Is the XJ750 safe ?

Hi,

I am still deciding to buy an 81 xj 750 but i am always reading posts and today i read this one on this forum. " I feel ok on the xj I have, but I'm not really comfortable revving a 25 year old engine up to 7k. Call me overly cautious. "

Do you think the 81 xj 750 will be safe for me ?

Thanks so much !!

 

First that must be a type o (25 years old), that one is 42 years young. These engines were built for the higher rpms, you wont hit the power band until you get to about 7 grand (hang on). I know it sounds counter productive higher rpm's more gas consumption, but riding at a normal speed you can get higher m or kpg's

 

thanks. do you think a 40 year old bike is just as safe as a 2018 kawasaki ninja 400 ? Based off that persons words, it seemed like the bike can fall apart while driving

 

When i bought my xj 750 about 5 years ago i found this fourm and got educated on these older bikes my first bike was a 650 xj back in 82 working on a new or newer bike is simple, older they get the more maint up front now that they are this old you need to replace alot of parts to make them safe.

 

Mainly brakes... Front pads, make sure your calipers work good front brake lines, rear brake shoes. front forks and shocks, tires. NEVER. take some ones word when they are selling you something. If the bike doesn't feel right then something is probably wrong.

 

Safe is relative, more a condition of how, where, when and around whom you ride, experience level and the condition of the machine. A mechanically sound 42 year old bike is no more or less safe than a newer one in the same condition.

 

Disclaimer: Motorcycles are inherently unsafe compared to cars.

That said:
If an XJ750 is in good working order (tires, brakes, etc.) then it is no less safe than a similarly equipped newer bike.

The laws of physics don't change that often.

Whether your bike is one day old or 50 years old, you still need to be vigilant to make sure that tires are good, brakes are good, lights work, etc.

 

Thanks everyone, i feel safe already. Bless you !

 

The nut that holds the handlebars (on) is always the weakest part..........

 

Since the 2018 Ninja 400 comes standard with ABS brakes I have to say it is the safer bike.

 

As an older driver and or operator of 2 and 4 wheel vehicles the introduction of abs was something to get use to. In my opinion. I know its human nature to hit the brakes and hold it there and hope for the best. I guess it was the difensive driving classes i took that told me that you can be your own abs. abs is great but learn how it works and know how to use it. The reason i say all this is because abs ( not ever experienced it ) almost let me down, i was lucky.

 

Bikes are inherently unsafe but you can mitigate the danger by doing a few things and using your head. Just make sure you are happy with the bike. Check everything over and replace what is needed. I recently bought an XJ650, the tyres look like new but on checking manufacturing date it turns out they are over 18 years old. Motorcyclists and 4, 8, 18 wheel drivers make mistakes. Forget looking cool, be as visible as possible. There is a reason Police forces across the world use white helmets - they are visible. A good fitting hi-vis vest also. Happy and safe riding

 

Weakest link is between the handlebars and the seat.

 

I rode dirt bikes and borrowed a street bike in HS/College. I'm not so much a "fresh" beginner but I'm approaching like I am as far as learning and training. I have been riding my XJ650 and the difference between that and another bike I have been riding (2007 HD Sportster) is the XJ handles slow speeds much better, XJ is way easier to maneuver on slow turns. This is not a new vs old, this is just how the bikes compare. To me a safe bike if you are making a comparison (excluding you) would be easy to handle and maneuver.
XJ rear brakes are like mush but I can lock up the rear brakes on either bike if I had to (but don't want to) So, its not like they are weak brakes.
I have never experienced ABS so I'm curious if you can really get near (within 10%) braking distance with slamming on the front brake vs a progressive (load the front gradual squeeze) w/o ABS.

I am 56 and I feel it does not matter how much power my bike is, I'm mature enough to not try and go above my skill level.
As I'm just cruzing back country roads, I don't think I've taken the new to me XJ650 over 5K RPMS yet. It redlines at 9.5K according to the tac.

