How old are we??

[Jerry]

My wife says the only reason XSers get to gether is to prove we can keep the bikes running.

I joined the group back in '99, does not seem like 15 years has passed since then. I will say, IMHO, that getting to rallies and meeting other XSers face to face has been a big part of enjoying motorcycles and XS/XJ bikes in particular. I would encourage everyone to get to a rally near you and meet the guys and gals that make up this group.

BUT...the average age of the typical XSer is getting older. Neither of my kids, or my sibling's kids, are interested in a bike that is older than themselves. When I quit riding I'll probably donate the XJ and Concours to any youngster who shows an interest in keeping them in running condition. Hopefully that won't happen for another 10 or 15 years.

[jimbyjimb]

Thanks for posting that article. Haven't seen that one yet. I tend to hop on the site about now and then go absent after August, when the bike stops being on the brain. Then it's pirate4x4, Yotatech, ford truck enthusiasts, etc...

[XJOK2PLAY]

young whippersnapper...still wet behind the ears...

While I may be "getting there"...

At least dirt had long since been discovered when I was born!

What was that like, when they first discovered dirt, Ben? Hmmmnnn?
Please tell us...
I know you're the authority on this subject... right?

I've always wanted to hear this story.... Especially from an elder.

. .

[Geezer]

Trivia: The first of the XS line was actually not designed in house. At least, the engine wasn't.

As I recall the Horex was a German motorcycle that Honda copied to make it's first twin cylinder bikes. I really don't think the Horex had too much influence on the XS1 design.

I remember read more about it in the history of Yamaha but that was a long time ago.

Geezer

[ScottP]

49 and no more counting. my first bike($25 bucks) was a frame and two wheels, pushed it around the neighborhood till i could afford the motor. then my first yamy, the GT60. the 1978 yz 80 was alot of fun. the yz125 was good but in 82 discovered the 750 maxim. had a full size bill board poster of it on my wall. finally bought it in 85. could not afford the 1100. in the 90s spent all winter and summer drag racing snowmobiles. 2000, a buddy dropped off a box of parts that turned out to be a yamaha rz350. spent a lot of time on that bike. and now i finally have the xs1100 that i wanted for so long. this is a well built bike that i will never sell. Thanks xs11.com for this awesome web site. looking forward to the 2014 riding season.

[Winterhawk]

58 years old

[jetmechmarty]

As I recall the Horex was a German motorcycle that Honda copied to make it's first twin cylinder bikes. I really don't think the Horex had too much influence on the XS1 design.

I remember read more about it in the history of Yamaha but that was a long time ago.

Geezer

This is what Wikipedia has:

The XS650 began with the 1955 Hosk SOHC 500 twin. After about 10 years of producing 500 twin, Hosk engineers designed a 650 cc twin. Later the Hosk company was acquired by Showa Corporation, and in 1960 Yamaha had bought Showa with Hosk's early design of 650 cc twin.[1]

HOSK DB / 1958 - 498cc parallel twin; 26bhp; 5200rpm:
The Hosk was very closely based on the German Horex 500 and was produced to very high standards.

I found this stuff on the internet, so it has to be true.
I read a definitive history someplace and IIRC, the above bears some resemblance to the truth.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Marty,
My best stories are loosely based on the truth
Phil

[Geezer]

There's a lot of bull floating around the net and everywhere else too... The reality is that everybody copies every good idea that pops up. Like the XS11 design is largely a copy of the MV Agusta 600.

Geezer

[jetmechmarty]

There's a lot of bull floating around the net and everywhere else too... The reality is that everybody copies every good idea that pops up. Like the XS11 design is largely a copy of the MV Agusta 600.

Geezer

In a book titled Japan's Motorcycle Wars: An Industry History by Jeffrey W. Alexander, it is pointed out that Showa produced Hosk motorcycles, or was doing so in 1959. I don't own the book, so I can't get all the details. The story I've always heard was that Hosk never made a bike over 500 cc and that Yamaha acquired the design when they acquired Showa. That would explain why the XS650 engine doesn't look like any other engine produced by Yamaha, before or since. Fun stuff

[rdmcguy]

The long and winding road

54 yrs.old
First bike with gears 1959 Bultaco Matador I was 12
Ran the entire length of the block....one time
next bridgestone90 ran the piss out of it
next jti mini next.. rt1 next Rd 350 (still have it)
next xs 650 from there it has been all over the place
currently have 5 1/2 xs 11's 4 rd350;s 2 jt1 mini's 1 xr 200
2 650 maxims wr 250 and yz 450 plus misc other bits and pieces
I will ride as long as I have a body and at least one arm or leg
Joe

[MarkD]

Love the RD 350-- had a buddy with one back in the day. One day, with me on the back, we did 90mph on that thing. We were young and stupid, but boy, that was a thrill. Would love one, along with a Special.

[BGJohnson]

28 years young here. My story of old bikes is a bit different than most my age. I always loved making old things work again. It all started with a 1972 John Deere chain saw. Rebuilt that thing and then at 12 years old I became the neighborhood small engine repair guy. Got two CB350 junkyard bikes for$50. Tore them apart, they were too far gone , so I junked them. That gave me the old bike vibe. Then at 17, cut my teeth on a 1982 xs650 special. Then a 81 Honda 750 SS, then 1987 Yamaha Fazer fzx700 , 97 YZF1000R, then 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa. I got tired of the newer bikes, they didn't have the personality of the 70-80s nor did I have as much fun on them. I did find out I liked big cc's though, so here we are with my 79xs1100s. I am having more fun restoring this bike than I've had in awhile, I love it. I have oil for blood, gears for a brain, it's part of who I am and these old bikes fit.

As a background, I was a certified Ford Tech, a/c specialist, now I work on Forklifts. I build big power cars as well. Bikes are the most fun, cheap hobby.