POLL: I have an XJ because...

Why do you choose to ride an XJ?

 

For me its really the last 3...

 

I like vintage stuff. (probably why I fly a 1960 Piper Comanche). I've always liked Yamahas... when I lived in Virginia in 1979 I almost bought one.

Now I own a 1980 Maxim. Its got that retro look. A few other guys at the airport have their new Honda V-twins and a Harley all decked out but I like the looks of my Maxim better.... people always comment on it. hehe

I like being contrary to mainstream.

 

I bought my bike used in 1981 and haven't seen a need to replace it.

 

Although I'm far to cheap to even consider buying a new bike, where would I find anything so cool as my XJ Turbo??

I like old, different. crazy kind of stuff that no one in the lemming world would even want.

That's why I got it cheap & why I love riding it!

Dan

 

I bought it 'cause it was cheap and I wanted something bigger (and a heck of a lot more comfortable than my 81 GS550T). I fell in love with it when I started riding my Interceptor and realised how very comfortable the XJ really was. No chain to clean or lubricate, no twits trying to steal it, just a good UJM.

 

Shaft drive.

 

How can you go wrong with this bike. It is built well, looks/rides super, turns heads when they hear it coming and they keep looking because it is different when they see it.."what kind of bike was that!", they are cheap in price and fast! The bike is a piece of history that is relived every time it fires up...love that XJ sound! The bike is special...face it! That's why I purchased it and that's why I love it. If you can have this many reasons for owning something, it really is a no brainer to buy one. As soon as I saw the bike and took it for a spin, I had to have it.

 

I bought mine because:

1. It's a Yamaha, always owned a Honda previously and wanted a change.

2. It's a 750, wanted something that had the ability to do highway travel and stay under our outragously high insurance rates based on engine cc's.

3. It was a shaft drive.

4. It was cheap to purchase initially, I knew it was going to cost a lot more in the long run. I could afford being nickeled and dimed to death over time.

5. It was a project being completely dissmantled and scattered around the guys garage in boxes covered with sawdust, dirt and cobwebs. 8O

6. I really wanted to get back on a motorcycle and this was the way I was going to do it!

 

1,3,4,5,6,7 Here.

Plus, love at first sight.

 

When I was 22 I had my first Yamaha Turbo. A year later I was rear-ended on my way home to park it so I could go out with my friends.

I always loved that bike, and when the chance to get another one came up, I jumped on it.

It is definitely everything I remembered!



Nice 8500 mile example.



But it is nice to have more than one bike.

Jim

 

I have an xj because it was given to me with 6k miles and in bad shape, but it reminds me of when my Dad used to ride before he got hit by an old lady and finally gave it up. Man i love my Dad. Sorry to get sentimental on yall i also love the look of the bike also.

 

I wasn't exactly looking for an xj at the time I found my 750. It just kinda fell into my lap and I could not afford anything else at the time. I had 200 in it at initial barter. Put about 50 in her to get her going and rode all summer, By the time I sold her and got my 700. I had put about 3000 miles on her and about another 450 in her for things she needed. Sold her for 1350. The only thing wrong with her at the time was a couple very small dents in the tank. So I made a profit, learned quite a bit and rode her almost daily.
I had been looking for an xj700 ever since I learned what one was and found on for the right price that needed work. This time 650 was the price. Poor shape, but I could see the potential in her, wife though I was nuts. A month later and a few dollars in parts, cleaning supplies and paint, And I have a xj700. Would not sell her for the world. Love the look and the sleeper image of her. So I guess all of the above except number 2. Dad still thinks I am going to crush my skull.

 

I got my two because:

I caught the College Kid who was selling the 900 a little short on cash and really needing a fix!
$150.00 US

The guy gave me a clean, signed, valid, TITLE for hauling the 750 Max off his property and getting-rid of it for him.
Free.
Under 11,000 Miles when it rolled-out of my "Hogwarts School of XJ Magic and Wizardy" last Easter.
I got 17,000 on it now. She's my daily rider. And, we're hitting the Road in a few weeks to go see some Vermont.

 

If I ever get around to taking some photo's of the 750 you'll all know! Classic shape, style and sound.

It was also cheap and it will give me a chance to get back on the road.

 

Because I love doing restoration work in my spare time

 

I didn't see one that said "Because it was given to me , and people must know I collect junk"..... (term "junk" used in general) :lol: For me the Seca is second string to the Nomad now.

