Never Seen XS New!

[GTXS1100]

This is my dads bike. I did the paint on both.

[BA80]

You got a photobucket account? If you don't get one and you can copy and paste the IMG codes right into your posts and the photos will show.

There are some other ways but that's all I've ever used.

[geobiker]

Didn't buy new but . . .

I was starting my second year in college when the 78E came out. At that time I owned a 1970 (or 71) Yamaha R5 2-stroke 350cc street bike (and I wish that I still had it). I remember seeing the road report, as I recall it was in Cycle World magazine, and I really wanted the XS11 but just wasn't going to swing it financially.

Back in 2008 I saw one for sale in the local paper and said . . . now I can afford it . . . and the rest is history. Although it took some work on the carburators to get it running right and I wish it had the stock exhaust on it rather that the Mac 4-2, I love the bike. I understand it's systems enough that I can tinker on it and it is a thrill to ride!

[ExcessiveBiker]

Never Seen XS New!

OK, how many of you antique XSers are enrolled in medicare?
I still have my XS750, purchased new in '76 from the Yam shop I worked in. The center cyl cooked at 33,000 mi, so I got an 81SH to ride. Its been good to me for last 55,000 mi.
Just some ramblings from an old fart Yammer guy.
ExcessiveBiker

[DiverRay]

So I'm your fathers age, 57. I went without a bike for three months waiting for my Yamaha XS1000 (NOT A TYPO!) to arrive. Ordered it in June, and picked up a full dress XS1100 September of 1977, at 22 years of age! I owned that bike for almost three years, and 40K plus miles.
As you can see from my signature, I now have three, but the '80 MNS is the only runner. I DID have another XS11 in the late 80's, but sold it because of young children and my EX-wife.....

[ddragon63]

So I'm your fathers age, 57. I went without a bike for three months waiting for my Yamaha XS1000 (NOT A TYPO!) to arrive. Ordered it in June, and picked up a full dress XS1100 September of 1977, at 22 years of age! I owned that bike for almost three years, and 40K plus miles.
As you can see from my signature, I now have three, but the '80 MNS is the only runner. I DID have another XS11 in the late 80's, but sold it because of young children and my EX-wife.....

My Dad was 32 when he bought the bike we call "Old Man" 1979 XS1100SF (same year I was born). I Remember him selling alot of COOL things he had while I was growing up but the bike would never go... I think the memories my Mom had going on trips on the back of the bike, and the fact that a fellow Vet painted the bike for my Dad had a bit do do with it. That and I think if she told him the "the bike has to go!" he probably had gone with it, is what kept it around. I'm now 32 (33 on the 30th) and I have a hard time fathoming how he pulled it all off back then!

I rode the bike from my Mom's garage to the wood shed in the back yard 1 months after my Dad passed away (nov '02) because she couldn't look @ it.

My Dad had told me since I can remember "When I'm dead or too old to ride her son... She's yours."

I finally Got the nuts up Sept of 09 to go get MY bike out of that shed! Been playing catch up ever sense.... but what an adventure it has been

I've made my son the same promise my father made me... Conner is 10 and I've made him promise to not make the bike wait as long to be ridden as I did... Had 43,000 on it when I pulled it out, Just turned 47,100 last night.

Life's too short to let good things wait

[Schming]

Nice

Hey Don,

Your story is touching and gets better with every segment.
The icing on the cake would be if You and subsequently your son were to find the same buffalo that your dad did.

[JasonRedbeard]

I was born in '79. My Special was born in '79. I rescued her from a 5-year sit just before Christmas.....she's my first bike, and it feels like it was meant to be. :-D

[trdriver71]

A bike is cheaper than a trophy wife....[/QUOTE]

And easier to get than a trophy wife as I kind of resemble my xs11 as I am also big and heavy.

[cywelchjr]

A bike is cheaper than a trophy wife....

And easier to get than a trophy wife as I kind of resemble my xs11 as I am also big and heavy.[/QUOTE]

Hey! I resemble that remark!

[madmax-im]

Great story Don...mine has no father in it..in fact my parents did not approve of my taking to motorcycles...it wasnt til the year after he died that I got my first new bike...I told this story before so I'm not going to repeat it again but when i first saw the XJ in the showroom I knew I wanted it...to this day its the only bike I've ever bought brand new.

[Mrtinajero]

I was 19 when I first got my XS. I'm 21 now

[Cuda 69]

Guess i'm one of the ole folks around here to. My first road bike was a 1971 CB125,bought it over in Germany.Try going on the autobaun on a 125. I've done it many times,just stay in the granny lane,and that was 1977. My first road bike was a 1982 Yammy XJ 650bought it brand new. There's a guy around here who sets bikes up for racing,back then I gave him every last $ I had and he made it one bad a$$ 650.I used to race anybody who would race (in my class) and I always won.Used to smoke the Kantana when it first came out. Had many bikes since,only to go back to XS-XJ but it's big brother. Never had a new 11,and it's a good thing, I wouldn't be around to talk about it.