YAMAHA

The Ultimate Coffee Racer
The Racers Café is fashionable and a fashionable phenomenon, which is why it is not usual for this to happen in the motorcycle industry. A phenomenon that is transversal and not restricted to just one type of motorcycle and that besides the motorcycles encompasses a whole philosophy of life, style and image, clothing and accessories, synergy with other sports also fashion, namely surfing and even has been encouraging the competition, with start or sprint races and also in the famous dirt track ovals.

In this two-wheel fashion hispster phenomenon and more urban, preparers have played a key role and are at the root of this development. Ateliers that have created global brands such as God and Roland Sands have developed a new attitude around their preparations and created a phenomenon that has dragged the industry itself and forced the brands to create new models that now approach precisely the preparations of the workshops of reference.Yamaha, for example, has opted for programs that challenge preparers to come up with new creations based on some of their retro models, the XSR range and the SCR. On the other hand BMW has created a whole new line around the base R Nine T precisely to meet and meet the same segment. Other brands such as Triumph and Royal Enfield, which have traditionally maintained their classic motorcycle ranges, now see this effort and vision rewarded. Definitely the classic and the vintage are in fashion and the retro lines that invoke the bikes of the past dictate the new trends in the market of the 2 wheels.

Yamaha was able to keep this segment alive through its muscle bikes, in the style of the 70s and early 80s, with its XJR 1200 that was born in 1995, having been replaced by the XJR 1300 in 1998/99. In other words, the model that we rehearsed this week has practically two decades of existence, although it has evolved something both in its appearance and aesthetics and in the sophistication of its components.Clip-on advancements were mounted instead of the traditional higher handlebar, a shorter tank was designed so that the pilot had a more forward position, centralizing masses but avoiding to load too much the wrists with the weight of the body. The tank is only 14.5 liters instead of the standard 20 liters and is made of plastic (?) Instead of steel, although its finish and appearance are impeccable. The seat is shorter and includes a carbon fiber back cover that turns it into a single seat. At the front was mounted a small dome, also in carbon fiber, that deflects the wind from the pilot's body and, despite being small, the fact that the posture is more lying on the bike turns out to be some effectiveness. The front mudguard is also shorter and in carbon fiber. The finishes are of excellent quality and the bike has a very proportioned and balanced silhouette that gives pleasure to contemplate.

Without a doubt a beautiful Café Racer factory and in the best old school style, with its powerful engine of torque, four-cylinder in-line and 1,251cc, with 98 Cv of power, power that feels from low rotation with the torque maximum of 80lbft to be hit at 6,000rpm. The red line is 9,500rpm so we can imagine that although it is not very rotating it is a soulful engine, to the point that we are constantly looking for the 6th speed.
  XJR 1300 Racer mounts an exhaust specially developed by Akrapovic for this model that gives it an irresistible "voice". A grave and engulfing snore that seduces us and invites us to turn fist, without becoming annoying and keeping a discreet attitude as we go. But no one is indifferent to XJR Racer, its classic look and the extreme quality of its preparation make it an object of desire and wherever you park there are always those who stop to admire it.

The position is quite comfortable despite something lying down due to the advances it makes, but we do not get to feel too much the weight of our body in the wrists. Maybe on long trips it can become tiring. But it is a Café-Racer version so if the objective is to use it more in tourism then maybe the standard version is recommended. The mirrors are well integrated although of small dimension, being that the vision does not accuse vibrations but part of our shoulders occupy of the angle of vision.

The engine of the XJR is extremely smooth, its 5-speed gearbox is extremely precise and without noise. On suspensions it could be thought that a sporty motorcycle could be somewhat stiff or even dry, but not of enormous comfort and effectiveness, certainly thanks to the possibility of tuning the same in the front and the fact of putting together two beautiful shock absorbers Ohlins in the back.

The Racer seems to ride on a flying carpet is the sensation of softness that it conveys to us and, despite its 240 kg, the bike is very easy to put in a curve, perhaps something heavy in the fast chain of curves but surprendently neutral, like if it were in a lane. Even low speed is easy to maneuver not accusing your actual weight.
With a power under 100CV Racer is endowed with a vigorous and progressive acceleration, quite exciting that, coupled with the snoring of your Akrapovic, conveys an enormous sense of power and pleasure. The brakes are up to the bike's performance and have proved to be progressive and effective. Anyway, turning at low speed in 5th and getting out of the fist without changing the box is the "beach" of the XJR Racer, which gives us great tranquility and pleasure in your driving.

The small capacity of the tank can limit its use in travel, but Racer is made to provide maximum pleasure in the daily trips, proving to be a multipurpose motorcycle full of charisma and topicality. The limitations of Euro4 will surely put an end to its existence but its legacy is more alive than ever.

Pedro Rocha, direto de Portugal