Fastest (observed) speed on XS11

[ACE]

I bought a new 1978 xs1100E. I was 22 years old then and not worried about dying since i was bullet proof at this age!
Laying on the tank i had it to 139 with more left.
All stock, no fairing, maybe 5000miles on bike.
Yes it feels like you will be blown off, the helmet is smashed to your face, and even hard to breath.
i'm 46 years old now and never again.
my old stomping grounds in kansas was a good place to try this, but these days i worry about old smokie.

[bbs1980xs1100g]

Hey DRAGONRIDER I got a 80g speedo 85mph . I want a 78or9 standard speedo . what do they register. in converting I would splice the wires on the inside ?, but I dont know what wires are what? Help please thanks in advance Brian

Ps my 80g all stock 23k miles does 5.3rpm at 85mph

[Dragonrider]

Hey DRAGONRIDER I got a 80g speedo 85mph . I want a 78or9 standard speedo . what do they register. in converting I would splice the wires on the inside ?,

The 78/79's register 160mph. I am not sure if they plug directly in on the standards, I did a special. Maybe someone that has done a standard can chime in.

The only wiring in the speedo (on the special) is for the back-lighting, and the speed sensor for the auto-cancel feature on the blinkers.

I just had to cut the plug off my old one, and splice it on the new one in place of the original plug. The only difference was that one of them had an extra ground wire (black). I just spliced them together before the plug.

[jgalle]

With me having an 82 XJ, I do not think that I can mes my bike with the XS's very easily can I? If not, then that really bites.

[xjguy]

Hey jgalle- easy dude! Xj is cooler than xs, better looking, got adjustable handle bars, more rare and as far I as I am concerned my xj will run with them- after 20-25 years a lot of things become equal.
I am a 53 year old urban rider who at best is going to see 80mph, but I know I can be there damn quick if needed. Besides age and treachery will overcome youth and enthusiasm any day!
xjguy and "Gone with the Wind"

[Jerry]

Well, the XJ may not be as fast as a Special, but then again you don't have to stop every 75 miles for fuel..........

Ducking and grinning....

Kidding aside, the XJ has the same basic engine, gearing, and redline as the XS and should be able to run with any stock XS. With bikes this age, can't really say I care. Have done the ton on my XJ but never red-lined it out.

[uk1.1s]

Rotational velocity

Most memorable speed didn't cover much ground! I was turning right out of a petrol station (For North America - think turning left out of a gas station).

Some guy was watching and I thought I'd give it some thrutch as I pulled out onto the road - what a show off eh?

As the bike crested the camber in the middle of the road (with me cranked far over and giving it far too much on the volume control) the bike lost traction at the back and the whole thing spun around one and a half of times before depositing me nicely right in the centre of the road. Whole process took about 1 second, so it felt.

As I was facing the wrong way I couldn't even pick up the bike and make a quick get away.

Needed a bit of time sitting at the side of the road with a cigarette (when I used to smoke) anyway to stop my head spinning!

[Shack]

Mr. Dragonrider..I have a question about the true numbers you have posted I am sure you are not a pound over 298
ducking and hiding
My 1979 has a 160 speedo and I know it will do T LEAST 130 WITH a 270 ponder and some 70 lbs of gear strapped on....but look out when yA LET OFF!!!! gets interesting with out the TKAT brace!!
Shack

[ACE]

Hey!
I don't really see an age matter here, well not really.
The problem is the distance where we all live.
I smell a race starting to brew!
I think we should all be proud of what we got.
Proud of where we live.
USA!

[xssiveone]

Yeah Ace, you're right, I am DARN proud to be CAN AD IAN !!!

[dusty]

My 80 special can do 127 ( don't want to go into why I know I was going that fast )

K&N pods. & jardine 4 into 2

[ACE]

Brian,
sorry to leave you folks out!
I've been to Canada many times and loved every muinite of it.
I think you got my drift though Right?

[xssiveone]

No problem Ace, it was just there so I had to use it.

[ACE]

XSSIVEONE,
Hey! that was my thinking when i wanted to see how fast it would go.
It was there, well lets see!

[XS-IVE1100]

Hey Guys,

I've been to approximately 120mph. I would have to agree, technology back then was not high speed friendly. The bike still pulls pretty hard at that speed .. thats the dangerous part. Mostly on bikes that old it is all about accelleration. I felt the same way about other classic iron i had ( kz1000ltd, cb750, and vf1100f). The latter 2 were more speed friendly with a good hard pull. The KZ falls into the same category as the XS.

For that reason, the quest for quickness and alittle better handling continues .... roll out men!!!