By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Honda CB 1300 (SC54) vs Yamaha XJR 1300 (RP19)
Honda CB 1300 vs Yamaha XJR 1300: which one to buy, and what actually separates them.
You'll feel the Honda CB 1300 shove forward without a tremor a hair past idle, and it doesn't care which gear you've picked. The Yamaha XJR 1300's throttle pulls clean from low revs, but it's hiding a second engine up top. Near the redline, it howls and keeps hauling.
So which one do you buy?
The CB 1300 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: CB 1300
In the twisties, the CB 1300 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. The reason: better suspension and more feel through the bars. Call it a modest edge.
The XJR 1300 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Nose ahead: XJR 1300
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the XJR 1300 pulls a nose in front. Your own commute could easily flip it.
What makes each one tick
CB 1300
There's a long wheelbase and a steel cradle frame under the CB 1300, and crosswinds barely nudge it through fast sweepers. A mid-corner bump sinks into the soft suspension while the chassis holds its line. It's undersprung for heavier riders. There's room on the padded seat for a passenger.
XJR 1300
Corner entry takes a deliberate counter-steer. The lock-to-lock arc is surprisingly tight for a large motorcycle, and the hydraulic clutch barely asks anything of your hand while you're working it. The brakes answer every squeeze with composure.
Nils rode the XJR 1300 in 2007 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The XJR 1300 has the lower wet weight: 529 lb (240 kg) vs 569 lb (258 kg).
- The CB 1300 makes more peak power: 116 hp (85 kW) vs 98 hp (72 kW).
- The CB 1300 makes more peak torque: 86 lb-ft (117 Nm) vs 80 lb-ft (108 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for this
Learning on either of these is the hard way. A gentler bike will make you a better rider sooner.
There's no real gap on 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
XJR 1300
Strengths
- Torque from just off idle
- A real charge up top
- Planted once you press on
- Built for all-day miles
- Strong, characterful engine
Trade-offs
- Stock exhaust runs too quiet
- Instruments fade in sunlight
- No ABS, any configuration
- Watch the clutch slave cylinder
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.
XJR 1300
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Fuel capacity
- 5.5 US gal (21 L)
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CB 1300 | XJR 1300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.3 in (795 mm) |
| Wet weight | 569 lb (258 kg) | 529 lb (240 kg) |
| CB 1300 | XJR 1300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1284 cc | 1251 cc |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air/oil-cooled |
| Power | 116 hp (85 kW) | 98 hp (72 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 86 lb-ft (117 Nm) | 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,500 rpm | 6,000 rpm |
| CB 1300 | XJR 1300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 35 mpg (US) / 6.73 L/100 km | 32 mpg (US) / 7.4 L/100 km |
| CB 1300 | XJR 1300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brake | 310 mm | 298 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CB 1300 | XJR 1300 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
