Pre-purchase questions

[QTreiber]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and I am not an owner yet.

I have been thinking about getting an XS1100 standard model for a long time, love this bike and have the following questions:

- Can I expect the get good technical service from Yamaha dealerships or is the model too old?

I am not an expert mechanic and would rely on good local support. I live in the Denver, CO area.

- How is the spare part situation?

- I am 5'9" tall with a 30" inseam. Would the seat height of the standard model be manageable for me?

Thank you in advance and greetings from the Front Range,
Armin

[barberad]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and I am not an owner yet.

I have been thinking about getting an XS1100 standard model for a long time, love this bike and have the following questions:

- Can I expect the get good technical service from Yamaha dealerships or is the model too old?

I am not an expert mechanic and would rely on good local support. I live in the Denver, CO area.

- How is the spare part situation?

- I am 5'9" tall with a 30" inseam. Would the seat height of the standard model be manageable for me?

Thank you in advance and greetings from the Front Range,
Armin

You will get no support from your local Yamaha shop.
You will get plenty of support from XS11.com.

Spare parts can be had , although some are getting hard to come by.

There is no height requirement for this ride!

Welcome to Channel 11.

[Sirplus]

Size Matters

Hi Q.. welcome..I am mostly a reader, rather than a poster but since we are so close in size I will address that issue. For me, at 5'10" with short legs.(and long arms) one of the things I love about my XS11 is the fit. The first ride I took I knew I was home. I have an XS750 that is my daily rider (fairing, bags ect) that actually feels bigger than the XS11 (to me). The way my XS11 is set up has sort of a low slung squiggly wiggle feel that always puts a smile on my face. There is quite a bit that can be done to dial in the perfect fit ie: rear shock length, settings, steering setup, saddle,ect, which are discussed by the experts (which I am not) in numerous threads in the forums. Happy Trails !

P.S. These obsevations assume you are either a decent rider or one that will study the science and become one. I guess I should also point out the XS11 is no doubt a big bad 70's muscle bike and needs to be handled as such.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Armin,

Welcome to XS land!

First, we would like to know if you are an experienced biker, or will this be your first motorcycle??? Even though these are 30+ y/o bikes, they were the Hayabusa of their era, muscle bikes, and can hurt you very easily and quickly if you don't know how to handle them!

The standards are a little taller than the specials due to their 17" rear wheel vs. the Specials 16". A search for shortening the height/lowering the bike/frame will show many options from shorter rear shocks, sliding the upper fork tubes a little into the tripple trees. Also, modding the seat foam can provide more leg room as well. Perhaps others with similar personal body dimensions will chime in on how their standards fit them without mods. I'm vertically enhanced at 6'6" tall, 36+ inseam, I have actually RAISED my bike's height!

Most Dealership's won't touch our bikes because of their age, and it's not cost effective for them and their mechanic's time vs. being able to just do the Pre-Sale preps on new machines and such. SO....if you really want to have one of these machines, you'll have to learn how to get your hands dirty. They really aren't that complicated, and with a manual, the tech tips and members here, you can do virtually any maintainence or repairs that will be needed.

Spare parts are usually available from eBay, Yamaha has quit making or providing some of the parts, but things like tires, brake and clutch parts, things that do wear out with normal use are still available. But engine rebuilding parts are much more rare or non-existent/available from Yamaha ie. pistons/rings and bearings. This is why ebay is a valuable resource now.

[QTreiber]

Thank you for your quick feedback, I appreciate it!

I have been riding motorcycles for 28 years. I currently own a 2005 BMW R1200 GS (pretty tall, but manageable) and a 1978 BMW R100/7. The heaviest bike I owned was a 2005 Yamaha FJR 1300; I liked its character, but ergonomically never felt at home on it due to its handlebar angle.

What I also love about the XS 1100 is that the beautiful engine is not covered by any plastic.

Are there any XS 1100 owners in the Denver area who could give me recommendations for shops, which would deal with this model?

I guess now it's time to look on Craigslist... I rarely see XS 1100 Standards so I may have to be patient to find one in good shape.

Thanks again,
Armin

[jeffe]

I'm 5' 7" and ride a 78 Standard with no problems. Just had to get use to it

[XSokieSPECIAL]

I guess now it's time to look on Craigslist... I rarely see XS 1100 Standards so I may have to be patient to find one in good shape.

Thanks again,
Armin

Hey Q,
I was just looking on ebay today and saw 4 XS11's on there. All for under 1K I think.

Welcome to channel 11.

Greg

[foreda]

XS1100 Standard

How much do you want to spend?

[jaimes-duran]

The yamaha dealers are no help to me. Online forums like this one and just people that know these bikes in general are great help.

I am 5'9" and the bike feels great to me. I have the 79 special cruiser. The fit of it allows me to ride as long as I want without discomfort.

[mro]

Hi TC

I'm vertically enhanced at 6'6" tall, 36+ inseam, I have actually RAISED my bike's height!

Is that what it’s called, (vertically enhanced) ?

And all this time I just thought your were related to Godzilla.


mro
PS: gomenasai !!!

[xs1100rider]

shops in denver

I have the wife to blame for my curse as she bought me my first XS as a fathers day present about nine years ago. And since then have never found a decent shop in the denver metro area that I will use. I even had one shop quote me a price of $400 to rebuild my carbs. I bought a carb kit on ebay(georgefix) and rebuild/cleaned them myself. You can download the manual and print it out from one of the other members on this site of borrow mine as I live in Thornton just off 120th and Co Blvd. There is a couple of XS11s on craigs right now there is even a decent looking 81 venture on there now for a decent price. But do look at the other areas, Ft. Collins, Springs, even Boulder as they all have XSs on them. IIRC. Good Luck and welcome to the club, Terry.

[CatatonicBug]

Are there any XS 1100 owners in the Denver area who could give me recommendations for shops, which would deal with this model?

As it has been mentioned, avoid the mechanic shops. You will not find a reasonable one with the knowledge and experience to properly deal with these bikes. My first bike experience was just over a year ago, and I have learned that with the help of this site, a manual (available from my signature if you need it) and a few basic tools, you can do ANYTHING these bikes need to have done to them. There are a few tips and tricks, and they are all available on this forum. Just don't hesitate to ask questions, and get ready to get your hands greasy.

This time of year is good for finding deals on bikes, so be patient and you'll find a good one in short order.