By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Honda CB 1300 (SC54) vs Suzuki GSX 1400 (K5/K6)
Honda CB 1300 vs Suzuki GSX 1400: which one's easier to live with every day.
Roll on the Honda CB 1300's throttle and it builds a silk-smooth shove right above idle, and it doesn't care which gear you're in. On the Suzuki GSX 1400, that same twist brings a heavy surge low in the revs. It'll pull top gear from a crawl.
What makes each one tick
CB 1300
Quick direction changes don't come free. There's real feel at the brake lever. The twin discs rein in all that steel.
GSX 1400
There's a deep thrum from the GSX 1400's exhaust where most fours scream. Plush suspension soaks up a bump without fuss, and the wide seat doesn't tire a passenger. Parking it takes care. Under way, the front end stays planted on its line.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CB 1300 makes more peak power: 116 hp (85 kW) vs 106 hp (78 kW).
- The GSX 1400 makes more peak torque: 94 lb-ft (128 Nm) vs 86 lb-ft (117 Nm).
- The GSX 1400 has the larger engine: 1402 cc vs 1284 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
Neither one is where you should learn. Get a season on something gentler first.
There's no real gap on commuting, twisty roads, and running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
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
GSX 1400
What owners say
Strengths
- Classic retro styling with strong road presence
- Comfortable long-distance cruiser
- Immense low-end torque
- Smooth, refined engine with a low burble
- Surprisingly capable handling for its size
Trade-offs
- Considerable weight hampers low-speed maneuvering
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.
GSX 1400
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Seat height
- 31.1 in (790 mm)
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CB 1300 | GSX 1400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1284 cc | 1402 cc |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Oil-cooled |
| Power | 116 hp (85 kW) | 106 hp (78 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 6,700 rpm |
| Torque | 86 lb-ft (117 Nm) | 94 lb-ft (128 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,500 rpm | 5,000 rpm |
| CB 1300 | GSX 1400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (21 L) | 5.8 US gal (22 L) |
| CB 1300 | GSX 1400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 190/50-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.6 in (1515 mm) | 59.8 in (1520 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CB 1300 | GSX 1400 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
