XS11's forever?

[Pat Kelly]

If I was to buy a new bike it would be (was going to be until I ran across my E for $60) a Suzuki DRZ400 L, the street-legal one.

[lsippell]

I have owned 5 bikes since 1982 (and 3 or 4 before that). Three of them have been '82 XJ1100's

In 1982 a XJ1100
From 1983 to 1985 a Venture Royal
From 1985 to 1991 a Seca 750
From 1994 to 1998 a 1982 XJ1100
From 2004 to 2030 a 1982 XJ1100 (I figure I'll be riding until then)

And as oppertunity presents itself, I'd like to pick up another '83 Venture Royal.

Louis

[GNEPIG]

.. YEAH! ..SX11s and Jimi Hendrix forever

.. i bought my first motorcycle when i was 16 in 1980 from my mom.. i have never been with out at least one bike ever since ..as of now i have owned over 40 motorcycles [not including the parts bikes] and i loved every one of them.. i have noticed that every bike had it's own little problems but nothing that i could'nt handle and each were fun in there own ways
.. but since i got my first xs11 special i have tried two other new bikes and sold my xs each time ..each time ended up being very disapointed in the end ..it seems [to me personaly] that no other bike can compair to my old 1100 yamahas ..now i have three xs11s, one pretty nice one and two in progress
.. i have come to the conclusion at this point in my life that the 1100 special is me..
.. i may own more bikes later but my 1100 special will be my primary sourse of trasportation until either i can't afford to put gas in it any more or until death do us part:

[CruisingRam]

I have never had anything against Yamahas at all- I like them- and have always thought of them as the "risk taker" of the big four, kinda like my mopars- the gritty innovative, customer driven one- but I do not know enough about them, and have been doing alot of research lately about Yamis.

Wierd thing is- I have never owned a Yamaha until the XS 1100, and drove it a few times before I owned it- and was not blown away by it or anything like that- just a "hey, not a bad bike"

[wingnut]

The Only Bike

I bought a 78 650 special from a guy in 79. Bike had 1200 miles on it. One of the best bikes I've ever owned. You had to work at hurting it. My buddy had one just like it and we rode the wheels off of them. A year later we were both getting bigger bikeitis. We walked into the Yamaha dealer on a cold snowy Febuary afternoon and asked what they would do on a pair of XS1100 specials today cash. Traded the 650 for more than I paid for it. They cut us great deals and the best looking black bike I had ever seen came home with me. Had it for 3 years and put almost 10K miles on it. Loved every mile of it. Got SWMBO and a son so things got tight and it was sold to a guy who still has it I belive. I've always missed it and when the kids left to go away to school I started looking for another one. The 81SH I have now is a long way from perfect but thats OK. I'll have it for as long as I can still ride so there is plenty of time to make it as new looking as I can. I've never even considered another bike but the XS1100.

[Lloydo]

Started out with a 75 Honda 125 enduro, went to a Yamaha 400 twin, rode that to Florida, no problems except for a chain that was stretched out to the max. Then got a Honda 650 Silverwing, was an ok bike, but for whatever reasons,( just got married, etc.,the wife makes up for it later! ) didn't ride it much & sold it. Went for about 8 years, & then some guy on my golf league mentioned his '79 special for $500. Told my wife about it,she wanted me to get a bike again, & gave me the money to get it! Put about $600 into it so far, & I feel it's the best bike I've ever owned. I have to say that this website, the help I've gotten from everyone, & seeing how many other XS owners there are around the world, Make my Special seem more "Special"

[HobbyMan]

My Dad bough his F in 79. I came along eventually. I got it going again you all know the rest.

[desert1]

An XS Trike

Another bike would be a trike an XS trike.....

Bruce

[tommystinson]

It's hard to comprehend that this thread is three and a half years old. Considering that, and the current state of the Falcon, it will be my last bike...

[81xsproject]

I too can say that I will NEVER sell my bike. I only want more bikes and if money was no object, I would get a standard and Mod the hell out of it.

[cloerts]

hate to sell

The only vehicle I ever sold was my '63 chevy c10 I had in highschool. I've kicked myself ever since. With that in mind, I'll keep the XS forever because I know I'll regret selling it. If money was no object I wouldn't mind having a ducati sport 1000 s. I like the 70's cafe racer looks, and ducatis are fun in the twisties. But the XS would still be my daily rider, it's way more comfortable than a duc seat

[b1rks]

The xs isa great all round bike. IT does many things well. Plus its so darn dependable. But if were wishful thinking here 2 other bikes i would love to own are the FZ1000 N THE Vmac {brutforce and another all round great bike}

[The Lorax]

I like my XS alot however, if money were not an object...and space... I would have a veritable collection of bikes. all makes and models. well, maybe not all harleys, maybe just a 40's vintage restoration for slow days. I can honestly say, I never met a bike I didn't like. there's something beautiful, dangerous, mysterious, and alluring about the motorcycle in pretty much all it various incarnations. I do not believe I can adequately put it into words but there is something about the motorcycle that gets into your soul and once there, cannot be removed even after death. two wheels, chain or shaft drive, single, twin, triple, four it doesn't matter. the motorcycle is in my opinion the single finest creation man has put upon this earth. God must have helped, for something possesing that much stimulation for all of the senses must have been sent from above. that's all I got (I know, enough already!) have a nice day and ride safe

[b1rks]

well stated lorax

[jetmechmarty]

I got a treat the other day. I rode someone else's bikes all afternoon.

I started out on my XS650 and climbed aboard a '04 102 ci Roadstar. I came away favorably impressed. The bike handles easily and my long legs were comfy. There's enough vibration to let you know it's a big V twin, but I did not find it bothersome. When the time came, I really did not want to get off. It's a nice cruiser and fun to ride.

I traded the big V twin for a '07 FJR. It left me speachless. I want one! I really like that adjustable seat. I think I could ride it all day without difficulty.

I rode my XS650 home. I still love that bike. It also made me think about how great a bike the XS Eleven really is considering its age. I would need two new bikes to replace it.