First Time Back on the XS in a Few Weeks . . .

[IanDMacDonald]

And, it definitely is far from being a modern bike, lol. I've been riding my GSXR-750 and Triumph Daytona, which I am having fun with. Our UPS driver at the shop wanted to see it, so I brought it in. Almost crashed it a few times, because riding it is literally night & day from the new bikes.

Firat thing I thought was flat tire, so I rode back into the driveway and checked them over. Nope, good there. Got back on it, and figured the rear shocks blew their seals, as the bike felt too low to the ground. Nope! Okay, so it's obviously a lower bike.

Next, the steering. The windshield turns with the bike. Whoa! Felt crazy! Felt super loose in slight curves. The bike must have fallen apart while sitting. Nope! Looks okay.

Pull-out onto the road. Did the bike drop a cylinder? Sounds quiet, and is really sluggish. Pulled-over, listened to it. Sounded okay? Got back on the road again. What the heck is going on? 45 mph in 4th gear? Is my speedo off? Nope. Why is the bike acting up?

Then it dawned on me . . . my yellow rocket is no-longer the rocket I believed it to be. It's no-longer something to brag about, after riding my modern bikes. It honestly made me sad. I got got comfortable on the bike on the way home from work. It was coming back to me. Super-smooth shaft-driven, quiet, and reliable.

Yeah, this bike is not going anywhere. It's staying plated.

[Prothec]

I did a demo ride on a 2016 Indian Scout last month, then did the same ride on my XJ immediately after. The most notable was the suspension. The available power felt surprisingly similar in the 20-minute group ride. The first impression hopping back on my XJ was just that it felt like an old bike.

Ducati is here this weekend for their "Experience Tour", so hopefully the weather holds out so I can do some demo rides of their 2016 lineup.

I wonder how well these new bikes would hold up over the next 35 years. Far fewer serviceable/rebuild-able parts and such.

[IanDMacDonald]

Keep oil in them (engine, middle, final), and they'll out-live us! I did not mean to bash tjem, but it just caught me by surprise how archaic it seemed.

[Bigfoot]

Ian, didn't seem too archaic when we were side by side well into the triple digits.

I know what you are saying, but I still love my XS.

[Bonz]

The XS is the smoothest in-line 4 I have ever had in a motorcycle, Yamaha did us good on that. Put on stainless front lines last week, wow, brakes are pretty good... New rear tire that isn't squared off sure made it turn in better and helped with low speed stability. Kinda feels like a new bike...

Agree, totally know what you are saying and still love my XS.

[jetmechmarty]

If you have a 1966 GTO, is it still faster than most of the cars on the street? Nope? Does it have weaknesses? Yep. Modern rubber might cause you to twist the axles off. Is it still an awesome car? You bet it is!


Same goes for the XS1100! It can drive a lot better with modern suspension upgrades. It will never be a Ducati, but it can be much better.

[madmax-im]

everytime i ride the SwampThing i marvel at the venerability of the XS1100...plus Randy's restoration has held up extremely well...going forward 13 years since the restoration...only a few minor things have needed the attention..normal wear and tear items...so I have fairly decent suspension settings and overall the height girth and weight of the XS1100 is perfect for me..eeven now approaching my senior years. My only complaint...i sold my 30 year old XJ1100 maxim and regret it to this day...

[Bonz]

Yeah, my rear Showa Honda shock upgrade made a big difference in ride and handling, but I was replacing old stockers. So take that as you will... I need a fork brace up front on the old girl and that will probably do it for suspension stuff.