2004 Honda CB1300 Review - Is This The Best Muscle Bike Out There? Or Are There Better Options! 

I owned mine from new 2008 to 2020. Twelve years of totally trouble free riding, mostly in France where the D roads are maintained and generally almost empty. I don't think you have spent enough time with this bike to give an accurate review. My CB1300 was always garaged which makes a big difference, but after 12 years of riding in all weathers my engine block had no pitting or scuffing at all. The forks are known for pitting and this was the only blemish on my bike. Only noticeable if you were looking for it. I do not recognise this vibration issue you kept mentioning. I'm 6 foot and 15 stone and during trips to France I routinely rode for 7-8 hours a day with no vibration at all and the seat was comfortable all day. I bought the bike to tour and have fun on and boy, it delivers! None of the bikes you mentioned could live with it on twisty mountain roads; for such a big machine the handling and balance is awesome and the unbelievable torque is, well, unbelievable! You may scoff at this, but it's true. In 12 years and 34000 miles it still had the original chain which still had lots of life in it. Furthermore, I personally never once had to adjust the chain. It was only adjusted when the tyres were changed every 5-6000miles. The bike NEVER ONCE broke down or caused me any concern. Get on, ride like the devil with shit eating grin, get off and put the tent up. In my opinion it leaves every other contender far behind because none of them has such supreme all round ability, huge seamless power and exceptional reliability. If you like to sit on a bike buy a GSX1400, if you like to ride a bike it's the CB1300 all day every day!!

Honda cb1300 definitely the best build quality out of all those bikes.. I've never noticed vibrations on mine..

Currently own an 06 plate CB1300sa No vibrations at all very comfortable just wish it had a 6th gear.

16:52 Good review. I own a 2006 red and white CB1300...15000km on it when i bought it. Rode it home 1500km only stopping for fuel. Was amazed how small it felt. No vibration...love it to bits, but yes it needs a 6th gear. Cheers

Well for somebody who's riden sports bikes all my life i finally had enough of sore wrists neck and back and had my heart set on one of these, however you've slightly put me off now with the vibration you talk about but I'm going to get one anyway, cant be any more uncomfortable than a zx7r, good review👍🏻

Owned my 2008 CB1300s since 2009. I bought with 600 miles on the clock and21000 miles later never missed a beat. I did the NC500 on it 2 years ago. It does need a 6th gear but other than that a lovely bike which I will never sell whilst can still ride. I now also own a VFR1200F after years of owning a VFR800FI. The VFR is mind blowingly powerful. The CB does feel underpowered after that but a lovely comfy beautiful bike . Mine doesn't vibrate!

Mine does not vibrate at all any speed. And not everyone likes red and white mies black. To be honest most of bikes have been black and ive had hundreds

I can't make up my mind between a cb13 or a Honda x11, both awesome bikes and absolute torque monsters....I had the cb1000 Big One and I had zero problems with that until 80k when I had to change the original cam chain tensioner. The bike was just a solid muscular lump that handled pretty damn well for it's size and the missus loved the pillion hence why I want another big Honda. I have an Aprilia SL1000 Falco for being a hoolie on but it really ain't the best for long ride-outs. As an aside...the honda 13 had an electrical recall on the earlier models, the fix was shown to be done by a sticker that sits underneath the tail section. Great videos, love watching them as they are real world bikes in a real world. Thanks.

This is the best looking out of the four horsemen. Thinking about one. But there is better value for money out there. Always loved them.

My son is currently riding a CB400 Super Four on his LAMS (Learners) and hoping to acquire a CB1300 in time

Vibration? Should be smooth as silk? Wheel balancing?

My 07 has no vibration at all.. s version she's just beautiful !!

Love the CB1300. They are the grand-daddy of the Hornet 919 i owned.

Check that out.. zero vibration at any speed. Silky smooth

So unusual - can't feel any vibrations on my XJR 1300, that's one of the reasons I'm keeping it forever. And CB 1300 is suposed to bee even smoother... About the bikini, you're right. Having one on my XJR and it's 100% better.

Good to see a genuine review and thoughts!

Howzit mate. Great choice! I've got a 2005 cb1300 but it's blue, all blue with dark gunmetal rims and gold calipers . Original colours. Original all over expect for a pair of renthal wider flatter bars. I'm 6'1 as well and the inch extra forward and abit wider makes a huge different. Feels way more aggressive. Oh and I have a short carbon fibre SP Engineering GP exhaust with the slashed end. Sounds insane!! I'm busy fitting a belly pan, tail tidy and under tray and yes, I chopped the rear plate section down and made a custom aluminium bracket for the plate and indicators but I tucked them in a bit more. I've also got a rear seat cowl and I've fitted carbon fibre bar end mirrors. I'll post a few videos of what I'm busy with now and as I'm going along if you're interested. Great to see a fellow lover of the old retros.

