In 1993 Yamaha was in need of a stand-up bike to other nakeds like the Honda CB1000. The design was a seventies-oriented naked bike, which would be powered by a strong big-bore 4 in line-engine. Yamaha didn't need to develope a brand new one. The reliable and powerful engine from the late FJ-1200 would do just fine.

New carbs and exhaust system were added, and in 1994 the first XJR-1200 appeared. The first appearance of the XJR in Belgium was -to my knowledge ; if anyone knows otherwise please inform me - in 1996. From 1997 on, the XJR appeared in two versions. The "normal" and the "SP". Most significant differences, colourschemes not accounted for, were the suspension and the seat which were of higher quality and comfort on the SP-version. While the "normal" version only had adjustable rear shocks, the SP had Ohlins-shocks and adjustable front springs. The first SP model was the XJR-1200 SP King-Replica.

For 1998, the "normal" got the adjustable levers from the SP, which, in its turn, was now released as the XJR-1200 SP Cristian Sarron. With its typical blue colorscheme, it's the most seen version in Belgium.

Meanwhile in Japan, they were acting rather patriotic on their home-market XJR-1200. The Japanese version was equipped with 4-calliper Brembo brakes, front Ohlins springs as well as rear, and the counters are digital. More parts were chromed, for example the exhaust-collector, and most of the alu-parts were of better quality. Also a possible feature for the Japanese version : aluminium-colored engine, instead of the black export one. The bike shown here is a version with a Kawa-like headlight.

What to think about this : the Japanese XJR's, according to law, are all limited to 180 km/h. Lucky they didn't export that nice feature.........

And as the story goes on in manufacturer-land, there is not only a PK-weight-torque-madness ongoing for racers, but certainly also for naked-bikes. Suzuki has its Bandit an now also its GSX-1300, Honda has an X-11 (Blackbird without the plastics equals death-trap toy) and a CB 1300. Add to this list other attractive bikes like the Triumph Speed Triple, Ducati Monster Series, Buell S1 or the Moto Guzzi V-11 and it is clear that Yamaha could not stay behind for long.

So at the end of 1998, someone took a very big drilling machine, an 1188 cc engine and started drilling until he had a 1251 cc specimen. Things are that simple nowadays and the XJR-1300 was born. In Japan the XJR-1300 was produced together with the XJR-1200 at the end of '98. For 1999, only the 1300 was produced, and at that time also some optical changes were made. A detailled comparison between the XJR-1200 and 1300 can be found HERE.

Also the SP-versions are still made. Most beautiful in town : Model 2000

For 2001 the logic evolutions are continued : from now on, the only difference between the SP and the standard model are colors. Which also means that from now on, all models have the adjustable suspension and adjustable brake/clutch levers.

2002 : this is by far the most radical change. No more "normal" or "SP" version : one single type. New rear brake, newly designed fuel tank, new carbs and exhaust collector. Reason for the carb change : new emission standards are applied, so the engine now has an outlet air induction system. Some power was lost with this modification so new and bigger carbs were needed to regain it. REMARK : this model was already out in Japan last year...