Motorcyle evolution process

[81XS1100-2006]

I was 19 when I got my first bike:

-81 Yam Maxim 650

-77 KZ400 (w/ saddle bags?!)

-77 KZ650

-87 SRX6 (I miss this one! FU thief!)

-78 KZ650

-81 XS1100 (my current project)

[xs650mike]

Originally posted by GNEPIG
.. the xs400 is ok for a tall person, too tall and top heavy for someone short ..also watch out, at about 14000 miles the charging system takes a sh!t on those just like the 650s, too much vibration or something.
.. get her a 650 maxim, they sit lower and have better balance.
very smooth running engine also

Dunno what gave you that idea about the charging system on XS400s and XS650s, it's fine on both my XS650s and my XS400 which I've owned since it had 4k miles. 0 repairs on the 400, just normal maintenance. The XS650 charging system usually only needs alternator brushes periodically. Sometimes the regulators go on the earlier models.

[dewibp]

Let's see here now.
Started out on a Vespa step thur- MURDER on gravel roads.
Honda 175
Honda 305 (single carb and gutless)
Yamaha 350 2 cycle
New Yamaha RD400 6 speed 2 cycle. What a ride. Nothing till you hit about 4,000 rpm then HOLD ON FOR DEAR LIFE. Candy apple red and white..... would like to find one again.
NUMEROUS 650 thru out the 70's. ALL had header and sissybar.
Stepped up to a 750 Yamaha Special (one of the nicest running, handling and riding bike I had)
THEN traded for a NEW 79 XS11 special, decked out with chrome engine kit and a seat they called an LTD seat. Got dumb and sold in the 90's as it was taking up space in the garage. Only had 8,000 miles on it. Front brake caliphers locked up. Didn't want to mess with it anymore....... sad.
Went nuts again (1) year ago on 1100 specials.

[The Lorax]

Got a 1970 honda CT-70 When I was 12 (still have it)
Peugeot Moped @ 14 Fun @ the time.
1977 KZ400 @ 25 Lotsa Fun, About to give it to my Boy
1979 XS1100 @ 38 Lots more Fun... But Broke @ the moment(Engine Rebuild) Paid 75 bucks for it....got what I paid for. Don't mis understand me, I love my XS, but for 75 bucks you can figure it was rode hard all night and put away wet more than once, and is has. should be in one piece again soon...hopefully if I can get some me time.

[DiverRay]

I'll try and remember the complete list. Not as long as some, but long.
1966 Honda trail55, ( my Dad's) @ 12
1968? Suzuki 120 Street bike @16
196? Honda 250 Super Hawk
1972 Yamaha 650 XS1 Rode this bike cross country, LA to Ft. Bragg, NC
1970? Honda 450 (chopper)
1974? Yamaha 650
1975 Honda 750
1978 Yamaha XS1100E First brand new bike!Full dress
1982 Yamaha Seca 650 Turbo
1983 Yamaha Vision 550
1979 Yamaha XS1100F ( short time)
1986 Honda V45 Interceptor
1979 Yamaha XS1100F "Daily Ride"
1978 Yamaha XS1100E "winter project"
I left out all the mini bikes, tote goats, etc. Ive ridden. I probably left out one or two other bikes, but the memory is going....I only have the last two XS1100 now
Ray

[xs650mike]

Pretty good memory Ray. I've been going to reply to this thread for awhile but I'm always thinking of bikes I forgot. Maybe I'll figure out the high spots and just post those. IIRC the 250 was the Hawk and the 305 was the Superhawk, always wanted one back in the day but never managed to own one. Only bike that I recall that came stock with flat drag bars.

[remccool]

My grey matter aint what it used to be, but here's the ones I remember in the order I had them.

Honda CB100
Yamaha 250 Enduro
Bultaco 250
Suzuki Titan 500
Yamaha Virago 750
Yamaha XS850 Special
Yamaha XS1100 Special
Kawasaki 750 LTD
Honda Goldwing

Still have:
Yamaha XS1100 E (Sancha)
Yamaha XS1100 E (future Trike)

I think I'm kinda partial to Yamaha's .....