Bike now gone to new owner - he's not happy...

Hi all. Well my XJ got picked up yesterday by its new owner. It started up lovely from cold and then idled nicely after a couple of minutes. I blipped the throttle for him a few times and it settled back down to idle again. Happy, he put it in his van and off he went.

Today he sent me a text saying the bike won't pull above 5500 and that he could only get 75mph out of it... he thinks he's bought a lemon.

So, if he comes on here will you give him a warm welcome and explain the power characteristics of the engine for him. I told him that the big hole at 6k is a Yamaha fitment, and that power resides north of 8K.

I'm quite happy that the chap has got a good deal and you all know that I've developed and ridden this bike for the past 4 years and that I've been able to report 150-200 mile runs recently where I've ridden at 90mph following modern sportsbikes.

The buyer has been riding big-bore Harleys and Honda Valkeyries for a while and - though he had an XJ in his youth - I think he's viewing the XJ with rose-tinted specs! I told him he needs to drop cogs and rev it to get a move on - I rode the bike for 20-odd miles a week ago and got 90mph no probs, but I have the advantage of knowing the bike.

Anyway, if he does visit this site please help him out with the low-down on the XJ's traits/power characteristics - and ask him to make allowances for a 31 year old bike with Hitachi CV's. By the way, his names's Kev and he 's in Liecester, UK.

It just hurt a little that he thought so little of the bike when (those of you who've seen it, and helped me out on here know) I put so much time and effort into getting it right, and have been enjoying it for the past four years.

Regards to all,

Nige

PS - bought a new project (what have I done?). It's a 1990 grey-import Bandit 400. Good points - Tockico four-pots, flatslide Mikunis and just about anything GSXR will bolt straight on. Bad points - sh*te paintwork and it won't quite fire... here we go delving into carbs again!

 

The last time we heard a story VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL to this, the proud new owner had the choke lever operation backward and was trying to ride around with the choke ON.

Just a thought.

 

Harley riders are used to low RPM's, that may be his problem.

 

Maybe it's just me, but there's no reason to ride and XJ over 75mph unless you're suicidal and just haven't admitted it. There's far better racers out there, it's just silly to try to make it a crotch rocket

 

Should be able to hit 75 mph in 3rd.

Maybe he had the choke on as suggested.

When I get my old XJ on the road in a few weeks I plan on going over 75 the first time I'm out. It helps to have balanced tires.

 

Seriously. My 550Rs will do 75mph in 3rd, easily.

 

He probably just needs to get used to the XJ's powerband-its far different than what he's used to. Good luck with your new project, keep us posted.

 

I can totally relate to this....My first ride on my XJ700N was on the expressway....I was doing 105 Kilometers and looking to up shift. I honestly thought that I was at the high, high end of a gear. Little did I know that I was really in the middle and nowhere's near the powerband. It did worry me until the owner explained to me the joys of "Vmax" POWER.

Ron

 

Buyer remorse, they buy a 30 year old bike for small change, then find something to gripe about. World is full of tossers.

 

I'm gonna play devil's advocate here..............

maybe a float dropped or something, and it really WON'T pull above 5500 rpm and get over 76mph. Maybe he DOES know what he's talking about.

If the seller were ME, I'd say bring it right over and I'll take a spin on it and see what's going on. (Of if he were close enough, I'd go over)

True, he could be trying to ride it like a harley, and not let it wind, but don't just discredit him right away.

FWIW,

dave F

 

x5 on the 75 in 3rd comment.

but dave does have a point - i'd just go take it for a spin, just to see whats up

 

Well, I take the above point. However, I know how the bike was riding a week before - and I did offer a test ride in my ebay listing (he chose not to go for that option - even when he picked it up. He was more interested in regaling me with all his past biking exploits). He hasn't asked to return it - says he's just going to move it on.

 

I think that says it all....try before you buy. He chose not to, what more needs be said?

 

Well if you get offered a test ride and don't take it then that's your own fault if your not happy. And he shouldn't just move it on, guess he has no guts.

BTW The only 'hole' in my 550's power is from 1200 to 1400rpms, and I would call it more of a slog than a hole. Just from a seat of the pants feeling I would say my torque and power are steadily increasing all the way through the rpms. Torque does fall off a bit after 7 or 8k but power keeps pulling past 10k. There is def. more of both at 6k than at 3k,4k, or 5k for sure.

 

Lol at the over 75mph is "crotch rocket" territory. No offense, but around here I'd be run over by soccer moms on the freeway anywhere south of 70. I recall on my old CB 750 my speedo was broken. A friend and I were riding, he on his BMW with girlfriend on back. At one point I was in front and cracked the throttle a little. When we stopped he said, "you know we got over a hundred there, right?" (shrug) "oh yeah?"

I rode out to the gorge (Columbia river) to go camping a few weeks ago on my Maxim, until I got nervous from crazy cross-winds off the river, I was probably *averaging* 75

Cannot believe guy didn't test ride it...what!? Who does that?

 

Around here if you cant pull 80 mph on the freeway you better get off on the next exit

 

My 650 did sag a little after 6k, then pulled into a really exhilarating surge coming through 7k and on to redline. Never knew if it was a jet thing, or just how they are...but it was great!

Yeah coming off from V-twin torque and trying to lug a Maxim, I could see where it'd feel really flat. Gotta keep 'em wound!

 

the main problem/issue i see this being a direct result of.

 

Hey Waldo, Where are you?

 

San Jose, Ca.

 

San Jose is on my short list of favorite places...Nice!