My last ever "which bike to buy" post.. I promise.

After talking to some more owners, reading more reviews, doing some
soul-searching, looking at my own riding style and body size, I come up
with the following decision;

It currently comes down to XJR1300, CB1300 and GSX1400, with the GSX
looking the more likely of the three at this stage.

My current reasoning is as follows (based on a variety of reviews);

The XJR looks the best, but the carby-fed engine is less economical (a
daily commuter, so this is of concern) than the other two and the
handling characteristics apparently leave a little to be desired.

The CB gives good economy figures for a 1300, and handles well, but
doesn't inspire me from an aesthetics perspective, given that I am
searching for a retro muscle-bike look. The finless watercooled engine
detracts from the overall package, IMHO.

The GSX has more torque than the other two (which suits my riding
style), has EFI, supposedly the best handling of the three and fuel
economy in between the XJR and CB. It's also the only one of the three
that has full preload/compression/rebound adjustments at each end, so I
have a better chance of dialling it in from stock, without resorting to
revalving and respringing. It's looks are also almost as good as the
XJR (from my perspective), so it seems like the best compromise.

I'd really like to hear from anyone who owns/has owned any of these,
especially the GSX. I haven't ridden a GSX yet, but am hoping to do so
this week.

 

Sounds like you have decided on the GSX and want someone to tell ya to
go for it.

EFI is certainly a bonusin terms of maintenance. If you have the $$$ to
get stiffer springs than go to the GSX.

I have owned an Aircooled GSX before and didn't like it in summer, but
each to their own.

Search google and you will find plenty of GSX forums.

 

Rod

My GSX has taken a while to really grow on me, but now, I quite like
it. Switched tyres to Michelin Pilot roads, improved the handling from
the originals and hopefully better milege. It gets about 300ks to the
tank (22l).. Not sure about Grovers comment about the springs in the
GSX, my K4 has good, stiff rear springs in it, never have to wind up
the preload too much. Seat tends to put me a bit too far forward, the
Yamaha was a bit more comfortable but for the price of the Suzuki, you
can afford to fix that up later!

No denying that the single muffler on the K5 looks like a chromed
bazooka, but that's nothing that Staintune can't fix.
Plenty of info at www.gsx1400.org

Allegedly, the Ohlins fitted to the Yamaha are Ohlins in sticker only
and are not from the high quality end of the Ohlins pile.

I'm happy with the GSX, it's been a good bike so far.

 

For sure the Ohlins on the XJR is not the real deal. Yamaha now own
Ohlins (have done for a while), and so are free to rebadge anything they
like as Ohlins. That said, I have not had a problem with it.

One bike obviously missing from your short list is the Kawasaki ZRX1200.

Might be worth a look - very pokey motor.

Cheers,

Mark

 

'specially if you have clip-ons and those useless bar-end mirrors!!

 

Buy a Ducati and you will never look back lol
Yea, only look to move forward with a smart purchase next time.

Yea, they will all be riding off into the distance infront of you
while you push your hunk of shit up the road.

Is that what you expected ~~~~~~~~

 

Well. I did it!

After 8 years and 13 bikes (not counting the kids' bikes), I've never
owned a new bike before.

This morning, I laid down a deposit on a shiny, new, black,
fuel-injected, 1400cc licence-shredding beast.

Does anyone know where I can buy extra demerit points?

 

Did you say muscle bike? You lookin in the wrong place...

Honda 919 is a true muscle bike...189Kg....fireblade engine...faster than an
R1 to 100...handles waaaaaaay better than those other pigbikes you
mentioned.....skys the limit if you want more power later...around $10K
BRAND NEW ride away

And yes I HAVE ridden all the pigbikes you mentioned.

 

Given that I clearly said "RETRO muscle-bike" style. I don't see how
the Hornet 900 (or Honda 919, if you prefer) fits here. Finless
watercooled engine, little (or no) chrome, mono shock, high pipes... a
modern-looking bike with no fairing.

I'm not denying it's a great bike, and I'm sure it'll out-handle any of
the other three, it's just not exactly the look I was after. I also
agree that It's gotta be up there in the value-for-money stakes,
alongside the Suzuki SV 650/1000.

IMO, the GSX looks way tougher, but that's just my opinion (and you are
certainly entitled to yours). Sorta like comparing an XW GT with a BA
GT, if you get my meaning.

There's a certain class or road prescence that the Hornet (or the
CB1300, for that matter) is lacking.

