When will it all end.....

[dogyear58]

I all ready had an Gorgeous 81 factory fill dressor.......

Now I have a long list of bikes....plus parts bikes....plus a insaine parts garden

I had to rent a 2 stall garage to store all that XS1100 krap....

I really don't like'm anyway.....I think thay are geard way to low..

My truck 4 / 11 gears. the tack & spedo are the same as the XS. at 60 mph.

Besides thay don't handel well. thay don't stop good...

Butt there Cheep Hourse Power......

No other large bore motercycle do you shift gears before your through the intersection..

Well hey Thanks for your time................................Krazydog....

[SFerinTEXAS]

Sweet. I love 5th gear at 20 or 100. Had a 56 ford with a 292 that you could leave in 3rd (top) in a slow curve. CHUG CHUG CHUG. Sweet.

[TECHLINETOM]

XS 750/XS850 Final drive swap = 6th gear.

Mine went from 5k @ 70 to 4k @ 70.

You won't miss the acceleration.

Cartrige emulators and Edelbrock shocks and Avon Azarro radials and the handling is fixed.

OOPS !
I mean yeah they're all junk send them to my house and I will dispose of them for ya'!

[81xsproject]

You won't miss the acceleration...

Yeah... I am pretty sure I would. I have never once thought to my self "hmmm, what could I do to make my XS slower?"

[XS1100 Newbie]

I really don't see where the XS is that fast. After riding one for over a year now, all the newer bikes are faster i think. I love the old XS, and won't give it up, but i am going to look at getting something with some real speed to it.

[Cobia]

Well Newbie,
It all depends on how fast you want to slide off the back off the seat. I've ridden the newer crotch rockets and although more nimble in handling, speed is just slightly more overtaking than on an XS.
My neighbor has an '04 FZ1100 and it does get to 100mph a lot faster than our Xs's, yet it doesn't have the feel that our bikes have.

[DGXSER]

I think it is alot like driving my 84 Cutlass with a 502 ramjet in it, or driving a little Honda Civic with that little 4 cylinder winding out as hard as it can and about to explode from the nitrous to get it turn those 11 second 1/4 miles. For me, I like the Cutlass. It does it and even sounds strong as he!! doing it. Instead of sounding like it may become an IED any moment.

Same goes for the XS11 compared to the zipsplats IMHO.

[Jerry]

Well, I have an 'o6 Concourse. Also go to bike shows they have here in the fall Biketoberfest, and test-ride new models. Still keep the XJ.

Why?

The newer bikes have beter parts availability, better brakes, bigger tires, list goes on.

But nothing feels like my XJ. Even that it was my first "big" bike, these is just a feel about it that newer bikes do not have. The Connie, for example, handles better (monoshock rear suspension helps) and has much better brakes. The 7.5 gallon gas tank is great for my longer trips. Yet when I just want to have fun I roll out the XJ and tool around local roads and mountain passes.

I keep the XJ because it is fun to ride. Its not a logical response, but that's OK with me. Some things just can't be analyized, it just feels "right".

[b.walker5]

Well, I have an 'o6 Concourse. Also go to bike shows they have here in the fall Biketoberfest, and test-ride new models. Still keep the XJ.

Why?

The newer bikes have beter parts availability, better brakes, bigger tires, list goes on.

But nothing feels like my XJ. Even that it was my first "big" bike, these is just a feel about it that newer bikes do not have. The Connie, for example, handles better (monoshock rear suspension helps) and has much better brakes. The 7.5 gallon gas tank is great for my longer trips. Yet when I just want to have fun I roll out the XJ and tool around local roads and mountain passes.

I keep the XJ because it is fun to ride. Its not a logical response, but that's OK with me. Some things just can't be analyized, it just feels "right".

Same goes for me with the XJR. It absolutely blitzes the XS for speed, handling and comfort, and BRAKES, but there's no way I'll part with the XS. XJR is a good looking bike, with plently of old school naked looks and feel, but it lacks the class of a 30 year old 'superbike' that excudes from every pore of the XS.

