By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Sport Tourer
Honda CB 1300 (SC54) vs Kawasaki ZRX 1200 R (ZRX1200R-MY2005)
Honda CB 1300 vs Kawasaki ZRX 1200 R: where they split, and which one to buy.
Off a stop sign in a lazy gear, the Honda CB 1300 doesn't stumble on the throttle and pulls smooth from barely above idle. The Kawasaki ZRX 1200 R's throttle punches, then revs out hungry.
So which one do you buy?
The CB 1300 has the edge if…
Traveling with luggage
Small edge: CB 1300
For a week away, the CB 1300 noses in front. That comes from a better reliability record. Fit the bags you want before you decide.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: CB 1300
Through a string of corners, the CB 1300 feels a little more eager. The difference is better suspension and more feel through the bars. The gap is small, so ride both.
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: CB 1300
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the CB 1300. It's down to simpler maintenance. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
What makes each one tick
CB 1300
The CB 1300 wears its mass as a solid heft that rewards an unhurried pace. A bump at speed doesn't unsettle it, because the soft suspension and long wheelbase keep the chassis planted. Walking-pace turns aren't light. The engine hums along with no buzz in the bars.
ZRX 1200 R
The ZRX 1200 R wears old-school superbike attitude in its bikini fairing and teardrop tank, with a wide, flat bar out front. The rear shocks wallow over bumps.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The ZRX 1200 R has the lower wet weight: 540 lb (245 kg) vs 569 lb (258 kg).
- The ZRX 1200 R makes more peak power: 122 hp (90 kW) vs 116 hp (85 kW).
- The CB 1300 has the larger engine: 1284 cc vs 1164 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for this
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both fall short
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CB 1300
What owners say
Strengths
- Silky, torquey inline‑four engine
- Excellent pillion and touring comfort
- Powerful, well‑judged brakes
Trade-offs
- Clunky gearbox action
- High fuel thirst when pushed
ZRX 1200 R
What owners say
Strengths
- Iconic Eddie Lawson replica styling
- All-day comfort and pillion-friendly
- Punchy, charismatic inline-four engine
- Excellent mirrors and powerful front brakes
Trade-offs
- Excessive weight blunts agility
- Notchy gearshift and tall gearing
- Underdamped suspension, especially at the rear
Known problems to check before you buy
CB 1300
- 4th gear selector fork failure Early (2003‑2007) bikes are prone to jumping out of fourth gear under hard acceleration due to a weak selector fork. Honda revised the gearbox internals in the 2008 update; affected units require a gearbox rebuild or replacement.
ZRX 1200 R
- Starter chain tensioner contact with clutch basket The starter chain tensioner can wear or fail, allowing light contact with the clutch basket. Marks on the basket indicate contact.
- Corrosion of exposed fasteners and engine case finish Exposed bolts and engine case fasteners are prone to surface rust, and the engine case finish can dull and develop corrosion bloom, particularly after winter riding on salted roads or in humid climates.
What they share
- Seat height
- 31.1 in (790 mm)
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front brake
- 310 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CB 1300 | ZRX 1200 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 569 lb (258 kg) | 540 lb (245 kg) |
| CB 1300 | ZRX 1200 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1284 cc | 1164 cc |
| Power | 116 hp (85 kW) | 122 hp (90 kW) |
| Torque | 86 lb-ft (117 Nm) | 84 lb-ft (114 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,500 rpm | 7,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 136 mph (219 km/h) | 155 mph (250 km/h) |
| CB 1300 | ZRX 1200 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 35 mpg (US) / 6.73 L/100 km | 29 mpg (US) / 8.07 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (21 L) | 5.0 US gal (19 L) |
| CB 1300 | ZRX 1200 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Wheelbase | 59.6 in (1515 mm) | 57.7 in (1466 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CB 1300 | ZRX 1200 R | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard (from 2007) | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard (from 2018) | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Standard (from 2014) | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
