Choice of muscle bike

[LustyLew]

Hey all,

Right, I've had the Bandit 600 a while now and I'm looking at upgrading to something bigger.

My riding style is quite sedate, I'm not a GYKD on every roundabout person, I just enjoy riding.

I'm not really a sports bike fan, but semi naked could sway me a little.

i've been looking at various options. Namely the GSX1400, the GSF1200 and the XJR1300. I did consider the Honda CB1300, but in my eyes it looks too much like a CB500.

Does anyone have much experience of these models, which one would be suited to a 10st skinny guy?

I would have thought being naked bikes, they are reasonably sensible.

Cheers.
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Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[McGee]

https://www.raptorsandrockets.com/images/gsx1400%20AkerBrygge_edited.JPG

GSX1400 is an ace looking bike sounds too.

https://www.neptunemufflers.co.nz/gsx1400.jpg
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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[Keen]

From the group tests and reviews I've read (I love big muscle bikes) people seem to say that the Honda CB1300 is the best, especially having the edge on handling. Also I think its got quite a low seat for such a big bike so you might find it more managable.

In terms of looks I like the GSX1400 the best though
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[Keen]

[Kickstart]

Hi

I have had a 1200 Bandit for quite a while.

Compared to the 600 the frame is very similar. Wheels are wider, brakes are better, but any chassis problem you suffer from on the 600 (such as corrosion) will be there on the 1200.

Standard they are fairly lazy. 100hp and little effort. Mid 40s mpg on stock gearing on my rural journies to work. Decent size fuel tank. Fuel gauge that is prone to going wrong. Rear brake caliper designed to seize in 10 minutes flat.

Extra power (if you want it) is easy to get. Seems a full Akrapovic system will get it up to 115~120hp (on a dyno where a stock bike is producing 100~105hp), and the airbox is commonly modified to help as well. If you want more power than that then you can, just the price goes up (and mine with around 40~50% over standard power is still quite lazy to ride). The engines themselves are pretty tough (designed for a lot more power than the Bandit produces).

Best of all, they are dirt cheap.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Kickstart]

[Visitor Q]

[Keen]

you could always go for an MT-01.

1670cc's of muscle

as my muscle car driving room mate in the US used to say, "daddy likes displacement"
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[instigator]

They'll swallow fuel at a quicker rate than your bandit anyway (if you ride it like you want to) so do expect that. And the consumeables, tyres, c&s and what not. Looking at 40-45mpg for the big nakeds I understand.


I personally wouldn't touch the CB1300 (It's a honda and a horrible bland one at that).

Everyman and his dog has a bandit 12. Not to say they're bad bikes but if you want individuality, you'll have to customise it a lot (or jsut leave it standard, most bandits are modded anyway )

Daon't count out the ZRX1200R/S. Do a hunt for ZRX61's bike. That eddie lawson rep is gorgeous. Then it would be the GSX1400. In my opinion of course, do understand I haven't ridden any of them but have looked into getting one (not the Honda - urgh)

[BlackSheep]

[Wave2k]

If you like a naked bike, but are young and still like a bit of fun.

the Z1000

https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/Objects/w604h453_000003400EEAE884.jpg
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[JonB]

My Dad is collecting his new CB1300 on Sat, so after I've had a little ride on it, I'll tell you how it goes compared to my Bandit 600.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Type_Mo]

How about a bored out bandit 1200?

Hornet 900?

GSX14000
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- Typhoon ?0 - Yamaha DT125R - Aprilia SR125 - Yamaha DT125R - Honda Hornet 600 -

[scol1]

Quality build,all the bike reviews rate it best in muscle class,on those grounds and a test ride I bought one...........can highly recommend!!
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CB1300,a proper bike!

[Fazerkev]

Beamer r1159r rockster, r1100s, guzzis
if we're saying z1000, you've got to consider the speed triple
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Kev

[Zimbo]

All round package, speed trip gets it every time!
Bandit 12 for cheap lazy torque
GSX1400 is a top choice too, I like!!!

Found the Z thou bland and uninteresting, lacking in torque.

If it was me, speed triple, or monster thou.

[Rob]

There is only one choice if you want a big engine naked bike:

Triumph Speed Triple

Latest model of course!
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Love is 1050cc

[Wooly R6]

https://www.triumph.co.uk/images/G_SP3_2.JPG

ooh yeah

https://www.triumph.co.uk/images/SP3_WHITE.jpg
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[BFG]

[steveh]

i have to agree with mcgee (sadly) , my old man test ridden the GSX1400, From a norton 850 thats 20-30 odd year old, it was a step and a half.

The guy that came to our house on one when i had my accident (same bike) just blipped the throttle and wheelied the length of the street, looked like a bullet out of a gun.

I love the older models with the twin Zausts, they brought out the new ones with that fucking stupid trombone on the side.


Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

[Doddmaster]

ZRX1200R lawson rep!

[mchaggis]

https://canyonchasers.net/albums/Triumph-Speed-Triple/speedtriple_burn.sized.jpg

Ooh ooh ooh! It has to be a Speed Triple! They're fantastic looking and sound amazing, especially with a factory race can. And there's the old cliche: it's British!
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[NitroNorry]

SPEED TRIPLE.

Martin
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Triumph Daytona 675
www.triumph675.net

[palmer]

whats the retro kawasaki musclebike called? its got a kind of square headlight. it looks ace

[instigator]