first gen xvz12 comparison with xj1100 ?

[6m459]

Not really a tech question per se, hope folks will bear with me for a bit.

 

I am being tempted by a rather nice looking low mileage reasonably priced '82 XJ1100 for sale some distance from here. She is calling me even though I've told her I don't need her, don't have room for her, that I am happy with my XVZ12 and would rather hang on to my cash. Regardless, she keeps calling to me.

 

http://www12.asphost4free.com/easthope/xj1100.jpg

 

I have been on the XJ forum site quite a lot yesterday and every one there says 'buy it, you'll like it!' (Even the wife has said 'oh ok that sounds like fun' )

 

The XJ'ers tell me that XJ1100's are CRAZY fast and powerfull and I'll be in heaven. Hopefully they mean that figuratively and not literally as in I'll kill my self but regardless, I have to wonder. Most of these folks are riding xj400's to xj750's, so I can see that the xj1100 would seem a world apart. (PC disclaimer: Not to disparage any 2 wheeled activities of course and of I fully acknowledge that small displacement bikes are pure fun, devilment and equally worthy, your mileage may vary, yada yada yada)

 

My queston to you guys is, how does an xj1100 compare power and speed wise to the first gen Venture ? Will it bring me closer to nirvanah, or will I just miss the trunk space?

 

BTW, don't get me wrong, I am not proposing to part with my Venture, but the cold truth is I can only afford insurance on one bike at a time. So sad to say I can never have two to choose from any time I want. Best I could hope for is one on cold standby. My xj650, which is my current cold standy, always did seem a bit tame, right from the start, so I have never relished the thought of going back to that (see above disclaimer). The optimum I guess would be a second Venture but so far prices are too steep and apparently they sell close to asking so there isn't much room to haggle.

 

So, has any one here any first hand xj1100 experience to relate?

 

Thanks,

 

Brian H.

Uxnridge Ont

[rhncue]

Not really a tech question per se, hope folks will bear with me for a bit.

 

I am being tempted by a rather nice looking low mileage reasonably priced '82 XJ1100 for sale some distance from here. She is calling me even though I've told her I don't need her, don't have room for her, that I am happy with my XVZ12 and would rather hang on to my cash. Regardless, she keeps calling to me.

 

http://www12.asphost4free.com/easthope/xj1100.jpg

 

I have been on the XJ forum site quite a lot yesterday and every one there says 'buy it, you'll like it!' (Even the wife has said 'oh ok that sounds like fun' )

 

The XJ'ers tell me that XJ1100's are CRAZY fast and powerfull and I'll be in heaven. Hopefully they mean that figuratively and not literally as in I'll kill my self but regardless, I have to wonder. Most of these folks are riding xj400's to xj750's, so I can see that the xj1100 would seem a world apart. (PC disclaimer: Not to disparage any 2 wheeled activities of course and of I fully acknowledge that small displacement bikes are pure fun, devilment and equally worthy, your mileage may vary, yada yada yada)

 

My queston to you guys is, how does an xj1100 compare power and speed wise to the first gen Venture ? Will it bring me closer to nirvanah, or will I just miss the trunk space?

 

BTW, don't get me wrong, I am not proposing to part with my Venture, but the cold truth is I can only afford insurance on one bike at a time. So sad to say I can never have two to choose from any time I want. Best I could hope for is one on cold standby. My xj650, which is my current cold standy, always did seem a bit tame, right from the start, so I have never relished the thought of going back to that (see above disclaimer). The optimum I guess would be a second Venture but so far prices are too steep and apparently they sell close to asking so there isn't much room to haggle.

 

So, has any one here any first hand xj1100 experience to relate?

 

Thanks,

 

Brian H.

Uxnridge Ont

 

I had a 79 XS11 and an 81 XS11. Both of which were full dressers and nearly identical to that bike. They both were scary fast especially for such a big heavy bike. It was no problem to just twist the throttle at any time in first or second and pull a wheelie. I had both of them up to 140 on a number of occasions and there was still power left. They are much quicker and faster than the Ventures.

 

Dick

[pegscraper]

I had an 81 XS11 several years ago, with full fairing, trunk, and side bags. They are quite fast. I attributed it to big cams and low gearing. Their cam specs were about the same as what a V Max has. Put some V Max cams in your Venture and it'll be just as fast. A lot of things are a lot of fun. But if you don't have the room and don't really have the money to spend... It's just one more thing to maintain.

[GigaWhiskey]

Yup, my 80 xs11 would outrun my VR - it also had some work to it.

 

Will you like this xj? Yes!

 

Will it scare you? Doubt it, you ride a first gen.

 

Do I wish it were closer me to I could have that lady stop bothering you? Heck ya!

 

Do you wanna pick it up for me and ride it down here? I would like you to, lol.

 

I think the bike would make a good around town bike that is smaller and lighter than the first gen. But, It would be nice on the road too!

 

Hope that helps. I expect to hear your knock on my front door soon, lol.

[mbrood]

Isn't it a bit relative?

 

http://bergall.org/temp/maniac.jpg

[PBJ]

I still have my XS and still love it . My son rides an XJ 750 and its as smooth and as strong as an electric motor. I bought mine in full dress too but that didn't disguise the heart in this monster. I bought mine for $800 buck dropped a $100 bucks of electrical work into it and have love it .It surprising how incredibly strong the bike is but its exactly what i needed to pull my sidecar . And does it ever pull. More than once I've found myself having to grab brake to keep from running up the back end of my riding buddies.

 

I eventually named it Wretched , Wretched XS because of all that power. Its well worth owning whether you need it or not!

[Squidley]

I had a '79 XS1100 and it was fast, but your comapring apples to oranges. If you want a second bike to tool around on, sure go for it. But I know that a properly running 1st gen will scare the hell out of you. If you dont have the space and really dont need to spend the money......well....