XBR v SRX

[J.Y.Kelly]

Has there ever been a real world comparison done between these two bikes. I am thinking of switching from one to the other, and would be interested to know what people who have owned one or both, think of them individually. I know there are many factors to consider such as intended use, riding style, weight and height of the rider, ease of maintenance and the sourcing of parts. Any and all relevant information will be useful.
Many thanks.

[themoudie]

Aye,

Get yursel' a copy of 'Practical Sportsbikes', Issue 28, February 2013. Article "The One Show". Features an XBR (not sure if the owner ventures in here) and SteveL's SRX600 from these pages.

All the best, Bill.

[J.Y.Kelly]

Thank you.

[Steve H]

Each bike has its merits and problems. I have an SRX which I probably wouldn't want to count on for commuting duties but I would consider using an XBR each day. That said I do trust my bike for for trips to Germany and Holland.

[Steve Lake]

I think my trusty old #1 srx came out quite well... he did however question the twin carb setups... bit of a stutter when opening from closed ... I don't really notice it... guess I just got used to it over the years... anyway... I have used it for commuting, and long haul trips... but I confess I've never ridden an xbr.. 

[J.Y.Kelly]

I think my trusty old #1 srx came out quite well... he did however question the twin carb setups... bit of a stutter when opening from closed ... I don't really notice it... guess I just got used to it over the years... anyway... I have used it for commuting, and long haul trips... but I confess I've never ridden an xbr..

Twin carbs?

[Steve H]

To qualify my comment on commuting, I do use my SRX for commuting I just wouldn't want to count on it every day.

[J.Y.Kelly]

To qualify my comment on commuting, I do use my SRX for commuting I just wouldn't want to count on it every day.

I take it the Yamaha doesn't take too kindly to either stop-start riding or frequent short journeys. What is spares availability like?
I know that spares for the XBR are getting harder to find as I have been looking for a decent front mudguard and other odds and ends for ages.

[themoudie]

Aye J.Y.Kelly,

Never ridden an XBR, but my wife had a shotty around Port Erin, when she was considering acquiring one. Enjoyed the shotty, but not that different from the Honda Bros 400 for weight, bulk etc and the 'Wee Dodger' is very smooth and handles well, so that is how she has left it. Wee Dodger is used for shopping and long runs as well, 300 mile days are no bother, you just get tired! Now up to ~75,000 miles

'Sally' is the 2nd SRX600 I've owned. The 1st, 'Gert' (1985 1JL), had open short meggas and a Powerbronze full fairing. Megga's were great, fairing was a bad idea of the previous owner as the bike corroded solid behind it!  Eventually sold 'Gert' as the spark plug was imovable. Good for shopping trips, 4 miles, commutes, 15 miles and week long trips to the south of England, 300 miles a day in appalling downpours and about 1,500 miles in a week.

'Sally' (1986 1JL) originally owned and modified by John MacDonald of this club, came home 200 miles and picked up front and back on a 632cc piston on that journey. The racket the next morning was horrendous and the bike sat in the garage for a year. Then stripped and rebuilt with new liner and 599cc Wisco piston, run in and still going well (if a little thirsty for oil now). Does everything 'Gert' did, toddles at 40mph in 4th for being nosey over the hedges, yet winds up to ~100mph if required. 55mpg overall. Lithe shape, lightweight, nimble handling, starts naye bother using the 'method' and now has over 90,000kms on the clock. Just about everything parts wise available from Yamaha dealers, WeMoto, exchanges bits from XT600's or Grizzly 600 aircooled quads. Local garage owner/MoT tester always does the test, as he likes a "wee shot!" Mods include a BSM exhaust system, K&M air filter, Koni shocks, Japanese 'Crane' rearsets, 16:39 final drive sprockets, 1987 SRX400 trispoke alloy wheels, 17" front and 18" rear, a mudflap on that short front mudgaurd (helps prevent the plugs rusting in the head or shorting out in wet conditions), rubber mini indicators as bulbs last longer. No fetching 'silly' money of XBR's, plenty new spares and the SRX400 is just as good, with better mpg I believe.

Hope this gives you a better insight. Whatever you get, enjoy riding it! 

Slainte, Bill.

[fenrunner]

Hello All.

I'm new to the Thumper Club, Its my XBR in the magazine, Its just had a change of exhausts the Micron 2 into 1 has gone, its back to a 2 into 2 system original front pipes with short megaphones from Hitchcock's . It now looks a lot better and sounds like a proper bike.

[themoudie]

Welcome fenrunner and thank you for the update.

Good health, Bill.

[blew]

If my memory isn't playing tricks,wasn't the Yam in the test "modified",whereas the XBR was standard?

[chris22]

I have a copy of the magazine. The SRX was modified with a sports exhaust, big bore kit and Dell'Orto carbs. The riding position was also changed with lowered clip-ons and rear sets.
Both bikes were liked but it was hardly a fair comparison  - a modified SRX and 50,000 mile standard XBR.
I have just completed a rebuild of my XBR but has yet to turn a wheel so I have no experience of the ride quality or performance.
I did ride my son's SRX 400 grey import. That was fun - but I do remember it being a bit temperamental in kick-starting it.

Chris

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[Steve H]

If my memory isn't playing tricks,wasn't the Yam in the test "modified",whereas the XBR was standard?

Finding a standard SRX isnt that easy.

[Steve Lake]

Not seriously modified... well... ok..its bored out to 635 cc (just about as far as you can go safely on standard sleeve) threw out the standard Yamaha carb set up (too complicated for me, and bluddy nigh impossible to clean thoroughly) initially fitted a single 40mm single dellorto on a handmade manifold... did about 20k miles on that, then picked up a pair of 30mm dellorto's jetted for a 600, these work very well... but currently have a bit of a 'cough' when opening up from the overrun... . standard downpipes married to a one off megaphone... gas flowed head.. braided hoses.. one sintered and one standard pad on each disc..... progressive springs in standard forks... 15 grade oil, forks set to 10psi (jap import 1jk) bt45 rubber. vernier adjustable clip-ons and seat modified (café style) LED indicators & stop/tail... 100/80w main..
pretty standard really