admirer's are out there...

[valhallan]

i was stopped to get gas in my '81 400 special, and this guy on a '80 suzuki pulls up beside me and starts asking about my bike. i told him it was an '81 400 special. he was very complimentary of it but then said, " what i really want to find is one of those old yamaha 1100's.. man those were great bikes." i just grined a little more and said yup, the one i have back home is beautiful. lol, it was a trip. all the while my wife is sitting there biting her tongue. after all the flack i get from her about my "rusty old bikes" it was nice to have my obsession vindicated!

[Pat Kelly]

My big shocker was last year. As I walked to my bike at work (a hospital) A ZZ Top look-a-like on a Harley parked next to me. A co-worker came over and asked about his bike, a limited edition commerative somethingorother. Then he pointed to my E and said "but THAT"S a bike". I about had a heart attack. Turns out he has an XS1100 at home.

[Parr8hed]

Was down in Gulf Shores 2 years ago with a Harley buddy. We both trailered down and were out cruising up and down the beach. We had stopped and someone walked over and said wow, great bike. My friend started to thank him but he was actually talking to me! He walked over and we talked for about half and hour. This was especially hard on my buddy b/c he was the one that had given me the xs after he caught it on fire!!!!!

[dmac82]

Since I've started riding almost daily, (and quit cleaning and polishing) I've been getting alot of comments and compliments on my bike also, it seems there is alot of interest in these models, most of the comments center around the basic old-school naked look, not so much chrome and buttons and tassels.

When I get brave I will try to post a pic of "Jackel" I am so not computer-savey

Even had a Harley rider wave this morning

[xs650mike]

I've owned a lot of different bikes since 1958, some pretty rare and exotic, but none have drawn comments and compliments like my Yammie 4-strokes, especially the 650s and the 1100 but even the 400 gets in on it. Can't count the times some Harley rider has said, "I used to have one of those, wish I'd kept it." I was talking to a guy with an FXDX (Harleyspeak for "Dyna Sport") in the supermarket parking lot today and he mentioned that he used to have an '80 Eleven Special. I jokingly asked if he wanted to race. He just laughed and said he only races other Harleys. Around these parts everyone waves except guys with apes. I think their hands are too numb.

[e.z.nightrider]

I know what you mean, I've been stopped at lights twice and complimented on my LG and when they find out it's 25 years old it realy blows their mind. The most fun I had was this spring during the "subdivision garage sale". I had my LG parked in the driveway while working on my son's car (rear struts) whe someone walks up and offers me twice what I paid for "My Midnight Ride". Said no to soon to part with it just found it in Sept 04. Still would say no, they don't make 'em like this anymore.

[prometheus578]

everyone waves except guys with apes.

Yeah, if I were givin' my ugly girlfriend a ride on a harley, I wouldn't wave, either.

[Czekus21]

I get compliments all the time on my SF. What's really cool is when your in the lions den ( Sturgis, Downtown ) during rally time, and You get a guy riding one of the O.C.C. customs That says " Is that a 79? I used to have one back then, Boy those are fast. Looks pretty good." I don't think she's the prettyest bike but for 26 years old. she's not bad.

[strom]

Mine turned a lot of heads... but a few days ago I went for a short ride with a friend on his 81 1100 wing. Noone noticed me riding behind him. And heads did turn.

LP

[valhallan]

your tag line..

if it doesn't have an engine, its not a sport etc etc, sounds like a quote from Hemmingway, i think it went something like, motor racing and hunting are the only true sports, the rest are just games.

[tribaltalon]

my bike always gets alot of compliments, usually from older guys that are like i remember having one just like that in 81, etc etc, how they wish they'd never sold it, and they usually ask me if i'd sell it. i'm like, nope, not gettin rid of this one!

[graybird78]

Have gotten 3 compliments just this week. they can't believe my bike is 25 yrs old. the look of the older bikes is timeless. can't tell the make of any new bikes anymore.

[Street_Rat78]

I have to admit, I fell in love with the XS1100 my buddy rode all the time. I had jokingly told him that if he ever sold it, to give me first dibs. He finally came to me and told me he was going to have to get rid of it after having it for 15 years. Knowing he constantly worked on it and kept it in pristine condition, I knew I was getting my moneys worth. I have to say, I'm very happy I chose my XS11 over the other bikes I looked at.