When someone asks what kind of bike do you ride?

[GtrMn]

I get this ? all the time....been stumped for a great answer. Mine has been...a harley eater...haha... An old classic muscle bike... The obvious...a 1980 Yamaha 1100 Midnight Special... Draws...blank stares

Was wondering if anyone had a really good answer to the question.....What kind of bike do you have??

[manshack_one]

I tell them exactly what it is.

1980 Yamaha XS 1100 Special

They'd have to ride one to understand what it truly is....

The ones staring blankly at your answer probably need to hear it's just an old Yamaha. I may not know much about bikes but I know that mine is special beyond just the words on the covers.

[TomB]

My response is simple

''If you have to ask, you'd never understand''

[Hired_Goon]

My responses vary but usually...

A Big Black Naked one

or

Nothing Made my Mattel

[TADracer]

Seems that since I am the only person in my area with one, my answer is 'XS Eleven special'.

That answer usually gets a 'What is that?' response. It is then I take over the conversation extolling the virtues of my machine. Last thing I tell them is that it is almost 30 years old.

[malber]

I give the model name. If They don't know what that is I say, "26 year old vintage bike that I maintain myself."

[webbcraft2150]

"A prime example of vintage muscle bike" is my response. Then I go into the history lesson. I really got a kick doing my speil at the local Yamaha dealer.

[GtrMn]

Yeah...I like the Yamaha dealer chats too. Hell most of the mechanics are younger than our bikes! And most don't have a clue about them. Nice thing though is the one nearest me will at least trade valve shims for a $1.

[Jerry]

I tell them it is a "Yamaha XJ1100J" or "Yamaha XJ1100 Maxim". When the blank look hits the face, I add "Its a large Yamaha touring bike." Have to clearly say XJ as some will have heard of the FJ and confuse the two....

[81xsproject]

I usually say "an old XS 1100." If they go to the blank stare, I usually tell them it was the first stock bike to do an 11 second quarter mile. Most people then say something like "cool", or "wow."

[79XS11F]

I tell them straight up 1979 XS1100F .. best bike ever built :-)
What better way to start a healthy debate about the virtues of the XS11?
Rob

[MAXIMAN]

I have never had any blank stares. When I say I ride an XS11 most people ...at least guys my age..will gaze nostalgically heaven ward and mumble something like..."That was a great bike...".

I pulled up at the local Yammy dealer a few weeks ago on my '79 F (Time Machine) and parked. When I pulled my helmet off some guy across the lot on a Road Star came over and said "I haven't seen an Eleven that slick since I bought mine new off the showroom floor 27 years ago".

Most people I come in contact with atualy know what they are. Usually only younger guys are clueless. But most 40 to 50 year olds know exactly what an Eleven is.

[GtrMn]

Haha...I like "the first bike to do an 11 second 1/4 mile". Also Maximan...I had a guy come up to me at a home depot..who had an 11....gave it to his son and he regrets it now. He has a gold wing now...used to be a motorcycle cop and rode HD's hates em...haha. Wish I knew more of those people who "had a clue".

[GtrMn]

Wow Maxi! Just pulled up the pic of time machine...that really is sweet!..I can see what that guy was saying"

[Hammerhead1st]

My answer is pretty simple

It's a RAT ROD!!!!