The Yamaha XJR1200 is a large naked motorcycle that Yamaha designed in the early 1990s. It was created to compete with the Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 and Honda CB1000, and the XJR1300 later carried the name forward with a bigger engine.
Yamaha XJR at a glance
| Maker | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Class | Large naked motorcycle |
| Designed | early 1990s |
| Main rival | Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 |
| Other rival | Honda CB1000 |
| Character | retro-style big naked bike |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia); the source is very short, so this page is shorter than usual.
History of the Yamaha XJR
The XJR1200 was designed in the early 1990s to compete with the large naked bikes already on the market, such as the Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 and the Honda CB1000. Yamaha positioned it in the same class of big, simple road machines.
The model gave Yamaha a presence in the naked-bike market of the period. The XJR name was later carried forward on the XJR1300, a version with a larger engine that continued the same idea.
The XJR became a long-running part of Yamaha’s range and a familiar sight among riders who preferred a big engine without a full fairing. Its simple layout also made it a popular base for custom builds.
Design and features
- Big naked class: designed to compete with the Kawasaki Zephyr 1100 and Honda CB1000.
- XJR1300 continuation: the name was later used on a larger-engined version.
- Custom base: a simple layout that suits modification and special editions.
Yamaha XJR versions
- XJR1200: the original early-1990s model.
- XJR1300: later version with a larger engine.
The XJR belongs with other big Yamaha road bikes such as the FZ1 and the FJR1300. More models are in the Yamaha collection.
Sources
- Yamaha XJR1200, English Wikipedia: design brief, rivals
