XS wanna be

[FLA DAVE]

Hi Everyone!

I too am an old admirer of the XS Eleven. Had a 81 Special for ten years and a Valkyrie for 9 with a Suzuki 1400 Inturder for a year in between; now I'm stuck in a cage. I'ts been a year without a bike and I'm feeling the itch to get back on. I can relate to the line from planedick that you don't see a bike in the parking lot at the psychiatrist's office. Anyway I'm a transplant to central FL from MN and decided to turn back the clock and get an Eleven to keep me sane. So the search is on! Any input or leads would be great. I see a few XS Elevens on ebay and was wondering if anyone has had experience with using a shipping company. Good bike deals seem to be few and far between locally.
Anyhow, this is a cool site and its fun to see what people are doing to keep these great bikes on the road. Thanks, Dave

[mro]

I got all of my XSes from craigslist except two.
Check it daily as if it's a good deal it will go fast.
Can also check craigslist in near by states and look for a runner that you could ride home. Like everything else XS1100 have gone up a little in price last few years but there still be deals out there.
(having an XS is a good deal )


mro

[skippy344]

another source...

Hey Fla Dave,

I found the Packmule on www.cycletrader.com in Shreveport, La. for $1,500.00, running, back in 2001.

The seller was willing to throw in a sidecar for free, but I kindly declined.

Pulled a trailer from Texas and picked her up and brought her to a good home!

greg

[BrianB]

Go to google and search for "craigslist XS1100 Yamaha".


You can change the search criteria but keep craigslist in the search words and you will get all listings for all states.

[mstic2000]

I just got my XJ from craigslist. Although I don't always recommend it, I sent him a downstroke without even seeing the bike. But it's what I wanted and the bike is great. Very happy with it.

[CarolynS]

Both from Craigslist

I got both of my XS's from Craigslist. I tried Ebay, but I'm not comfortable with 'bidding' to get what I want.
Don't forget to check the 'bikes for sale' threads here too. There have been a couple for sale here recently. You could even post your own ad that you are looking for one.
Good hunting!!

[xs11lover]

When looking for a xs always watch for ones that are listed as "79 Yamaha" or "80 sx" it's always the people that don't have a clue that will sell "that old bike" for nothing because that's what it is to them. I've picked up more than I care to tell you for next to nothing, one day I picked up 2 and a pile of parts for $100. The van was stressed getting it all home.

[egleaves]

I know there's a member here in SW Ohio who was trying to sell his XS a while back and I just saw it on craigslist again a couple of days ago. It looks like a pretty sharp bike. I'm actually sorta surprised at how many XS's I see on craigslist.

[FLA DAVE]

Thanks for the replies. I went on craigs list and did see a couple XS's for sale....http://daytona.craigslist.org/mcy/797395501.html
This one looks nice but kinda spendy. I suppose shipping one off of Ebay would be kinda foolish, or not? I don't know anything about that. Any thoughts or advise on shipping a bike cross country. Maybe I just need to be cool and keep within myself and don't go crazy til the right deal comes along..

[tarzan]

Yea, Keep cool and wait it out.hahaha.But seriously I have bought and sold several bikes and cars on craigslist.You have to be diligent though to get the right bike for a good price.The real good deals go faaaasst!So watch every day and within a few weeks I'll bet you find something you want.Good luck.

[mro]

If your mechanicley inclined these machines are not hard to work on. The after market manuals are pretty good and have good detail for most of the common procedures for maintenance and repairs plus this forum be the ultimate XS source for info. Posted questions rairly go unanswered but for a very short time.

On the other hand...can be XSpensive (compared to cost of the bike) to get a dealer to work on one. There are small non dealer shops that are good on older jap bikes but your XSperience may vary.

NON runners can be had the "cheepest".
Found several that became runners with only minor maintenance and carb cleaning and tune. (then had to get new battery, tires and a few misc. parts as they had been sitting for many years)

If you have "deep pockets" there are a few very very nice XSes around that need but a rider. and others in pretty good condition that are ready to ride. Boils down to what it's worth to you...


mro

[Wildkat]

E-bay isn't bad...

as long as you can check the bike out before you bid... but IIRC... the shipping can be almost as much as the bike sometimes...

XSes come up on both E-bay and craigslist quite often... and right now with gas prices the way they are... it seems that the few around here that have popped up recently, have owners on the same drugs as the one you posted... A bike this old would have to be in premium condition to go for that price...

They say good things come to those who wait...
When the weather starts to change... so will the prices... If you don't mind possibly holding out that long...

Best of luck on whatever you decide!

[FLA DAVE]

I've looked at a few from other states that look good enough but driving hundreds of miles for it site unseen wouldn't go over well. All your comments are right on the money. I'll chill and hope I snag a XS under the right circumstances. Thanks and ride safe.

[mstic2000]

At least check out the one in Daytona. If it's the right bike for you you'll know and be happy. You can always talk him down a bit.

[mstic2000]

I'm turnin 50 this year and when I got the itch I wanted something I can ride and looks good. Not something I have to put some time, money, and work into. I'm at that age where money isn't a president over work and time. It's just my 2 cents worth. Take it or leave it. Don't get me wrong though. Putting your own hands on work into your own bike is a reward all in itself.