I spent a LOT of time reworking and then testing out my brakes getting back into riding and bringing this bike back to life. Practicing braking and swerving drills almost every time I get on the bike these past few weeks.
I think size, weight, wheelbase are more important for "safety" than HP of the bike. As said, its what is between your ears that counts. Just that you are asking the question says something about you at least. vs. "Hey, I need more HP to keep up with my pals, which Ninja should I get"?

 

Ok call me dense. I briefly thought, "What! Really?? No way the nut is the weakest...ohhhhhh."

 

It’s also not a matter of power/speed.

I really don’t care how fast I can make a bike can go.... I care about how fast I can make a bike stop.

 

Thanks for caring about me

 

your right in so many ways. God bless you

 

you mentioned in a past post that the seca is a 36 year old bike that will have many problems. which problems should i be expecting?

 

It is quite possible a 36 yo Seca in terrific shape will provide you years of trouble-free riding.
But a problem with any old vehicle is the rubber parts. Rubber dries and cracks whether the vehicle is regularly driven or stored.
This forum is full of threads detailing fixes for common problems. Everything can be fixed.
It is fun to learn and satisfying when mastered.
I'm not trying to talk you out of an XJ, I'm gung-ho on them.
But I would recommend the newer bike with ABS brakes for a new rider.
Actually I recommend you buy both, then don't stop there, LOL

 

Best advice yet, @Simmy !!

 

My seca is very reliable it will cruise at 70+mph all day done many 300 mile rides , first of all I replaced the tires, brake hoses with stainless braided brake hoses, new brake pads calipers rebuilt, forks rebuilt, rear brake shoes replaced, AMG battery, carbs fully rebuilt and synched, upgraded to spin on oil filter. So do I feel bike is safe YES almost all items are wear and tear items . I own the bike owe nothing on it yes I have more invested in it than I will ever get out of it , but it pays me back in grins and giggles riding it , I enjoy working on it . Good luck

 

Reading through the thread I have to say, maybe a Motorcycle Safety Class or ABATE if you have them in your area. The class will help you knock off that road rust and give you confidence with the street riding.

Safe is a frame of mind. Don't ride when you are tired or mentally unfocused. Bikes don't give one the extra "oh Sh*t" second you might get with a car. At that point it is normally too late.

If you don't want to do the class for cost or trying to find one, then do you own. Got to a large parking lot and play, slow moving turns and all that stuff you don't feel comfortable with. No doubt the XJ bikes are great safe bikes and when running right are a joy to ride. I can think of few bikes that are better beginner bikes then the XJ family.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

thank you, awesome. i love the xj, its sound and look from japan but i realized 99% of everyone on this forum is good in mechanics and im not =)

 

I'm still confused why are you more interested in 81xj instead of a market full of numerous brand new models and featured motorcycles. Quiet strange right???

 

strange like a cat in the alley. I believe that the yamaha xj was built superiorly in the 80s. Things do not have the same build quality now. Perhaps more technolgoy now but the build quality just seemed, solid in the xj era. I just wondering, how many times per year do you find yourself replacing parts?

 

just wondering, how many times per year do you find yourself replacing parts?

 

Once all the sins of the prior owner are atoned for, not very often.

 

and if he atoned his sins 15 years ago, would it still be good now ?

 

10 years ago

 

Assuming everything was brought up to snuff 10 years ago, then it would be equivalent to a 10 year old motorcycle. If everything is still in good working order, then you have to keep and eye on the usual suspects that wear out - tires, brakes, clutch, bearings, etc. as well as the maintenance items.

 

i went to meet the owner at his home with cash in hand and he told me he thinks the Seca is not the right bike for me because at one point it was sitting for 5 years but he cleaned the carbs 2 years ago and drive it last summer. Plus im not handy with a wrench and parts are hard to come by. So he suggested i buy his 2002 kawasaki vulcan 500 with 6000 miles on it, in excellent condition and i did. Now, a week later, i keep thinking of the Seca and what could have been. It made sense logically to buy the vulcan but my desire is for the seca. Like if i got a wife who is nice and loyal but she doesnt excite me, thats kinda how i feel right now even though i didnt ride or even sit on the vulcan.

