xj1300 question

though a long time biker, I don't know Yamahas well (other than dirt bikes like the legendary old DT1, which always gave me serious competition in 250cc class motocross races)

So since it took me four decades to find the best bikes, I'm busy learning and catching up. Hence a question:

Does anybody know if the XJ1300 was sold in the US? Most XJ1300 info I find refers to bikes in places like the UK.

Though I'm gonna stay faithful to my XJ650, the sport bike looks of some 1300 (and 1200 and 1100) models looks good to me. Seems to stay true to the classic overall XJ style.


thanks,
gene (a YamaNewbie)

 

In response to your question, sadly no. The 1300 is a very neat bike indeed. It seems that Americans have had little interest in "Muscle Bikes." I suppose one could call the Suzuki Bandit 1200 a muscle bike, but it too isn't quite the same thing. Kawasaki sold the ZRX1100/1200 here for a number of years, the only one of the Big Four to do so. Sad that the market isnt there in the US.

In fact, you might be surprised to know that each of the Big Four has a big-bore muscle bike: Kawi ZRX1200, Honda CB1300, Yamaha XJ1300 and Suzuki GSX1400. (I like the GSX the best personally.)

Next: if you want one as bad as I do, shoot an email to some higher-ups at (insert manufacturer here), asking, begging, pleading, threatening, whatever you need to, to show them that we want our big-bore muscle bikes in this country.

~Crispy

 

if you want one so badly, why not import it yourself??

 

If you want the ultimate sport touring bike that performs with the best of them, you will want to look at the FJR 1300. That is about the most exilerating ride I ever been on. I rode a friend of mines when it was new and let me tell you, you won't be disapointed with it (if your into that style seating position) it will rock your world for sure. Check it out.

 

thanks very much for the info, guys. That solves my mystery. 1300 sure does look great. My family's from the UK; I get back once in a great while. Maybe I'll see if I can wrangle one there and check it with my baggage.

Yeah, I was a Kawa dealer then and they really were strong bikes. Trivia: did you know that some Japanese (individuals I suppose) made a big push a few years ago to come buy used 1100/1200s here in the US and take them back to Japan? (Others did the same thing for the Datsun 240X autos.)

I couldn't get used to riding a bike from the UK... because it would be right hand drive! [yuk,yuk... I crack myself up!]

No argument; it's awesome. But you're also right about the seating. For some reason (age maybe) I'm more into the old-style upright sport bike seats than the cafe or road racer style, even though racers are cooler.


Thanks again,
gene