Standing 1/4

[Azoroth]

So I saw on a site that lists that these bikes were clocked at 11.7 seconds on a standing quarter mile. Is this really true? Somehow I don't really believe that. Has anybody had any other information about it?

[cywelchjr]

Not the 1980 models, but the 1978 models were indeed clocked at that. They were when introduced the fastest production bike in the 1/4 mile in the world, that is until the following model year, when the GS1100 took the crown, then the fight was on, IIRC nobody held the crown for long, and Yamaha didn't take the crown again till the introduction of the VMax. Even today, they along with the other bikes that were their direct competition are still pretty impressive when compared with modern tech considering the tech of the day.

[Schming]

Here Ya Go

So I saw on a site that lists that these bikes were clocked at 11.7 seconds on a standing quarter mile. Is this really true? Somehow I don't really believe that. Has anybody had any other information about it?

http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/ads-br...-standard.html

[mharrington]

The 1978 XS1100 was the first production motorcycle to break into the elevens in the 1/4 mile. That was a HUGE accomplishment. Until then the GS1000 and KZ1000 were top dog and in the low 12s. I have never ridden a late 70s GS or KZ but the time period articles I have read state the XS has excellent low end where the others need the RPMs up and into their powerband before blast off occurs. Yamaha hit the mark with the XS1100 but missed the mark with their continual second gear/dog wear issue. If I recall correctly the 1983 Honda V65 magna was the first production bike in the 10s.
I love my 79 XS1100F and if I ever replace it it would hopefully be a 1985 V Max.

[Azoroth]

That truly is awesome. Blows my mind that they did that back then. Especially with how heavy these bikes are.

Okay so this spawns two questions from me. What was different from the 78 to the 80 that made it slower? Why would they change it to go slower? Second, what would my bike be rated at in the 1/4 mile? I have not found anything about the 80 bikes.

I've also seen two different ratings for HP most common is 95hp but my dad also found 111hp. I know each bike is different such things as simple k&n filter (which I have) can change this.

[crazy steve]

Okay so this spawns two questions from me. What was different from the 78 to the 80 that made it slower? Why would they change it to go slower? Second, what would my bike be rated at in the 1/4 mile? I have not found anything about the 80 bikes..

From 78 to 79 they changed the ignition timing (both static and curves) and the 'standard' bike lost about .3 of a second in the quarter. In 80, they got milder cams, less compression, and 'emission' type carbs but the valves were slightly larger to help offset these changes, so they only lost about another .1. In '81, more ignition/carb changes and another .1 gone. The Specials were about .1 quicker than their same-year standard bothers, due partly to slightly less weight, but mostly because of the smaller rear tire giving an effectively lower gear ratio.

According to the bike mag tests from the day, the SG was good for a 12.02 quarter mile. But you can take all these numbers with a grain of salt; the test bikes were all attended by factory techs and very carefully tuned for the absolute best performance possible and ridden by fly-weight pro riders. 'Typical' production models with a 'average' rider aboard were .3-.4 slower....

Main reason for the changes was emission standards.

[DiverRay]

And the other issue is the "gas" we use today. The late 70's and early 80's, they had not put much ethanol into the gas, and you had more energy per pound. I DO remember my '78, and being able to pick up the front tire in the first three gears with NO problems.

[Azoroth]

And the other issue is the "gas" we use today. The late 70's and early 80's, they had not put much ethanol into the gas, and you had more energy per pound. I DO remember my '78, and being able to pick up the front tire in the first three gears with NO problems.

Good point. I didn't even think about that gas.