 

Sort of looks that say "who need aerodynamics when you have brute
horsepower", even if it ain't so any more.
I agree bike engines need fins not fairings.

Dain. '75 CB750..... lotsa fins but not much horsepower.

 

agree to disagree.

I too considered the GSX1400...but during the 3mths consideration period saw
too many of the types of riders it attracted (think BEERBELLY, GREYHAIR,
30KM/h CORNER SPEED)...if you get my meaning

 

I'd never tell anyone what to buy, but if you moved on a 1400 I'd reckon
you could do worse. I've had one for almost 4 years now and if I lost it
I think I'd buy another without second thoughts.

I had an exhaust genius pull out the final baffles from the cans and
open up the outlets a bit so they are straight through. It is now not
over loud but at least it lost the quiet fart in a paper bag note as new.

Watch the bolts and screws especially around engine mounts. Mine seem to
have a habit of slacking off. Found a engine mount bracket screw hanging
out half inch a few days ago, and that's after dealer has been paid to
spend time specifically in that area a couple of years ago. I don't
blame them, more likely Suzi's finish, which can be very questionable.

If I was bent on finish I'd be looking to the cbr1300. It's a nice
machine but then it's missing something(s).

The seat is a bit of a problem. Money spent there would not be wasted.

I'm happy with the BT020's but watch the torque and engine compression
braking can run a flat center very quickly. Wind the idle up to around
1300 and that'll slow the compression braking down a bit. As far as the
torque goes, well that's why you'll keep the beast.

Pay little heed to the rear wheel alignment markers... do it by
alternate means.

No one has ever commented to me on nay perceived mickey mouse the looks
of the 14 and I'm happy with that. Mind you, one person commented on how
well kept it looked for its age.

MikeH (Brisbane)

 

Congratulations,
I've owned the 2004 919 Hornet, 2004 GSX14, 2005 CB1300 & a 1996 XJR1200.
The GSX14 lasted the longest in the garage at 2 yrs and 12 000kM, and was
the best of them all.
The 919 is a cheap commuter bike, and there is no Fireblade jest at all in
the motor.
The CB1300 is momma bear in stature.
All of these bikes are bouncy in suspension and except for the 919, the
adjustment screws work a treat.

Finish of the Honda 1300 is better, but the handling dynamics of the GSX
exceeds it, and that counts bonus points for this Grey haired, pot bellied
53 yo, get around the corner at a far greater speed than Mr Gmans' 30km
observations.
The XJR suits those who are vertically challenged, and the Suzuki for those
at the taller end of the scale.

One necessary change I did was to junk the rectangular mirrors as they
blurred over 60 kmh. The round mirrors from the 919 Hornet found a new home,
and are blur free.
Also watch the rear shockies for leakage of oil around the pre load rings,
as this is a known weak spot with them.
Rob.

| Well. I did it!
|
| After 8 years and 13 bikes (not counting the kids' bikes), I've never
| owned a new bike before.
|
| This morning, I laid down a deposit on a shiny, new, black,
| fuel-injected, 1400cc licence-shredding beast.
|
| Does anyone know where I can buy extra demerit points?
|

 

LOL it must be tossa night!

HAHAHAH 'A Cheap commuter bike with no jest at all' (WTF is jest anywayz?)

Dude, you get one fact wrong and your whole story reeks of BS

A quick search of the net gave me this:
Honda 919 0-100 2.8s
Suzuki GSX1400 3.8s


I might add I have OWNED 6 large zooks, 850s-1100s and they were ALL a POS
after a year or two. OTOH the 4 Hondas I have owned have been FLAWLESS over
their entire lifetimes. One Honda 919 owner has over 300,000Km with just oil
changes! Now THAT's Honda reliabilty!

BTW I wont even LIST wont went wrong with my zooks, but count
engines...clutches...gearboxs...u name it, the suzukis broke it!

 

Wank, wank. My bike's better than yours and it's a fuckin' Harley!

 

And you do a lot more than 30 through the corners

JL

 

Nice. Fancy a screen? (Black)

--
Conehead
"Every day I think about dying.
About disease, starvation, violence,
terrorism, war, and the end of the world.
It helps keep my mind off things."
McGough

 

has bobby changd his name ??????

 

No thanks mate. It was fugly when I looked at the photos last time, and
I'm assuming not much else has changed. Anyway, I'm keeping the one I
put on the Zeph...