what is a maxim considered

what exactly are maxim's considered are they cruisers or sports bikes or what exactly mines an xj650j is that like the luxury version or what exactly

 

The Maxim was the first "power cruiser" and the origin of the genre.

The "J" indicates your model year, 1982. (H='81, K='83, etc.)

 

I think maxims are classed as a sport cruiser. As far as xj650j, xj650 = 650 maxim and J = 1982 so you have a 1982 650 maxim.

 

Well... XJ650 could mean maxim or seca. XJ650 Maxim is a maxim, XJ650 Seca is a seca. The Maxims are cruisers, the seca's are a cruiser with a sportier look and sometimes slightly different gearing. THEN, there's there's the sporty ones....the XJ650R, the 650 Seca Turbo............etc...

 

in the USA, Secas have an "R" in their model name as in XJ550RK, XJ650RJ, XJ750RH, etc.

in the rest of the world, an XJ650 (with no "R") looks like a Seca, as does an XJ750.

 

I like to call it an "early sport touring"

 

It feels important to note to me that it is a 'sport touring' bike. I'm not into cruisers, but this bike takes the practical side of cruiser styling (comfort, posture, riding position), and and marries that with an engine that is made to performance specs and can kick ass on a quarter mile run. It feels perfect for long trips--won't hurt your back/hands/etc., and is sporty enough of an engine to still actually enjoy the ride.

I remember reading an article written in 1983 about these bikes where it was mentioned that this bike started a genre and a fad followed, but that those who copied the bike tended to overdo things--there's a slight split-level seat on our bikes; after the XJ, the other manufacturers (and later Yamahas?) started making king/queen style seats, for instance.

It's still a naked bike, though, and you sit upright, not leaning back, and it's still a 12 and a half quarter-mile streaker.

 

In Massachusetts, my 29 Year Old Maxim is considered BOTH a CLASSIC and an ANTIQUE.

The Seca Models are "Sport Tourers"

Max Models are called "Middle-weights" and "Middle-weight Cruiser".

 

Ok cool but my bike has the origianl Manuel with it and it says its a 1981 xj650j maxim
But you all are saying the j stands for 1982

 

sport cruiser seems to ring the bell for me!

 

Doesn't matter what the manual says on it. What matters is what the title says on it, and what the tag on the head tube says on it. Tell us the year stated there, and we'll tell you the letter.

Dave F

 

If it is a 1981, it's an "H." If it's a "J" then it's an '82.

Here's an even easier way to tell: is it a YICS motor? Does it say YICS on the valve cover and crankcase end covers?

Yes? It's at least an '82 ("J") as the YICS motor didn't appear in the 650 Maxim until '82.

No? Then it's an '80 or '81 ("G" or "H") those had the non-YICS motors.

 

also it could have been manufactured in 81 and still be an 82 model year bike

 

The gimps who regeistered my bike, registered it as an '81, even tho the VIN and YICS says 82 lol.

 

Mine I call a street bike in cruiser clothing. You get the best of both worlds. The performance of street bike but the comfort of a cruiser. This bike is exactly what I needed. I had a few cruisers in past. No comparison in the two bikes (cruiser or street).

 

Just for giggles, does the VIN number on the title match the VIN number on the head tube label, and the number stamped into the head tube?

dave Fox

 

I have seen them come up under cruiser, and sport cruiser with web searches. Considering the design, I lean toward sport cruiser.

 

The Seca strikes me as just a straight up naked sport bike, no?