XJ vs. XJ

If we put an XJ1100 Maxim against an XJ900 Seca, which would win?

Related, but separate: what are the differences between seca and maxim bikes (other than cosmetic, I mean, but including electrical)?

Mechanics occasionally develop really strong opinions on bikes where they probably shouldn't. A good mechanic told me that the maxim was a great bike, but he didn't trust the seca nearly as much. Has anyone here who has owned several of both ever noticed any build quality difference between the two? Seems to me that there is very little different between the two engines.

 

Your "mechanic" is talking through/thru his hat!! The 900 and in fact the whole XJ range are pretty well bulletproof in my humble.....

 

I'm really disappointed I didn't get any answers to this, as I have long wondered about this, the performance differences between the maxim and seca lines...

So I'll bump it and give the question one more shot. Even if you don't know, any data you have that might contribute to an educated guess would be cool to hear.

 

I'd put my money on the XJ1100 - Just! However you don't specify parameters....off the line? over a given distance??

 

Well, the problem I have with this is that the XJ 1100 isn't really an "XJ" as I understand it. It's really an XS with Maxim styling. My money is on the 900.

 

See, I understand it the opposite way--I thought the XS 1100 was really an XJ, given that it is an inline four DOHC.

I guess I'd like to know multiple parameters:

Twisty tight curves track, 4 laps.
1/8th mile.
1/4 mile.
1/2 mile.

 

Just to make sure: there was no 1100 Seca, right? 900 was the biggest?

 

Bikez.com says:

XS1100-
95hp
top speed of 133.6mph (1980)
630lbs.

XJ900
97hp
top speed of 131.1
537lbs.

Educated guess, slight edge for the 900 0-60, quarter mile going to the XS

 

Slight edge? The XS1100 weight 100lbs more! Difference in top speed is likely due to gearing, and good luck getting up there without any fairings or anything. They certainly aren't reaching anything close to their top speed in a quarter mile.

Re: XS1100 vs XJ1100
Yamaha was tinkering with different engine configurations and different sizes in the XS line, that's why the XS650 is a twin, the XS750 and XS850 are triples, and the XS1100 is a four. The XJ design was bread from the XS1100. The XJ1100 continued with the design of the XS1100, but was more cruiser (Maxim) styled. So I'd say an XJ1100 is every bit an XJ...and came out when the other XJs did.

Re: Maxims vs Secas
Secas and Maxims are generally the same engine wise, but are geared differently and have different rear wheel sizes. Since the same size engine put out the same torque at the crank, Maxims were geared lower so there would be more torque to the wheel at lower rpm. This results in a lower top speed.

Other than that, styling difference, and some other odds and ends (like which set of forks/brakes, gauges, etc were slapped on) they are basically the same bike.

Your mechanic might have been thinking of later "Secas" as in SecaII's, but I don't think they're bad either. He's probably a cruiser guy.

 

On the basis that there's no real substitute for cubes, then 1100 should beat 900. But you have to factor in the age difference.

The main difference between Maxim and Seca is the styling - certainly in the case of the 550 and 650.

And yes, the 1100 is an XS model (as were the contemporary 750/850 triples). The XJ line started with the 650 and 550, both in Maxim or Seca (US market) guises.

If your question relates to which one to choose then I'd go for the 1100 for looks alone - though others might disagree.

 

I've never been a fan of cruiser looks, but that wasn't the question.

It's neat having a bike designed for comfort, without being gaudy, that has an engine that is designed for performance instead of throaty sound, though.

 

My modified XJ650 (lighter frame) with XJ900 motor. Its fast. Now it is an XJ900 Maxim. Cruiser styling, Street bike performance. I don't know enough about the XJ1100, but my bike can be a handful in the higher RPM range.

 

What I meant about my previous "XJ1100 not really XJ" was this, from Chacal:

"when putting an XJ1100 engine into a XJ650 Maxim, Midnight Maxim, or RJ Seca frame, please observe the following changes:

- put down the tools and the torch and back s-l-o-w-l-y away from the bike.
- 1100 engines are vastly different than the other XJ650/700/750/900 engines in design, style, size, etc., and attempting to put one of these engines into the smaller frames is likely to be a complete custom job. No other information is available. It would be wise to consider buying an XJ1100 model bike, and riding that, rather than trying to transplant just the engine....."

From this thread: http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... j1100.html

I didn't really mean the 1100 is "not an XJ" but that it's a whole 'nother animal, not just a "bigger" XJ 750 Maxim, even though that's what it looks like. But don't ask me what the big differences are, as I don't have an 1100 and I'm not an engine expert.

 

The engine construction of the 1100 is different than the other bikes. Yes, it is an inline-4 but the positioning of some components is different.

For one, your alternator on any other XJ is located behind the engine, over the gearbox. On the 1100 it is on the end of the crankshaft.

It may look similar and it may be very similar, but so is the thread pitch on similar-diameter standard and metric bolts. Just because they look the same at arm's length doesn't mean they are interchangeable.

As far as which one would win, I would go with the 900. You are only a few horses different in power output, but the 100lbs weight difference is substantial. That's like ALWAYS having a small person riding with you.

The smaller bike is more likely to be more agile, which would make it better in the twisties.

The 1100's seat is more plush and contoured, making it more comfortable for distance riding, especially on older / less maintained roadways.

The other thing to consider is the frame dimensions and how they impact handling. This goes hand in hand with riding style too - what I prefer could be unbearable for someone else.

Ultimately I think the debate really isn't which bike is better but what the rider prefers. Yeah, they are both marked as XJ's so they have the same reliability, but ultimately you are comparing two different styles of bikes.

 

The XJ1100's have air adjustable shocks front and rear with rebound adjustment. I don't think the 900's have those. I love the feature as it allows me to tune the shocks to the riding I'm doing...two up, extra bags, etc... It makes a considerable difference in the handling of the bike too....BUT if the 900 really is 100 lbs heavier I would strongly suspect that the 900 would win out over the 1100 in almost every catagory performance wise. Suspension comfort might be an exception..maybe...

 

I have a 750 Maxim Brat/Cafe with a bit of work done. Not sure on Power, but it makes 60 in 3.5ish. I've gone Heads up with a Buddies bone stock 1100 and here's what happened... I pulled surprisingly hard on Him off the Line, I thought it was about to get ugly but that 1100 was on My back tire by 65-70. He got around Me by 80. At what My Phone App said was a Quarter He had put 3 or 4 Bike's on Me and was still pulling pretty strong when we let off.

 

In My Humble opinion from Light to Light the 900 probably has it in the bag. But anything further than that and the 1100 is gonna Run it down and definitely get around it. Those 1100's pull very hard in 3rd and 4th gear in My experience, and up at Higher Speed's they have a solid advantage on the smaller Bike's...