OK, so I'm pretty keen on the XJ and have riden one in the past and liked it. But it is 8hr drive away so differcult to inspect. Still quite like the Sabre also. Like the idea of shaft drive but never had or even riden one. Are they reliable! and do they need any special maintenance! Also the Sabre although not close to me, I have a son at Otago Uni so would be worth the trip to see / pickup.
1fordluva,
Mar 2, 11:29am
The shaft drive is just a small PTO drive from gearbox shaft to the rear wheel. The sabre are a good ride and handle quite well for an older bike. Shaft drives handle on a par with the chain driven,you dont have to replace chains and sprockets so a bonus. The shaft just delivers power a little harder IMO.
gunhand,
Mar 2, 2:50pm
Na, nothing like 1000 plus CCs. I dont like have rev the ring out of something to make it go and have no power at low speeds unless your doin 12 to 16000rpm. But yea modern 600s etc will do 260kph no prob.
koriemouse,
Mar 3, 6:30pm
so a GB400 has come up in the SI,358534061, I have never ridden one but have heard nothing but good things about these. Question is , as a 400 single are they suitable for mainly open road riding! what are they like 2 up (with the full seat of course)! I am not a speed freak but would like enough grunt to put a smile on my face occasionally.
1fordluva,
Mar 3, 6:33pm
2 up not enough juice on a 400.
robinm1,
Mar 3, 6:40pm
I owned a GB400 a few years ago, a fun wee bike on tight twisty roads and round town, but on the open road it was terrible, will cruise along happily at 100KPH (one up) but if you want to pass anything, make sure you have a long straight to pass on, top gear roll on from 100kph to it's top speed of about 130kph takes about 3 1/2 weeks!
robinm1,
Mar 3, 6:49pm
I also owned a Sabre about 20 years ago, nice cruiser and effortless to ride but handled like a sack of potatoes. Also the early VF750's did have a problem with their cam drives. Saying that, any left going now are probably ok. Also have owned a couple of XJ750's and can recommend them, a great all rounder for not a lot of dollars. The main thing to look at carefully on the XJ750 and it's almost identical 900cc brother, is rust at the bottom rear corners of the fuel tank as they had a habit of rusting through in that spot and good tanks are very hard to find.
koriemouse,
Mar 5, 5:13pm
so what about GB500! more power/grunt!
gilligan2,
Mar 5, 5:15pm
Have you considered an Aprilia RS250 ! Specifically my one. lol
koriemouse,
Jun 21, 5:10am
update.have been for a test ride on a GB500 today, and I must say it was quite a grunty bike. Bike has some cam chain rattle, are these an adjustable chain or need replacing! rough idea of cost! I am taking XV750 for a ride tomorrow.
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.