XBR or SRX?? (New member)

[mb4807]

Hi All

Perhaps this has been asked many times before, but I am feeling the need for some 1980's retro in the form of an XBR or an SRX. I like aspects of both of them, but wondered if one bike was a clear winner over the other? - I know these things are very subjective of course, but thought I'd seek some advice.

To give you an idea of where I am coming from, I live in the French Alps where roads are tight, twisty, sometimes bumpy and gravel strewn. I'll be using the bike for tootling about on my local roads, so top end speed is not important at all, but good pull out of corners and semi-decent handling would be good.

I currently have a Cagiva Gran Canyon 900 as a main road bike and DRZ400 for off-road, but fancy a road biased thumper and something smaller, lighter and more agile than the Cagiva - although I totally love that bike!

Look forward to any opinions, comments and tips on what model of bike to go for.

[SteveC#222]

A difficult question. A lot depends on individual taste really.

Either bike would be suitable for the roads you discribe ( though the 'gravel strewn' bit would need caution with either of them) as they much better as back road scrathers than motorway cruisers.

The SRX is probably a bit more 'Cafe racer' style being slimmer and having just the kickstarter but the XBR is also a striking looking bike - the GB500 is really nice looking but you pay a good premium for those looks.

Handling on both bikes is very good, what they lack in top speed on the straights can often be made up through the corners.  Performance wise, although the SRX has a 100cc advantage, in real terms they are almost identical - the SRX may have a bit more acceleration but it's marginal. Both will do the same sort of top speed - just over 100mph and will cruise all day at 70-80 if you want.  Both make about the same power and both give around 50-60 mpg. The XBR has a bigger tank and you can get 200 miles + on a tankfull.

Reliability wise, the XBR needs regular 1200-1500 mile oil changes to avoid topend wear, electric starter can pack up and the back brake can go oval ( look out for this as it's difficult and expensive to repair and secondhand good back wheels are rare). Front calipers can seize up and need cleaning but otherwise they are pretty reliable.

The SRX is generally pretty good but it has a tendency to blow head gaskets ( or even pull out barrel studs on tuned examples!) and 5th gear sometimes goes.  Kickstarting can also be a bit tempremental at times - often blamed on dodgy wiring in the kill switch.

Most spares are still available for the XBR but you can't get genuine exhausts any more.  I'm not too sure of the situation with SRX parts but there are a lot of decent pattern parts out there and of course Ebay.

There isn'y really that much to choose between them - both would suit you're needs - just a matter of choice really.

Personally I have an XBR and it's a great bike, but I've also seen some very tasty SRX's......


.....of course there is always the SZR.....

[mb4807]

Thanks Steve. That's exactly the input I needed! Interesting too. I would have assumed the Yam to be a tad quicker and maybe better handling.

Think I'm probably more of an XBR man though. I like the more basic looks with the spine frame and the lumpy tank etc. I liked the concept of them when they first came out, but I was only 17 at the time, so had to have a YPVS of course  .

[squirrelciv]

If your thinking little cafe racer thumper, why not consider the suzuki goose?? Only a 350cc I know but very cute with great handling and a bit different from the rest.
Just a thought.

(Can't do the piccie pasting stuff, to dull  sorry)

[guest27]

Hi There

How big are you?  I am 190cm and find the SRX cramped and the XBR more roomy. - Not that I have either.

R

[guest24]

SRX everytime.

Although, if I buy it tomorrow I may well be saying MT-03 everytime.....
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/462630967_69ad55a74a.jpg

Hopefully my hyperlink works..

[mb4807]

I'll be interested to know how you get on with the MT. I like them. But I'm in the market for something a bit more retro and maybe a bit of a project, hence the interest in the XBR's and SRX's. And I'm going down the route of having several fairly cheap bikes rather than one more modern, more expensive one. Maybe I'll add an MT to my collection in 10 years time!

[guest18]

SRX everytime.

Although, if I buy it tomorrow I may well be saying MT-03 everytime.....
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/462630967_69ad55a74a.jpg

Hopefully my hyperlink works..

Hmmm, funky styling but looks like adding soft luggage will be a pig, pillion seat hard to get onto and right up in the windblast..
Would still have a shotty mind you if anyone is offering 

[guest24]

Well, I had my test ride, and a YBR125 + a wodge of dosh changed hands and I rode it home!  It's a tad more powerful than the YBR, and indeed than my SRX.

I will do a write up for the magazine (I promise Graham) once I have been using it for a bit and grown to love it (or hate it...), though the keenness with which it lifts the front is commendable.

One word of instant warning, they are group 13 for insurance