Transmission: five-speed

Weight: 222kg

Fuel capacity: 21 litres

Top speed: 139 mph

Seat height: 795 mm

by Jon Bennett