Hard to Handle

[malber]

I have to start out by admitting that my frame of reference is limited. The only bikes I've ridden to compare with are the 250 Rebel that I rode no more than 20mph in the MSF course, my friend's VTX which was naturally not a sport machine, and a few Harleys on a demo day.

So I can't say that I've ridden anything anyone could say was a performer in the handling department.

I feel like my riding ability has improved considerably since I started. I'm taking corners and thinking the Code mantra of your entry speed determines your exit speed. I'm parking it less and less. I'm choosing my line and keeping it. On my last ride with the sport-touring crowd I kept up with the Ducatis, Gixers, the FJRs and the CBRs. I even got compliments on my lean angles.

All of this leaves me with a big grin on my face every time I ride. Better than any rollercoaster I've ridden.

But it's left me wondering: why do people say the XS11 is a great bike in the straights but handles like a pig?

Do I need to rent a modern "flickable" sport bike to see what they mean?

[fredintoon]

Hi Malber,
um, yes you do.

[malber]

This from the sidecar rider!

Let me simplify my question: if I can keep up with the sporties, what am I missing? And, does the XS11 really handle as badly as people make it seem?

[Jerry]

Given a few facts...

The XS11 has a relativley high center of gravity that comes from the tall, upright in-line 4.

Tires have a small footprint compared to most 'modern' bikes.

Brakes use single-piston calipers instead of multi-piston units.

There are others, but won't get into all of them here. One train of thought opinions that the swing arm is overly flexible, causing the rear tire to 'wobble' in high-speed manuvers if/when you hit a bump.

There are a number of things you can do to make the 11 handle better: fork brace, progressive fork springs, stainless-steel brake lines, new rear shocks; these are examples of bolt-on pieces. Get creative and make up adapters to mount Yamaha R1 front brake calipers, an example of more 'custom' modifications.

Its not so much the 11 can't do it; it is more of a question of how hard do you want to work while you are doing it. Take a ride on a Bandit 1200 or other Suzuki that is equipped with Brembo brake components - stock - and get used to two-finger braking effort.

If you get a chance, look at an XJ with the tank removed. Yamaha added a lot of stiffening material around the tripple-T to cut down on frame flexing.

So yes, the 11's handling is OK and can be improved a great deal, but you have to work hard to make it handle compared to newer bikes. Some things, like a 30 year old swing arm design and narrow tires, just can't be overcome without radical modification.

[fredintoon]

Hi Malber,
I first got my bike licence in 1956 and in the last half-century I have ridden the odd solo. The sidecar is so my cute young blonde French-Canadian wife will go with me to bike rallies. And the rig don't fall over in the snow which is an important factor if you live in Saskatoon. And boy, the stuff you can load in one. (14 twelve-packs with the tonneau snapped down)
OK then, what you are missing is the fact that when keeping up with your sportbiker buddies you are riding way closer to the limit than they are.
The XS1100 isn't spiteful and it has no nasty tricks, but by modern standards it's handling is only mediocre. Keep your sh!t-eating grin for the bike's best feature, that incredible straight-line performance.

[AlanB]

Hi Guys,

The big flex in the XSs design isn't the frame or the arm; the biggie is the rubber in the engine mounts...... I tried new mounts, which helped a bit, and a "snubber" to limit movement... which helped a lot, but was clumsy.

I now have solid mounts.

AlanB

[webbcraft2150]

Handling, or the lack of it on a XS can be in direct relation to the size of your cajones, faith in your ability, riding skill and the lack of skill the guys riding the late model sport bikes have. I have easily outridden bikes that should have kicked my butt but the pilots of these bikes were not dialed in, yet. I can easily drag a peg if needed or wanted. A 27 year old bike should be no match for a late model crotch rocket. I have pretty well dialed in my XS and know what it, and I can and can't do. It does not handle as well as my Norton or Jota did, but then again, its still in my garage and they aren't. I have riden alot of late model rigs and they are superior in almost all aspects, 'cept the cool factor a XS has.

[stoked]

I have a 1982 GPZ 550 in addition to my XS. When I get on then GPZ I fell like I could throw it anywhere. The steering is quick and the lightness of it compared to the XS allows me to flick it back and forth very quickly. That is the difference. When I ride with my friends who have sport bikes we mostly are dealing with sweeping curves. I don't have a problem keeping up with them there. But if it was a track type course that has quick turn changes, I'd probably end up in the grass on the XS.

If you ever notice how when your riding at a medium speed in a straight line and come up on something you need to avoid, on the XS you have to see that a bit ahead of time or you're not going to miss it. On my GPZ I can be right up on something and flick one way or the other and I'm around it. I can imagine on a late model sport bike the ability to do that would be much quicker.