Had three of these... No vibes at all !... Not had XJR but have had ZRX and GSX... Currently riding cb1300... Great all round bike...

I have a 04 cb1300 and I took it to 125mph today's (track) no vibrations at all, I have a beowulf exhaust, I wouldn't think that's the reason for no vibrations, the rest is stock 🤷, nice review nevertheless, I think you may need to see if the vibrations come from the bobbins at the back 😊😉. Of the four I also have ridden all but for me this was my favourite, only because I learnt on a cb500 and always have a affinity for CB 👍.

3:32 That looks like an original Honda CB1300 accessory screen (Honda Part No. 08R80MEJ801A)...and not aftermarket? Very interesting video and a beautiful bike also...thanks for the video!

Imagine a revieuw of an iconic motor cycle without driving it. Now hold that picture.. and hold it for 16:52min

I have a CB400SF... and I wanna upgrade to one of these if I can find one in Oz. I get some vibrations in the seat sometimes, though not much, nor often, otherwise its very smooth on the 400cc. Classic at the front, party at the rear design. Its cool.

Looks awesome! And cool video! Would it be a good motorcycle to buy as my second 2 wheeler? The first one is a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650... I feel confident yet careful with my RE, but a cool retro japanese bike seems like the next logical step, maybe a yamaha xsr700, good power and cool styling.

Great review. Have you come across the CB1100 in the UK? I’d love to hear your opinion on the 1300’s little brother.

I would go for the GSX1400 :D And yes i owned one :D

The rear sprocket rubber things in your hub where the sprocket assembly sits in is known to get bad quick. If you replace those you will get less vibrations and a way smoother ride overall. Also don't forget fresh spark plugs to elimenate the throttle on/off effect to it's best! K&N filter + Open pipe helps a lot too for this with this bike

Great video mate. The 2021 CB1300 looks amazing. Though I believe getting that bike outside of Japan is getting more and more impossible. I’m sure this one sold no problem, but I’m sure with a few mods, maybe some rubber mounts, that vibration will next to nothing…sweet

Lovely original condition bike, but mostly with these sort of bikes its about looks, for me the XJ in yellow is the best, followed by the GSX, then the ZXR and lastly the CB.

The flysceeen is a original Honda part. You still can order it, also came as an optional extra

NO ROAD TEST JUST A CHAT SHOW !

I know that it's probably a silly question to ask, but would this be recommended to a beginner? I'm 21 and just got my license, but when I rode my teacher's CB400 I saw that it had no thrills and was at times maybe too easy to ride. I didn't speed when I had a car and I certainly won't speed on a bike, but I'd love to have that extra bit of torque when out of town. What's your opinion on this?

regards the vibration @ 70mph does it disappear if you get to say 85

Good video thanks for the info. I've got a 2006 no fairing, black and grey. Mint condition and 7k on the clock. Interesting to hear the comments on vibration & 5 gears. Couldn't say I've noticed the vibration. Does anyone think with that mileage and age I should be thinking about new chain & sprocket? I'm also due to get a power command unit fitted but I'm hesitant about any changes to the exhaust as I don't want to drift too far from the original look.

No vibration on my 03 model. Seat height looks right to me.

just got an 03 model 16k on it smooth as silk no vibes

Vibration is not an issue on these bikes unless something is amiss. I've extensively toured and track tested the CB1300 and GSX1400, and by far the CB1300 is way more refined and planted regards the handling, ride and stability than the GSX1400. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WJBBP3tdt_M.html The GSX wins out in the comfort, low down torque and the 'imposing' stakes...but not as well built and with less quality materials all keeps it from my personal top pick. The CB's better mid range / top end power complements its still beefy low down grunt with its better spread of fun. The GSX's fun factor basically stops at around 4,900 rpm from 900rpm. I love both bikes, including my beloved low milage black '14 XJR1300 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dw8V2bjNXYQ.html Thanks for the vid👍

I've got a 2004 naked - no vibes. Check your bearings man.

What do you think of the r nine t?

I rode a Kawasaki z1300 no vibration a wounderful bike why oh why did they stop making it sad

🙂