Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

XS-11 Vs. XS-650

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 template Next
  • #1

    XS-11 Vs. XS-650

    I notice that some of you XS-11 owners also have an XS-650 in the stable, just like I do. I got the '79 650 Special II running again today after it sat for idle for about a year with a bad front brake, and the bike felt very small after riding my '80 XS-11 G exclusively for the past year. I'm 6'-4" tall and wonder if any of you other owners of both type bikes that are taller than average have had the same feeling. I plan on riding the 650 some more just to see if it will get more comfortable, but the 1100 is just such a good fit for me, I'm not sure I can get used to the 650. Let me know if you have had a similar experience.
    _________________
    John
    78E
    79 SF (2)
    80 G "The Beast"
    81 H "The Dresser"
    79 XS650 II
    82 650 Maxim
    70 DT-1 Enduro
    66 Honda CL-77 Scrambler
    96 H-D Road King

    "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I Always Liked the 650's. My Honda Hawk (400cc) would eat them for lunch. I know, apples and oranges. My biggest ego booster was when I out-ran my friends Honda 750 (early 70's version).
    Pat Kelly
    <p-lkelly@sbcglobal.net>

    1978 XS1100E (The Force)
    1980 XS1100LG (The Dark Side)
    2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad-cab long-bed (Wifes ride)
    1999 Suburban (The Ship)
    1994 Dodge Spirit (Son #1)
    1968 F100 (Valentine)

    "No one is totally useless. They can always be used as a bad example"

    Comment

    • #3
      Hey oldbiker i got a guy on my xs650 site that makes forward controls for the xs650 if you dont already have some, I'm 6ft 10in and i think it would help me out alot i'm gonna order me aset soon!!!
      Dennis 79' XS1100F 80'XS650Special Lets Git-R-Done And Cruise

      Comment

      • #4
        Hey FireFighter,

        How much does this guy sell them for, and do you think he could make a set for the 1100? Many of us in the 6'+club would like to get a set.

        Oldbiker, I wrote you a little while back about your work and travel schedule to see about when I could arrange for our paths to cross on your back back to Richmond from Va. Bch?

        Funny, I find the 1100 feels SMALL, and that's with mine raised several inches with my extended front forks!? I've got cruise pegs which helps on the LDR's, but still feel a bit cramped with the regular pegs and controls!
        T.C.
        T. C. Gresham
        81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
        79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
        History shows again and again,
        How nature points out the folly of men!

        Comment

        • #5
          Hey TC and everyone else i emailed the guy today to find out if he would be willing to make them for the xs1100 i will keep you posted he wants 200.00 for the set for the xs650 but he said if he had a couple of orders at the same time to do he would lower the price a bit, Thanks Dennis
          Dennis 79' XS1100F 80'XS650Special Lets Git-R-Done And Cruise

          Comment

          • #6
            I'm 6'4". I've had my 650 since new. Yes, it's smaller than the 1100. I don't think you can get forward controls or highway pegs on the 650 without getting in the way of ground clearance. I don't think you'll get enough relief to make it worthwhile.

            When I'm going long, I ride the XS1100. The 650 is quicker in the turns and a lot of fun. I've taken very long trips on the 650 because I enjoy punishing myself. I'm keeping it!
            Marty (in Mississippi)
            XS1100SG
            XS650SK
            XS650SH
            XS650G
            XS6502F
            XS650E

            Comment

            • #7
              Thanks for the responses guys. I don't know about the forward control option, only ever rode one scoot that had them (H-D), and they felt odd to me, even after a days ride. I usually ride pretty much upright on the 1100. Probably just need a little more seat time on the 650 to get used to it. I'm working on carbs for the Dresser and that will be the road warrior when I get it done.
              TC,
              I PM'ed you back 2-3 weeks ago about getting together on the way back from your trip, but never heard back. Is you PM e-mail address good?
              _________________
              John
              78E
              79 SF (2)
              80 G "The Beast"
              81 H "The Dresser"
              79 XS650 II
              82 650 Maxim
              70 DT-1 Enduro
              66 Honda CL-77 Scrambler
              96 H-D Road King

              "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

              Comment

              • #8
                The XS650 was my first street bike. I loved it but sold the old girl when I couldn't fix her problem of eating headlights. I tried everything, including help from the xs650 group. Finally sold her.

                That was a bulletproof engine. Not much fun above 5000 rpms though. Great gas mileage. Pulled lots of chicks for rides on it. Never had to touch the carbs. Had less than 20k on it.

                I'm 6'1" and it felt about right. It felt nimble, low, and easy to control.

                My next street bike was an 80g standard. That was like going from a bicycle to a logging truck but the power and smoothness difference amazed me so much I couldn't resist.

                Very fond of XS650s... Mikes XS sent me a catalog with some pre-80's on the covers and they got my attention. I think mine was an 81.

