Parting Times

I believe I am going to be putting up my '82 XJ750J Maxim for sale .

At my age ( 61 ), I just think it is time to where I need something heavier & more solid going down the road & especially on the California freeways......

Here is the bike I am looking at ....almost new ...only 4,200 miles for an 2008.....sorry it is a Honda & not a Yamaha.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/d/2008-honda-vtx-1300-great/6242899797.html

 

I'll never fault ya for doing what you feel is best for you! My wife and I rent a Softail every year when we visit Tennessee. While I love my Maxim I really enjoy a heavier bike when touring for hours on end.

I have no experience with the VTX but have heard good things. Good looking bike too.

 

the bike has only 4,200 miles ...low mileage for an '08.......went and test drove it......even in '08, this bike is still carb'ed.......2 carb's.....

Test drive....it was backfiring a little on deceleration.....and rear brake didn't work at all.....( not good )......but nothing that can't be fixed....

This bike is at a price point that looks very reasonable with low mileage.....

Who knows, I will probably regret selling the Maxim if I were to purchase this bike.....have not pulled the trigger yet....

 

Do what I do, add the j. You are looking at a VT-Xj. I ride a CM-Xj rebel. It's all in the name, right? I mean aside from the 2 missing cylinders!

 

following the same logic, in a few years you'll be looking for a Coupe de Ville
remember, "heavier and more solid" isn't particularly better unless you're on a freeway
ever consider a CB1000?

 

You will love a Honda as long as you don't expect the same hot performance you get with an XJ. I have a 2001 Honda 750 Ace Shadow that I use for road trips mostly. 40,000 with only oil changes, one chain/sprocket change, one set of spark plugs, one valve adjustment, and one coolant change which it probably did not need. Underpowered compared to my XJ but a lot more comfortable on trips. So dependable that it's a little boring.

 

Depends on the model. Compare a Yamaha (or STAR) v-twin to the same displacement Honda, and you'll find that the performance is nearly identical. Same goes when comparing a YZF-R1 to a CBR1000RR. Yes my 33 year-old XJ 750 outruns my son's 20 year-old VTX-1300, but they were never intended for the same purpose to begin with.

 

Exactly.

 

k-moe,

I was just thinking the same thing......out on my bike today.......could not believe the pulling power in 5th gear when going to wide-open-throttle.....Incredible.......the power these bikes have......Put a smile on my face......

I am sure my XJ750 is just as fast as the Honda VTX1300 in certain tests.....

At my age......I am just looking for a much bigger bike with some weight and solidness behind it when out on the Ca. freeways.......

I just feel very vulnerable on a mid-size XJ out there.......with the weight, just seems a little uneasy out there sometimes.......

$4k for above bike, I believe is a great deal with only 4,200 miles on the bike.....

 

Personally, I think that is top dollar for a private sale. Retail in excellent condition ia$4950; trade in is $3405. Also, I had rather have the stock exhaust.

 

X2 @tabaka45 . For that money the rear brake should work etc. If it was a great deal it'd be sold already.

 

The bike has almost no time on it.......4,200 miles is nothing....
\
I agree ...the rear brake should be working........when I test drove......pedal went to floor......no pressure there......so I will probably have to trailer it home.......to be safe...if purchased.....

Going to look at a VTX1800 tomorrow.......then to make a decision between VTX1300 or VTX1800

 

Even if you make a switch ..don't forget about us.. and you will miss your xj

 

Do you still have the Rebel too? How does the Shadow compare? I've seen some well priced Spirits around here... Are the valves tappet like the Rebel? I'm liking that process as opposed to shims!

 

Yep, still have the Rebel. Ride it a lot around town and short trips. Easy to ride and lots of fun, just dont' be in too much of a hurry. The Shadow is a 750 while the Rebel is a 250, so powerwise there's not much to compare. Both are very reliable. Both have the same type of valve adjustment, which I also prefer over shims.

 

I have toured for many years on a "97" valkyrie standard. It's great on the highway but I'm 70 now and it's hell on my legs in town with
stop and go traffic. I picked up KZ 1100 ltd shaft last year and finished restoring it it May. It's fast enough on the highway and not so hard
on my legs in town. I was looking for an "82" 1100 maxim but found the KZ in a shed first.

 

Keep the Xj,ride the other as your primary bike. Ride the Xj as a sunny day only type of bike.

 

Sunny days...that's 330 days of XJ riding, the other 35 days are partly sunny here in San Diego.....so that leaves no time for the other bike

 

Are you complaining?

 

I've heard of this "sun" thing... Big yellow ball in the sky, right? Supposedly warm? I'd like to see one someday!

 

If you wait till the 21st, you might see part of one

 

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/d/2004-honda-vtx-1300/6258715829.html

I am not a redskin fan but...

Have not pulled the trigger yet......looking at this one tomorrow........a lot of extras with this bike......seems like everyone out here wants top buck for their bike......

California.......fricking land of the fruits & nuts....

Ex-pastor's bike....

Still have my XJ........probably will not part with it......

 

I bought a star raider 1900 and this is my policy. Granted I butchered an XJ in the eyes of many, but it's still a true love to my. Most my days are spent on my 1900, and I couldn't be happier. Just my .02 cents.

 

As you know, I have a lot of XJ's and a small selection of a few other bikes. Regardless of what I ride at a given moment ( and enjoy the feel of the bike), I always come back to my main ride....my xj700 airhead. All the others are fun, and enjoyable, but there's something about " ol' Reliable"..........funny, cuz all the others are, too---

 

Here, here! Or is it Hear, Hear?

