V-max vs. Xs/Xj1100

[GNEPIG]

.. i choped one of my 1100 Specials down to 475# once. it was alot of work, i did too many things to list here. it wasn't good for much but drag racing after that.
you can use a real small battery if you do a kick only. you also can lose the starter and a whole bunch of related parts and wiring that goes with it.
.even with the big bore kit, these things are real easy to kick over.
also the seat, i dont know if the XJ seats weigh as much as the XSs but the sportster seat that i put on mine didnt weigh nothing compaired to stock, and it looked good too.
..i liked the VMax, it would be hard to ride any long distances tho.
you can make an XS out run a VMax but it will cost ya and you would have to be real creative, not so many go fast parts floatin around for the XS anymore and the VMax is freakin fast.

..i would definitly own a VMax, just cant afford one right now.

[pggg]

Originally posted by posthuman
Ill start a de-fatting thread...

For weight - plastic mudguards, maybe even a fibreglass fuel tank, wheels and rotors, rear subframe area, seat, instruments, handlebars, bits and peices like footpegs, signals, just losing the whole shaft-system(replace with chain) include lighter back wheel and small disc you lose 30lbs or more easy. GNE I can kick start my bike on a frosty morning but it takes a bit of sweat, O.K when warm though, but I'd wimp out and ditch the kick-lever and keep the electric

[MAXIMAN]

Posthuman

If you want a "fast bike" then you should not buy an XS.

Speed cost money...how fast can you afford to go?

I hopped Zilla up for more punch on long road trips...not 1/4 mile times or top speed. I am currently on the road. I left Lake Tahoe this morning at 8:30 and just rolled into Cedar City, UT a few hours ago.

As far as Zilla is concerned the overhaul worked wonders. I rode across the desert at 90 to 95 today ...in XS of 500 miles. At 90 mph I can simply snap the throttle open and Zilla will readily rocket to well over 120 mph in matter of 3 to 4 seconds. And it isn't even breathing hard. IT'S A MONSTA YA'LL!

However when I want a fast bike I jump on my ZRX. On this bike...at 90 I can snap the throttle in third gear and do a wheel stand...something you'll never accomplish on an XS short of robbing a US Bank! On the ZRX1200... When I shift to 4th I can peg 140 and I still have a gear left. But I doubt I would ride the ZRX for 5000 miles in 5 days like the Maxim.

So it all depends on what you want. Do you want a big comfy bike with mucho punch that you can ride coast to coast. Or do you want a 160 mph missile that is a torture rack for for more than a few hours?

One more thought. Some one recently asked if I wanted a fast touring bike why I didn't just buy an FJR...or a BMWK1200G. Their are a few reasons why I didn't do this. First is the character issue. An Eleven has character that an FJR will never have. You wouldn't believe the people that ask "What the heck is THAT!" When I tell 'em it's a 25 year old bike they are stunned.

Also it is so much fun to obliterate Harleys on an old UJM like the Eleven. Just asked Ray what Zilla did to one south of Kirkwood Saturday. hehehehe

Last but most important the seating position on my Maxim is far and away more conducive to 5000 mile trips than any FJR. I know...I've ridden both. I can stay in the saddle of Zilla for 10 -12 hours per day ...day in...day out. That's because I have three (3) leg positions. I simply can not praise my Maxim enough regarding long road trips. But then that's just my opinion.

[GNEPIG]

.. i love it!.. keep on truckin Cody

As far as Zilla is concerned the overhaul worked wonders. I rode across the desert at 90 to 95 today ...in XS of 500 miles. At 90 mph I can simply snap the throttle open and Zilla will readily rocket to well over 120 mph in matter of 3 to 4 seconds. And it isn't even breathing hard. IT'S A MONSTA YA'LL!

[pggg]

Dialed those cams back to normal eh?

[posthuman]

It is certainly true that there are faster bikes, no question, and if you get the fastest bike, there will be something faster eventually.

The XJ is almost... but not quite torque enough, I'd like to feel like it would do power wheelies if prompted , its the 0 to 90 speeds that I care about, who cares about 140 mph?

I'm looking for the same thing maxman has done, to optimize what I have, a fully optimized XJ.

However there doesn’t seem to be a consensus as to the best path to this, we have:

Yes get separate intake cans, wait.. No they suck.. no they don’t...

Yes get 4 to 1, no they kill low end, no they are great...

Yes get a bore kit... no not worth it... yes do it...


What if I JUST had the head shaved....

[TopCatGr58]

What if I JUST had the head shaved....

I might help reduce your wind resistance if you don't normally wear a helmet . . . .

Oh....you mean shave the engines head! I guess it might give you a little more compression?

The XJ was the last of several years worth of performance reductions due to emissions control mods: lower comp, YICS system, Fully NON adjustable TCI components.

You do realize that Maximan has done more than just OPTIMIZE the stock XJ, he's big bored it, ported, etc..

If I were going to tear the top end down, I wouldn't just shave the head. $600.00 to do the big bore I think is the best power for $$ spent mod if you want noticibly more power, otherwise, just give it a great tuneup, perhaps some new ignition coils, and enjoy what you have, and the $$ still in your wallet!
T.C.

[MAXIMAN]

Originally posted by pggg
Dialed those cams back to normal eh?

Yep!

[MAXIMAN]

The 4-1 didn't kill my bottom. Look at the dyno I posted. After the rebuild I had gain everywhere. Yes most of it was from 5 grand out but I have more bottom now than stock...and we aren't finished tuning. Getting ready to advance the ignition when I get back.

Sounds like what you want is a "no brainer" setup...no fuss...results oriented...non-experimental approach...NO?

If so I say go with a big bore it and the 78-79 cams. If you're exhaust is flwing well it doesn't matter if it's a 4-1 or a modified stock as GNEPIG ha proven beyond any doubt.



good luck