Haynes vs. Clymer

[JWSanders]

Haynes wins!! Hands down!

Just got the Haynes manual for my XS400 and was reading through it today. Much, much better than the Clymer manual for the 11. It actually explains how and why the parts work and not just how to take them apart. Makes me want to look up one of the old Haynes XS1100 manuals.

Besides, it's all proper. It's mostly designed for Britian, it seems. Tyres, and whilst's, and colours, oh my!

[xs650mike]

Clymer vs Haynes

Still don't have a manual for my XS11 but I've got both Haynes and Clymer for the XS650 and XS400. Best to have both but if I had to have only one I'd definitely pick Haynes. For one thing the illustrations are soooo much better. The Clymer drawings look like they were done by old Floyd Clymer himself in the last throws of Parkinson's disease. The Haynes XS400 manual is especially nice with all of the models and their variations listed in the back. Haynes manuals actually list the authors which Clymer manuals don't. Seems like there would be more incentive to be accurate if your name's going on the finished product.

Be nice to have factory manuals too!

[prometheus578]

"Yes, I hate that, too."

Hanes are OK..., though I prefer "Fruit of the Loom", myself.
As for those "Climbers"... Man, I hate it when you're walking and they creep up the crack o' your arse!
Wait... what are we talking about again?
Oh... I see. Sorry

[webbcraft2150]

I always go for the hanes over clymer whether its for bikes, boats or cars. Over the years I have found alot of errors in the Clymer books.

[Geezer]

I think they both suck. My money goes to a factory manual every time.

Geezer

[xs650mike]

Originally posted by Geezer
I think they both suck. My money goes to a factory manual every time.

Geezer

It's nice to have the factory manual, I had one for my XJ750RH but I still had to buy a Haynes manual because it told all the ways to get around buying those pricy special factory tools which the factory manual called for. Many times the factory tools turned out to be unobtanium anyway.

[mro]

I think they both suck

Factory manuals are better for a mechanic/tech

After market (as long as they don't creep up the crack ) are generally better for newbees.



mro

[Czekus21]

I use Clymers and common sense. I havn't had a chance to use the haynes so I wouldn't know what it contains. I havn't had any problems. No matter what manual you use though, Common sense will go along way. A good example is in the ignition system. ( spark plug gap ) The stats in the book are for everything in new condition. Over time things deterate and it takes a little more to make the same thing happen. Back to the example of plug gap. Say the book says to set the gap at .038. You may think about setting them at .035 or .030. These are just examples and may not apply to your bike.
Also. There is a degree of variance like setting the timing. +/- 3 degrees is usually the general rule for stock. When you start to go after market, the book is pretty much just a referance, or base to start. Trial and error and common sense.
Damm, I'm ramblin agian,

[Geezer]

I use what I can get but the facoty manuals are always the best.

The worst manuals are Chilton. I don't know how they stay in business... I only recomend chilton manuals for starting camp fires.

Geezer

[Glarusguy]

vs.

I haven't compared the haynes with clymers, but for autos I have compared haynes with chilton. Chilton will beat haynes. I like to buy two different books for any project I plan to have. Its nice to have another perspective on reairs or mods. I have also found a ton of typos in the Haynes. Escpecially in the wire diagrams.