'79 Special vs. '80 Special Preference

[IanDMacDonald]

Fellas- If you were to do it all over again, would you buy a '79 Special, or an '80 Special? I'm between a '78/'79 Standard, and a '79/'80 Special.

[crazy steve]

The 78/79 standards are for all intents identical, with only a few differences consisting of tube vs tubeless wheels, sealed beam headlight vs halogen, color, and the biggy, state of tune. The '78 has the 'hottest' tune of all of them as all the later years were detuned from them. The main difference is in the ignition curves/timing.

There's more differences between the '79 and '80 Specials. While most parts will interchange, the '79 is a one-year-only model so does have a number of unique parts, some of which are very hard to find (seats mostly). Mechanically, it shares more with the '78-79 standards than the '80 Special. Quite a few standard parts can be swapped (some require slight mods), something that's not as true of the later Specials.

The '80 Specials were detuned from the '79s, with lower compression and yet again different ignition curves. Cams are milder too. Parts are generally easier to find as most '81 Special parts will interchange.

If performance is your goal, the '78 is the one you want; each year after got slower than the preceding year. IMO the standards are easier to modify too, so if you want to upgrade things like the brakes and suspension, the standard will be a bit better choice. Each year/model has it's pros/cons (nothing major), so my advice would be to find the most complete bike you can and go from there...

[jetmechmarty]

What Steve said....

The look of the SF appeals to me. It is subdued as compared to the SG which grew a bit more gaudy. From my perspective, the SG seems to have been extremely popular, as I see so many of them.

[BA80]

The 79 and 80 specials are almost identical physically except for a few wiring and frame differences. The 79 engine has it all over the 80 in high end performance but the 80 is much smoother on the low end. I have a 78E but I've not had the opportunity to ride it so I can't comment on it's performance other than the reading I've done says the 78 was the fastest.

[jetmechmarty]

I recently did a motorcycle swap. I swapped my SG for an E. (just for a ride) Both bikes were fitted with RaceTech emulators and Traxxion Dynamics springs. Both also fitted with TKAT brace and both with new SBS ceramic brake pads. Both fitted with the same rear shocks, and both in excellent running condition.

I am not a professional motorcycle rider; far from it. There are obvious differences in the two bikes. The SG has a more relaxed sitting position, but not so much as to sacrifice control. (SG equipped with stock bars) I felt like the SG turned in faster and the E charged out of a turn more comfortably. I expected them to be the same, but no. I like the SG going in, but prefer the E coming out.

Brakes: I can't tell any difference. They felt the same to me.

The E launches as soon as I just crack the throttle. There's no big twist, just start to turn it and you GO. It's very strong immediately. My SG takes a big twist to get it going and the power comes on later. Pulling at 5K it's hard for my butt to tell the difference between the two. Truthfully, I can't tell. There may be a HP difference, but not enough for me to notice. The E comes to life sooner and stays there. Seat of the pants says the E is going to win a drag race. I should point out that the E is wearing stock pipes and the SG has a 4 into 1 exhaust.

Is amazing that the two bikes badged XS1100 are so different. BikerPhil has both. I wonder how his take on it compares to mine.

[crazy steve]

The biggest issue (IMO) with the '80-81 Specials is that cast aluminum grab bar with it's integrated taillight mount. If you want to fit a sissy bar or luggage rack to these, they can interfere with the bar. It's not uncommon to find these Specials with the bar missing and a phonied-up taillight mount if either accessory item has been fitted. The trick of course is have the right part (or be willing to mod what you have) as these used a different part compared to the standards and '79 special. The rear fender/mount is different also, preventing a easy swap to a fender-mount taillight off the standards or '79 Special.

As to which accessory part is 'right', that's a tough call. Yamaha sold 'official' custom-fit accessories for these, but there were lots of aftermarket units available, some with better fit than others. And telling the difference between a 'standard' and 'Special' part at this late date is even tougher as the differences aren't readily apparent. You really need the part in hand to determine if it will fit or how much modding will be needed to make it fit.

That's my one real beef with these bikes; while most major mechanical parts will swap, Yamaha made all these 'detail' changes between years/models, leading to all sorts of parts interchange issues for various bits. For a bike that was only sold for 4 years (5 if you include the XJ), there's hell of a lot of 'one/two-year-only' parts....

[jetmechmarty]

I bought my bike with a big sissy bar, double bucket seat, and no grab rail. It was fitted with standard bars as well. I got rid of the seat and sissy bar and put the bike to stock, including the rototillers. (I like them!) As it was, the bike looked stoopid!!! I acquired the correct luggage rack and it works with the stock aluminum seat trim.

I think it's the fine chrome grab rail and more basic looking seat that makes me find the SF so attractive.

[BA80]

The rear fender/mount is different also, preventing a easy swap to a fender-mount taillight off the standards or '79 Special.

(

I will have to disagree with that Steve. I put an SF fender on my SG so the King/Queen highback seat and bar I had would fit. The only thing I had to change was to make a longer wiring harness for the rear light. Other than that everything bolted right up.

[IanDMacDonald]

Yeah, I'm a standard guy. The only bike I could equate to a Special model that I own is an L model of a Suzuki GS. I bought it to pacify my summer while the XS750E was down for a rebuild. Plenty of power out of the bike. But, once I got my 750 back on the road, there was no looking back to a cruiser!

[Cuda 69]

i love the looks of the 78E but they are near impossible to find in these parts.I've been looking for 2 yrs and have never seen one listed. Although,i do like my sg.Guess I'm no help.Buy both.