1983 Yamaha XS1100 from Canada

Summary:

Best road bike of the era, and still one of the best

Faults:

Short in brake light.

Broken fuse panel.

General Comments:

Bulletproof.

Lots of highway riding and road trips across the western USA and Canada, such as from Canada's west coast to Colorado, etc.

A heavy machine, but rock-solid at 120 mph and comfortable to ride for 16 hours at a time.

I'm large, at 6'3" and 270 lbs and always felt like part of the machine.

The bike is somewhat top-heavy, and riding at speed (always) through the Rockies, I sometimes wondered what a pure sport bike would feel like. Loads of sun, though, and always enough reserve power to get out of trouble.

I owned two of these bikes and rode them mercilessly. People told me that I rode it "like a dirt bike".

One of the best cruiser-tourers ever.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th June, 2017

14th Jul 2018, 07:51

I still own a 1980 Yamaha XS Eleven Special, and have put over 50,000 miles on it in past years. Love it, incredible machine, fast and powerful, ahead of its time.

I've ridden throughout BC as well. Love the Rockies, but the East and West Kootenays have some of the best cycle roads in the world. I recommend heading north from Kelowna BC on Hwy 97, and just before Revelstoke turn East onto Hwy 23 to upper Arrow Lake and the free Shelter/Galena Bay Ferry. Once across, continue south on the eastern shore of Arrow Lake to Nakusp, then south-east on Hwy 6 riding along the East shore of Slocan Lake to New Denver. Then turn East onto Hwy 31A and head to Kaslo over a sweet mountain pass, then south on Hwy 31 and the western shore of Kootenay Lake until you reach the Balfor/Crawford Bay Ferry (longest free ferry ride in North America). Once landed, savor a slow ride south on the East shore of Kootenay Lake on Hwy 3A, magnificent scenery, mind blowing all the way to Creston. After a good night's sleep, head East then north on Hwy 95 past Moyie Lake and enjoy some sushi in Cranbook.

The XS1100's big four cylinder has loads of horsepower and torque and carves cleanly and progressively through corners. The XS1100 was such a rewarding ride that I recently purchased a new 2017 Yamaha Raider (1900 v-twin), and love it as well. It just doesn't get any better, thanks Yamaha for your commitment to motorcycling and incredible engineering!

1978 Yamaha XS1100 from Canada

Summary:

Father to Yamaha's best road bikes.

Faults:

A couple of electrical shorts after it was a very high-miler.

General Comments:

I loved this bike.

I commuted to university year-round and made numerous long trips, such as from Canada's west coast to Colorado, etc.

It never let me down and was passed only by straight sport bikes.

Definitely a heavy machine, but rock-solid at 12 mph and easy to ride 16 hours at a time.

I'm large, at 6'3" and 270 lb, and always felt like part of the machine.

My only complaint was that it is somewhat top-heavy, but that was a problem only in the twisties on wet or snow-covered roads.

People told me that I rode it "like a dirt bike".

Bullet proof.

I finally gave it away when I wrecked my back, and bought a 1983 XS1100 in 2000 when I was improved. Rode that one across Canada and the USA also.

Dated now, but one of the best cruiser-tourers ever.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th June, 2017

1986 Yamaha XS1100 from United States of America

Summary:

Great value, underrated classic

Faults:

Bought used. Needed a new clutch and carb rebuild.

General Comments:

The Virago 1100 is great for grins and is a reminder of what cruisers used to be - and should be today. Lightweight, relatively nimble and fast. Even nearly three decades after the model was launched, it is still a viable ride and preferable to a Harley Sportster, both 883 and 1200. Much quicker than both - and a much better value.

Positive attributes: Weighs about 450 pounds wet. Great on corners and curves (for a cruiser). Comfortable seat. Not a Harley styling clone. Killer engine, that runs all day, and is silky smooth when properly tuned.

Negatives: Parts are getting hard to find. Can look cheap as it ages. Brakes are just okay. Not a long distance vehicle.

Suggested upgrades: RETURN TO STOCK (OEM) PIPES! Most aftermarket exhausts are simply about loud and actually drain performance. This is perhaps the single most important move I made when restoring my bike. Also, braided brake cable makes a dramatic improvement in feel.

My riding experience: 43 years with a variety of cruisers, sportbikes and dirt bikes.

Current stable: 2009 Kawasaki ZX600R; 1997 Kawasaki ZX-1100; 1993 Harley FXR; 2007 Harley Springer CVO; 1984 Honda Sabre V-4 700c.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd August, 2010