1981 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim Reviews

The only problems I have experienced were small and insignificant.

The fuse holder for my head lights wore out (swapped another in about 30 seconds).

Small oil leak from one of the DOHC gaskets.

I have put just short of four thousand miles on the bike this year (July 2009 to November 2009). The bike has ran like a champion. As do some other riders, I wish the fuel capacity was bit more. Other than that, it is an absolutely fantastic ride. I will own this bike till the day it dies. If it ever does.

There is nothing wrong this bike yet. This is one of the most excellent bikes I owned.

I have this Maxim 650, and I just moved into a new neighborhood and I do not have a garage I can securely lock. I know I can lock the handlebars, but I would also like to know what else I can do to avoid someone stealing my motorcycle?

I noticed the bike has a power lock on the left side (opposite side of battery) and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the power lock does to the motorcycle?

Difficulty in getting engine to stay idling well at proper RPM.

Original turn signal flasher failed.

Carburetor holders dry rotted and cracked.

Rubber intake tubes got hard and shrunk.

Plastic retaining ring that keeps rubber diaphragm mounted to carburetor slider split.

Carburetor floats out of adjustment.

Chrome has begun to rust bad in places.

Front brake caliper piston was seized.

Starting motor brushes worn down severely.

Headlight relay had corrosion inside and was hanging up.

Clutch cable frayed at hand lever end.

Fuse holders loose and broken.

Steering head bearings have a notch worn in the race.

At times when I've got the carburetors all synchronized and it seems to be idling well, this bike is a pleasure to ride.

Being a direct drive, it's very responsive when I crack the throttle out on the highway.

This is a relatively easy bike to work on.

I'm disappointed that I haven't found any accessories such as side boxes for this bike anywhere.

I am thinking about making custom boxes from fiberglass.

Replaced:

Seat (1 time)

Headlight (2)

Fork cover (1)

Tires (3)

Battery (8)

Spark plugs (3)

Tach cable oil seal (1)

Rebuild front forks (1)

Rapered steering bearings (1)

Starter (1)

When I purchased this bike new in 1981, it was like falling in love with a highly desirable woman. I thoroughly enjoyed it every time I rode. I never even looked at another until recently. No other M/C compares except for the Yamaha V Max. I may try that one next. But it will be very hard to give this Maxim up, because of all the fun times. Hope you find the same excitement.

Carbs needs to be adjusted and or cleaned.

The exhaust needs to be replaced.

The bike handles well.

I think the bike is great overall.

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.