thinking of buying a xs1100

[B&PCycleShop]

I am thinking of buying a 1980 xs1100 I dont know much about them just want to make sure I am making a good choice would like to know if they have plenty of power and speed and anyother useful thing I should know

[red bandit]

Yup it's got plenty of power and speed to smoke Harleys and they are hard to kill. The speedo only goes to 85 but you can swap a 78-79 160 speedo with no problems. 78-79 has a little more power but not really enough to matter much.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there BP,

Welcome to the site and world of Xsives as we like to call ourselves! There's lots of info here on this site. From the MAIN FORUM PAGE, scroll down to the MISC section, and check out the thread about what to look for in a neglected XS11.

Then, from the left hand column, click on the ARTICLES link, and read many of the cycle mag reviews of the machine, I think you'll be impressed with what you find.

The XS11 was the Hayabusa of it's era, but also the goldwing and cruiser as well. It's a versatile machine, and depending on the model you get will determine what type/style you'll end up with. The Specials are the CRUISER type. The Standards are the sportbike type, but can be made into full dressers as well.

The engines are strong, reliable, have plenty of low end torque but also run well up to redline. But remember that they are 25+ year old machines and technology, and not many custom or dress up parts are easily available or affordable. You can't get standard sized oversized pistons from Yamaha anymore, so if the engine is worn, you have to go to 1 of the 2 BIG BORE kits available from Wiseco!

Also con rod and main bearings are starting to become a bit more scarce as well. There is a known flaw in the tranny with wearing or rounding out of the engagement dogs on the countershaft, and hopping out of gear in both 2nd as well as 1st. New undercut gears are available from Yamaha, but a homemade repair is also possible..see tech tips, repairs, tranny!

The carbs are a big part of getting these things to run right, and after sitting for years sometimes requires multiple cleanings before one gets all of the varnish and gum out of all the small passages.

The pickup coil wires are another known flaw, constant flexing causes them to eventually break/fracture giving some annoying ignition symptoms.

I could go on and on, but reading in the TECH TIPS will reveal much of what I've stated and more! As has been recently posted, there are several on Ebay right now.....happy shopping!

[TADracer]

Welcome.

Ditto what TC said. If you decide to pick up this machine you will be rewarded with a fine old piece that still can hold its own in the performance game. No, they will not eat up the average crotch rocket but then, an XS is not covered in plastic either. You get to show off your powerplant! Plenty of grunt, very heavy duty and fun to ride.

And as an added bonus, they are now old enough that they will garner a bit of respect from a few of the HD riders that Japanese bikes never seem to have had. Believe me, its fun to have a Harley guy comment on your bike at a stop light........and then you get to leave him in the dust.

Go for it!

[B&PCycleShop]

bike

thanks guys I am going to look at one monday

[pggg]

Yep, forget figures, charts and comparisons between modern plastic rockets and an eleven. In the real world of riding, the XS11 produces the goods! Comparing numbers and columns on paper and actually riding a motorbike are two entirely different things! Like all the old air-cooled 4 cylinder musclebikes, the eleven gives REAL grunt and stomp where you can actually use it! What use a plastic fantastic that doesn't even wake up till 120 mph or 10,000 revs, whichever comes first! I've ridden an XS11 for years and am STILL impressed with the damn thing!!

[fredintoon]

Go for it!

Hi B&P,
the engine runs backwards, it shifts like a Russian tractor and handles like a cow.
It also goes like sh*t off a shovel. You're going to love it!

[B&PCycleShop]

I went and looked at it on monday and I got it I will post up some picks when I pick it up on wenesday it run great

[switz1]

funny

he engine runs backwards, it shifts like a Russian tractor and handles like a cow.
It also goes like sh*t off a shovel. You're going to love it


That has to be the funniest thing ive seen in a long time!

[B&PCycleShop]

bike

Thanks I have to pick it up today and I cant wait to take her out

[fredintoon]

but true

Hi B&P,
for all that Switz finds my comment funny, trust me, it's true. The XS11 has more power than it's cycle parts can safely handle. Remember "Hill Street Blues"?
Like the desk sargent says:-
"Let's be careful out there"

[B&PCycleShop]

bike

Thanks I just picked it up today and I love it man it runs great

[flb_78]

my 82 xj1100 got my 370 pound ass up to 138 MPH, not too bad if you ask me.

[B&PCycleShop]

pic

here is a pic of my new bike

[B&PCycleShop]

bike pic

thats an old pic the pic with the saddle bags are from last weekend