Lonerider59
Wizard
A little over three decades ago Yamaha was terminating the production of one of it's most memorable and important models...The XS Eleven. I was very lucky to have recently obtained one in very good condition, albeit needing some TLC and maintenance. I had forgotten how unusual the bike was for it's time and so as I re-read some old road tests and other articles about the motorcycle I had a lot of flashbacks about how things once were. When the bike first appeared, I was only 29 years old and my wants and pocketbook were far apart. I had a six year old daughter, a brand new job in computers, and would be facing a life-changing divorce in another year. I was very into bikes, but my Kawasaki H-1 was all I could afford at the time and it was a handful at that.
The most interesting parts for this "old fart" is the fact that the 1980 XS Eleven, although a relic now, is still more of a motorcycle than most people can handle with any finesse and the fact that after 30 plus years, it will still bring the same price it did when it was new, if it's been kept in original or mainly original condition. When I read the road tests I am reminded how thorough the test riders were with the specifics of the machines as far as dimensions and comparisons went. For a person my age, it is interesting to see what was brand new and practically unheard of back then and how much it has changed today. I was wondering in 30 more years, what will we think on the FZ1? Will it still be as intriguing and the "wow" vehicle it is or will it even have a place in motorcycle history? We'll see I guess and I hope I live to see it another ten years from now to see if it keeps in the running.
Check out some of what was said about the XS1100 three decades ago.
http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/articles.html
The most interesting parts for this "old fart" is the fact that the 1980 XS Eleven, although a relic now, is still more of a motorcycle than most people can handle with any finesse and the fact that after 30 plus years, it will still bring the same price it did when it was new, if it's been kept in original or mainly original condition. When I read the road tests I am reminded how thorough the test riders were with the specifics of the machines as far as dimensions and comparisons went. For a person my age, it is interesting to see what was brand new and practically unheard of back then and how much it has changed today. I was wondering in 30 more years, what will we think on the FZ1? Will it still be as intriguing and the "wow" vehicle it is or will it even have a place in motorcycle history? We'll see I guess and I hope I live to see it another ten years from now to see if it keeps in the running.
Check out some of what was said about the XS1100 three decades ago.
http://www.xs11.com/xs11-info/articles.html