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Harsh words in August Motorcyclist
Fellow XSives -
While flipping through the current issue of Motorcyclist Magazine (August 04), I came across some of the harshest words imaginable about the XS1100. The issue focuses on 750cc bikes through the years.
On page 41 James Parker writes,
"In '75 I bought a then-new Yamaha 750 triple, a shaft-drive sport-tourer. It was heavy and not particularly fun to ride fast (it was given to shaft-inspired rear suspension gyrations), but it was dead reliable. I put a lot of miles on it and came to respect it.
Shortly afterwazrd, Yamaha created the XS Eleven by adding a cylinder and 350cc to my trusty triple. That "Excess Eleven was about the worst bike I have ridden in several respects. It would hop the back wheel right off the ground as the shaft drive extended the suspension on acceleration. In contrast, the 750 was a balanced and refined design."
On the same page there is an inset picture of the XS750. The caption reads, "Yamaha's XS750 triple was not intended to be a "sporting" motorcycle, though when we tested it in '76 we were impressed with the engine's sophisticated technology, and the bike's overall rideability."
I've worked on both bikes and they have essentially the same "sophisticated technology". Sounds like the caption may not have been written by Mr. Parker, who seemingly had nothing good to say about the XS Eleven.
Thoughts, comments?
XSively,
While flipping through the current issue of Motorcyclist Magazine (August 04), I came across some of the harshest words imaginable about the XS1100. The issue focuses on 750cc bikes through the years.
On page 41 James Parker writes,
"In '75 I bought a then-new Yamaha 750 triple, a shaft-drive sport-tourer. It was heavy and not particularly fun to ride fast (it was given to shaft-inspired rear suspension gyrations), but it was dead reliable. I put a lot of miles on it and came to respect it.
Shortly afterwazrd, Yamaha created the XS Eleven by adding a cylinder and 350cc to my trusty triple. That "Excess Eleven was about the worst bike I have ridden in several respects. It would hop the back wheel right off the ground as the shaft drive extended the suspension on acceleration. In contrast, the 750 was a balanced and refined design."
On the same page there is an inset picture of the XS750. The caption reads, "Yamaha's XS750 triple was not intended to be a "sporting" motorcycle, though when we tested it in '76 we were impressed with the engine's sophisticated technology, and the bike's overall rideability."
I've worked on both bikes and they have essentially the same "sophisticated technology". Sounds like the caption may not have been written by Mr. Parker, who seemingly had nothing good to say about the XS Eleven.
Thoughts, comments?
XSively,
...but having both an XS750 and an XS11, I can see where he might have been going. If they ever do a story about the 1100cc bikes of our time, watch for him to flip-flop quicker than...OK, I'm stoping now, don't want to get political. 
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