nothing like XS

[Pat Kelly]

When I was looking to get back into motorcycles I looked at lots of bikes.
I used to roadrace so sportbikes were my 1st choice. Looking at the new bikes I'm impressed with the technology and innovation. The downside is that I would want to start racing againg and I don't think that would be smart or practible at 43 and having 4 kids.
I'm really not into cruisers (but have nothing against those that do like them) so that helped a bit in deciding on a bike.
That led me to dual-sports. They are practicle, relatively inexpensive, and not many on the road around here (I'm a non-conformist). I mulled over the 250's (not powerful enough for anything but around town), the 650's (good for commuting and daylong rides but ungainly on tight trails) and settled on Suzuki's 400cc.
Before I bought it I heard of a woman at work selling a bike. For $60 I brought home my XS1100 that sat for 20 years. I had never heard about the XS1100 back then, I was entirely into smaller displacement bikes when I was doing most of my riding. $400 got it on the road and now after $2500 it's running like a top (but still butt-ugly as those at Big Island Deuce can attest).
I still look at the new bikes but nothing interests me. They're all too single-purpose anymore.
In a few hours I can have my touring fairing, hard-bags, and trunk on the bike and ride 3,000 miles to Canada and back. I currently have the fairing off (it's cracked again), running a small sport shield. We can add dragbars and a wheeliebar on it and go dragracing if desired. Someone had hybrid 'standard/special' forks with clip-ons and was making some rearsets so the same bike can easily become a sportbike.
What new bike made in the last 10-15 years has such versatility?
Looking at the new bikes makes me appreciate my XS1100 all the more. Finding XS11.com led me to this group of fine people and that reinforces my love of this bike. We bought an XS750 from Tkat that my wife rides the hell out of, she likes the idea of his and hers bikes. Hopefully we'll ride together to one of the rallies someday.
Thank you guys and gals for keeping these bikes alive...

[sixtysix]

I think the XS is a great 'all around' machine, it does everything well but is not the best at anything. The biggest problem right now is age, keeping these bikes going another 25 years is going to be tough with no support from the factory on parts. Not too many people use the XS for touring AND drag racing, even though you could. Todays bike are geared more towards a niche rather than the 'one bike does all' thinking of the past.

My XS will be getting a new big bore kit this year....she is tired after almost 90K miles. The newer bikes I own have only served to enhance the joy I get from riding the XS, they have not replaced it.

Is the XS always my first choice? No.....but it's always a good choice.

[Wayne]

My style of riding tends to be touring, long distances when I can.
I have an XS11H with factory touring shtuff, and an aftermarket Russel Day-Long saddle. I love my XS. I often go shopping for other bikes but there is just not much out there that compares, IMHO. These days if you want to tour the way the XS does your only options are to go SStour, like the Honda ST series, or the new FJR 1300 by Yamaha (a bike I do like alot). The other option is the honkingly huge Goldwing (with a honkingly huge price-tag! ) Just about the only bike left on the road that is anything like the XS tourer is the Kaw's Voyager XII. This may just be my next bike when I can afford it and when the XS just cant do the job any longer.
My plan is to eventually buy the Voyager or the FJR and strip my XS down to a lean 'nakkid' muscle bike. That is if I can convince SWMBO to let me have 2 motos!
Until then I'm happy with my XS. The few complaints I have pale in comparison to the positive things I like about the bike.

Besides, It's paid for and I laugh every time I ride with my RoadKing and Goldwing friends who have a $500 Motorcycle payment.

[Robert Haller]

Originally posted by sixtysix
I think the XS is a great 'all around' machine, it does everything well but is not the best at anything.
Is the XS always my first choice? No.....but it's always a good choice.

Well said! For the money they are hard to beat. Plus I like their style/character more than most new bikes (esp. the Specials )

[Stava]

G'day to the group,

I have just been cruising the posts re: xs11 multipurpose bike
and whole heartedly agree that the xs11 that I recently purchased was and always will be money well spent.
It has character that is individual and honest, can play with the weekend racers as well as the street and strip crowd but can still reel in the kilometres on the long haul.
IMHO the XS11 is the bike I have always wanted but didn't know it.
"Peg" will in all probability will be my last project bike and will do me for sure.
My only problem is that here in Australia the parts are very hard to find and when you do find them you may not be able to afford them.
So it will be a challenge to keep her up for it.

But hey! isn't that what an enthusiast calls fun?