XS11's forever?

[screamin deal]

looks good

see what I mean

[CarolynS]

I did a little over a year of research when I decided to buy a motorcycle. Looked at European, Japanese, even took a HD out for a ride. We spent one summer into the next shopping, pretty good for HWMBO! He hates shopping!
Tried out a bunch, different makes, different sizes. John had started to loose interest in shopping and trying things. To his credit, he would point out various flaws in the bikes or credits that I have that would discourage me from certain ones. His recommendation was a Suzuki GSL or something similar.
Okay...
I couldn't find one! Or anything else that was close for the amount of money I had to spend. Checking Craigslist one day, I saw a little one line ad for an XS1100. I had never heard of one, so I checked it out with Google, WOW!! Yureka! That's it!!
Drove 2+ hours to see it, hear it run, bought it on the spot. It looked like, well...elbow grease if free!
It has been a challenge since. Wound up with another bike, and with the help of a wonderful mechanic(thanks, Ed.), did 2 into 1, etc.
I've been riding the bike for a couple weeks now. It is my first 'real' motorcycle. I can't imagine parting with it! It is all I ever need for power, easy to maintain, and fun. I would never sell it.
I can stand there for hours just looking at it, polishing it. It has become a beloved 'pet' for lack of a better word. I have plans for it for the winter down time, making updates, beautification. As far as changing anything that makes this bike what it is...why? It needs nothing.
An XS may not be for everyone, but it has a home here with me for the rest of my life. And unlike all the rest...it will last THAT long!!!

[DenyP]

At some point I may own and ride other bikes, but I will never willingly part with my XS!

Deny

[DJinNH]

I often will take a ride over to a beach here in New Hampshire called Hampton Beach. It's very packed with people this time of year and many bikers park in this one particular area by the middle of the strip.

Sure, there's all kinds of expensive custom choppers, rice rockets, Harleys, etc. I just know that there aren't a whole lot of riders that are going to pull up with a 28 yr old bike that runs great and looks pretty darn good.



Don

[wa407mpp]

Wow! Hampton Beach, where Ice Burgs go to die.

[powerram50]

i like my xs and for 300 bucks i cant complain.i will probaly keep it for many years,it is a good bike.but if i had the money i would go for a newer V star or vulcan.

[CatatonicBug]

Looks like this THREAD will be around forever!

I love my XS, and how easy it is to repair. It's my first bike, and reminds me of my first car - A '68 VW bug. Easy to work on, easy to understand, and has a personality of it's own. I definitely plan to hang onto my MNS for as long as I can, and maybe I'll do a full restoration on it some day. However, if I had the money, at this point, the only other bike I'd consider would be the new FJR1300A. Of course, by the time I have enough money to get something like that, bikes will probably be flying....

[cywelchjr]

Looks like this THREAD will be around forever!

I love my XS, and how easy it is to repair. It's my first bike, and reminds me of my first car - A '68 VW bug. Easy to work on, easy to understand, and has a personality of it's own. I definitely plan to hang onto my MNS for as long as I can, and maybe I'll do a full restoration on it some day. However, if I had the money, at this point, the only other bike I'd consider would be the new FJR1300A. Of course, by the time I have enough money to get something like that, bikes will probably be flying....

According to the new star trek movie Kirk will be riding a 2 wheel motorcycle in the 22nd or 23rd century, I expect it won't take you THAT long to come up with the money.

[Big Daddy Funk]

Till death do us part

Owned a lot of bikes, rode a lot of bikes, fixed a lot of bikes. Without a doubt these are the perfect bikes for me. I plan on keeping them until my riding career is over and then some. Rick

[xs11lover]

I'd take a nice clean xs over just about anything.....but then again I drove a 78 pacer for 3 years, paid $300 and sold it for $350. Now I see they sell for $7,000, go figure.

[DJinNH]

I'm not going to be very popular with my post on a site for XSes/XJ's but here it goes....

I thought I was totally happy with my XS1100SG but then I went to an open house at my local Yamaha dealership and test rode the Yamaha/Star Raider.

Now my poor SG sits in the driveway and I only ride it rarely to keep it from sitting. A lot of it has to do with the foot control location. I have severely injured legs/feet and find the forward controls on the Raider relieve a lot of pain during riding. The spread out handlebars are more comfortable too I find. OK, and I love the Raider's 1854 cc engine and the 210 rear tire.

Don

[DGXSER]

I'm not going to be very popular with my post on a site for XSes/XJ's but here it goes....

I thought I was totally happy with my XS1100SG but then I went to an open house at my local Yamaha dealership and test rode the Yamaha/Star Raider.

Now my poor SG sits in the driveway and I only ride it rarely to keep it from sitting. A lot of it has to do with the foot control location. I have severely injured legs/feet and find the forward controls on the Raider relieve a lot of pain during riding. The spread out handlebars are more comfortable too I find. OK, and I love the Raider's 1854 cc engine and the 210 rear tire.

Don

Funny how things change in a year, look seven post up!! Sure it has big jugs....errr...more cc's...but can it carve the corners or pull out of your hands like an XS, and still be smooth easy highway ride for you AND a companion?

[dpotter58]

If I was to hit the lottery, I'd go buy a new V-Max for effing with the youngsters and a big BMW for touring.
Not likely to happen since i don't play but ya never know. I do not plan on getting rid of my 11s though even if a big touring bike ends up in the garage.

[DJinNH]

Funny how things change in a year, look seven post up!! Sure it has big jugs....errr...more cc's...but can it carve the corners or pull out of your hands like an XS, and still be smooth easy highway ride for you AND a companion?

Just avoid doing what I did. I took a test drive and the next thing I knew, I had to have it.

Yup, I did see my previous post and it didn't seem right flip flopping a year later. Nothing ever stays the same. I was single then, now I just moved in with my girlfriend. Does she have big jugs? Not exactly but that's something I am scared to death to mention/suggest doing some surgery about. What if she wants me to have surgery to make something of mine bigger as well?

Don

[Special Ed]

"What if she wants me to have surgery to make something of mine bigger as well?"

Planedick, if you are following this thread, perhaps you could offer this brother some counseling.
Special Ed