XS11's forever?

[old_skool]

Unless someone gave me an XJR1300. Or another cool bike. Or something...

Don't get me wrong, I'm a true and blue XS guy....but...I'd marry this one!

[natemoen]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a true and blue XS guy....but...I'd marry this one!

Well, unless you plan on moving to a different country then you can't have it....not available in the US.

[Brent]

Keep XS

Many other bikes are worth having. Maybe even making payments on. Many are better at something than an XS, BUT not as good at everything the XS can do.

I bought and made payments on a 2002 Harley Road king. Then a 2008 Buell 1125 R. I enjoy them...

I have had my XS1100SG for over 20 years. It is not for sale.

[blkryno]

just curious but why is that bike not available in the U.S. ?


blkryno

81 11 SH (83 Venture cct, Tkat fork brace on )
79 11 SF (83 Venture cct on the shelf for it.)

Semper Fi

Loud Pipes
Draw Cops

[natemoen]

just curious but why is that bike not available in the U.S. ?


blkryno

81 11 SH (83 Venture cct, Tkat fork brace on )
79 11 SF (83 Venture cct on the shelf for it.)

Semper Fi

Loud Pipes
Draw Cops

It just has never been released as a us model, and importing vehicles not released in a country is near impossible to do.

[crazy steve]

...Just curious but why is that bike not available in the U.S. ?

Lots of reasons, but the two biggys are the US emission/noise standards and Yamaha marketing department's perception of what would sell here. It costs a considerable amount of money to certify a model for US sale, and if they didn't figure they could sell enough to pay back those costs, you didn't see them here. Like it or not, the US market was/is owned by Harley and the Japanese manufacturers sold bikes that catered to that market, as witnessed by the popularity of the XS 'Specials' which were pretty much only sold in the US and Canada.

The emission requirements is why you can't import one on your own; it would cost far more than the bike is worth to make it road-legal here. In the mid-to-late 70s when the emission requirements really tightened up, most of the Italian high-end manufacturers (Ferrari, Lambourgini, etc) quit selling some or all of their models in the US because they thought they couldn't afford the testing or the required price increases. The US distributors stepped into the gap and paid aftermarket firms to do the conversions (adding anywhere from $50K and up to the price) and managed to sell them. With the trail blazed, they then started marketing in the US again, at much higher prices...

[jetmechmarty]

I look at that XJR and wonder why it didn't get forks like the R1 or Star Warrior.

[Ranadinn]

I could keep mine forever. But it might be a novel idea for me to own a bike that s not older then I am for once in my life.

[jjz28]

I LOVE the bike! My wife is so jealous of my bike, i think its funny. Anyway, i do love the bike and probably will never get rid of it, thats why i said lifetime companion but i will have other bikes. I am currently looking for an 85-86 suzuki madura, my dad had one. Also, would love to have a 82-83 suzuki gs1100 ez or es, he had one of those too and lots of memories.

[ddragon63]

I have literally had mine my whole life. Dad purchased Old Man the month after I was born. It will be my son's bike when I feel he is responsible enough to care his grandfathers bike, and complete his legacy... 3 Generations of Shepard's 1 bike. I'd call it a life long companion for sure! Almost a better companion than a dog

[jjz28]

That is so awesome don. I have the gravely garden tractor that my grandpa taught me to mow on and every time i mow the grass, i remember him just like he was there. I was 6 or 7 when he bought the gravely and my grandpa always taught me everything so the family said i should take it home. It runs and looks almost new and is 35 years old.

[ddragon63]

That is so awesome don. I have the gravely garden tractor that my grandpa taught me to mow on and every time i mow the grass, i remember him just like he was there. I was 6 or 7 when he bought the gravely and my grandpa always taught me everything so the family said i should take it home. It runs and looks almost new and is 35 years old.

NICE!

[mack]

Ownership

Well I've owned my SF going on what 34+ years now, it's all the bike I've ever needed so with the addition of the LH and E. I guess they will get me to the end of the line just fine. Now I'm an old man, I will be adding a fairing or two though.

[tommystinson]

Nice to see this thread continue. Currently without a bike, would love another XS. I miss the wrenching. And the Mikuni BS34's...

[MarkD]

I got my first XSF around 10? years ago, and it had around 6,000 miles on it. I sold it maybe 4 years ago for $2200. Its replacement was a 2005 VN800. Sold it 3 years ago, and got a K75 BMW. Was not really happy with it either, sold it, and this past spring got another SXF with 26,000 miles on her. I will never sell this bike. It's my kind of bike, plain and simple. Everything about it is cool. As far as reliability, I suppose the VN and BMW were way ahead, but fuhgedaboudit, I'll take the XS over anything.