confession of an addict

[RS Thornton]

Some of you share the addiction to XS's so you may recognize the symptons. I seem to keep finding these bikes in reasonable shape for bargain prices, and then the PO's threaten to part them out if no one is willing to buy them. So long story short, I have 4 of the 78's, plus a 79, and 80 and an 81 special. I also have another minor addiction to long distance riding, and this summer the two addictions will be coming together when I ride one of the 78's in the 5 day version of the Iron Butt Rally, and hopefully get to the 11 day rally in 2011. If interested you can check out the the organization at http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm
The ride I am currently signed up for will be a 5 day, 5000+ mile ride starting in Denver and finishing at a yet to be named location in South Carolina.

I am going to start upgrading two of the 78's, and will try to set up a web page or some method of tracking the project for those that are interested. Right now the short list is front and rear suspension changes to progressive springs, a TKAT fork brace, and braided brake lines. For electrics I think the upgraded rectifier from Oregon motorcycle parts, for lights I will go all LED and HID to keep the draw down. Finally for ergos those stock buckhorn bars will be swapped for a set from a GL1100, I have found those fit me really well and are easy to get. There may be a few other reliability upgrades in the wiring and fuel systems that I have picked up from forum. There will also be a 5 gallon aux fuel cell to increase range.

I believe the XS11's were very well built, and with the upgrades planned I have no doubt that these are competitive with the current FJR's and ST1300's. Actually they may even be more reliable as they do not have fuel or water pumps to fail.

If nothing else, I have a great winter project lined up!
Scott Thornton

[xs11lover]

Cool Scott, I'm right there with you, It's only an addiction if your wife says so.

[TADracer]

Well I only have one XS but I admit it is an addiction.

I wholeheartedly recommend the progressive springs, braided SS lines and the TKAT fork brace. I have all those on my machine and they make a world of difference.

Have fun doing your modifications!

[red bandit]

You have a very severe case of XMS (XSive Motorcycle Syndrome). You need help immediately. It's only going to get worse until you get rid of the trauma and stress. As a fellow xs'er I am willing to do my part. I am on my way to relieve you of your problem. I will take one of the 78's, the 80 and the 81. Since I already have a 79 I will let you keep that one. I don't want to be greedy ya know!

ps. what color choices do I have on the 78's?

[Ivan]

What kind of seat are you going to do with that 5 day run?

I have put about 600 miles in a day before, and darn near couldn't get off the scoot since my glutes were mush.

I think the XS11 would absolutely have the reliability to do that run. Looking forward to your ride report.

[xs11jack]

I think I top the addition list.

not all that many years ago, I got in a finanial bind and nearly lost my house and pretty much everthing else. The wife said you must sell the bike. After about 10 (verbal)rounds, I won and kept the bike. We rode it out, and didn't have to file bankruptcy, and didn't barrow money from family and friends. The wife knows that the bike is the second of the last thing to go, just before her!

[foreda]

My name is Dale.. I'm a xsaholic

I know the feeling!! Having to enlarge my cave!

[Elevener]

I know the feeling!! Having to enlarge my cave!

Damn!! And all your motors (and the bikes) look really clean and mostly polished! I feel sorry for my poor bike, I just ride it.

[MindWebs]

A true biker....

A bigger garage doesn't help.

I have a 4 car (not a finished interior) and what you don't see on my sig line
is:

1993 Isuzu Amigo (modifying) with a spare engine and tranny laying there.
1987 Honda TRX250X(being restored/repaired)
1982 Honda CX 500 (PARTS BIKE)(anyone need parts?)
1999 Ski-doo MXZ 500 (1 blown piston)
7 full sections of shelving(junk, bike stuff, parts,sorry very little XS11 stuff)
2 3ftX12ft workbenches covered in small projects and misc stuff.

Plus, all the bikes in my sig line. all in my "big" garage.

Moral of the story, a bigger garage only means more stuff.

[XJOK2PLAY]

RSThornton;
Don't feel bad, many of us here suffer from the same affliction. It's not our fault, I tell ya... they're just so freakin' awesome!

XS11Jack;
U da MAN! My new hero...

Foreda;
Impressive Stable, Dude! Very sweet trio ya got there...

Mindwebs;
I hear ya... kinda like getting a pay raise... the more you make, the more you spend.

[trbig]

I guess my question would be...

What's the most miles you've put on in a day? I've done a little over 800 and think I could complete an Iron Butt, but there's no way I could get on that scoot the next day and do it again.

You can push it, but the normal average on a trip is 50-55 mph when you average in bathroom breaks, food, and fuel stops. With that, you're talking 18-20 hrs a day on a bike for FIVE days straight. Don't get me wrong, I am sure not the person to harp on someone else for riding in the extreme... but that sure seems like a good recipe for disaster there just to have some bragging rights. Many think a SINGLE Iron Butt is foolish.

Just be careful.


Tod

[XJOK2PLAY]

That 800 mile one day trip back from Colorado was enough to prove to me you could do it, Tod... but you're right. That's really pushin' it... and it begins to become a safety issue. Let's face it... none of us are gettin' any younger these days.

Age has taught me one thing... what my limits are... and when I've reached them!

(That little, soft voice in the back of my head quits whispering, and starts screaming "OOOHHH, Are you gonna pay for this stupidity tomorrow!" And pay in spades I do.)

Even OTR long-haul truckdrivers are required to keep a log book, showing how many miles they've driven, and how much sleep they've had. And they have those ultra cushy air seats & suspension to boot!

Very much unlike the famous stock XJ seat...

I don't know where Miles got mine, but I believe if you had one like it... you'd be able to do a 1000 in a day and not be in too bad of shape the next day.
Just don't get any wise ideas though, buddy! I like my seat... on my bike.

Merely suggesting you find your own... LOL

[mro]

Hmm... a couple XSes



Some what space challeneged now'a days.
Have several that I've decided to sell but have just not got around to it
Figure on keeping two ... maybe three ... or ...


mro
PS: longest ride I've done in a day on an XS was just under 400 miles.
Another hundered or so would have been "painfull" altho that was on a naked stock G. On one of the SF's, w/vetter, plus the re-done seat might be a different story.

[Poprock]

Get a custom seat from Diamond Seat Co. in Florida and you can ride as long as you can stay awake. Comfy as can be. No hot spots.

[Steptoe]

Addiction??

I,m not addicted,,
just because I spend hour after hour working on her, tinkering, tweaking, polishing, thinking of how to improve her.

that done, I spend hours working in the shed with her not at all far away, still in eye sight so I can look at her sleek curves and remember that growl under load.

when inside, I spend time in here looking around.



no I,m not addicted,,


but maybe I,m in denial