XS11's forever?

[Jerry]

I can't wax as eloquent as a few of these posts, but will keep my XJ as long as I can keep it running.

I first saw an XS in 1978 on the road near Colorado Springs. Had been riding bikes, motly Hondas, for several years by then. Still, with family obligations, a couple kids, it wasn't until 1999 that I could get a 'big' bike. Went looking for an XS or XJ, bought a '78 standard and found an XJ fairly quickly. (Parted out the '78 which turned out to be in real bad condition.)

Have tried other bikes, like the BMW R1150 RT and the Honda ST1100 (now 1300) and like them, but the XJ gives me what I want, air-cooled, shaft drive, and good performance at a reasonable price. And shucks, folks, these bikes are downright cool.

I will probably add other bikes to my stable in the future - currently looking at a Yamaha 3-cylinder 850 - and would like to own a modern BMW before I quit riding, but the XJ will stay with me for a long, long time.

[Pat Kelly]

I have no immediate plans to get rid of my XS1100. Probably the only vehicle I'd trade it for is a '56 Ford Pick-up (my first ride at 16).
Yes there are other bikes I'd like to own in addition to my XS. Another '78 Honda CB400T2 (Hawk) would be nice, the new 1800cc Goldwing (I have no idea why), A V-Max , or a newer dual-sport (currently riding my '84 XL250R while my XS is getting painted).
I do like the crotch rockets but I won't buy one (too much $ and arthritis in my neck). I really don't care for cruisers (no offense).
The XS fills the bill for me. Besides being a cool bike, it led me to you guys and guyettes... a double bonus.

[BillJump]

It's Forever

The 25 years I've owned the macho-maroon beast have seen 2 wives, maybe 5 serious girlfriends, another 10 flings, spinal cord cancer recovery, professional accomplishments and self-actualizations, a college-graduate employed son, marathons, climbed mountains, etc etc blah blah blah. But when I stand and look at that precision machine of immense power, I choke up and even forget about my other bought-new mechanical marvel, a '69 RamAirIII GTO that was exactly .1 second slower than my xs11 in the 1/4 mile. Flying the F4D PhantomII was perhaps the nearest thrill to dusting all the Harleys, smoking the Z1s, leaving 'vettes standing still, and generally ripping holes in the airspace hanging over the roads of Colorado (now Santa Cruz CA).

[graybird78]

forever

Wouldn,t give up my xs unless it's for another one. have ridin many different bikes. I like my xs the best.just wish I could fix it to be like new . I always get compliments on my bike. And they always ask what is it. not to mention all the looks I get. How many other bikes get that kind attention. any how i love the looks of the bike.






80 xs1100 sg full dress.

[Thumper]

Can't fault the XS I've been biking 8years now with 8 different bikes have owned the XS for three and a half years rode it nearly every day in sun, rain, snow ice and even through the aftermath of one of our nice Northern Irish riots. I have travelled approx 32000miles (there's 52000 on the clock) all over Ireland and once round Scotland. Only had to leave the bike at the roadside once and that was a flat tyre which you can't fault the bike for. Nearly traded her in once against a VFR750 (thank f**k that dealer offered me s**t money) perfect bike for me can carry tons of stuff even with a pillion. As part of the ongoing refit I have peeked inside the engine for first time since I bought her needs new timing chain and different sized valve shims. But if you new me and the abuse I give bikes on the road (have blown up two so far) you would realise the signifigance of this. In short nevermind FJ1100's, FJ1200's or FJR1300's stick with the original and best. Good parents always have nasty children.

[REFFI]

OK, here's the thing.

I really liked my XS750, and I really, really liked the way my wife's XS650 (both 77's) handled. The 750 always felt under powered to me and the 850 felt a lot better. However, when the wife got too pregnant to ride, and being the intelligent one of the family, knew that it'd be awhile before she ever rode again, (our daughter is 22, finishing college,and we're going to the bike show in Long Beach in December), I sold the 650. I began lusting for the 1100 as an answer to my feelings of inadequate power, having ridden a friend's 78E.

I sold the 750 to a visiting friend who mounted up and rode it home to Colorado. I went searching for a "leftover" '80G because I wanted the silver color. I have always felt it was the ideal motorcycle. I hope that I can keep it running until I can no longer ride. If money were no object, I'd take a long hard look at the Honda or Yamaha 1300's. Then again, if money were no object, I'd see if I could pay someone to custom design/build a six speed tranny, a little larger capacity gas tank and a more powerful electical system. In reality those are three very small nits to pick on this bike.

