Letters
LETTERS
XS-ive devotion
When I read David Edwards’ “Back to the Future” column in the November issue about bringing back an updated Yamaha XS650, I immediately thought of the XS’s 1982 road test in Cycle World: “Cynics might ask (and occasionally do) how a vibration-prone vertical-Twin with no counterbalancer, considerably less performance than the average 550 Four and only a single overhead cam can continue to sell in this age of multis, turbos, computers and digital everything. The answer, of course, is partially contained in the question.”
My faithful XS is 11 years old with 30-odd thousand miles showing, but it’s still my favorite, even though my garage now holds a 1987 FZR1000. If Yamaha does resurrect the XS, I would give serious consideration to buying one; if they don’t, I may have to start stockpiling parts to keep mine on the road. I apologize for the length of my note, but the XS650 is too good a bike not to write about. Michael Johnson Round Rock, Texas
Hear, hear for the Yamaha XS650. I’d buy a new XS in a heartbeat. The money is in my account, I’m ready to spend it right now. A new-version 650 would look good alongside the mint, 1981 XS650 Special I acquired last June. After changing the handlebar, seat and shocks, my XS rides good, looks good and sounds good.
Thanks to the shop manual I got with the bike and the fact that the motor is not hidden behind $1500 worth of plastic, it’s easy (actually fun) to work on. Almost any accessory windshield, fairing, handlebar or tankbag fits. And it has a wonderful kickstarter that helped me get it going one recent cool morning when the battery was a little low.
So far, my XS has attracted four offers from people who want to buy it. It’s not for sale. Danny McNeill
Clemson, South Carolina
David Edwards is absolutely right about the 650 Yamaha. I owned a ’72 and still regret having sold it. It always started, always ran well, and it sounded better than anything on the road today. At $3999, tell Yamaha I’d buy a 1994 version in a minute. David Denners Nevada City, California
“Back to the Future” was right on target. My ’76 XS650 has just faithfully carried me through another riding season. It looks so similar to my favorite Triumph that long ago I nicknamed it “The Banzai Bonneville.”
Timothy Powers Antioch, Tennessee
I think an updated XS is a great idea, but I wonder if the suggestion will be taken seriously by Yamaha. In response to ongoing requests from the cycling public and enthusiast publications, Honda and Kawasaki brought out their retro-standard CB 1000s and ZR 1100s, but these bikes apparently are selling poorly.
Do Honda and Kawasaki feel these efforts to reply to consumer demand are failures? Were they asking a realistic price, or did they shoot themselves in the foot by overpricing nostalgia? Do product planners for the companies feel taken when they respond to what it seems like the public wants and then get a negative response? Do customers these days really know what they want? Were the companies listening correctly or did they put too much of their own spin on the bikes? Finally, will CWs thoughts regarding an updated XS650 be ignored by Yamaha because they’ve seen how fickle the response to other revived models has been? Jay Blackburn Newport Beach, California
I am the proud owner of a 1983 Heritage Special XS650. In his November Up Front, Editor Edwards mentions Mr. Don Lawson and the Yamaha 650 Society. Could you provide me with his address so I can join? Rex T. Swenson
Niceville, Florida
Don Lawson, director of the 800member-strong Yamaha 650 Society, calls the XS650 “a living classic,” and says that ‘‘anyone looking for bulletproof reliability, easy maintenance, economical operation, great performance and loads of fun should find one and join us.” For more info, contact the Yamaha 650 Society, P.O. Box 234, O’Fallon, MO 63366-0234; 314/928-4237.
XS-ive commotion
I bought a 650 Yamaha in 1976. I have owned 25 motorcycles over the years, and that was the worst piece of junk I ever owned! Bob Johnston
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Monticello, Utah
Cookin’ with gas
Congratulations! The November issue should be enshrined in a vault at the Smithsonian as an example of what moto-journalism should be. The crowning glory was Cook Nielson’s “One More Great Adventure” article. Stories like Nielson’s make motorcycling vivid and enduring, and make motorcycles so much more than mere transportation. Langdon Schmitt Guilford, Connecticut
I was at Daytona in 1977 when Cook Nielson, Phil Schilling and their Ducati won the Superbike race. Everybody figured the Duck would be good in the infield, but get blown off on the banking by the Kawasakis. It didn’t happen.
I about jumped out of my seat yelling and praying that the old Duck would hang together, and damn if it didn’t win. Thanks to Nielson and Schilling for making that day at Daytona one to remember. Thomas Sheridan
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Wow! What a great story by Cook Nielson. I watched him ride in the ’70s, but now I feel like I know him personally. I’m really glad he got that One More Great Adventure.
Dick Brown South Colby, Washington
Do whatever you must, but please get Cook Nielson to write again and often about motorcycles.
Don McMahan Circle Plains, Minnesota
Hog yuppies
Regarding your article on the Honda Pacific Coast in the October issue, you mention that the PC800 has a reputation as a “yuppie bike.” Haven’t you guys noticed? All the yuppies are buying Evo Harleys. Carl Best
Eugene, Oregon
Eh, eh, eh
I would like to inform your readers about a recent problem I had with the American Automobile Association. I recently called them to get a jumpstart and found out the hard way that motorcycles are not included in the
emergency roadside coverage. The AAA told me that gas and air were the only things they could help me with. After 10 years of membership, I find this appalling. Christopher S. Russell
Columbus, Ohio
Irish ire
It was nice of Cycle World to give Joey Dunlop an UP in Roundup for scoring his 15th Isle of Man win. Now, give yourselves a DOWN for referring to him as an “Englishman.” Joey is from Northern Ireland and suitably proud of it. Barry Cooper North Hills, California
Calling all Commies
Attention, owners of Communistbuilt motorcycle and sidecars. We are forming an owners’ register for bikes built behind the Iron Curtain, whether manufactured in China, Russia or elsewhere in the Eastern Bloc. Send a self-addressed envelope to Red Menace Motor Register, 3717 Neal Creek, Hood River, OR 97031. It is our hope to keep these machines on the road for years to come. Vernon Wade Hood River, Oregon
