After nearly 35 years, THE WAIT IS OVER!

[Prisoner6]

Hey, everybody - just wanted to say hello from Phoenix, AZ and introduce myself! I actually joined the group almost 3 months ago, and have been spending that time enjoying the Eleven, and trying to learn what I can from this site (when I have the time!)
BACK STORY - In 1979, I was looking to buy my first motorcycle. When I walked into the Yamaha dealership, it was all over ... as soon as I saw that brand new, beautiful Black Gold XS Eleven Special, I was done! This was the one for me, BUT ... a good friend talked me out of it, saying it was WAY too powerful for someone who had never ridden before. In hindsight, that was great advice, and I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. So the next year, I ended up buying a brand new XS400 Special. I loved it and rode the tires off that bike ... but I always knew that someday, an Eleven Special WOULD be mine.
FAST FORWARD to Aug. of this year - As you can see from my signature, I'm no stranger to motorcycling, or even the XS family, having owned the 400 Special. Many bikes later, the timing just seemed to work out, and I picked up my very first Eleven Special, a '79 (the best-looking one, IMHO)! And even almost 35 years later, with all the newer technology on bikes, it's everything I hoped it would be ...
HOWEVER, I am a stranger to the Eleven, and I am looking forward to learning everything I can from the obviously-very-knowledgeable people on this site - there is such a wealth of info on here - WOW!!
Oh, and thanks to TC for setting me up on the site - sorry this was such a long post!! Marco

[MarkD]

Welcome, Marco. looks like you've had more than a coupla scoots. I'm guessing you're a little younger than me, but old enough to appreciate an old school ride. I'm on my 2nd XSF, and no, they're not hi-tech, but I wouldn't own any other bike. maybe get an acct on photobucket, and post some pics. My acct is Funfan73, and you can see my '79. The guys on this site are really helpful and full of knowledge. Congratulations on your dream bike!

[jjz28]

I think it really depends on what kind of person you are on what a first bike can be. I have a 1977 xs750 for 2 months before I bought my xs11. I rode it maybe 100 miles before the 11 and once I rode the 11, I haven't ridden the xs750 since. So, I basically have learned how to ride on the xs11. I took it really easy for quite a while. My 750 has never ran "right" , so when I first pulled out on the xs11 (before it was tuned better) it had a hesitation and I was giving it throttle like the 750. Well, as soon as the hesitation was over, the back tire spun, I have a very slick driveway to pull out on (dusty). That was my first hint of power on the bike. The thing is, if your not really wild, I think the xs11 is a good starting bike. We would love to see some pics of your 79 and congratulations.

[Prisoner6]

Thanks

MarkD and Jeff, thanks for the welcome ...
MarkD, you are spot on saying this is one of my dream bikes! I've wanted one all these years... Oh, and to clarify my first post, I meant the '79 Special, IMHO, was the best-looking MODEL YEAR of all the years Yamaha built the Special, NOT my particular Special. I've seen pictures of '79 Specials owned by some of the members here that put mine to shame!!
Tried to look at your '79 on Photobucket; must have been doing something wrong - couldn't find it.
Jeff, let's just say that in 1979, I had no business riding a big-bore Japanese inline four, and my friend knew that better than I did ... I honestly think he saved my life, as I've told him many times over the years. But I completely agree with you, it does depend on the person. I'm sure there are many out there who could handle it, I just wasn't one of them in 1979.
Anyway, hopefully I can get a Photobucket acct. and post pics in the next couple of weeks?????

[DGXSER]

Welcome aboard Marco! The XS Madness has already struck deep in you I see. My first bike was an XS750. I also went the CB route for a while.

But you sure made a jump. Straight from a 400 to litre and above bikes. 85 V-Max always hits home for me. A friend of mine had one he bought new in the box in 87. Those are some powerful machines.

The XS11 as you have found out now, has great power, but great comfort as well.

[Prisoner6]

Thanks, Don (DGXSER) -
Yeah, the V-max had the power, that's for sure... great low end grunt, and when it came on the V-boost at around 6-6.5K, WOW!! I had a blast owning and riding it (the only V-4 I've ever owned), but there was always something about the look, the feel, the sound of a big Japanese inline four that struck a stronger chord with me.
Have you seen the new generation V-max?!?!
Look forward to learning from you and the others.

[jjz28]

hey prisoner, how do you like the cbx? I love the sound of those 6's.

[Prisoner6]

Hey Jeff,
Yeah, there really is nothing like a CBX - this is my 2nd one, and I have to say, when you're riding it, it doesn't feel like a collection of parts bolted together, but instead feels like a total motorcycle, as if the entire bike were one part (if that makes any sense, I probably didn't explain it very well). At least that's how it feels to me.
And the sound, yeah it's sweet, especially in the upper half of the revs, but I actually prefer the sound of the KZ1300 6-cyl. I used to have. Deep and throaty down low, but when you twist the throttle, man oh man it would wail! And smooth as glass - it was like a velvet hammer. I had seller's remorse BIGTIME after I sold the KZ.

[TADracer]

Welcome!!

If you desire to know about everything there is to know about the XS11 then you hit on the right place. I think this site collectively knows more about the Elevens than Yamaha did when they were making them.

[MarkD]

P6-- try this link, should work, ( hopefully).


http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/FUNfan73/library/

[Prisoner6]

Thanks Mike G (TADracer),
HA! That's a good way to put it ... based on what I've seen so far, I think you're right about the collective; by the way, I've seen a couple of pics of your '79 Special, and it looks awesome!
MarkD - thanks, the link worked perfectly - really nice bike; that Indigo Blue color is one of my favorite colors for the Elevens - did you fab that exhaust yourself?

[MarkD]

Yeah, These are my attempt at creating style and function. It had bell style mufflers that were essentially straight pipes, and too loud. I installed 8 '' can opener' style baffles in each one, and they are still pretty loud. To move the noise back a little, and to keep the wheel axle area from getting a little discolored, I added the chrome exhaust tips after cutting off the end of the bell. Not a stock look, so I may replace them with the more stock looking emgo universal mufflers. Love the look of all XS11's!