Things to look out for on an XJR

[eddypeck]

Hey guys, looking to pick some brains.

I've always had a soft spot for an XJR and have found one local for sale that's got me interested.

It's a year 2000 1300cc one, just under 30k on the clocks, apparently not had much use in recent years so majority of the miles are done when it was young.

Hoping to go check it out on the weekend, awaiting on a reply and some more details from the seller. So far just seen some pics and it looks OK from what I can tell, the usual bit of weathering but nothing a bit of time and tlc can't sort out.

I'm familiar with the usual, sticky calipers, alloy corrosion etc. but wondering if there's anything specific to these bikes that I should be looking out for. Is there anything they're know for or anything that's potentially expensive to deal with on them?

Are they just as prone to clunky 2nd gear as much as every other Yam?

They tend to hold their money well but the thing is this one is pretty cheap, which is great, maybe it's a just a great bargain. But can't help but think it's cheap for a reason and if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

That said, it's at the sort of price well even if I have to spend 5 or 6 hundred on it it'll still be good value for money compared to what other people are asking for them.

thanks in advance.

[stevo as b4]

They do like any stylish retro naked (from the pre plastic alien face era), hold a good price and that's even with plenty of them still available and in use.

I like the looks of the XJR. Engine wise it's an ox and is as tough as hell.

I think you've named all the real issues with a 20year old chrome covered Yamaha though in one word. Corrosion.

Get a tidy one that's been pampered, cos plenty have been and are sunny weekend two up machines that probably have never been run through a winter of salt. There's plenty of them to choose from so you don't need to panic and hand out loads of cash for a tatty bike thinking another one won't come up for sale again.

The only other thing I'd be wary off with quite a few XJR's is how much tasteless tat and extra shiny blingy bits some people cover them with. Its not any different to Bandits/ ZRX's etc, but I'd not want tasteless modifications unless your given all the tidy std parts FOC in the deal.

We all have our own ways of doing what we think are improving things, but IMO the best XJR mods would be taking stuff off it, not bolting lots of extra stuff on.

[Bricktop]

[stevo as b4]

Not a fucking chance sorry mate!

I guess it shows how much some bikes attract such different personal taste though.

A stainless or titanium 4-1 nicely tucked in under the engine, and you'd want a nasty plastic belly pan to cover it up?

I guess I'm just one of them weirdos that think wrongly about accessorising bikes like these. Changing parts other than some big wide renthal bars, is only about making it lighter or faster or both. If you can get more ground clearance too that's a nice bonus.

Belly pans, twin anodised end cans, crash bars, radiator guards, double headlights etc etc, all go into room 101.

[temeluchus]

The stock exhaust rots badly, other than that they are pretty good all round.
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[Bricktop]

[Alex A]

[andys675]

ohlins shocks needing work

mate of mine had to get some fixed for a customer who had not long bought a bike from where he worked, this was 4 years ago and the bill was over £500 plus vat
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[eddypeck]

[eddypeck]

Thanks for the comments guys, but on this one I guess I needed to move quicker.

Saying on a Wednesday I'll come look on the weekend wasn't going to cut it. It's sold already and not surprised at the price it was up for.

But an XJR is still very much on the watch list so I'll keep an eye out. And even accepting I'll have to pay a bit more I'm pretty sure it would be worthwhile on a better example.

I'm with stevo as b4 though regarding all the add ons. I'd much rather have a stock, well cared for example. Although I'm not offended by a belly pan, if I bike came with one I'd probably keep it, same for a hugger.

[eddypeck]

[stevo as b4]

Oh but that ones only been vandalised by someone that's colour blind and or on some really good high as a kite drugs.

There's plenty out there much worse IMO. Its the more shiny stuff is better approach I take offence with. Also the XJR is a good but quite heavy bike, putting one on a diet will help it no end in terms of making it nice to ride.

I look at XJR's and it's rivals like this:

They all have big strong and grunty engines that can take some serious tuning. They have a big strong cradle frame and huge swing arm like a road bridge.

Making them handle and steer better, and sharpening the brakes, IMO would make a much more satisfying bike to ride. They have soft gentle power delivery and very muffled exhausts. Unlocking some of the noise and power lurking in the engine room makes for big gains compared to small bikes, and is sometimes easy to do, so why not?

Ultimately many like them for the OEM old school muscle style, and yes they are great looking real motorbikes as std, but full of potential too.

[Polarbear]

[stevo as b4]

I'll be a cunt then and say an oil radiator if I'll get away with that?

Half of the rivals are water cooled though, ZRX's and CB1000's/1300's etc. And anyway if there was no oil cooler, owners would still find some alternative heavy chrome tat to bolt onto them.

[RhynoCZ]

The word radiator means a thing that radiates heat, so I'd say it may cool engine oil as well as engine coolant (water + ethylene glycol).
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'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[chickenstrip]

Speed blocks. No point in having one if it doesn't have one of the speed block paint jobs.
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[lilredmachine]

Clutch slave cylinders are a weak point and often begin to leak due to age/corrosion. They can be repaired but are liable to fail again, new one is pricey.

'Ohlins' shocks on these are utter bullshit and are cheaply built litter with an Ohlins sticker on them. Yamaha own/did own Ohlins at this point and were abusing the shit out of the name. Look for one that has already had suspension applied or budget for replacing the pogo sticks with some nice adjustable Hagons.

Other than that, good, solid bikes but common as fuck. Both the Bandit 1200 and ZRX1200 are sportier rides, numerous guys I know own them, and most ended up with one after finding the aforementioned models too aggressive. I always took this to mean the XJR was an old mans bike.

If you ride aggressively you may well end up in a hedge, they are rather vague, wallowy things.
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Bikes: too many, too much for one man to maintain anyway.

[temeluchus]

[Polarbear]