Yamaha XJR1300

[James England]

Here's a pic of my new bike. It's an XJR1300. I've modified the engine quite a bit.



I just fitted a Baglux tank cover so that I can use their clip-on tank bags. So the fuel tank isn't shiny in the photo, although the cover is made to look like the original paintwork and is a fantastic fit. I also fitted the small fly-screen and belly-pan.

Engine-wise, I've advanced the ignition timing by 4 degrees, fitted unrestricted inlet manifolds from an FJ1200, K&N free-flow air filter, modified the airbox to allow better air flow, iridium plugs, Dynatek Stage 1 carburettor jets and needles.

The bike owes a lot of its origins to the XS1100....... It's immensely fast though and will spin the rear wheel on a dry road or wheelie at 80mph if the throttle is opened up fully....... awesome, as they say!

[CRXSi90]

Looks great! What year is it? I'm not aware that we got those in the US.

[jetmechmarty]

I parked my car very close to one the other day. (I'm working in Germany) If it was available back home, it would be on my short list. As it is, I don't even want to try it. To me, it is what a motorcycle should look like.

Does it retain carburetors, or fuel injection that looks like carburetors? It was nice of the mothership to give you a chain to fiddle with.

[James England]

This is a 2004, the last of the carburettor, twin exhaust model. They went to one exhaust and fuel injection after that (which I didn't want). It had only done 1,800 miles when I got it though so really is as-new.

No they weren't sold in the USA.....

Re the chain.... it really is no bother at all, surprisingly,and I would rather have a chain than a shaft on this bike. I've done 1,500 miles on the bike and the chain doesn't need adjusting at all. It's a lot less clunky than the shaft drive and it's quite apparent how much power is lost through a shaft, I reckon. Of course, you can't beat the shaft drive for touring/maintenance etc but there is a price to be paid for it.

The engine is air-cooled and reminds me of a tweaked XS1100 engine. It has a large oil-radiator too.

The brakes are Yamaha R1 and the Ohlin shocks are standard.

The bike is the fastest thing I've ever ridden. The mods make a lot of difference and I'm sure Dynotek do a kit for the XS1100. Basically, to meet emissions laws and variable fuel quality worldwide, bikes are made with compromises to ensure they can be exported anywhere and run on any old fuel quality. The Dynotek kit is specifically for western-grade fuel (ie consistent high quality) and the jets and needle are suited to the bike, not legal demands of the country it was exported to. Same goes for advancing the ignition timing by 4 degrees; it's retarded when new in order to run on any old rubbish worldwide. This is obviously not required when decent fuel is available.

The totality of the Stage 1 kit has made a huge difference on this bike and I bet it would on an XS1100.

The riding position is a la XS11... sit up straight, comfy on the wrists. I couldn't cope with anything else!

Yes... it looks like a motorbike, eh? Not some plastic thing.

It's also very slim...



Here's the day I got it:

[jjz28]

beautiful bike, i would love to have one. Whats the horsepower?

[ddragon63]

If they were easy to get in the states I would have one in my garage.... nice bike buddy

[XS1100 Newbie]

I think i am in love!! LOL

[Joab]

Very nice!

[James England]

beautiful bike, i would love to have one. Whats the horsepower?

Standard, they are 105bhp but, according to most people, the Stage 1 mods add about 20bhp onto that. It certainly felt like after I did them all.

The bike is a lot lighter than an XS1100, of course, and the transmission is lighter. The clutch is hydraulically operated.

I wasn't sure how I'd like the bike but I must say, it's fantastic. The speed of it is frightening.....

[madmax-im]

I'm sick with envy James...beautiful machine...IMHO this is the next generation XS1100

[James England]

I'm sick with envy James...beautiful machine...IMHO this is the next generation XS1100

I think you're correct, you know. I like the bike because it's air-cooled, carburettors amd a Yamaha. Also, it's a physically big bike, although lighter than the XS1100, so it has the 'presence' of an XS1100. The switchgear is lovely (same flasher switch but no self-cancel).

Strangely enough, despite what I thought was a thin seat, it's very comfortable.

I really can't fault the bike. The build quality is excellent. It's a quiet engine and doesn't have the top end rustle of the XS1100.

The bike does have that 'I wish there was a 6th gear' feel to it! The revs are about 500rpm lower in top gear than the XS1100 but there's so much torque and power that I've still found myself looking for 6th. The engine redlines about 9500rpm and generally has a 'revvier' feel than the XS1100.

There's a great similarity with the XS1100 though, in many ways and you can spot the lineage. It feels like an XS1100 with the benefits of modern materials, design etc.

Unsurprisngly, there isn't really a huge comparison performance-wise. The XJR would, without doubt, burn off an XS1100 in a straight line and the handling is vastly better. Having said that, it's not a fair comparison really, is it?

In terms of looks, it's a nice-looking bike and I'm bonding with it nicely!

[natemoen]

Green with envy!

[jetmechmarty]

We all want one here at XS11.com At best, 1 in 20 of us would actually buy one and that's being extremely optimistic. Believe me, I like it, but when I'm standing beside it, it's smaller than it appears here. Legs like mine might not like it. I would have to give it a try before I went through the trouble of obtaining one.

Still, that is one sexy machine, IMHO!

[James England]

We all want one here at XS11.com At best, 1 in 20 of us would actually buy one and that's being extremely optimistic. Believe me, I like it, but when I'm standing beside it, it's smaller than it appears here. Legs like mine might not like it. I would have to give it a try before I went through the trouble of obtaining one.

Still, that is one sexy machine, IMHO!

I'm 6' 2" though and did wonder if size would be a problem but it isn't. It really is quite a big machine, although less bulky overall than the XS11.

[steelraider]

Hey James -

Notice the picture of the bike when you got it is without the bug catcher windscreen and belly pan. Did you put these on and where did you get them? Brand? Source?

Bike looks FANTASTIC !!!!!