What would you change?

[MAXIMAN]

If you could change anything about the XS Eleven...improve upon....what would it be?

Obviously the transmission is the major issue. I expect many ot post this.

Personally the biggest PITA for me on the XS11s I've owned is that cursable bolt on seat! Thankfully Yamaha got it right on the XJ1100. Would some wise guy please design a kit to retro-fit the XS seat with a latch?

[planedick]

Improvements...

I think if I had my way, I would have a stronger frame. Fast is nice, but it would be nice to be able to turn at speed.

[skids]

l those thing plus a stronger cam chain adjuster with more adjustment capability.

The octupus was a stupid idea.

The charging system is inept at best.

[skids]

Oh yeah, the broken-wire pick-up coil system was bad in the years that used them.

[Pat Kelly]

Fuel injection. Lighter, stronger frame.

[Geezer]

Considering the years these bikes were made and the technology of the time, I know Yamaha could have done the following...

Chain drive

16 valve cylinder head

6 speed gearbox

Mechanical tachometer

Front forks that attach the front wheel with 4 studs on each side. (The way the front wheel attaches now is one reason why a fork brake is almost a necessity on the XS11.)

These changes would also require a stronger frame. The savings from ditching the shaft drive would cover any weight gain from gusseting up the frame.

I may eventually swap out the front end on one of my XS11 but the other changes are just a wish list. One of these days a FJ1100 or 2 will be added to my herd and then I’ll have all these features but with a cramped up riding position.

Geezer

[DiverRay]

For the year they were built, and the other bikes available at the time, I don't think there is much to change. My TWO biggest complaints from day 1 is the need for wider rims and tires, front and rear, and a real charging system.
Ray

[pggg]

They are what they are. Most of these niggly things can be fixed one way or another. Gives ya something to do The designers needed a slap round the ears for the dodgy lower gears though. That's my next drama. Gonna have to do a GNEPIG fix sooner or later. We all know it's easy to just get a modern machine. The perfect sterile sensible Honda-type bikes have no X-factor - a bit boring really. 8 valve motors are fine, 60lbs of torque stomping right across the rev range - lets see a 16 valver do that.

[yamarider]

Holy crap guys! Remember, back in the day, our XS Yamaha's were the fastest stock bikes on the planet!! But I will agree that the frame could have been made stronger, especially on the butt end where the optional trunk was mounted to the chrome "rack". After years of shock and vibration, my frame broke on both sides from the weight of the trunk. Lucky for me, I took those welding classes and was able to fix the problem.

[prometheus578]

"Chain smoker"

Chain drive

Geezer has much more experience turnin' a wrench, (and wench) than I, but I like the shaft drive. Must be 'cause I am forced to earn my pay tightening chains and adjusting drive belts.
Weak charging system... as was mentioned, we all agree upon.

[GNEPIG]

.. i would not change a thing. had these bikes been more perfect, then they would be as popular as the KZ and i would not be able to afford one let alone the nine that i have owned.. have you seen how much a Z1 goes for these days!
the imperfections are what gives the bike character.. what fun would a bike be if you didnt get to work on it once in a while.

..no, waite!, come to think of it i would change one thing, the handle bars, i think buck-horns are for harley riders.
uuH OH i said Harley! EVERY BODY DUCK!!!!

[Geezer]

Re: "Chain smoker"

Originally posted by prometheus578
Geezer has much more experience turnin' a wrench, (and wench) than I, but I like the shaft drive. Must be 'cause I am forced to earn my pay tightening chains and adjusting drive belts.
Weak charging system... as was mentioned, we all agree upon.

I haven't gotten to turn a wench in a very long time... I do miss that activity…

I don't agree on the weak charging system. I would agree to a weak R/R unit but I've fixed that.

My XS11's aren't my first shaft drive bikes. I rode a Guzzi for years but I find that transverse engines with shaft drive have a lot more slop in the system and that gets on my nerves something fierce. On in-line mounted engines like BMW, Guzzi and the GoldWing, the slop isn’t so bad. I don’t thing it takes much away from handling but I also think chain drive bikes handle better.

Geezer

[50gary]

The thing that I think about changing the most is that huge 29.5 degee rake angle. 27 degrees would be more like it XS650 has 27 degree, so it was on theri mind at least? That is the most Harley Davidson like thing about the XS11... and very difficult to change. Guages and headlight are butt ugly minor item though. I must put in a comment about the Standard fuel tank I think it's one of the best looking large tanks ever on a production bike. The weight is way too much. I will de-rake the bike next winter, BTW.
Cheers, 50gary

[trbig]

These things were made back when big V8's and land yachts ruled the roads. There was no concern at the time about fuel mileage when gas was 25-30 cents a gallon. Some type of modification to the carbs that sipped gas when cruising, yet still had the WOW when you wanted cranked the throttle back. I guess I took the long way around saying I wish they got better gas mileage. At least mine anyway. It amazes me about the range of fuel mileages we get from all these people that basically have the same bike.... but mine SUCKS! lol.

Also... an easier setup to get the carbs in and out with the stock air box.

Tod

[81xsproject]

The KZ's aren't so pop cuz they are perfect, only cuz they were in production SO much longer. For the same reason, there are TONS of aftermarket parts still in production. After doing some wrenching on my buddies '77 KZ1000, I think the engineering sucks. From phillips screws on the case, to crappy smoothbore carbs and a points and condenser igy, I am yet to be impressed. In fact the KZ carb god known as Wired George sells a BS34 conversion kit for better reliability and performance.

As far as the rake, I thought (in moderation of course, unlike choppers) more was better. In my reading to get my buds bike on the road, I read of that the improvements made to the original KZ, the Eddie Lawson race model had more rake...? Always thirsting for knowledge

I am definately for the wider tires. I have often wondered about a mod to remove the shaft cover and gain a little clearance for maybe a 150? But that is probably a lot of work for only a slightly larger tire.

I too think the gauges could be a little more attractive, at least the gauge faces. I love the chrome on the specials.

Even with all the tech of today there is still no perfect bike. Ours are probably as close as it gets all around.