1981 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim review from United States of America

I have had the forks rebuilt by the mechanic I bought it from; they had started to leak after 25 years.

The return spring on the shift lever broke and I replaced it myself for about $5 with a spring I found on Ebay.

I replace the speedometer myself; the needle broke off, with another also bought on Ebay.

My total repair costs for a - 26 year old bike during the two years and 14,000 miles have been less than $400. Most new bikes can't match this.

I bought the Yamaha XJ650 Maxim in 2005 from a motorcycle mechanic. He reported it was in good shape. This is my 22nd bike, having started in 1965 with BSA 650s.

I have found it handles very well on the highway. It can cruise all day at 70 with plenty of power left to pass. It is quick and agile in town. It handles like a much lighter bike. I am 6’2” and over 200 lbs.; it gets 40 to 45 mpg on the highway. With my wife on back it gets about 38 mpg.

When my wife is on board, with the shocks at their firmest setting, it bottoms sometimes on rough roads. I have not replaced the shocks and do not know if they have ever been replaced; they may be 26 years old.

I have a full size windshield, and find the upright riding position with the foot pegs under the seat to be very comfortable. Cross winds and passing 18 wheelers do not bother much.

At interstate speeds, the engine vibration is almost absent. I can see clearly in the mirrors and there is no felt vibration through the handle bars. The Travelcade seat is very comfortable; on 200 mile trips I experience no bottom tingling or numbness.

I also own a 2005 Suzuki S50, and the XJ650 handles much better than the Suzuki.