Apparently there are doctors out there for this sort of thing, I think I need one.

[Crusty Snippets]

Clunker

I believe it is okay to exceed 2000 revs on your XS11.
Forever I have said " If you want a faster bike then buy one"
I have an SV1000S Suzuki. It is not fair to compare a 79 bike with the new iron. Also the 79 bike is much better than the older stuff. So what is you message?
Here is a truism from yesteryear.
In 1934 Norton designed and built a chain case housing that leaked oil. It was still leaking in 1968.
If bikes improved at that rate these days, your XS11 would be leading edge.
It is unfortunate that many riders have not experienced the thunder chickens of old, the BSA Victor front forks, the Triumph sprung hub, the Motto Guzzi lack of brakes, the Lucas intermittent electronics, the Norton isolastic ( large hinge ) suspension, the Triumph wet spots or 20,000 miles to a rebore.
Or consider this: my 68 350cc Kawasaki twin was faster than all the early 650 Triumphs.
Foot note: A 650 Triumph streamliner running on fuel did 230mph at Bonneville in 1962. That is faster than the fastest Indian that went 189mph with 1000cc, and 204 with 1350cc.

Uncle Crusty

[soccer4m]

The xs will never be replaced in my lifetime

I also keep my xs and xj bikes, as they are irreplaceable. Just as many love the era of the 60's muscle cars, these xs, xj models represent the new era of power, style, design and class not found in bikes up to that age. We cant help but get huge grins every time we fire up these bikes and bigger grin riding these things. I love starting these up for other friends, and watching their expression when they see something thirty plus years old sounding like freaking nastiness holding back ready to explode at any second. Maybe someday another era of bikes will come along, like the 60's musclecars, that will have us old dudes reminiscing of all the good times these bikes brought owners back then and today, but I wouldnt hold my breath. I hate to think of selling my xs and xj's knowing that I would forever regret it and not being able to get one again. Of all the muscle cars I had, and can't afford to get them back today, the same is true of the xs, except its affordable and easier to maintain. So, until I cannot maintain my bikes or I croak, its xs,xj love to the end..........Mike in Sun Diego

[xs11lover]

I just like my xs. I sold one and got a kawasaki eliminator 900. It was fast and light and all that I wanted in a bike....for about a year, then I sold it and got another xs11.

[skids]

That reminds me...I have one calling my name in the garage right now. Hell, I have a warm enuf coat! Beats the heck out of sticking the trickle charger on it.

[scalded dog]

I think about how it would be without my XS, the Gold wing is big and bulkey, as is most full dressers, I get on my bike and say what if I breakdown, well I know what to do to fix it, newer other bikes, you are in for one hell of a mechanic bill, unless you are a trained mechanic, I am trained on the XS, no meters/computers necessary to diagnose a problem & fix it. It is paid for, people are always coming over to look at the bike up close, much as I do at old good looking cars. You can't replace the look on someones face when their new cruiser, harley v-rods etc..., kaw, yam, suz, Hond, watches a 30 plus year old bike, leave them eating dust....Later 'Dog

[justme1100]

I think about how it would be without my XS, the Gold wing is big and bulkey, as is most full dressers, I get on my bike and say what if I breakdown, well I know what to do to fix it, newer other bikes, you are in for one hell of a mechanic bill, unless you are a trained mechanic, I am trained on the XS, no meters/computers necessary to diagnose a problem & fix it. It is paid for, people are always coming over to look at the bike up close, much as I do at old good looking cars. You can't replace the look on someones face when their new cruiser, harley v-rods etc..., kaw, yam, suz, Hond, watches a 30 plus year old bike, leave them eating dust....Later 'Dog

I also enjoy the looks mine gets, it ain't beautiful but she looks the part and get the job done, along with showing my tail light to my friends stock Harleys.