What years was the XJ1100 made?

[luckygpass]

History Lesson.

What years was the XJ1100J Maxim made?
Were there other XJ1100 Model designations?
Was the 1982 XJ1100J Maxim made primarily for the US market?
I read a classified post here of a European version made in 1984. In all these Posts I've read it seems I have only seen the 1982 model year.

Were they made for Asian markets also?

I tried searching the Forums with no Luck. Although Luck is In my last name.

[trbig]

The '82 is the only year it was produced for the U.S. I don't know about other countries, but it was also produced for Canada in '83 and '84 with very little (If any) change.. except the model number and the speedos are in kilometers instead of miles. I think the '83 was XJ1100K and the '84 was XJ1100L.


Tod

[luckygpass]

Thanks for the Reply,

Why? Only one year? Lack of sales? Any idea how many were made?

I notice the with '78 Cams under your XJ. Did the '78 have a better setup?

[TucmanXJ]

Why only one year, 1982 for the XJ11?

In the early to mid-1980s Yamaha was solidly in pursuit of the ever-expanding V-Twin market, read in the USA.

Having expanded their 4 cylinder Maxim offerings as far as possible: XJ550, 650, 750, 900, 1100ccs, their marketing department had opinion research indicating strong interest in Harley style bikes for the masses. Fact is, the V-twins were then outselling their inline Fours almost 2 to 1.

IMO Yamaha had reached a crossroads - long live the XS11/XJ11 line, one of the all-time most popular bikes in motorcycle history.

I walked into a local U.S. Yamaha store to lament to the dealer, "Where's the other style of bikes you were so famous for?" Gone are the XS650s, Maxim Fours, Road Twins; RD 2-strokes, no more thumping XT500-600s. Now one can get only a Virago 250 or a 650cc V-Star or a Vino scooter ... lack of choice ... sigh.

If recent sales trends continue guess it's gonna be up to the Chinese to come to the rescue!?