Australian Specs XJ650 (4K0)

David,
I have the original 4K0 sales brochure and it quotes:
Max. power output: 73 PS / 9,000 r.p.m. (DIN)
Maximum torque 6kg-m (59.2 Nm).

I saw your comment that we didn't get the YICS version in Oz, we did. It arrived in 1981 in Blue, then we had black with red i think in 1982. It probably had a higher power output.

I could be wrong but I don't think we had the silver paint here. That was in US and maybe elsewhere. We had the silver 550.

 

I stand corrected

 

Any chance I could get a copy of that brochure, would really appreciate it.

 

Does Aus still have licencing restrictions (HP> engine size) much like they've had in the UK....for eons??
is it State by State territory governed ( much like the US)?

Just curious..I stand to be corrected, but I THINK over here in the US, once you reach 17? you can buy and take your test on a full power machine ( Huyabusa springs to mind, lol!! )

 

that is certainly the case here in Ontario, however a 17 year old could never afford the insurance in this instance.

 

Yep, you sure can. Send me an email at SunshineCoast@vjmc.org.au and I'll return with a scanned copy. Maybe you could ask Len (chacal) if he has one. I see the brochures come up for sale online 2 or 3 times a year.

It might be worth you catching up with the VJMC too. I think i saw that you were in WA. We have a fast growing group in Perth. Two essentials for owning an XJ in Australia, xjbikes.com and the VJMC (www.vjmc.org.au - you'll see 2 XJs in about the 4th slide on the rolling banner and mine again on about the 10th).

 

We do have restrictions on novice riders. After reaching the legal driving age, it relates to power to weight ratio and experience. Drivers/riders licences are regulated state by state but I can't tell you the rules. You could do a web search on "NSW RMS motorcycle licence". I can tell you that novice riders can still get their hands on some pretty quick bikes.

 

Cheers mate, was just curious!!

 

I’m sure it’s changed, but not all that long ago you could get a motorcycle license at 14 in some states. Oklahoma comes to mind.

Not sure that there were any HP/displacement restrictions.

 

US motorcycle license gets you any bike you want no restrictions
in NH you have to have a car license first and know how to ride a bicycle to get motorcycle endorsment