 

Hogwash when someone tells you parts are hard to find , Xj4ever has most parts either NOS or patern parts , ebay is the other source . As for someone saying they have no mechanical experience....if you can read the forum is a great source and the service manual all help . The Kawasaki Vulcan 500 is a good bike and I'm sure you will get experience as it still will require maintenance, the usual as a Seca spark plugs, tires, brakes etc . Good luck

 

The Vulcan does not need to be a lifetime commitment. Ride it for a summer then ditch it, it won’t care or take your house.

 

true but im in canada, maybe shipping big heavy parts would be very expensive ?

 

@dale1990
Sounds like you have a good starter bike. To me it is all about being out there on two wheels. Okay, some have more then two, anyway, getting out on the road and doing it. Ride, enjoy, learn about the bike. Most bikes are the same in general maint anyway, still have to do the safety checks and fluid changes.

Learn from this new bike. Respect it as you side and it will take good care of you. Once you get a little more comfortable on the road and used to riding and keeping your head on a swivel, then maybe look to upgrade.

I think the seller was right to get you out on the Vulcan. If it is already road ready it should give you no issues for the time you have it.

Good luck with the new bike and be safe when riding season starts.

 

Thanks ! u2

 

your in Canada too, do you find it difficult to get parts for your XJ?

 

Canada is a big place. I live 1 hour from Toronto so probably the most densely populated area of Canada.
I believe it is the world's most plentiful place to find used XJ parts (outside of a particular rural property in upstate New York LOL),
however I have definitely seen a decrease for XJ stuff in the classifieds lately.
I'm not afraid to lug an entire bike home if there are specific parts I'm looking for.
The stuff is getting old and with more time it will become scarce.
Between XJ4Ever and FortNine.ca you can keep a nice condition 750 Seca running indefinitely, I think that is where this post began.

I don't expect vintage Japanese stuff to attract the same level of aftermarket suppliers as the Brit & Harley bikes do but that might change.
There will always be guys wanting to restore old motorcycles and the basket case Brit & HD's are almost all gone.
With a set of engine cases you can build an entire Triumph or BSA. With a Harley you don't even need that.

 

Is this the bike you are looking for?
It is drool worthy and in Quebec
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-moto-sport-...seca-750-1982-prete-pour-la-saison/1650072663

 

Hello, I have seen this one before but it is not it. I believe this person rebuilt it. The one I was supposed to buy is all original, he is a collector with other vintage and a few new aged bikes all in mint condition. He said that he drove it last summer but before that it was sitting for 5 years out of the 19 year ownership. I bought the Vulcan 500 from him instead in very great condition with just 7000 miles on it since 2002. I feel like i could have been with a hot, sexy young woman ( yamaha seca ) but i chose to be with a Betty who sits down in a chair doing crossword puzzles and knitting ( kawasaki vulcan 500 ) Thats my feeling. I rode a 2017 honda rebel 500 before and loved it but whenever i see a youtube video pop up of xj 750, i wonder if i missed out on something better

 

There’s always next year
Develop your skills on the Vulcan and keep looking at Seca’s, that does sound like a good one. If you paid fair market for the Vulcan you can get your money back anytime.

 

thanks, your right. Thanks for all of your time and knowledge. The owner decided to hold onto the Seca as its sentimental to him. My hesitation didnt allow me to get the bike. Now i`m a Vulcan

 

Show us the pic of the Vulcan. I have two of them as well.

 

The Vulcan 500 is a pretty nice looking machine, should be fun.

 

thanks, i guess, i didnt drive it yet but it has the same engine as a ninja 500. Still, i think you guys with your XJ`s will blow by me =)