 

Lots to choose from there. I bought my 82 XJ650R because I always liked the styling of the Seca 650. I also went with price. $500 for a decent bike in semi running condition couldn't be passed up. Shaft drive is a great convenience and once you get to know tha Yamaha's idiosyncrocies (sp) they are a blast. I have owned Honda's (yawn) & Kawasaki's (*#$%@*) but the Yammies always treated me best. cruzerjd

 

Wasnt particularly looking for an XJ, but am certainly happy with the decision. Inexpensive to purchase, cheap to insure, great mileage, and it's one of the few truly, multiple purpose bikes.

 

The last three apply to me.

I've owned a couple of 650 Maxims. Both were 82's, one I bought new and got the second one a few years later in trade for a Datsun 280Z parts car I didn't need any more.

The nimble, little Seca 550 I have now I picked up for $600 last summer. I like the way it handles. It is a nice change of pace from my cruiser and it will round circles around the V Star 1100 in the twisties.

 

why?because it is paid for.

 

Why? Because I Love It... and it was a gift.....

 

I bought mine new because I was tired adjusting for chain stretch on a KZ400. Didn't want to just give it away when I went to a Yamaha Venture, so I just kept it for local rides. After 13 years of not riding I got it out last year and put it back on the road.

 

It was free.

My BIL and SIL wanted the Maxim X out of the garage that had been sitting there for 19 years, taking up room. And I wanted to get a bike, my wife was cool with a free bike to start with. Might have $600 into it by the time I'm on the road, but I aint complaining. It looks pretty darn nice and has less then 2300 miles on it.

Glad I married the right sister, or I'd be the one giving away a bike.

 

Wait until he gets the CD's with all the pictures of this bike's Carb Overhaul.

Two of the Diaphragm Pistons needed to be pressed out.
One of them wouldn't budge until the Emulsion Tube and Piston bottom were equally pressed-up and out.

The Needle Jet was frozen-solid inside the Emulsion Tube.

These are ... Officially ... the most-fouled and most difficult to clean Carbs to grace my bench ... ever!

Real ... "Cool Hand Luke's"

 

Honestly,didn't really like it.Bought it cause it was cheap.Now I wouldn't get rid of it.Never liked small bikes.But the XJ650 is not your average 650 either.I've added longer forks,lowered the rear 4".Cut the seat down.Has a bigger bike feel now.

 

Im with "dayooper951" on this one.
(It was a guy we both served our apprenticeships together who gave it to me)

But now I have got it I just love the look of it.

 

well i bought mine from my dad as he was buying a new bike and i wanted to have a motorcycle, orgianlly thinking that i'll keep it until i'm comfortable riding a bike and keep it for a first timer bike then buy a new one..
But now i'm going to keep the bike and make her pretty and turn her into a girly bike!! i pretty much just fell in love with it.. its just a prefect little bike that got a little work to do but its worth it...

 

being honest the last 2, and it only cost me 70 quid ( and boy is this thing a money pit)

 

I was just looking for a first bike. This one was running, and was cheap. So I bought it and I ride it. I like it, but I think I want something a little more stable in some hard cornering. I do like the bike a lot though, and am thinking of finding a way to keep it when I buy another bike.

 

Hey, Coastie:

I wish you lived next-door.
Since I've been working on a set of Max-X Carbs that require pullin'-out all the stops ...

"I really gots alluh muh Mo-Jo woikin' "

I bet I could iron-out a couple-a wrinkles for ya!

 

I traded my brothers boat for it. The boat was about 15 years older than the bike and barely lake-worthy. I definitely got the better end of the deal.

 

Well I bought mine used with 1500 miles on it in 1986 and have had it ever since. It's just enough to go where I want so haven't felt the need to replace it. But the itch is coming ...I can feel it.

 

Well, to be honest it was free. I have always like the Seca's though, just never really seriously considered looking for one. My heart has always been my old '79 Suzi 750 GS that was imported from Germany... a so called "Police Special". Man, that bike was FAAAASSSSST!

 

I saw mine in my buddy's barn, asked what he wanted for it... It's been sitting since 1987, and was pretty dirty... But, it only had 8700 miles on it. He said he wanted $300, so I gave him $100 and my spare dual-band ham radio... It sat in my garage till about 4 months ago, which is when I decided to get it running. Thanks to this forum, I got it purring and already put 4K miles on it.

It's my daily ride, it's easy to work on, I can still get parts for it, it gets around 50MPG, it's light, and looks cool. Insurance is dirt cheap... What other reasons do you need?

oh... and it goes pretty fast for a 550 :-D

 

i'm 19, my dad bought it when he was 19, he's now 41. He then bought an xj1100 and then, about 1997 he stopped riding them both. Last year i told him if he gave me the 650 i'd get it running and get some use out of it, and now it runs and shines. Currently the head is off awaiting the arrival of new valve shims but soon to be back on the road again.

