Yamaha XJR1200SP
Yamaha XJR1200 | |
Manufacturer | |
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Also called | XJR1200SP, XJR 1200 SP, XJR 1200 |
Production | 1997 |
Class | Standard |
Engine | Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. |
Compression ratio | 9.7:1 |
Top Speed | 228.5 km/h / 141.9 mph |
Ignition | Digital TCI |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Suspension | Front: Telescopic fork, Coil spring/oil damper Rear: Swingarm, Öhlins Coil spring/gas-oil damper |
Brakes | Front: 2x 298mm discs 4 piston calipers Rear: Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 130/70 ZR17 |
Rear Tire | 170/60 ZR17 |
Wheelbase | 1500mm / 59.1 in |
Seat Height | 790 mm / 31.1 in |
Weight | 233.0kg / 511.5 lbs (dry), 246 kg (wet) |
Recommended Oil | Yamalube 10w-40 |
Fuel Capacity | 21 Liters / 5.5 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
It could reach a top speed of 228.5 km/h / 141.9 mph.
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 9.7:1 compression ratio.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 130/70 ZR17 front tire and a 170/60 ZR17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 298mm discs 4 piston calipers in the front and a Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic fork, Coil spring/oil damper while the rear was equipped with a Swingarm, Öhlins Coil spring/gas-oil damper. The XJR1200SP was fitted with a 21 Liters / 5.5 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 233.0kg / 511.5 lbs. The wheelbase was 1500mm / 59.1 in long.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Yamaha XJR 1200SP
Who would have thought that the old and most unlovely XS1100 could one day
spawn this awesome effort ? The XS isnt a direct ancestor for the XJR(more like
a grand uncle)but the FJ1100 did utilize much of Yamaha ence of the
95bhp,four-cylinder DOHC XS. The FJ followed the XS to fill the sports-tourer slot
in the mid 80s, pumping out 125bhp and weighing 227kg. By the time the FJ
disappeared from the list in 1995 its capacity had grown to 1188cc, its weight
was over 240kg, and although there was an ABS option the power output remained
the same.
Enter the XJR 1200 in 1995. The FJ12 lump was detuned for better torque all
lower revs(although that meant max power was capped to 97bhp) and translated
into a retro-chassis with twin-shocks and steel-tube double-cradle frame. The
XJR wasnt seen as a super sport alternative at this point, more a knee-jerk
reaction to the success of Suzukis big Bandit, so the emphasis was on budget
rather than balls-out biking. Thats why the 1200 has rather limited suspension
which becomes more of a paint with age: the twin shocks offer preload adjustment
only and fade rapidly once warn, and the 43mm forks have no scope whatsoever for
adjustment. This is a particular problem on the XJR as its weight bias is
towards the rear-brilliant for power slides and rear-wheel steering-but less
good on high speed curves and under vast acceleration.
The XJR-even the lowly 1200 which the glad rags tend to scoff at these
days-has masses of acceleration. Crack open the throttle at 30mph and youll
need crampons and a safety harness to stay on board at full bore through the
gears.
They ended up creating a bike with excellent steering, thanks to the massively
strong swimming arm, 17-inch wheels which are not over sized tires, and a 1500
mm wheelbase(thats 50mm shorter than the XSs size).
Handling is less precise because of the XJR s 235kg weight (almost the same
as the XS1100) and the sofa-soft suspension. But this does mean the pillions get
a good ride; combined with the enormous seating area the XJR has long-hung
pillion footrests which provide you and the passenger with some decent legroom.
For 1999 the XJR was a 1300 with an actual capacity of 1250cc.
up against the offerings from BMW (R1100 R), Ducati(M900), Triumph(Speed
Triple), Honda(CB1000) and Yamahas own Emperor-without-clothes, the V max.
The main competitor of the XJR 1200 is the big Bandit. Yamaha developed the
sport-tourer as a reaction to the success of the Suzuki Bandit in the 90s.