 

Test drove the VTX1300....nice bike with a lot of extras.....Vance & Hines complete exhaust 2 into 2, helmet, extra clutch & oil cover - brand new, motorcycle cover, etc.....

He will take $3,200.....

Still undecided.......

Rode my XJ there & back & was smiling all the way there & back too.....these XJ's are great bikes when dialed in......

Maybe I will look for XJ1100 to buy & fix up.....I have no experience with them....

Will have to research the XJ1100

 

There're big--

 

are these XJ1100's laying in wait at your place Hogfiddle???

Do you run a motorcycle dismantling bussiness ??? lol

 

Those are a couple I picked up....hope to make one out of them. The better one has a good title... the other is a parts only bike

 

I am at a disadvantage being here in the very southwest corner of the U.S.of A......the market is small here for the XJ bikes on craigslist or cycle trader......there are the ones that are south of the border in Tijuana but those are probably bikes stolen from here and transported over the border to chop shops....or just trying to resell to make a buck.....

Anyway, you guys in the West, Midwest, Central & back East sections of the country have a wider selection of XJ's when searching.......

In other words, the market sucks here for used XJ's.....and one's that are in good shape like mine......everyone wants top buck......

I made a decision to keep mine......it just runs too dam good to give up.....

So will look for a bigger bike like an XJ1100 to fix up......or buy a VTX1300 or VTX1800 for a second bike.

Hey, owners of the XJ1100........how do you like them compared to other big bikes out there.....Honda, Kawi, Suzuki, or Harley's ???

Your thoughts are welcomed.

 

Can't really picture comparing an 1100 to a Harley - Harley's are laughably underpowered compared to a 750, after all, and the 1100 has the same general form factor/layout as a 750 Maxim (AFAIK there are only Maxim 1100's?) so should handle in roughly the same manner.

According to the spec sheets, the 1100 pushes an extra 15 horses, at the cost of an additional ~50lbs. Essentially, the comparison of a 750 Maxim to a Harley should be roughly the same as a 1100.

Given that, what I can offer direct comparison with is my experience with a 82 CB900 vs. the 82 750 Maxim. In that instance, the CB900 had decidedly more brute power, but sacrificed flickability and maneuverability. It was a faster bike due to the 10 speed transmission, but didn't accelerate nearly as hard as the 750 does - likely due to much increased weight.

Hopefully someone riding an 1100 who also has experience with a 750 can speak to the differences there. I'd certainly like to try one - I'd hope for better low-rpm power to go along with the high-rpm pull XJ's are known for - but I don't expect it to be a substantively different experience than the 750 Maxim.


Ultimately, the VTX's, like the Harleys, are big twins. They'll grunt harder off the line, but be much less impressive when wound up.

 

Aaah.......sounds like you've come to your senses and made the right decision

 

My thoughts? Keep your XJ and buy a second bike, if you have the funds. Personally, I want another bike. Something in the 1300CC range would be fantastic, with fuel injection, disc brakes front and rear, bags, and full fairing package. However, I love riding the XJ750, so I don't see giving it up until I have to move across country.

 

I'm feeling a second bike in my future. For some reason, an 82 Seca 650 is just calling to me! I think it's the giant headlight.

At the same time, Im also wanting something bigger... Something for the long haul... Then fate checked in with me...

I got a call the other day from my cousin. He said... I got this thing from a friend of mine for a motorcycle that I can't use... you want it?"


Yeah original paint Vetter Wind Jammer with 8 track player!


Now all I need is an XJ100 to put it on!

**Note to self: Find that damn collection of Fleetwood Mac 8 tracks...

 

8 tracks we are so old at least it wasn't a reel to reel

 

That's a small bike !!!!

 

I'm picturing a moped with the windjammer on it.

 

So I'm looking at your responses... and I'm like..." What? Small Bike?"

LOL... I just realized I'm missing a "1"

You guys are awesome... Great Idea... Just a few minor fitment issues to work out. I can almost hear the Bee Gees playing above the sound of the faring scraping the ground.

 

That's EXACTLY. What I envisioned-----lol!!!!!

 

The lean angle gets better over time... ha ha... Windjammer training wheels anyone?

 

I dunno. I thought Nuch would be... prettier.

 

And here I thought putting on the white "short-shorts" would empress.

Man did this thread take a u-turn.

 

Yeah. It certainly is "technical".

 

I have broadened my horizons......I am now looking at the Yamaha Road Star Silverado bikes........the 1600 or 1700......

Honda VTX's are still in running as well.

But I am partial to Yamaha.......

Anyone have experience with these bikes ????

 

But she's a cutie

 

If you ride a vtx1800 you won't want the 1300.first time I tried a new one just about pulled my arms out of sockets. BIG torque out of that motor.
Similarly big Yamaha has grunt and the warrior is very sexy bike,but the Honda just need oil changes and plugs.

 

How about the RoadStar or RoadLiner ? Any experience with them ?

 

Remember 61 isn't that old, but You might still be riding into your seventies. I would say that if you are planning
on riding for a few more years, 1200cc is a decent size bike. I had an 84 1200 gold wing naked bike for distance and traded
it for a 97 valkyrie. I really miss it when I have my feet down in a traffic jam or trying to ride on a dirt road. When I need to back
into a spot I have to make my girlfriend jump off. My brother is 65 and rides a HD roadking. He tipped it over in a gravel parking lot
and it took about 4 guys to stand it up again.