1979 Yamaha reviews

I REALLY ENJOY MY 79 XS 650. IT HAS BOTH ELECTRIC STARTING AND KICK START. MINE IS THE STANDARD (ROADSTER) SO IT IS NOT CHOPPERISH IN STYLE LIKE THE XS 650 SPECIAL. MILEAGE SEEMS TO BE IN THE 42 TO 48 RANGE. VIBRATION IS THERE BUT ,ITS NOT UNBEARABLE. ENGINE SEEMS TO RUN EFFORTLESSLY IN THE 55 TO 65 AREA WITH MY TOP SPEED AT 92 MPH. WITH IT BEING A 23 YEAR OLD BIKE IT NEEDS TWEEKING FROM TIME TO TIME. SO, I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE IN NOT AS NICE SHAPE FOR $575.00 SO THAT I WOULDNT BE BIKELESS. WEIGHT IS IDEAL FOR SHORT TRIPS. Show less

I just purchased my xs650sf for $50. Was told it was junk. Bad carbs and a bent fork, plus the oil leak. After I got it home I put a new battery in and some new gas lines and a can of ring free. The bike started right up. The forks are not bent...the front tire was mounted backwards. I changed the oil and the the leak went away (it was from the drain plug). After removing all the surface rust a very good looking bike appeared. It only has 9,000 miles on it and the original owner had taken very good care of it. Other than a lot of vibration the bike is great for riding to and from work (about 50 miles a day). It could handle better, but is nothing to complain about (at least not for $50) This bike is a classic...I plan to ride it for a long time and it looks great in my little collection. Show less

I have owned my low mileage XS since 1997 and over the last two years it has become my almost daily transport. It meets my needs superbly, both as a robust and reliable bike and as an interesting "oldie". It's power and dynamics are from the 70's so it's unfair to mark it down compared to today's bikes. However with some mods it can be made to perform well enough for today's traffic conditions. I have made most of the mods recommended by the 650 society and it brakes, steers and handles well. I really like the W650 Kawasaki but it doesn't do anything my XS doesn't already do. No I won't be selling this one in a hurry! Show less

I bought one and it is a fun bike to ride. A great beginner bike Show less

Performance is ok and the reliability is good. But you need better shocks on the back for better handling. It's a nice bike for around town. Show less