How many are still on the road?

So I recently got my 700N running strong and took it for a little spin and it got me to wondering: how many like it are still tearing up the roadways?

They were sold for only 2 years in the US and the 700cc model was rarer still considering all of the 550s, 650s, 750s, I see being sold or discussed here.

Can I request this from the DMV?

 

sales/Registration figures of Yamaha bikes in the US? I doubt it maybe with a freedom of Information form , 34 year old documents

 

1985 700N Maxim
I have one. daily rider.

 

On a (somewhat) similar track, did ANY of the XJ range, sold in the US have 'full speed' speedometers, or were they all hobbled??

I often get asked why my bike only does 85MPH......then have to explain the nonsensical tariffs, and speed 'limiters' due to fuel shortages !!

 

No sir, I mean how many are still tagged as being driven now in 2019

 

Mine is not- shows 140 on the dial

 

Tagged and driven at 160 mph.

 

Edit I guess it is 160

 

In order to avoid misinformation , speedo is from a vmax.

 

Can I assume then, the ridiculous practice of an 85MPH speedo, on vehicles had ended around 84'??

 

the speedo did not limit the speed 85mph speedo was pretariff

fuel shortage. in line for hours to get 4 gallons of gas every other day, and 55 mph sspeed limit was why the 85 mph speedo was used . it was in cars as well

 

I know it didn't actually limit the speed!! .....ALTHOUGH, the first time I saw/bought a Maxim, in the UK, and saw the 85MPH speedo, I (wrongly) assumed the bloody motor might have been 'limited'.....a la the big 4 Japs/Euro 100BHP gentleman's agreement, of the early? 80's!!

 

I was kind of wondering what you'd done to an XJ to make it go that fast.

When you say "tagged", did you get a police pull for it?

 

Over here we call the stickers on the license plate “tags” so when you get or renew your registration you get a new tag for the license plate.

 

In order to avoid misinformation, the bike really doesn't go 160mph.

 

It probably COULD, being towed behind a Huyabusa.....!!

 

When I take it out on a isolated section on I95 to " blow out the carbon", at 115 mph, my brain tells my balls - I'm on a 498lb 34yr old machine.

 

I like to max out very bike I ride.....at least once, or twice.....I like to know how she handles, when she starts to weave/tankslap...and when, and what controls that behaviour....my semi sport XJ will indicate 125.....with only a very, very slight weave....the full dress one is a good few MPH slower.....around 115-117 is all I've gotten out of her, but every bit as stable...maybe slightly moreso ( probably the bar v frame mounted fairing)....those are GPS readings, since both have 85MPH speedos!!

I think better rear shocks would probably make a world of difference...well, I know this for a fact, lol !!

But yes, compared to more modern machinery, I am quickly reminded this is a near 38 year old design!!
PS I have the factory Yamaha steering damper fitted to both bikes...though I have no idea if it is 'adjustable', I feel it does help a lot though, especially at higher speeds

 

It wasn't maxed yet, common sense finally kicked in.

 

Way to highjack a thread , huh? --sorry.

 

Yup....hijack over, apologies!!

 

.... hijack continues...
I got an indicated 130 out of my 79 GS850, but after sitting at that speed for a few miles I realised that there were lots of stressed whizzy bits churning around, the fastest they'd probably ever gone, and that in a machine that had, by that time, clocked up in excess of 100k miles. I got a bit more sensible and slowed down to a mere 90-ish. It was quite fun, though. I noticed there was an odd transition step in perception at around 110-115, when I suddenly got quite used to the speed and it seemed quite natural.

I've not had the XJ above about 110 so far. What I immediately noticed about it was the airflow of the cockpit fairing was directed above and to the sides of me at about 90-ish, so it became suddenly like riding a fully-faired bike.
There is a difference in handling between the two, as you'd expect. The GS is pure 70s and even though it's got a pretty stiff frame it depends a lot on the bits bolted on to be in good order, as you would expect. It's quite forgiving otherwise.
The XJ, being a generation younger in design is better in many ways, and really shows it.

 

Thats pretty respectable for the shafty GS...I had the GS750, and couldn't get more than 125 indicated..she handled well, at that speed though...

One of THE best handling bikes, for me, is STILL my '84 900R.....hands off the bars, at 150+.....even my later, faster RF900 Suzuki didn't feel quite as secure, at that speed

A close second HAS to be my Le Mans 850.....rock solid, but certainly not 'flickable' like more modern, lighter sportsbikes

I once rode my raggedy old XJ750 despatch bike....complete with topbox.... around the outside of both a GSXR1100 and 750, on the Snake pass....mind you, I'd been riding it every single day, 15+ hours a day, for some 10 years.....I knew EXACTLY what it's and my limits were, and both of the Suzuki riders looked like ATGNI....All the Gear, No Idea wannabes...still, that DID feel good, since they would lose me completely on every straight bit !!!