All Comparisons – Comparo CB1300S, Bandit 1250 and XJR1300: What Are These Last Sumos Worth? – On the way: Hadjime!

Posted on by admin

Comparo CB1300S, Bandit 1250 and XJR1300: what are these last sumos worth ?

All Comparisons - Comparo CB1300S, Bandit 1250 and XJR1300: What Are These Last Sumos Worth? - On the way: Hadjime!

Far from the “ maxi ” 1000 cc roadsters which are increasingly sporty and demanding, Site offers you a battle between the last three real big Japanese roadsters: Honda CB1300S, Suzuki Bandit 1250 and Yamaha XJR1300… Comparative test !

On the way: Hadjime !

Of the three Sumos, the softest is undoubtedly the XJR1300: despite a gearbox with a rough hair selection, the availability of the engine, the correctly calibrated injection and the flexibility of the suspensions make the Yamaha a pleasant mount to discover..

We start without accelerating, a minimal rotation of the right wrist allows to quickly stall at 50 km / h in 4th – even on the 5th and last gear -, we pass the speed bumps without – too much – slowing down, we can see perfectly in the retro and we take great pleasure in seeing each other in the windows !

However, we are quickly called to order when the first turn comes: under 20 km / h in particular, the front axle is heavy and the motorcycle tends to engage after a certain degree of inclination..

In addition, its substantial weight, inertia and mass transfers call for caution. Go-arounds or take-over of the brakes in the middle of a curve are not without impact on the trajectory of the monster! You should therefore not skip the steps with the XJR, otherwise you will be quickly overwhelmed..

This vigilance should be redoubled in bad weather: the Yam ‘does not have ABS (not even an option) and the feeling of braking is initially erased by the plunging of the fork. In the dry, we realize that the two front discs very effectively slow down the beast and that the bite of the calipers is in fact mitigated by the front suspension.

The Honda has a much more neutral front end than the Yamaha, a smoother gearbox (also 5 gears) and less soft suspensions. It only disappoints by its jerks of injection, especially at deceleration, which are not erased by its less loose suspensions than on the Yamaha.

On the other hand, with its higher handlebars and its better balanced cycle part, the CB1300S does a little better in tough portions than the XJR1300. However, its half-fairing and its ultra-complete instrumentation give it more of a road look than a roadster. Its braking perfectly confirms this impression.

Equipped with the C-ABS system as standard, the Cebe is hardly afraid of greasy-wet cobbles, manhole covers or unwary road users! When riding, you quickly adopt the pedal braking which simultaneously activates the rear and front brakes, while guaranteeing perfect balance of the bike. A particularly valuable asset in duo and on small downhill roads.

We therefore feel perfectly safe aboard the Honda, whatever the conditions. The overall homogeneity of the machine is no stranger to this feeling: the know-how of the men of Tokyo has struck again! Although impressive at first glance, the CB1300S will make life easier for even inexperienced pilots..

Its engine, still available, lacks character at low revs compared to that of the Yamaha, but it is nonetheless efficient and very pleasant to use..

In comparison, the Bandit 1250 passes for a sporty roadster: suspensions much drier than those of the Yamaha, sportier position than on the Honda, the Suzuki also benefits from an ultra round and full engine to get ahead of its two compatriots. !

Its 6-speed gearbox is incredibly efficient and even makes you forget the hardness of the clutch lever, which can only be actuated during a total stop. Likewise, the "Twelve and a half" agreed to set off again from slow motion without ever flinching and very quickly benefited from formidable vigor. Hamamatsu engineers know a thing or two about engines !

More agile than its cronies, the Bandit requires less effort and allows more improvisation. It will less destabilize bikers accustomed to medium-displacement and will forgive them more. So much so that you ride faster on your handlebars than on the other two big roadsters. Like a Karateka, the Bandit favors attack than defense !

And it’s not just in the winding that the Suzuki takes the lead. Posted on their last report at 90 km / h, the three motorcycles purr around 3000 rpm: 3000 in 6th for the Suz ‘, about 3250 in 5th for the Honda and the Yamaha.

When entering the highway, the Suzuki goes off by itself like a bullet! The Yamaha tries well to follow the brigand, but in vain … And the Honda, slower to put in action, brings up the rear. Around 5000 rev / min however – yes, decorum and the constabulary together would like that we do not exceed this regime on open road – the CB1300S takes back the hair of the beast and devours the XJR1300.

Unfortunately for the CB, the Bandit cannot be caught … Unless the chase lasts several kilometers, in which case the Honda rider, plunged behind his bubble, will end up getting the better of the fugitive and his mount completely. without protection! Or how the Honda Sumo finally brings the Bandit Karateka out of the Dohyo…

On the Yamaha, even before the neck and arm pain, the vibrations in the thighs and buttocks (between 4000 and 5000 rpm) will shorten the escapades on expressways. Too bad, because the chassis and the suspensions yet "Vintage" – understand comfortable and perfectible in arsouille mode – of the XJR 1300 make it possible to cross long curves at very high speed.

On the practical side, the palm goes to the CB1300S, equipped with a storage compartment but also and above all with a large space under the saddle. Only small difficulty: find and then activate the zipper placed behind the lock that will lift the saddle! The Honda’s "trunk" allows you to carry an anti-theft device, a rain suit, a second pair of gloves and a puncture-proof kit or a small bomb of chain grease.

There is more space on the Yamaha, but you can still accommodate a U, a combi and some additional tools. Under the Suz ‘on the other hand, it will be necessary to be satisfied with a disc lock and rain pants.

If you then want to put a big bag or a passenger behind you, the CB1300S will again be the best armed. Four lugs for the bag (as many on the Yam and only two on the Suz ‘), a wide saddle, well-placed handles, low footrests and a clear view for the co-driver: it is the Honda that will seduce the most to your tender halves.

Finally, from the point of view of consumption and autonomy, the Honda scores new points thanks to an average consumption during our comparison of 6.6 l / 100 km, or a theoretical autonomy of about 320 km. With the same 21 liters, the Yam ‘covers a maximum of 295 km (7.1 l / 100km), while the Suz’ with its small 19-liter tank stops 20 terminals earlier (275 km at a rate of 6, 9 l / 100km).

In the end, it is difficult to designate a real winner at the end of this comparative test … From a pure performance point of view and quality / price ratio, the Suzuki Bandit 1250 clearly stands out. But its modern look, more or less successful and too close to that of the 650, may be prohibitive for some – those looking for a "real" Vintage machine..

Homogeneous, versatile and very well finished – beautiful, some might add! -, the Honda – "true-false" old – requires a well-stocked purse. Too bad that Honda France no longer deigns to import the non-faired version … It is also regrettable that for such a price, the center stand is not delivered as standard.

Finally, the Yamaha finally offers its share of sensations and pride, all in royal comfort. Unfortunately, the vibrations of the engine can irritate the most sensitive, the absence of ABS worry the most urban and the weight keep the less beefy….

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *