Advice on Buying Used XS1100 1980

[XS1100eibwen]

Hello All,

This about a posting that I found for an XS1100 1980, I would like to purchase the bike the current owner is an adult rider. This is his posting please let me know what your opinions on this bike based on the pictures and brief description. Please indicate related to prices, shape, add-ons, mileage etc... you guys know better then me. Thanks,

http://rochester.craigslist.org/mcy/1892574553.html

[DiverRay]

If you would like a large road bike, that one looks to be in nice condition. From this side of the country, it's hard to say if it is really in the shape the owner said, but it does look like he has taken care of it.
Read the thread about what to look for in a neglected bike, and that will give you a "worst case" for what you may need to do. The price seems more than fair, so I would say go for it. You should be able to get about 50K more miles on it before any major work is needed.

[natemoen]

It seems like a great deal. and looks to be in great shape. IF you dont like the fairing and bags you could always take them off and sell them. Seems to always be people looking for hard bags. If he has had the bike since new its possible he might even have a bunch of extra parts and whatnot that you could get from him too! I would go for it.

Kinda looks like it might be a aftermarket set of pipes, no big deal though.

[prometheus578]

Look at the guy's lawn.
Look at his other bike in the garage... covered.
Gives the impression that he's the type that takes care of things well.

True, most of us here haven't paid that much for our bikes, but then again, most of the bikes we've bought don't look that good, nor have that custom lettering on the tank, nor the luggage set-up, etc.

I would have no problems with buying that bike... provided everything checks out in person.

[natemoen]

True, most of us here haven't paid that much for our bikes, but then again, most of the bikes we've bought don't look that good, nor have that custom lettering on the tank, nor the luggage set-up, etc.

Heck I paid just about half that for a "Just put the tank back on and shes good to go" Well three months later and the engine in pieces in my garage, shes still not running!

[brcree]

Advice

Well, I paid 350.00 for my 81 xs that the guy I bought it from said" Yeah it was runnen a couple months ago"....yeah sure. The carbs were just layen in between the head and air box....the tank was full of rust....and the air box looked like a family of squirrels had lived in it. After several months and getting it to run again, I took it out for the first time.........POW.....first gear is shot and second not much better. With this....all I can say is...check it out good...take it for a ride and listen for any strange noises. This is a great bike when all is as it should be. Good luck........

[XS1100eibwen]

Sounds Good appreciate the advice

I'll go check it out today or tomorrow I'll keep you guys updated and let you know if I'll have my first XS1100. Thanks again.

[WMarshy]

I have no doubts about that bike, the guy seems like he's mature and and reasonable. He had the bike listed for more and has come down on his price. I doubt you'll find much better in that price range in our area. Before you buy it take a look in the for sale section of the forum, I posted a few other nice bikes for sale in NY. All three including the one you posted, look nice and reasonably priced. I just found a MNS that I posted today, take a look you can have your choice of picks!

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Nice

It "looks" nice! Also sounds like the seller took care of her. When you take it out, push it a little and make sure the 1st,2nd gear thing is OK, that can be a PITA if not. The advice on the bags is true, if you don't like them you can sell on ebay and get your cost of ownership down a few $. Good luck on the bike

[redbone]

looks good...

seems like a fair price and looks nice. some of the more easy things to look for when buying an xs, most certainly take it for a spin and go thru all gears.
stop without using brakes and feel discs to see if calipers are hanging. see if turn sigs work, [the switch in handle bars corrode]. look inside gas tank for rust. these are just a few of the more obvious thing easily visible. also listen for any engine ticking or a constant grind of a stretched cam chain.
if it's been taken care of there should be no probs.
hTH

[natemoen]

seems like a fair price and looks nice. some of the more easy things to look for when buying an xs, most certainly take it for a spin and go thru all gears.
stop without using brakes and feel discs to see if calipers are hanging. see if turn sigs work, [the switch in handle bars corrode]. look inside gas tank for rust. these are just a few of the more obvious thing easily visible. also listen for any engine ticking or a constant grind of a stretched cam chain.
if it's been taken care of there should be no probs.
hTH

One thing to note though if you have never been around a XS they make a lot of top end noise normally. So people might think something is wrong when really its not so thats a tough one kinda. Unless its something totally obviously bad.

[WMarshy]

Well...? Did you buy one yet? I hope you took a look at my post...I just added another find down in Jamestown NY. Really nice special for sale in my last post...

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?p=292088#post292088

And a Midnight Special here... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29630

Usually, its hard to find just one good XS11, but you get to pick and choose.