What bike was the 1/4 mile king in 1979 and 1980?

[jetmechmarty]

Harleys can be made to go fast. Very fast. That is especially true of Sportsters. It is usually at the expense of drivability, i.e. comfort.

[crazy steve]

Being an owner of both multiple XSs and Sportsters, I might be able to shed a bit more light on this...

The pre-'86 Ironhead Harleys were performance-limited (remember, HD built this design for almost 30 years, pretty much unchanged as AMF never put enough money into R&D), although they're still favorites of the nitro guys (cast iron won't melt as easily as aluminum..). But all Harley motors are fairly bulletproof as long as you don't over-rev them.

The later EVO motors have been around now for about 25 years, and it's not that hard to make equal or more power than what a XS can deliver. Sure, it's an old design, but the tuners have it thoroughly figured out and making 100 reliable rwhp isn't at all hard anymore (Marty, it's when they try to get over 120 hp that the reliability starts to go away). And as far as cost, it will cost you about the same with either bike to hit that number. To exceed that power level, it will actually cost you less to do it with a Harley...

Which bike is 'best'? Well, it depends on what you want out of it. My '93 Sportster is truthfully my favorite bike; souped-up motor, so I've got the same power (with 60 lbs less weight), better handling, cheaper/easier to work on, and much less maintainance (no carb syncs, valve adjusting). Great short-hop bike, and that's the majority of my riding. But the XS is a fine machine too; broad powerband, smooth and comfortable for distance riding, and I love the iconic styling of my '78 (that had to 'grow' on me..). That's a few of the reasons I've never sold it; it is a very nice bike.

Both are 'do it all' bikes IMO, and like all 'universal' products, neither does everything great; it's all about finding the balance that pleases you...

[MacMcMacmac]

I know the 1978 XS1100 was the first bike to break into the 11s and thus was king that year but what bike ran the fastest 1/4 mile in 79 and 80?

[MacMcMacmac]

I think that's the thing to remember, that while there were others that took the 1/4 mile crown, for the most part those are in the junk yard now.

http://www.cb1100f.net/

www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

www.kzrider.com

www.thegsresources.com


Got to step out of the echo chamber once in awhile guys...

If someone has to tweak his GS1100 every week to keep it running right he is either anal retentive or has a defective motorcycle.

[crazy steve]

The ZR1 failed to keep the 'first' claim as production models couldn't duplicate the times Cycle got when other magazines tested it...

[MacMcMacmac]

You only have to be first once.

[mharrington]

I read in a 1978 evaluation that in a 5th gear roll on the Kaw 1000 had to drop to 4th gear to keep up with the 1100. Yamaha did right by going 1100 cubes (Did wrong with faulty dog gear engagement)

[motoman]

Kawy wasn't short on cc's or power................just not short(low) enough in the diff. gearing...........and we all know these XSscoots sing pretty high and sweetly at slab speeds.