                Ben
                1985 Yamaha VMX12n "Max X" - Stock
                1982 Honda XL500r "Big Red" - Stump Puller. Unknown mileage.
                1974-78 Honda XL350 hybrid - The thumper that revs. Unknown miles.
                1974 Suzuki TC/TS125 hybrid. Trials with trail gear. Invaluable. Unknown miles.
                1971 Honda CL350. For Dad. Newtronic Electronic Ign. Reliable. Unknown miles.

                Formerly:
                1982 XS650
                1980 XS1100g
                1979 XS1100sf
                1978 XS1100e donor

                Comment

                • #9
                  Ben,
                  I hopped on the Eleven yesterday and it's just such a good fit I will have to decide what the future of the 650 will be. You are right on time about the 650's HP curve not being exciting, but why would a 1970 2-cylinder classic design be able to stand up against 1978 designed 4-cylinder bike with "in your face" technology? In my case, the XS-11 was such a good fit, not only with my height, but with my personality, it will be hard for any other bike to hold my interest for long. I'm not interested in being able to wheelie in all 5 gears or blow off different makes of bikes, heck, most of the time I ride by myself so I can do what I want to, go where I want to. My bike is like a good woman in a lot of ways, I'm still looking for the flesh and blood version! Thanks for your response.
                  _________________
                  John
                  78E
                  79 SF (2)
                  80 G "The Beast"
                  81 H "The Dresser"
                  79 XS650 II
                  82 650 Maxim
                  70 DT-1 Enduro
                  66 Honda CL-77 Scrambler
                  96 H-D Road King

                  "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    It is very funny, when I got my 650 about 22 years ago it was a perfect fit for my size (6' 5''). All my friends bikes were kind of too small. I had a Honda 750 and a Suzuki GS1000, but they were not the "right fit". 10 years ago I got the XS11 and it felt perfect, but in a different way.
                    It is bigger and heavier than the 650 but it handles very similar as long as it is rolling.
                    I still love the 650 for shorter trips and will never ever give it away as it is my first bike.
                    XS1100 and XS650- what do you need more?

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      I sold my XS650 only because I couldn't solve the headlight problem. I loved that bike. It would have been fun to modify it for more power. It was very reliable. I thought it was pretty comfortable, too.

                      Ben
                      1985 Yamaha VMX12n "Max X" - Stock
                      1982 Honda XL500r "Big Red" - Stump Puller. Unknown mileage.
                      1974-78 Honda XL350 hybrid - The thumper that revs. Unknown miles.
                      1974 Suzuki TC/TS125 hybrid. Trials with trail gear. Invaluable. Unknown miles.
                      1971 Honda CL350. For Dad. Newtronic Electronic Ign. Reliable. Unknown miles.

                      Formerly:
                      1982 XS650
                      1980 XS1100g
                      1979 XS1100sf
                      1978 XS1100e donor

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Old biker I noticed in your list of bikes it says 82 650 Maxim. Do you own that bike right now?
                        1983 XJ750 Midnight Maxim

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          CT,
                          Affirmative on the Maxim. I've got a tarp over it along with a couple of other bikes that won't fit in my garage. Guy I bought it from says that 1 cylinder is low on compression, but I have't been able to check it yet, working on my full dress '81 Eleven at the moment.
                          John
                          _________________
                          John
                          78E
                          79 SF (2)
                          80 G "The Beast"
                          81 H "The Dresser"
                          79 XS650 II
                          82 650 Maxim
                          70 DT-1 Enduro
                          66 Honda CL-77 Scrambler
                          96 H-D Road King

                          "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            SG-Olli,
                            The Special II has the pull-back bars and the small rear wheel with big tire, so seat height is lower than the Eleven. I rode a brand new XS-1 for a while when I was in the Army in 1971 and that bike was a gas. It belonged to a buddy of mine, and I wonder what ever happened to it. We would have got ourselves into big trouble, but we were MP's so we got away with a lot of unauthorized racing on post at West Point (U.S. Military Academy). I don't see myself selling the 650, but I think I will replace the bars with something straighter. I have an '83 (I think)Heritage partzer, so I may use those bars.
                            John
                            _________________
                            John
                            78E
                            79 SF (2)
                            80 G "The Beast"
                            81 H "The Dresser"
                            79 XS650 II
                            82 650 Maxim
                            70 DT-1 Enduro
                            66 Honda CL-77 Scrambler
                            96 H-D Road King

                            "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              John I am trying very hard not to start collecting bikes but finding it very hard when there are so many great bargains out there. Just today I was looking at the classifieds online and saw a 84 Honda CB750 Nighthawk with 25000 miles for $400 bucks. But had to talk myself out of it. Telling myself I already had a bike and if I got this bike I would have less time and money for the Yamaha XJ. However I may change my mind if I get a better job that is not cleaning dishes. Speaking of the devil I just saw a XS 650 for sale http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/100440760.html
                              1983 XJ750 Midnight Maxim

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 template Next
                              Working...
                              X