New member, 1980 fully dressed XS1100

[Mullineaux]

Not only am I new to this bike, I'm new to riding too. I got my permit at the top of the season and just got my license last month. My starter bike was a '77 Kawasaki KZ650 that I got running for the first time since 1982. My brother in laws were right though, that bike has a hard time cutting it on the 70mph straight aways that are all over Michigan. I'm also a big guy so I make the bike look a little on the smallish side. Fun starter bike, but if I'm going to go on multi-hour rides something bigger was in order. So I started watching Craigslist for a liter bike. In searching for Kz's I cam across some XS1100's and read up on them a bit. The more I read the more I wanted one.

This guy a couple towns over had one for sale for over a month and I'd been watching the price steadily fall. Finally I contacted him and went out to see it. I asked him if there was anything wrong with it, why he had such a hard time selling it. Apparently the bike was too tall for at least two purchasers that cam out to see it. I'm 6'2" and can barely put both feet flat when on the bike. Other than that it needs a new front tire, a gasket for the oil filter (it drips a bit from the filter), and the front end needs a little sorting out. There is 0 psi in the front forks and it has a full fairing. I went on ebay and got an ATK brace for the forks and I'm looking to get some offset risers for ride comfort and so I can get tot he air caps on the forks.

I ended up picking up this beauty for $1200. Haven't put her on the road yet but the test rides were really fun. 40mph comes along a LOT faster and there are still two more gears to go! All the reviews on cornering have me a little nervous. Compared to the KZ a lot more weight is higher up and the seat is an inch or two higher making it feel more wobbly at lower speeds. Still, I'm looking forward to putting some miles on her and getting used to a bigger bike.

[Bellerophon]

You got a great deal on a great looking bike.

[haywardguy929]

I agree nice looking bike. Looks like it was taken care of. Check your middle and rear gear levels, On mine one was low and the other over filled in back.
Over all it's a nice bike and has always started for me. It keeps up with anything on the road too. Good luck with it.

[DGXSER]

Beautiful G model. I like that deep maroon color. The front end work will be easy to do over the winter.

These bikes are not as agile as the 650 Kawi you had. And with all that gear on it even more so. But once you het used to it, it will be a great long distance rider for you!

[Mullineaux]

Thanks for the tips!
I still have the kz650. That's what I'm riding at the moment. Here's what she looks like:

She's fun and all, but I'm thinking about selling her at the start of next season, saving up some money and trying to find a 74-80 HD Sportster for an around town sort of bike. But around here XS11's are about the biggest bike you can buy for the least amount of money. There's another one near me for $900. They're always about half the price of a similar vintage Goldwings that have 2-3x the miles. Who knows, maybe I'll end up with two XS11's depending on how much I like this one.

Anyone have some recommendations for a front tire? I'm hoping to get one this month. Also I've been wondering if this is the 6 gal tank or 5? It's definitely a larger tank than my kawi's 4.5gal. I've also noticed that the middle fuse is wrapped in tinfoil. Not a great sign, but then I read that quite often if you plugged electric coats/gloves into the 12v cigarette lighter it would pop fuses and I'm hoping that's what it's from. The lighter is too corroded to use any more, but it does look used. While the fairing is branded Yamaha and the Vetter site makes no claims to it (they do claim the Kawasaki branded fairing of this era) I really think it's a Vetter. The clips say Vetter! Does anyone know if a Vetter sound module fits in these and if they do where I could find one cheap?

[tcoop]

40 mph with two gears to go. I'm hitting 40 in first gear and have 4 gears to go .

Nice looking bike you got. Having two XS1100 is the way to go. One naked for riding around town and the other for longer rides. (I do not recommend riding it naked but hey that your choice)

Anyway, I have an old Cycle Sound that I will sell for $10 plus shipping PM me if you are interested.

[Mullineaux]

40mph in 1st? Maybe *that's* how people loose 2nd Or maybe I'm still shy about finding the 5k power band. Def better to ride a naked bike than to be a naked rider, in my case anyways. Naked passengers on the other hand always looked good in the pages of Easyriders.

I have plenty of time to think about the next bike, I'm in no hurry at this point. And heck, thinking about the next bike is almost more fun than getting the next bike. Even a zooker isn't out of the question. I'd like something that has a bit of a bobber or that I could bob a bit and is pre-'81 (but no right side or jockey shift). I've read that XS1100 don't bob very well, but I have seen pics of XS11 bobbers. I'll figure it out and an opportunity of some sort will present itself when the time is right.

tcoop, PM sent!

[Poprock]

Welcome to the zoo. You're gonna like the 11, and the fairing, and the boxes. I ride a SG bagger, and all the carrying capacity is real handy. It will take you all of an afternoon ride to get used to the stuff on the bike. I came off a XJ 650 to the 11. Very soon I noticed I wasn't noticing the fairing and stuff. If you're running long roads up there you'll appreciate the comfort behind the fairing. Don't let anyone talk you out of it. Great looking bike BTW. Congrats on a fine score.

[DGXSER]

As tot he fuse wrapped in foil, it may be due to the loose fitting of the clamps that hold the fuses in place. That stock fuse panel is one of the weak points of the bike. There is a TECH TIP on replacing it with a more modern fuse box. To me, it is really a must do. Hate to get stranded 80 miles from home over a fuse box.

[cywelchjr]

Thanks for the tips!
I still have the kz650. That's what I'm riding at the moment. Here's what she looks like:

She's fun and all, but I'm thinking about selling her at the start of next season, saving up some money and trying to find a 74-80 HD Sportster for an around town sort of bike. But around here XS11's are about the biggest bike you can buy for the least amount of money. There's another one near me for $900. They're always about half the price of a similar vintage Goldwings that have 2-3x the miles. Who knows, maybe I'll end up with two XS11's depending on how much I like this one.

Anyone have some recommendations for a front tire? I'm hoping to get one this month. Also I've been wondering if this is the 6 gal tank or 5? It's definitely a larger tank than my kawi's 4.5gal. I've also noticed that the middle fuse is wrapped in tinfoil. Not a great sign, but then I read that quite often if you plugged electric coats/gloves into the 12v cigarette lighter it would pop fuses and I'm hoping that's what it's from. The lighter is too corroded to use any more, but it does look used. While the fairing is branded Yamaha and the Vetter site makes no claims to it (they do claim the Kawasaki branded fairing of this era) I really think it's a Vetter. The clips say Vetter! Does anyone know if a Vetter sound module fits in these and if they do where I could find one cheap?

It was made by Vetter for Yamaha, I actually talked to Craig Vetter about it and he put me in touch with the engineer who did the modifications to the Windjammer IV to take the square turn signals and headlight for the XS11.

[Special Ed]

Welcom to the world of XS!

I couldn't help but be amused: I'm 5'7" and 120 LBS, soaking wet, but I've been riding for 50+ years. Still it's a lot of bike for a bantam weight. I encourage all new riders to take a motorcycle training course: I took one a few years ago in order to become a certified instructor, and really learned a lot even after all that I thought I knew from my own experience. It is a crazy world out there; you really can't know too much about survival.
Special Ed (Darwin!)