Yamaha XJ700XN Maxim X reviews

I REALLY LOVED MY XJ700, HAVING BOUGHT IT USED AND RIDING OVER 20,000 MILES IN THE PAST FIVE OR SO YEARS. THE BRIGHT RED METALLIC PAINT GOT LOTS OF LOOKS FROM BOTH THE SIDEWALK CROWD AND OTHER RIDERS ALIKE. A GREAT ALL AROUND RIDE, I WAS SAD TO SELL IT THIS PAST FALL. IF YAMAHA (OR ANY OF THE OTHER BIG 4 MAKERS) MADE A SIMILIAR CRUISER WITH COMPARABLE FEATURES, I WOULD GO OUT AND BUY IT RIGHT AWAY. THE XJ700 HAD DUAL FRONT ROTOR STOPPING POWER, LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY WITH GOOD BALANCE, RESPONSIVE HANDLING, A MAINTENENCE FREE DRIVE SHAFT, PLENTY OF TORQUE FROM THE INLINE 4 CLY ENGINE, AND GREAT GET-UP AND GO POWER! THIS BIKE WOULD START EVERY DAY WITHOUT COAXING, EVEN IN THE COLDEST WEATHER. IT HAD A COMFORTABLE STRAIGHT UP RIDING POSITION WITH A VERY COMFORTABLE STOCK SEAT (AND A PLEASANT PASSENGER PILLION AS WELL). REGRETFULLY WAS FORCED TO SAY GOODBY TO MY OLD FRIEND WHEN I BEGAN TO ENCOUNTER (EXPENSIVE LOOKING) PROBLEMS WITH MISSED SHIFTS (1ST TO 2ND) AND JUMPING OUT OF GEAR. I FINALLY FOUND A DECENT REPLACEMENT IN A USED TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD TRIPLE; BUT THATS ANOTHER REVIEW. RIDE FREE - RIDE SAFE Show less

This is my first bike at 41 and I love it. I got it so I can practice for and then get a new one, but after riding it I dont want another bike. I love it! Its beautiful, powerful and nimble. What more can you ask for.....? Show less

I got my Maxim in May of 2001 (this '86 is mint). It had 8k miles on it. Now (Jan 02) If 14k miles on it. I ride it as a commuter bike - just Awesome in traffic and as a 1 rider curvy mountain road bike. Longest ride has been 500 miles. ZERO problems. Not quite a cruiser. Not quite a crotch rocket. But the best of both. Show less

I've owned mine for over 1 year and love it. Fixed up to showroom condition. I'll keep her till time is up. Show less

I have owned mine for 6 years with no major complaints. It does everthing I have asked of it with no fuss. I have replaced tires, chain, battery, plugs, oil, & air filters, & repaired the fuse block. It still has the original pipes. Not bad for an '82. It is wonderfully vibration free at 70mph. I will concur with the other reviewer on the poor handlebar angle. It is short on power with a passenger but if you keep it wound up it performs well solo. Show less

I bought this with 7500 miles on it. It had been dropped twice and left in a corner. I paid $450 for it, and use it for my 100 mile commute daily. V-Twins are real pretty, with lot's of rumbling type sounds, but when the rubber meets the road...I fly by 1450's & 1600's. I smoke the twisties in the local mountain range, I kick my feet up on the highway pegs and I keep going and going and going.............I now have aprox 50,000 miles on it, and I can see another 50k on the way!! Go ahead and spend the $10,000-$20,000. Enjoy looking at my $450.00 tail lights. Show less

Reliable I would feel comfortable taking my MAXIM anywhere. Show less

This was my first streetbike back in 1985. I ended up putting 45,000 trouble-free miles on it before selling. Wish I had held on to it. It was an odd combination of powerful engine in a custom chassis. The motor as smooth as silk but hit its powerband above about 6-7000 rpms and took off!! Handled pretty good too. A great all around bike that you could tour on (with a small windshield), cruise town on, and even haul ass on backroads when necessary. Many bikes have far surpassed it today, but for 1985 it was pretty hot!! Show less

Against today's sport bikes, it's only fair but it's fun. And it's classed as a cruiser. If you own or have owned one you know where I'm coming from. It'll make you the envy of the cruiser crowd except for Mr. Max people. It handles great in the twisties and power to spare. Watch out when you hit around the 6K mark it explodes. I've had it since new and have enjoyed 30K + miles on it. Trips in the 200 to 300 mile range are the norm. The wife prefers our larger bike for serious mileage and I tend to agree with her. But for short trips and some playtime she'll still come out and play on the XJ. If you're a lone rider with a once in awhile passenger you won't go wrong. I haven't taken any long trips by myself so I can't give any information on that. If you can find one at blue book rates, I'd go for. Trouble is dealers want way over book but they know what they have. I've been more than pleased with mine and it'll be my favorite play bike. One word of caution, it's not for the new rider or someone wanting to move up in class. It's a serious performance cruiser. My problems have been minor. A starter and two exhaust pipes where the inner pipe broke loose and rattled. ENJOY Show less

Superb! It's light, and easy to handle. Can ride all day with a decent windshield. Despite North American preferences, it can be used with saddle-bags, and two-up, with no problems. Show less