whats with the name ? XS11

[TopCatGr58]

Re: whats with the name ? XS11

Originally posted by sdanville
Ive had over 60 bikes. SNIP..Help me understand why the XS1100 is called the XS11 here.
is the 850 triple called the 8.5 ?

I have the same year (81) Goldwing too. I must say the shaft drive on the Yamaha is more Neanderthal than the Honda.

Hey there Steve,

This is a little late, but it's a reply that a French Xsive(Patrick) wanted to post earlier but didn't know how to show a photo, I think it's very interesting, and is a rebuttal to your statement about the Yamaha Shafty being a bit neanderthal-ish!!

Hi TC !

Thanks for your answer.(how to post photos)

Unfortunatly, I'm leaving for 10 days (holidays) in few minutes and have no time to try ...

So, I send you the picture "wheeling JCO" , you'll apreciate how fun it is !!! If you're interested, I'll tell you the whole story of this advertising; the main point is that the guy on the bike is Jean-Claude Ollivier (AKA JCO) the YAMAHA FRANCE's chairman !!!!


This is intended to be an answer to the SDANVILLE post : I would like to ask him if a Goldwing can do that ???
But I know it's "off topic" !...

BTW, I send you 2 pict. of my XS 1100, just for fun...

This XS site is great !!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your help.

BEST REGARDS

Patrick

[sdanville]

Goldwing Wheelie ?

Patrick
No My goldwing cant do that.
My ST1100 cant do that.
My XS1100 Cant do that.
My FT500 Can do that.

[MAXIMAN]

sdanville

When you say the shaft of the Eleven is "neanderthal" ish what do you mean exactly?

I'm guessing you may be refering to the crude feeling of the gears overall...not specifically the shaft. No?

If so I think we'd all agree the XS11 shift a bit clunky. Ok ok a lot clunky compared to other bikes. But once it's in gear it's as smooth and polished as any early 80's Wing I've riden.

However the stock transmission is generally very durable if it's not riden XSively hard. One XSive guru explained to me the transmission on the Eleven compared to similar bikes of the day was more like a truck transmission than a car tranny. It wasn't as smooth as a Wing or a GS1100 but it was durable like a truck...a very fast truck.

Thta's why I think the XS designation is so appropriate. The engine and drivetrain on these old Hammers are built like a tank. The lower end (crank, rods, cyclinders and pistons) are exceptionally durable and will withstand much more horsepower than the bike genrates from the factory. In essence they are over built and because of it you will commonly see XS Elevens and XS11 and XS1100 with mileage in XS of 100,000 miles.

That is really pretty XSive for an air cooled engine.

One more thing. When I was in High School the Eleven was unleashed on the American riding public. I believe it was Cycle World that wrote a review titled "In XS of Eleven". It was basically hailing the bike as a landmark in big road bikes and really dwelled on the fact that had higher payload than the Goldwing (of same year) but would still turn and 11 second 1/4. If I recall correctly that article claimed their test pilot pulled an 11.87 ET from their test bike.

Enjoy your Eleven or 11 or what ever you call it.

PS: My full dressed Eleven can do that and has on several occasions. You should see the looks I get from Beemer riders.

[sdanville]

reply

Pretty much you sumed it up. THe shaft drive is clunky.
It feels very solid and durable. I have total confidence that it is Hardy. Strong. Viseral. He-Man Neanderthral.

I professionally raced motocross many decades ago. Once measured off 500 feet and Wheelied it on a Honda XL350. Having said that. I dont have the Nads anymore to try & wheelie my full Dress XS1100. (yamaha fairing and bags).

[DiverRay]

Steve;
It can be done. My first XSEleven was ordered as a Yamaha 1000 in 1977. When it got to the dealer, I found out it was 1100cc. I had the full Yamaha dress kit, serial number on the bike was 2H70000254. The factory rear tire was bald after only 4,500 miles, and I was able to bring the front end up in all 5 gears.
Of course, I was only 24 at the time!
I had that bike for 2 1/2 years, and 32,000 plus miles. That bike is the reason I now ride an XS Eleven again. I wanted something I could commute on, but have fun at the same time.

Ray

[sdanville]

1100 wheelies ray is the man

Full dress - wheelies all 5 Gears.

Sure wish we all owned video camera's back then,


so Ray
how many gears does your front end come up on the 1100 you have now ?

[DiverRay]

None yet! I'm not 24 anymore. Plus, I've got a BAD 2nd gear that needs to be fixed. I hope it will go a few more months, and it will be a winter project.

[MAXIMAN]

Re: reply

Originally posted by sdanville
I dont have the Nads anymore to try & wheelie my full Dress XS1100. (yamaha fairing and bags).

I didn't either until about a year ago. It all happened by mistake and quite by surprise. I pulled onto the street in downtown Branson, MO. I looked back and a group of Beemers (and the like sport touring bikes) were bearing down ono me at a high rate of speed. I was in first and simultaneously rolled the throttle dumping the clutch. Zilla came straight up. The front wheel was maybe 3 feet of the street. It was startling and unplanned. I would have normally never tried to intentionally do that on a full dressed Eleven.

However since I'd already done it once with no problem unplanned I had occasion to do it again. The real surprise is of all the Elevens the XJ is quite probably the weakest. So I'm certain previous models would likely have an even easier time standing on end. That's in first gear only. I can't imagine it doing that in any other.

Strong. Viseral. He-Man Neanderthral.

Ok I see where your going. Neanderthal as in strong...but crude. Like I said the tranny is certainly clunky. But the shaft seems very smooth and refined to me.

[GNEPIG]

.. maybe 11 stands for how long the designer of the bikes penis is

But the shaft seems very smooth and refined to me.

[gnevelesx08]

Hey Guinia,
Sounds like Maxi has stumbled onto a new catch phrase.

[strom]

I've seen goldwing do a wheelie. New(ish) goldwing, but a wheelie non the less.
Great pics, great looking bikes. The guy I got the middle drive from has a parts bike just like that one. It's in pieces, but looking similarly good. No papers for it, it was imported as a parts bike from italy. I think I'll get the tank, seat with plastic and the exhausts from him. When I got some cash to spare.

LP

[don07tncav]

Originally posted by GNEPIG
.. maybe 11 stands for how long the designer of the bikes penis is

Designer or owners??

[John]

harleys are the penis extensions. It seems the owners are trying to scream 'Look at me...I'm on a harley. I'm cool, and it makes me look like have a big dick'. Most of us are content with what we have, and don't need any artificial appendages, and when we finish with them they are exposed for what they really are.

[sdanville]

Gutter

How did this Tread go to the Gutter ?

- We had a good ol boy thread with banter going here, but to stereo type Harely guys with genital size ?

I think Harleys are fine bikes (In this Century) but cost 2-5 times what I think they are worth. Last night a buddy stopped over on a 2000 Victory 1800cc I think.. He paid $6500 ! ! With 4000 miles. If Harleys would depreciate like that...I would pay $6500 to have one in my stable. A V-Rod anyways.

[MAXIMAN]

Eleven inches is truly XSive.

As far as Harley's are concerned; I was in a HD dealership recently with a friend. The sales wank said "What are ya ridin' that old thang for? Boy you need a real bike!"

I pointed at a Wide Glide on the showroom floor and said "You mean THAT thing?...does it come standard with a ski mask?"

Two fellows rolled laughing. The sales wank was clueless. The expression on his face was similar to a cow watching a passing train.