XS850 Midnight Special

[echoplex]

Hi guys,

I've got the chance to buy an XS850 Midnight Special and couldn't find much info about it online so I thought I'd ask.
Anyone here riding that bike? Hows your experience? Are they reliable? Hows vibrations and acceleration?
They appear to not have any special collectors value, eventho they seem to be limited numbers made?
Anyone knows how many of these are out in the field? Also they seem to have been in production online during 1980 and 1981?
Any hints, tips and shared experience is welcome!

[cajun31]

We have a few members that own the xs850. Not specifically the MNS version but I don't believe there is much difference between them. As for the numbers, the real answer is who knows. There was or maybe still is a myth out there that the 850s big brother the 80 and 81 MNS's only had 250 a year built. Well I own three and have been watching those be sold and chopped and everything imaginable for the last 20 plus years so if there were only 250 a year built then I have no clue where all the parts come from. We have a member Kboehringer who did a full on restoration of an xs850 a few years ago and I believe actually brought is to the the September rally and let others admire and ride it. They are solid bikes when properly restored and maintained. As with everything it depends on what it costs you, your intent on what you want to do with the bike and willingness to roll up your sleeves to get the bike in good running condition. As for the value to collectors that to me is always based on where you are and if there is a buyer willing or wanting to pay what you might think the bike is worth. It has always puzzled most who own any vintage Yamaha as to why vintage Kawasaki's command such good prices whereas the Yamahas not so much.