Hi from South Africa

[Speed Devil]

Hello everyone.

I'm Speed Devil. I'm from Pretoria in sunny South Africa, where we never have snow and can ride all year round.

First off, I see this mainly a US based site and would like to say thanks for being allowed to join your forum.

I am a Think Bike member and am on the South African Think Bike forum. One of my biggest passions is safety awareness and informing people about ATGATT and the benefits of it. I am also a marshal with THink Bike and take part in marshalling activities at events like cycle races and other sport events, charity events, funeral processions and any event that an organiser would require marshals to help escort/control.

My current ride is a 2008 Yamaha TDM900. I am in the process of twisting SWAMBO's arm to buy a Yamaha XS1100 as a project bike and hopefully restore it to original spec. So if there is anyone that can help with some info, tips, etc it will be very welcome.

I will post my plea for help and advice in the relative thread shortly

Hoping to have a great time here

[slow mo]

hi and welcome Speed Devil! thanks for reminding me that you can ride year round!!?? i,m looking at a foot of snow ..but not wishing i had an xs11 cause i do!! with that out of the way ,,you will find this forum most helpful for all your questions!! ride safe ,,slow mo!

[crazy steve]

Welcome! We have members from all over here (including several from SA, so you're not the first!) so someone will know what you need. One thing to know is Yamaha built multiple versions of the XS for different markets; I believe SA is considered 'Oceania' so you'll likely find any bike you get will be the same as what was sold in Australia/NZ. Mostly minor differences, but not always...

Good luck hunting!

[Speed Devil]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Crazy Steve, yes it is the Oceania version. I showed a link to a site in my thread in the XJ11/XS11 forum where a person can find the model of your bike by entering the serial number of the bike.

The model I am after is the XS Eleven, XS1100G. It's not that I want the XS1100G by choice, but is what is available to me at present at a bargain price. I would have preferred to get a Midnight Special.

The reason I have joined you guys is because the best place to get info is by the guys who own and ride them and know them inside out.

I will be picking your brains a lot in the coming weeks

[DGXSER]

Welcome aboard the excessive compulsion trane of XS11 ownership!!

HERE is a link to this sites listing of the model numbers associated with serial numbers, colors, and other info.

While there are some differences in how they got adorned with their exterior items like exhuast and foot pegs and such, the core of the bikes is the same world over.

[Speed Devil]

Talking about extras....

I see there a quite a few bikes with 4 into 1 exhausts, and some have 2x 2 into 1.

What was the standard and what were the differences? I have read a few forums where guys have complained about the 4 into 1 systems and they couldn't get the bike set up correctly because the header pipes were not all even length. What are your guys thought on this?

I know that usually a 4 into one will give more better low down talk, while a 2x 2 into 1 will give better top end.

[motoman]

I know that usually a 4 into one will give more better low down talk, while a 2x 2 into 1 will give better top end.

Actually the opposite, but who knows, that far south of the equator weirder things take place, even the toilet bowl swirly......lol...........welcome aboard!..........

[crazy steve]

These days, most exhaust choices are dictated by what you can find, not what's best. 'Back in the day', there were a lot of different systems available new, but that's not the case now. There's only a few new systems still out there, ranging in price from about $400 for a MAC system (in your choice of 4-2 or 4-1), the Campbell X-Pipe ($6-800, and according to reports not a direct bolt-on), and a special-order, hand-made stainless steel version of the 'standard' exhaust out of Germany ($1600!!!).

In terms of power, the OEM exhaust is generally considered the best all-around exhaust that can be found somewhat easily (well, more so than some of the aftermarket ones...). The MAC seems to be no better than the OEM, maybe not as good, but can still be gotten new. As to the rest, some are better than others, but hunting for a specific brand/model may prove to be fruitless seeing how long some of these have been out of production. Here's a reasonably complete list of what's been available over the years, with comments on some... http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/in...47179#msg47179 ... but again, nearly all are discontinued, so finding a bike with a good, intact exhaust is a big help. None of the aftermarket pipes will give big gains over a stock exhaust on a stock motor, many won't offer any gain at all. Almost all will require careful tuning to get the bike to run right.

[b.walker5]

Welcome aboard Speed Devil. You'll find all the info and advice you need here. The guys are very helpful and friendly. Not all the advice is American based though, there are one of two SA's already here, as well as a couple of Kiwi's and some Aussies, with a smattering of Poms thrown in for good measure.

Again, Welcome aboard, and good luck trying to take the Rugby World Cup back.