what to do?

[buffalo]

Recently I have been trying to sell my 78 XS1100E. Due to the relatively low asking price, it seems most of the potential buyers looking at my bike have been new riders looking for their first bike, or friends looking for a bike for them. As anyone who has ridden an old XS knows, this is a big powerful bike, and unfortunately it does not have the stopping or maneuvering abilities of more modern machines. I feel uncomfortable trying to sell someone inexperianced on buying my bike and am tempted to try to talk them into looking for something smaller and more modern to learn on. My question is, am I being too judgemental of other's common sense? Should I just make the sale and let them worry about their own butt? Or should I try to give newbies a little guidance based on my own 30+ years of biking experience and lose the sale? What would you do? emails welcome

[jimmy j johnson]

Why not use that experience to teach them a little something. If they`ve never had a bike, they don`t know about how fast another bike stops, or handles. They will know no difference, and will addapt to what they ride. I know I don`t know how other bikes ride. I`ve had the same ole XS since 1980. Before that it was a 78 honda 550 supersport, a 71 xlch sporty, 77 honda 400 supersport, 72 honda 350 scrambler and it all started with a cushman scooter. None of which prepared me for the power, the rush, the size, and the thrill of an XS. Just give them all the advise and pointers that you can.

[Big Pat]

First rides

I think you are doing the right thing by telling them to start with some other bike {smaller}. I started on a Taco Mini bike at age ten. Then on to Hondas CT 70, SL 100, XL 250, CB 750F and now the XS11S. I have witnessed riders with various large twins that had a hard time staying upright at the traffic lights-one can only assume it was their first bike or they had not ridden in a long time. How would you feel if they hurt themselves, or others and damaged the bike and other vehicles? You have to follow you conscience. Maybe you could put in the Ad for the bike "experienced riders only" or Motorcycle license required.

Best of Luck,
Big Pat

[sksxs1100]

I have had a few close calls myself, biggest being a BIG vaccuum truck that ran a stop sign and almost t-boned me. My step-mom has a sportster.. she has only been riding about 1.5 years... she laid it down on a wet street trying to stop for a light when she had too much speed. bumps, bruises rash about the size of a quarter. it took her about 6 months to ride it again, but she does...
I would have to agree to not sell the bike, just park it and if the desire returns within the next year then youe set...

most of all, Glad you are OK!!

[Jeff]

Reminds me of when they first started selling the Kawasaki Ninja.... especially the 900. Local shops sold a TON of the machines to youngsters wanting a bullet bike. Three months later the trade papers were FLOODED with kids trying to sell them because they had gotten the crap scared out of themselves.

[davegriminger]

to sell or not to sell,,,,,,that is the question

tis noble to have coins in ones pocket,,yet,,but to put the youth of america on the XS,,,,,i still get a jolt out of mine,,i and i am 49,,damn thing hauls my fat ass faster then i want to go,,,, i really hope you dont sell it at all,,,,,,park it and look at it in 6 months again,,,,,ride safe!!!!




Dave

79 XS1100 "C NOTE"
78 xs750E

[strom]

As you mentioned, you aint asking much for the bike. Is it really worth a bit of bad concience? You will sell.. eventually and surely, and kids never really look out for themselves.

LP

[fusionking]

Do the right thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My dad and I used to build street rods for people and we did a dead ringer for the American Grafitti coupe for a doctor. (nice) Well he decided to let his 16 yr. old drive it.(not nice) Too much power and speed met zero experience.......... and late one night that boy rolled it......... and burned to death in it. Not a good feeling. If you wasn't feeling like it might not be the right thing you wouldn't have looked for our support. Also I had a VERY fast 428 70 Mach 1 that I sold to a buddy that I had named Death wish (I wish I still had it) well he sold it to his dad and he sold it to a Mustang collector who had no quaulms about who he sold it to. And guess what......... another 16 year old boy got wrapped around a tree that very night, and died. That one not on me, but still the old grieving feeling. I said only warn peple when I did your poll and thought about changing when I read some of the letters but when I read Strom's I knew that it was time to tell you this. Before you sell that bike to some kid take it out to your back yard and bury it!!! trust me that crappy feeling won't be half as bad as the one I've told you about. Hope this helps you make a mature decision. If they want to kill themselves you don't have to be a part of it............... but you might want to warn their folks.