To copy a current add for diamonds: I love this bike, I love it, I love it, I love it.

Ralph

[rwtrail]

X

Tommy, please do not doubt it at all the Xs 11 is the bike for all of us forever. I am new to the owner's association, but I rescued my bike from a old shed in Bedford Co. Tenn. It had to have major repair and is still ungoing restoration. About the time I got it right with the exception of paint, a drunk hit me in the rearend. I went right back to work on it. It is a piece of my past. When I was 17 I wanted one bad and now that I am 40 my love for the bike remains the same. I know their are others that feel the same. XS 11's offer the same now as the bikes of today, they have just been offering it longer. If anything the bikes of today are just now catching up. rwtrail

[TonimusMaximus]

I love my '78E and I'd never part with it. And for the record, Steve is long winded.

[Yamhammer]

bought my 80LG in 80,everytime I ride it I do a burnout,wheelie,and ahundred mph,then I get out to the main road. The bike has never left me stranded out where I couldnt get home.The engine has never been apart.Bought a 79 & 80 for parts ( 80 has perfect factory exhaust ) havent used to many parts though.A friend who bought his 79 in 79 and still has it just bought an FJR1300,what a brute! smoke a vmax easily, handles great and has brakes.If I ever give up my 1100 it will be for an FJR.Had a sportster and a superglide ( both shovel heads ),what slugs! Hard to beat that inline four power!

[chevy45412001]

to me the ole 82 1100 maxim i own,is by far the best bike iv'e ever had the privillage to enjoy. This thing screams, you see i drag race it quite offten. i have had a best time of 13.13,at 102 m.p.h. in the 1/4. the only thing is i Drive it 35miles one way ,race it all night long (usally 15-17 passes) THEN drive it back home 35miles. I"ve been doing this routine for 5 years now. This has been the ONLY bike I"VE owned that has NEVER LET ME DOWN. !I love my bike. Money no problem id spend it on my 1982 1100 maxim. I hope every one has a great holiday season.

[Blaster]

I LOVE THESE BIKE

[tommystinson]

It's been a while since I've logged on. I've moved, gotten married, started a new job, lost my dog to a freak deer attack (?), etc, etc. My XS is in the garage however, and somehow it still matters that I have it. Perhaps it gives me hope for spring. I'll just have to do the restoration next year.

[randy]

This bike IS my lifetime companion. Her love is unconditional. I am a previous XS owner, having a 81 SH for about ten years before life got too complicated. I was a drooling late-teenager when the XS line came out in '78. At that time I was putting around on a KZ400 because I couldn't afford car insurance costs in NY. Also, couldn't afford to get a new XS either. Finally hooked up with the 81 SH in '91. Really stepped in it, too. 20,000 miles perfect for $900. Moving sale in mid-winter! She took me 55,000 more miles before I let her go and she still ran sweet. She was the best thing that ever happened to me, the XS, I mean. The 81 survived one marriage, kept the bike, ditched the bi*ch and then had to sell it in 2001 when I needed the money.

The Swamp Thing is an import from Louisiana brought up by my brother-in-law when he moved up to NY this summer. I didn't actually pull it from a swamp, but it sure looks it. He let it rot in LA and it was going to rot even quicker up here, so I took it off his hands. Good thing, too, because what the weather didn't do to it, he finished off with hammer and crowbar. This is a true labor of love for me and I can't wait to ride her up to an XS Owners' rally in the near future. My target date for road ready is July 4. Independence Day! I'll keep the board current on the progress.

Randy

[Ron Moss]

I owned a V65 Honda Magna(still have it) when I got the 79 XS 1100. A friend called one day and wanted to know if I wanted to buy his XS. He bought it new and I had worked on it for him. I put a set of Jardines on it. He hadn't ridden the bike in a couple of years and if was rough. To make a long story short he was asking 1200.00 for it and because of the shape it was in I offered 500.00 for it. He didn't take it but a couple of months later he called and I got it for the $500.00. Every day I am impressed at how well the 25 year old bike does. Not as fast as the V65 but a great all round bike.

[Jdwags]

I got 2 of them, and I'm hoping to get both back to running shape.. Love these bikes..

Loved em when they came out in 78 and love them now...

some of you might remember my post on the old site..

when i brought the Rusty home, it was nasty (stopped at a spray and wash to just get a layer off of it..)

My son (then 9) saw it in the garage, and had the following questions in this order:

1) How much is a helmet for me... do i have to earn it?

2) Can I help you work on it?

3) Can I go for a ride with you? When?

4) When you die, can i have it?

I still check my coffee