Love my Maxim and hopefully someday when i've upgraded to something a little bigger and shinier, i can pass it down.

 

I was between bikes and my sis bought a lot that had an old abandoned motorcycle sitting on it (for about 10+ years) (1985 XJ700N)

The paint was worn off by the elements and it looked like cra_, but my sis thought of me and said maybe I'd like it.

I went to haul it away with every intention of hauling it to the dump.

The engine was locked up (including the carbs being so locked up I could barley get them apart), the air filter had mice in it and was full of dog food.

There was no gas tank seat or handlebar controls.
No Keys
No title

E-Bay..... here we come.

I put it way out in my back yard by the chicken shack in the snow.
I did however pull all the plugs and squirted a few ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder, threw the plugs back in and forgot it for about 2 months.

When the weather warmed up I put the bike on the center stand and put her in 3rd and tried to rock the back tire back and forth by hand. It busted loose!

When my wife saw me pushing it up to the house, she really objected about that piece of junk being up by the house.

About 1 week later I had it running, but not well.

Then I found this website and got enough insight to get her smoothed out.

Once she purred it started to grow on me.
I took the metal off and painted it.

It was a different bike than I was used to, turned up pipes and all.

Now every other bike looks different to me.

The other day I was at the Yama dealer and he almost sold me a 1700 Road Star. MAN IT WAS PURDY!!!!!!! I wanted IT!

Then I remembered....no payment....... no manditory insurance in the off season for the lender.

I bet I got 700 in her now.

Best free $700.00 I ever spent!!

 

I just got 86 700 Maxim and it was one of three bikes I was looking at. The other two were a 86 Magna and a 99 Vulcan. I liked the looks of all three bikes and the prices were about the same on each around $2000. What made the difference was avaliblity of being able to see the bike. The Magna and the Vulcan Owners just weren't that available when I had time to look at them. The guy with the Maxim was, so I saw, I liked it, I bought it.

The main reason for buying was simple, money. I spend around $100 a week in gas on my Yukon XL driving back and forth to work. Now it will be closer to $15 a week which is enough savings to make a payment on a new car for the Wife. When mammas happy, everyone is happy.

 

lets see. im going to say the sole reason was because im poor.

i couldnt afford insurance on my car, and in the state of florida no insurance is required for a motorcycle. also gas was steadily rising and the bike gets high 30's to low 40s in town. also the bike was a cheap pickup. i got it for 1500, but in florida that was just the cheapest bike availible that ran well.

 

2 simple reasons...

1. I'm poor and can't afford the new bike any more and am selling.

2. It was offered to me for zero dollars. All it needs is some TLC and a little money on parts and some beer filled afternoons.

 

I wanted a bike to learn on, and a friend sold me the 550 for $300, and aother little bit to get her road worthy. Looks like I'm still on the good end of the KBB.

Did work out well as a learner bike. When I did drop it, I just knocked the rust off some old road rash.

Now that I'm riding it, I enjoy how people are confused... it looks like a cruiser, but sounds like a crotch rocket.

Too bad one guy at work sold his 83 XJ750. Another guy at work has a 82 XJ650, that he did something bad to electrically by putting the battery in backwards.

We all bought them because they're cheap.

 

i got mine from my dad's garage, in 2000. he hadn't registered it in 5yrs, and was a real project bike. i really enjoyed removing the vetter fairing i sold it to my youngest brother 3 yrs ago. he didn't ride it until last yr. i bought it back this summer, and sold my 05 vtx1300r. i like my xj more than the vtx for driving to work and back. it's lighter, and quicker handling. gas milage is about the same though. insurance is $150/yr cheaper also, course, it doesn't have full coverage.

 

None of those really fit. Where's "Because I fell in love?"

I picked 'Dad's garage,' because I bought it off my next-door neighbor cheap 12 years ago. It was my first bike and I trusted him when he said it was in good shape (it was). I only planned to ride it a few years before getting a Magna or Shadow. Then I fell in love.

It's not that I can't afford a new bike. I just really can't justify one to myself. My Seca does everything I ask. I may one day get a dual sport, though.

I've wondered if you were a fellow aviator by your avatar. But that's no '60 Comanche I learned in Warrior II's a few years ago, but now I'm in a Cessna club. I must say (without starting debate) I prefer the highwings. So, will I run into you at Airventure Oshkosh next week?

 

There is nothing like the look of a classic cruiser; style, character, and reliability.
You can't buy a new bike today that really stands out from all the others