Being more aggressive, comfortable and with a better look, the Bandit kept
superiority despite the number of sales at Yamaha
Big, brawny and packed with muscle(thats how the bikes used to be like in the
70s and 80s), the XJR 1200 still looks like its of the 90s but with a lot
more refinements.
The XJR was developed as the bike that has it all. Unforgettable looks,
super-toned muscle and a sweet exhaust note. Theyve given to the modern classic
more torque than the FJ and they improved the throttle response also. The bars
are designed to make every single ride more controlled and together with the
seat, comfortable as well.
Unlike Kawasakis 1100 Zephyr, the XJR cant truly be described as a
retro-bike, and the same is true of the CB1000.Perhaps theres a hint of
1978-model XS1100 in the XJRs profile, and this bikes all-black color scheme
echoes that of the XS1100S Midnight Special that turned heads(with its looks)
and stomachs(with its high speed wobble) three years later. But Yamahas lack of
four cylinder heritage has not been a styling handicap, because the XJR looks
the meanest of the modern Japanese trio.
The Yams shiny black paintwork and engine cases contrast with the chrome of
its headlight rim, carb-tops and exhaust systems, and with the alloy finish of
parts such as the box-section swing-arm, rear footrest brackets and the engines
cam-caps. The tips of the 1188cc motors fins are polished, too, emphasizing the
air cooled nature and sheer size of the 16-valve power plant.
The motor sits in a round-tube steel frame which, like the square-section FJ
frame, has a bolt-on lower rail to allow engine removal. Forks are conventional
43mm units, while at the back the XJR has a pair of flashy gold piggy-black
ohlins shocks, made in Japan to the Swedish firms specifications.
From the pilots seat the Yam feels pretty businesslike, its slightly rasied
handlebars sit you virtually upright in front of the chromed-rimmed clocks, a
central fuel gauge and a small alloy panel of warning lights. The stepped seat
is fairly low at 765mm, still not as low as the FJ12s.
Technical
The big motor sets the tone immediately you pull away, its smooth-shifting five-speed gearbox being almost redundant if youre not in a hurry. There is a slight judder power available for as low as 1500rpm in top, and from $2000 up the XJRs 37mm CV Mikunis give a crisp response even when the throttle is wound right open. Better still, the engine is smooth enough to keep the well-spaced rectangular mirrors clear all the time. The wheels are 17-inch three spokes at each end, wearing Dunlop radial rubber in 130/70 front,170/60 rear sizes. Big 320mm front discs with four-pot calipers, lifted straight from the FJ, complete a purposeful profile.
Make Model | Yamaha XJR 1200SP |
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Year | 1997 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. |
Displacement | 1188 cc / 72.4 cu-in |
Bore X Stroke | 77 x 63.8 mm |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Compression | 9.7:1 |
Induction | Carburetors |
Ignition | Digital TCI |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 98 hp / 71.5 kW @ 8000 rpm (rear tire 94.4 hp @ 8300 rpm ) |
Max Power Rear Tire | 94.4 hp @ 8300 rpm |
Max Torque | 91.2 Nm / 67.3 lb-ft @ 6250 rpm |
Transmission | 5 Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Front Suspension | Telescopic fork, Coil spring/oil damper |
Rear Suspension | Swingarm, Öhlins Coil spring/gas-oil damper |
Front Brakes | 2x 298mm discs 4 piston calipers |
Rear Brakes | Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 130/70 ZR17 |
Rear Tire | 170/60 ZR17 |
Wheelbase | 1500mm / 59.1 in |
Seat Height | 790 mm / 31.1 in |
Dry Weight | 233.0kg / 511.5 lbs |
Wet Weight | 246 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 21 Liters / 5.5 US gal |
Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0 | 14.1 m / 39.9 m |
Standing ¼ Mile | 11.5 sec / 186.5 km/h |
Top Speed | 228.5 km/h / 141.9 mph |