Why Do You Love Your XJ?

I'm just wondering why you like your XJ? What is it about the bike that inspires your loyalty?

 

shaft drive, triple disc brakes and it looks good!

 

I am partial because the entire time I was growing up, my father rode an XJ750. I used to ride with him sometimes and I never forgot that feeling of cruising along; the sheer power, speed, exhilaration, and freedom of motorcycle riding was intertwined with the bike while I was growing up. Like that feeling you get when you lean back too far in a chair and almost fall, but at the last minute catch yourself. That existential "Hoooly-crap!" stretched out over the entirety of the ride, every time you took a turn or rolled hard on the throttle. When I had the opportunity to grab myself one, I took it. Now it has the added sentimentality of being my first bike.

 

I firmly believe that Yamaha has some of the best reliability.

Back in '79 I used to ride a '72 XS650 in OK when I lived there and ran with a bunch of Harley and Honda Riders. We'd go on 250mi 2 day rides almost every weekend in the summer from Enid to Canton to Stillwater and back to Enid. I always had it ready by Friday afternoon for the ride. It never failed me but almost every trip we had to pull over for the Harley's or the Honda's.
I was constantly chastised for riding the riceburner, but I never let up once we had to stop for their repairs...

 

I had to put "Sentimentally Attached", due to the lack of any better choice.

I did get my 650 from my father. Which, in turn, purchased it from my grand father. Of who, purchased it brand new. So, in a round about way, it does have some sentimental value to me.

But the main reason I love these bikes is due to the fact that they are "vintage". You don't see many air cooled inline 4's here in Las Vegas. And if you do see an air cooled bike, it's a H-D.

I like it's rarity, compared to all the sport bikes and H-D's out here.

 

wife wanted it so that we could mod it in are spare time lol

 

I would pick 3 out of the 4 . "i got it cheap""mechancially, sound""powerfull,performace"

 

i love YAMAHA bikes they are all i have ever owned. my xj650rj is my first street bike. it is an old school crotch rocket. how can you not love an old 650 bike that will go into a tight turn behind a new HD 1200 and come out of the turn way in front of it and leaving it in the dust. it is blue

 

Wasn't my first bike out of high school, but it was love at first sight. So far, it has been a good match! This is starting to sound weird, so I'll stop now.

 

Besides being cheap (as in free!) and powerful and running like a top, I love my XJ because she was my first. I lost my cycle virginity to her last summer, and regardless of what else happens, I'll don't think I'll EVER give up my Maxim. I'll ride her as long as she runs, then she'll get a place of honour in the garage.

At least until the wife says 'You better get rid of that heap if it doesn't run anymore'. And then I'd stand strong and say 'But honey, I can't get rid of her. She means to much to me.' And then she'll say 'DO IT!'. And then I'll proudly say 'ok, smoochie-poo'.

 

Whipped?

 

One 26 yr old motorcycle- $1100
Leather Jacket- $300
Boots- $150
One year of Insurance- $129

700 miles (one day) at 6000 rpm without missing a beat-

PRICELESS!

 

"All Of The Above" would have been an appropriate choice for me. But I chose #2. High school was a long time ago, but this is my first bike. When I first decided to buy a bike, I was very concerned that I might not make the right choice, having had little experience in the matter. But I have been so pleased with the performance, the sound, and the feel of the bike, that I can't help feeling that I was destined to own it. I'm not even envious of people I know who bought new bikes. I'm happy for them, but I'm happy for myself too.

 

i would choose all of them because its my first bike its got smooth power and if you know whAt your doing you can get some performance out of them. and i got mine for free so its all good.

 

I chose sentimental I bought an 83 seca 750 when I was about 20 put 70000kms on that in one year never missed a beat except where it was my fault.Traded it on a GSX1100 something I always regretted.
Watched 6 guys at a drunken rally take turns doing burnouts and donuts on a rental XJ just before I bought mine and without a word of a lie it ran at full bore for a good 6hrs never faster than walking pace started first thing in the morning like nothing happened.
I've always liked the way they sound that gear whine sound under the bark of the exhaust.
Performance wise they are great have a ball scratching through the twisties for 20kms or carry you and significant other for a 1000kms in comfort with all your gear.
These bikes can do anything you want rough gravel or dirt rally tracks cross the country or commute every day.
I didnt get mine cheap paid market value.
So Sentimental yes Performance yes Reliability yes
To be honest I dont think a real do everything bike exists anymore if you want to buy new.

 

I chose sentimental I bought an 83 seca 750 when I was about 20 put 70000kms on that in one year never missed a beat except where it was my fault.Traded it on a GSX1100 something I always regretted.
Watched 6 guys at a drunken rally take turns doing burnouts and donuts on a rental XJ just before I bought mine and without a word of a lie it ran at full bore for a good 6hrs never faster than walking pace started first thing in the morning like nothing happened.
I've always liked the way they sound that gear whine sound under the bark of the exhaust.
Performance wise they are great have a ball scratching through the twisties for 20kms or carry you and significant other for a 1000kms in comfort with all your gear.
These bikes can do anything you want rough gravel or dirt rally tracks cross the country or commute every day.
I didnt get mine cheap paid market value.
So Sentimental yes Performance yes Reliability yes
To be honest I dont think a real do everything bike exists anymore if you want to buy new.

 

Not whipped so much as following the old adage: 'When the queen is happy, the land is happy'.

Or whipped. That works too.

 

For me it's because it's my first street bike. I rode dirt bikes as a kid, (YZ's) but gave it up after I left home. Got married ,Had a few kids and decided it was time. Actually the wife said that I was finally allowed...ALOT OF BEGGING :lol: But that's why I love it!
Mac

 

well i replied that I got it cheap..


I love *MY* Seca turbo, because it's rare. No one else has one, and i'm going to go as far as there probably aren't that many in Nebraska period.

I like Rare things... they intrigue me.

as far as anything else, sure it drives ok, power and performance are ok...

 

I love these bikes going back to when they first appeared on the scene, my mate had a xj650 shaft drive, always loved riding pillion listening to the lovely sound they made, like a gentle whine, combined with the smooth rasp of the exhaust, very smooth!
Just bought one cheap a 550 with MOT & Tax, needed a bit of tidying up and a carb clean, done 59k and as sweet as a nut, not even a rattle and purrs like a kitten! I guess thats why I love them, you just don't get the character or build quality on newer bikes.

 

Sentimental and cheap to own.

My first brand new, not used, bike was an '82 XJ650. I believe it cost me around $3000 in 1982 and that included a two-year service contract.

My XJ550RH is a blast to ride. It only costs $15 to plate and $40 a year to insure.

 

Can you say UJM Universal Japanese Motorcycle.
Nice comfortable seat.
Has the ability to almost every role.
Why are there none of these anymore?
Maybe the FZ-1>?

Mine was free, and ran from day one.
The Sexy Seca's performance is quite nice.
Been reliable as of 25k miles.
I approve of yamaha, becoming more sentimental

 

went out riding today... i always ride.. was in the 60's, bike seemed to run ALOT better as i was mostly doing above 80mph..

Seca Turbo (without turbo) is fun though. idk, i haven't driven anything new, or old, or different. So I don't know what's good and what's not, all I care is that i have two wheels and engine and frame underneath me and it goes!