New member - Scappoose, OR

[RVR PIR8]

Hello everyone.

New member here...of course. My experience with bikes is very minimal to this point.

My dad rides for 12 months out of the year and has been doing it for a few years. I am finally to a point were I am home (on land) more then 1 month a year and would like to ride with him. So 2 weeks ago I took the BRT class through Team-Oregon and as of today just got my motorcycle endorsement officially on my license.

I just purchased a 1981 xs11 tour @ $1250. It's got a few dings but in pretty decent condition. runs smoothly.

My plans at the moment are to add an HID light right off the bat. But to learn the bike well enough that I do all the mechanical work. Just electrical work is not my virtue and maybe I can change that (as my blinkers also don't work if at idle).

Hopefully I didn't ramble off. But glad to be here and have all ready spent hours reading the forum and can't wait to tackle a few projects.

[woahblackbetty]

Welcome! I'm new here too... Don't hold your breath on a warm greeting though, my intro post hasn't garnered a single response as yet.

[natemoen]

Welcome to you both! That is a nice '81 H!

[DGXSER]

Nice looking Venturer!! Well taken care of from the looks of it.

[Yahman]

Welcome, it's always good to have another member from Oregon. Nice looking 81, did you find it on craigslist, it looks familiar?

Ride safe,
Larry

[madmax-im]

Welcome and I am jealous...in the same breath...what you have bought is the 1981 XS1100H otherwise known as the Venturer...a 1 model year bike...so it ranks up there in rarity. you also have the touring gastank which is 6 gals...and only came with this bike...all others are 5 gals or 4 something(specials)
For many yrs i have been looking for one of these but everytime one comes up forsale,my timing has never been right...so right out of the gate you get into this in abig way. The XS is a pretty heavy bike and it does have more power than most new riders imagine. Usually folks do not begin riding on such a machine...though not impossible for a new rider but not everyone fits neatly into the definition of beginner...I too started on big displacement bikes...good luck and take it "conservatively" and learn yours and the bike's limits. Hopefully you'll enjoy it for many yrs..BTW $1250 is a damn good deal...

[madmax-im]

Welcome! I'm new here too... Don't hold your breath on a warm greeting though, my intro post hasn't garnered a single response as yet.

Well the Welcome to you too... I lived in Springfield for a year...Queen city of the Ozarks ya know...great roads down there too People ahere are good its just the begiining of riding season so most folks are prolly out in the shed or garage getting ready to break out their bikes and ride...If you ever get the chance to go to one of our rallies then you'll gain a real appreciation for this forum and its members...it goes way beyond techincal information...We are a passionate lot about keeping these bikes...fixing them on the cheap and risding them for as long as we can...I see you too have the passion by your signature. Many a bike has continued on because of the collective knowledge here and on other XS11 websites...certainly without these forums it would be alot harder to maintain and operate the mighty and venerable XS/XJ1100s'

[DiverRay]

Welcome to the insanity! Don't expect the turn signals to work well at idle. IF you clean up ALL the ground locations on the bike, and have a GOOD battery, they will still blink, but slower, at idle.
Do be careful on the bike, as they like to go better than stop. I didn't look to see if you have the Stainless Steel brake lines, but they do help a lot with the stopping. I think you have a nice bike, and paid a good price for it.

[Old Red]

Great find and welcome to the site. Several years back I let one like yours slip right through my hands. It only had 7,500 miles on it and was complete. This is an awesome place to get great info.

The Other Earl

[motoman]

A nice find! The only changes I see were made are the seat is from an earlier 78-79Standard, bars are off a Special and the mirrors are aftermarket. Nice to see it still has the cable lock assembly. That would be what's down low on the right side with the yellow booted chain. Your ignition key works to unlock that, which I never used in 32yrs. Again, a nice buy on a one-year classic!

[RVR PIR8]

Well that's good to know about the true model. I realized it was a different model due to the tank size (my dad's mechanic for his victory was telling him about it, but had not seen the bike). Just didn't know it was different then a 1100.

It is a big bike, especially for me being a new rider. I am planning to take it to the school parking lot a few hrs a day till i get comfortable with clutch/brakes and just the overall power/feel of the bike before I take it on freeways or long rides. It fits well though at a 6'4" 350lb guy.

It did come with factory mirrors. But my dad still had his factory mirrors off his victory that turns out fit my bike. So I am in the middle of swapping them out. Just the right side I have to tap it as the threads are all jeezered up.

Larry - I did find the bike on Craigslist, Guy was in Sherwood. Thought about getting a won't run bike but saw this and figured it was worth the extra money for a running one and just go from there. And the bags I wanted as it will be my small car (diesel is getting expensive to drive).

I'll check the brake lines as I am not sure. And I think soon a fuse panel swap will be in the works. Again learning (I am use to working on diesels or big boat/truck motors).

Again thanks for the warm welcome. This site has all ready been very helpful and I just can't quit using the search button and learning some great things about it. (and once it gets to my house -it's at my dads atm-I think i'll be riding more than reading).

Lance

[MaximPhil]

Hi Lance,
Welcome and a extra welcome to the rare owners of
XS1100H Venturer model from 1981 ( note the extra R on the end)
Yours is in much better shape than mine. As already mentioned the saddle is not original but just like mine. I find it very comfortable. Do take it easy as you adjust to your new bike and new skills. although a big bike for many you are certainly Full Size your self



Not quite as rare as the Mid Night Specials but pretty in Blue.
Phil

[haywardguy929]

Welcome to both of you, looks like you both got pretty nice bikes. Congrats and welcome.

[XS1100 Newbie]

Welcome to you both. I am sure that no one on here intends to give a bad welcome, so i hope you two will stay and learn. These bikes are great, and they will be a lot of enjoyment. Do be carefull in your new riding as you are invisible out there.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Lance,
Welcome and a extra welcome to the rare owners of
XS1100H Venturer model from 1981 ( note the extra R on the end)
Yours is in much better shape than mine. As already mentioned the saddle is not original but just like mine. I find it very comfortable. Do take it easy as you adjust to your new bike and new skills. although a big bike for many you are certainly Full Size your self



Not quite as rare as the Mid Night Specials but pretty in Blue.
Phil

Hi Lance,
Upon a closer look at your picture. Your saddle is not the same as mine and may well be the correct original. If you really care take some pictures and ask Motoman... he has had his from new
Phil