2015 Yamaha XJR1300 and XJR1300 Racer Announced for Intermot

In a time where air-cooled icons like Harley-Davidson, Indian, BMW‘s boxer engine and the Ducati Monster have all embraced the radiator, it’s a bit surprising to know Yamaha is still offering the XJR1300 in Europe. Featuring the world’s largest-displacement air-cooled Inline-Four engine in production, the XJR1300 lives on in 2015 with a new custom-inspired look and a cafe racer variant.

The 2015 XJR1300 was inspired by a custom from builder Keino called “Rhapsody in Blue” as part of Yamaha’s Yard Built program. Yamaha incorporated custom design elements into the XJR1300, much like it did for the Star Bolt.

The slim 3.8-gallon fuel tank accentuates the XJR1300′s fuel-injected 1251cc I-4. Carrying an extra 111cc over its obvious competitor, the Honda CB1100, the XJR1300 is powered by a fuel-injected 1251cc I-4 claiming 96.4 hp at 8000 rpm and 80.0 ft-lb. at 6000 rpm. A matte black 4-2-1 exhaust pipe flows from the front of the cylinders to the muffler which extends below the XJR’s new stubby tail.

The chassis is comprised of a steel double cradle frame. The XJR1300 uses a telescopic fork with diamond-like carbon-coated inner tubes offering 5.1-inches of travel and Ohlins dual rear shocks with 4.7-inches of give.

Custom elements include the racing plate-style aluminum side covers with mesh inserts, tapered aluminum handlebars, compact headlight and stitched seat.

The XJR1300 Racer is a based on the Yard Built custom by Deus Ex Machina called “Eau Rouge“. The special edition model is a cafe racer variant made with parts from Yamaha’s parts and accessories catalog.

The Racer adds a carbon fiber fairing, a short carbon front fender and clip-on handlebars to deliver a ’70s-inspired cafe racer look. Other additions include an aluminum front fender stay and a carbon cover for the passenger seat.

Both the XJR1300 and the Racer variant will be available in three color choices: Power Blue, Matt Grey and Midnight Black. Yamaha will officially present the 2015 XJR1300 at the Intermot show in Cologne before delivering it to European showrooms in December.

There’s no word of any plans for a U.S. release. The 2014 XJR1300 was only available in Europe and there’s little sign of that changing for 2015. But with Honda’s CB1100 striking the right chords with customers, the Tuning Fork company may decide to bring the XJR1300 over.

[Source: Yamaha]

By Dennis Chung