[beechfront]

79 special was my first bike. Yeah, these bikes are FAST, but only average compared to new bikes.

I think it would be better to start off on a bike like this:


'79 Yamaha, xs1100F
573 lbs.
75HP @ 8000 RPM
1/4 mile 12.12 sec, 111.9 mph
top speed 134 mph

than a bike like this:


03 Yamaha, YZF600R
412 lbs
99HP @ 11,500 RPM
1/4 mile 11.3 sec
top speed 162 mph.


also - I think you'll be hard pressed to find an XS that still has the power it had when new.

[Bud Manley]

I bought mine this year and it's the first Bike I've ever ridden. The size and power are difficult to get used to but anything new would be. Sell the bike with a clear conscience. Stupid people will do stupid things. It's in their nature to show the rest of the world why you shouldn't do stupid things. I wouldn't have abused this bike if I was still 18 because of it's size, however if it was a dirt bike or a crotch rocket I'd have been popping wheelies the same day I got it. You might actually be doing them a favor because if they want a bike they'll get one and would you want them to ride something they have to be responsible and careful with or would you want them to get a toy they'll get killed on?

I rode my bike in my brothers back yard when I first got it until I felt comfortable starting it. Then I rode in the neighborhood at slow speeds until I felt comfortable starting and stopping. Now I ride it regularly without problems and my confidence in controlling it is greater.
Recommend to them the link about counter steering or print it out and have them read it. That’s about the best thing you could do.

In the end if they're smart and careful they'll be ok. If they're stupid they'll just become an example of what not to do. You have no control over that.

"And as the dog returns to his own vomit the fool returns to his folly"

[Bud Manley]

FusionKing
Don't feel bad about what happened. The kid that got killed in that wreck would have done it in an escort, mustang or a ford festiva. It's too bad you have guilt on your conscience. You should be thankful that he wrapped it around a tree instead of a little kid or someone else. If you built that car to the best of your ability and it was structurally sound when you sold it then thats the best you can do and your consciance should be clear. Sounded like a really cool car to bad a dumbass bought it.

[Robert Haller]

I believe it is better to learn on a smaller bike. Even if a modern 600 has similar power it will be much lighter and easier to control. Older people may approach riding more thoughtfully, but I think it's safe to say younger people may not (the infallibility thing you know). You can't be responsible for other people actions but you can give them the benefit of your experience and knowledge.

[Jeff]

Personally.... I wouldn't sell my own XS. But..... If I did.... I think I could do so with a clear conscience.

My suggestion is to stress to whoever buys it that the bike, being over 20 years old, is considered to be a vintage antique cycle and should be cared for and ridden with this in mind. Also stress that even though the bike is old.... it still has plenty of teeth left to bite you in the butt (or worse) if you give it half a chance.

With the kids today, they see professional riders on controlled courses in the movies and on TV and simply say...."Hey... I'd like to try that.". They tend to show no fear until something comes up that scares the living hell out of them and unfortunately it usually involves an injury. Every day I see kids in "Rice Rocket" Honda Civics and such.... and on bullet bikes..... weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds like they are trying to act out a scene from "The Fast and The Furious". They do it with a big smile on their face.... oblivious to the danger they are subjecting themselves and others around them to.

If someone has daredevil tendencies....and prone to unsafe practices.... it won't matter WHAT they buy. They'll manage to find a way to hurt themselves or someone else with it.

Just tell them the XS is NOT a TOY and that any rider should respect the machine they are on, its capablities and the capabilities of the rider.... and walk away knowing that it is someone elses hands now.

[Stava]

For my 2 cents worth, I reckon that selling your bike and warning the rider that this machine requires a mature attitude as does ANY solid mover is about all you can do.
As stated previously by others, If they want to push the limits, they WILL find a way!
Nothing you can do will alter the outcome for them.
And when you consider that here in OZ in some states a learner can ride anything as long as the power to weight is within controlled limits, where a Harley is considered safer than a 600cc
Gxer because of the acceleration and possible speeds achievable
then it all comes down to the commonsense of the rider....Doesn't it?

[Bob Falter]

Stava,

It surprises me that out there in Oz you have some law makers that, right or wrong, actually put some logical thought into their laws. Maybe you could send some of them to the US.