Muscle Scrambler: Yamaha XJR1300

Teleportation awaits…

In the early ’90s, Yamaha needed a big-bore muscle bike to compete with the likes of the Honda CB1000 and Suzuki Bandit. Thus the mighty XJR series was born — a ’70s-inspired, big-block street sweeper. The XJR1300, introduced in 1998, was the king of the line. Said MCN of the 1300cc brute:

“A proper man’s motorcycle with twin shocks, air-cooling, a beefy braced swingarm and a colossal motor.”

Enter Vsevolod Slepokurov (@the_last_sioux) and the crew of Russia’s GAD13 Garage, based in the city of St. Petersburg. Vsevolod is the organizer of some of the nation’s most prestigious motorcycle events, including the IMIS (International Motorcycle Industry Salon) and the Russian Handbuilt Cup. As a boy, his love of motorcycles began with the XJR:

“This f*cking sickness began when I saw an XJR1200 in an old motorcycle magazine. I fell in love. That was my dream. A classic, powerful beast. Just motorcycle.”

In order to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the XJR series, he decided to create this Yamaha “Overo,” based on a 2001 XJR1300:

“The idea was to build a MUSCLE scrambler. Created to teleport kite/wake surfer to the surf spot from the city.”

When it comes to teleportation, it’s hard to think of a better platform than the beastly XJR. Below, we get some additional details about this surf-inspired muscle bike.

Yamaha OVERO: In the Builder’s Words

About the Builder…

I have been riding two-wheels since 12 years old. This f*cking sickness began when I saw an XJR1200 in an old motorcycle magazine. I fell in love. That was my dream. A classic, powerful beast. Just motorcycle. It is not about fashion, style, or something like this… First I bought a 250cc, then 400cc, 900 cc…and then my dream came true and I became an XJR owner.

Then I decided to build a cafe racer and cut off the tail, made a clip-on handlebar, etc. So it was my first little step in customizing and I liked the process. Since then, every motorcycle I’ve bought was rebuilt by me. And it became my biggest hobby. And I was invited to join the team of the custom workshop “GAD13GARAGE” (very famous in Russia).

By the way, I must say, that I build motorcycles only for myself and it’s just my passion and hobby. And GAD13GARAGE are my friends and a place where I can create my machines, but not a kind of business for me. My profession is marketing and organizing of big motorcycle events. Such as the biggest Russian motorcycle fair “IMIS”, an all-Russian custom challenge “Russian Handbuilt Cup“, the international festival “St. Petersburg Harley Days,” etc. So as you can see, I am totally motorcycle-addicted, and it is my life, the way of thinking. I am organizing events, travel a lot, and the whole winters I spend my weekends in garage, creating my ideal motorcycles.

Since I had my first XJR1300, more than 10 years ago, I’ve owned and built many bikes: Italian, British, Japanese and of course Harleys. But all these years i had nostalgia for the XJR — it was deep in my heart as my childhood dream. And I decided to build a real powerful scrambler out of an XJR1300 in memory of this amazing model. Of course it is not the only one motorcycle I have, but the sweetest one for me.

About the Bike…

2019 is the 25th anniversary of the legendary XJR series by Yamaha. That is why: XJR model. The bike is called OVERO. The idea was to build the MUSCLE scrambler. Created to teleport kite/wake surfer to the surf spot from the city.

Builder: Vsevolod Slepokurov (@the_last_sioux)
Place: GAD13GARAGE, St. Petersburg, Russia
Year of building: 2019
Year of motorcycle: 2001
Model: Yamaha XJR 1300
Motor: stock, 4 cylinder, 1300cc
Frame: deeply modified
Body, fenders, number plates: custom made
Fuel tank: custom made (based on yamaha xj550 tank)
Seat: custom made
Handlebar: custom made
Surf racks: custom made
Wheels: Triumph Thruxton, modified
Suspension: rear – modified, front – modified (Yamaha R1 fork with extra hard custom springs, Yamaha warrior modified traverse)
Brakes: modified