The Yamaha XJR1300 is a classic air-cooled, inline-four motorcycle that embodies the spirit of retro performance with modern reliability. Introduced in 1998 and produced until 2016, the XJR1300 was designed as a ‘muscle bike,’ combining robust power delivery with timeless styling. Its 1,251 cc engine produces ample torque and horsepower, making it a joy for spirited riding and highway cruising alike.
The bike features a steel double-cradle frame, traditional twin rear shocks, and straightforward ergonomics, providing a comfortable and engaging ride. Yamaha positioned the XJR1300 as a nod to the golden age of naked bikes, offering minimal electronics to emphasize the raw riding experience. Over the years, it became a popular choice among custom builders, thanks to its clean lines, large displacement engine and adaptable chassis, often serving as a base for café racer and street tracker projects.
The Yamaha XJR1300 is a relic from a bygone age, and we say that with a tinge of regret. It’s a big, brutal muscle bike that unfortunately has no place in today’s highly regulated market. The hefty, air-cooled inline four still has an ardent fan base in Europe though, despite the engine being a rejigged…
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We’ve seen some truly out-the-box builds come from K-Speed. They’ve done everything from Honda Monkey cafe racers to a Yamaha XSR155 that looks ready for the apocalypse. But Thailand’s busiest custom shop knows how to play with the big stuff too. This Yamaha XJR 1300 was built for a customer in Phuket. It’s so tastefully…
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Bad Winners is one of those shops that consistently do good work. It’s owned by Frenchman Walid Ben Lamine, who has an unusual and very performance-focused CV—including stints as a championship rower and a race team mechanic. It’s not surprising that the machines he puts together in his workshop in the 19th arrondissement of Paris…
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A sinister Yamaha XJR1300, a smokin’ hot RD350, a Honda CX500 with R6 suspension, and an 80s-style Hayabusa rocketship. It’s all about the grunt this week.
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A Ducati Scrambler with a weird Manga vibe, a Yamaha XJR1300 with monocoque bodywork, and one of the best custom Bonnevilles we’ve…
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If you live in sunny Spain and fancy a custom Bonneville, you’d do well to give Macco Motors a call. The Málaga…
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It takes a brave man to commission a bike from El Solitario: founder David Loner Borras is famed for his wayward, mischievous…
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The XJR1300 is hot property right now, and it’s all Yamaha’s fault. First they reissued the iconic model line, and then fed…
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Yamaha’s XJR 1300 is proof that, once in a while, major manufacturers pay attention. And get it right. Now celebrating its 20th…
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If you’ve been following the custom scene for the past three years, you’ll know all about Yamaha’s ‘Yard Built‘ program. It kicked…
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Three years ago, Yamaha Europe kicked off its Yard Built program with the Wrenchmonkees’ stunning ‘Monkeefist’ XJR1300. Since then, we’ve seen a…
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The big news on the custom scene right now is the launch of the revised Yamaha XJR1300. The old bruiser has been…
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