Things I miss not owning an XS

[tommystinson]

I won't bother with what I DON'T miss, as I've put on my rose colored glasses while I reminisce over the Falcon. So, in no particular order, "Things I miss not owning an XS":

1) A pet name. Naming a new bike just feels cheesy.

2) Routine maintenance. Oil changes and chain lubrication doesn't cut it for me. I want to tweak jetting and timing. I want to pull out my Carbtune II and synch carburetors. Gapping plugs. I'll be stripping my bike down quite a bit to synch throttle bodies, but I'm scared that nothing will need adjustment! Where's the fun in that?

3) Low dealer expectations. It's irritating when a dealer is surprised when you need new tires and you drop off your rims rather than the whole bike.

4) Guys in Corvettes (or 911's or Mustangs, etc) Most guys EXPECT to be outrun by a new sportbike. There's no look of surprise or frustration. (Unless they're a TOTAL wank, that is.)

5) XS11, the forum. Ever browse a forum for a new Japanese motorcycle? Dumb kids and neon kits. Claims of 40HP gains from slip-on mufflers. People who don't change their own oil. Searching desperately for an interesting post about your bike. Guess what? The people who post them also have other bikes. And older bikes.

Sigh.

[CatatonicBug]

Looks like you need a hobby! Ever thought of getting an XS1100?

[tommystinson]

HA! I'm not sure that I'll pick up another XS. I AM sure that I'll be getting an old bike to tinker with in the near future.

[Cuda 69]

seems like XS11's are few and far between in these parts anyway Tom. By the way,I want your plate,and not one of those God awful Yellow one's either.

[xs11lover]

/

OK what don't you miss?
I could hook you up with one. I.m only 62 miles from the NY border.

[ddragon63]

Being an owner of both a XS and a newer injected bike I can tell you its a night and day difference. I like to tinker with things. You will not find me tinkering with my R1. It lives on its rear stand, under its cover with the battery tender hooked up until its time to go tear up the country side. Other than routine maintenance. and some of the "upgrades" I've put on it... its as simple as turn key, push button, ride off. other than that I'm scared to death to tinker with it for fear I'll mess something up, and than the Yamaha dealership will have me bent over the oil barrel in the back corner of the shop!

I adjusted the suspension to my body weight and riding style once on the R1.... took me about a half hour. Then I looked @ my buddy "now what" So we went into the garage, cracked a beer, and looked @ the XS "what can we do to 'Old Man' today?!"

[Cobia]

Helped/moraly supported my neighbor install a low beam HID system/bulb on his BMW 1200GT. He had to almost strip down to basics. All the plastic came off, as well as the instrument cluster, and just about everything in the front of the bike...... Just to change a bulb !!!!!
I was amazed at all the stuff that hung on xhelves and brackets under all the plastic skin.... Wouldn't want to tackle any of it.

[ddragon63]

Helped/moraly supported my neighbor install a low beam HID system/bulb on his BMW 1200GT. He had to almost strip down to basics. All the plastic came off, as well as the instrument cluster, and just about everything in the front of the bike...... Just to change a bulb !!!!!
I was amazed at all the stuff that hung on xhelves and brackets under all the plastic skin.... Wouldn't want to tackle any of it.

Just draining the coolant on my R1 means we're removing all the body plastic. and its all quick fasteners and pop links. I always cringe when I unbuckle it. just waiting for something to pop off where its not suppose to.

I can drop the whole front Vetter of the XS with removing 2 bolts, 2 hose clamps, and 2 wiring harnesses. Simple