Check out a 27 year old classic bike

[turbodave_98]

Check out my "Big Red" a 1980 XS 1100G which I bought new in Omaha NE while serving in the USAF. Bike is in mint condition and I have kept it over the years because it is a blast to ride. For its day, it was in a non fairing configuration very quick. Was Yamaha's challenge to the Honda 750.

 

[radman]

Fixxed.

 

[twowheelnut]

Fixxed.

:rofl: Dammit, radman, that was rich!

 

[turbodave_98]

Fixxed.

thanks SkooterG & Radman

 

[wheatonFJR]

Check out my "Big Red" a 1980 XS 1100G which I bought new in Omaha NE while serving in the USAF. Bike is in mint condition and I have kept it over the years because it is a blast to ride. For its day, it was in a non fairing configuration very quick. Was Yamaha's challenge to the Honda 750.

I may be wrong here Dave, but as a former owner of a Black 1979 XS1100SF, I think they were aiming higher. At the Kawasaki KZ1000 (formerly the Z1 at 900cc). Suzuki beat 'em by a year with the 1978 Suzuki GS1000.

The XS1100 SF had a bhp of 95 hp I believe...and mid 60s foot pounds of torque I think. Easily verified I'm sure via google I'm sure...as well as the Honda, Kawa, & Suzuk.

Like your Bike BTW. Brings back some good memories. 'Course I'm making some even better (and faster) memories thanks to the FJR.

 

[S76]

Good on you TD.

How many people say, Gee I wish I would have kept that old: Bike, Car, Gun, Wife (OK maybe not the wife) but you get my point. It takes people with foresight to know what to hang on to.

Unfortunately I'm not one of them.

 

[spklbuk]

Now that is SWEEET! Killer machine.

Though nowhere near as pristine as yours, I too owned a '80 but gave her away after 25 years. She was my first street bike and she also is the first of the young feller I gave her to. You can see a couple of pics of her from this past fall here.

Odd how many of us that have gravitated to FJR, however circuitous the route, started out on its great grandaddy.

 

[timk]

I had a 78 E model(rectangular headlight). 65,000 trouble free miles. Miss the old girl, along with the others I've owned.

 

[jestal]

Here's my 78 XS1100. It has 108,000 on it and I still ride it a couple of times a year. Runs great.

 

[madmike2]

I still have a '79 XS1100SF in the garage. I got it without a fairing (A large National Cycle Plexifairing) but found a Windjammer to put on the bike. Driving lights, oil cooler, top case (JC Whitney, IIRC). I have many good memories of riding this bike with friends.

Here's a pic of all 3 bikes I had when the '04 first arrived. The Connie is now gone to a young man who enjoys the heck out of it.

 

[Charlie Hoss]

TD,

That's a beautiful XS. Makes me wish I would have kept my 1980. Mine was a metallic gray and came new with a Yamaha fairing installed. It was obviously made by Vetter, but it was color matched and had a square headlight. I traded it with around 25000 miles in 85 for a brand new '82 CBX leftover. Honda apparently found a bunch in a warehouse they didn't know they had. Bought it for half of original price...$2995.

I recall that the XS tranny gave new meaning to the word "clunky", at least when going from 1st to 2nd. Otherwise great bike. GS1000 would clean its clock.

Gotta scan piccies of my old bikes someday.

 

[feejer222]

Nice bikes guys,



The one I had (UK) in the eighties.

and my XS850 Triple...did they do this one in the States?

 

[feejer222]

EDITED

Content added to previous post

 

[markjenn]

The XS11 was a hell of a bike. More engine than chassis, but that was true for most bikes of the time.

This bike really kicked off the superbike round of the late-70's. Folks were wringing their hands about whether motorcyclists could really handle a whopping 85 RWHP, a power level today being approached by fairly pedestrian beginner bikes. The XS11 was the cruise missle with the most motor, the CBX had the charisma of the six, the Z1R had the looks, and the GS was the all-rounder. Most reviews at the time liked the GS the best, but the XS had the most engine.

- Mark

 

[petey]

Ah, memories. Very capable for it's time.

 

[wheatonFJR]

@feejer222: When my ELEVEN Special was stolen in 1980 in OKC, my replacement bike had to be an XS850 special. The 850 was nice looking but disappointing. No grunt compared to the ELEVEN.

@CharlieHoss: Maybe the GS1000 would clean it's clock, but MY ELEVEN rolled past someone elses GS1000 in a "straight line contest of sorts". Both times

First and last time I ever participated in a formal rendition of that type of contest. The fellow college soccer players left too little stopping distance on the return trip down the road :dribble:

 

[feejer222]

Ah, memories. Very capable for it's time.

A mate of mine had the XS750 which was better looking and made a fantastic growling noise. I was dissapointed to find that the 850 seemed to have lost this exhaust note. You are right the 1100 was a far better bike. But I am glad I had the 850, it was my first ever new bike and even my dad, (who disliked bikes after being a traffic cop and seeing plenty of carnage), surprised me one day when I caught him admiring it and said it was a nice looking machine.

 

[PapaUtah]

Here is my "antique" that still sees action.

1989 Yamaha Venture Royale. Rescued in September 2001 from behind enemy lines (6 blocks from the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field) with 16,000 original miles. Was completely disassembled that winter and treated to a detailed restoration/cleanup. Rubber parts had started to weather check etc. All body panels were buffed and polished. Frame washed, new valve cover gaskets, new tires, etc. A few additonal NOS Ventureline accessories were added. Now has 40,000 miles on it and looks about as close to new as you are going to get without finding one unopened in a box yet.

 

[FJRay]

I have a xs850 on the lift right now being brought back to life for my neighbor.

I bought a 89 Venture that same color brand new and put 80,000 trouble free miles on it. Much better bike than the same vintage Wing.