From: steve@bucolix.ece.ncsu.edu (Steve Garnier)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: Yamaha questions
Date: 16 Apr 92 16:22:31 GMT
Reply-To: steve@bucolix.ece.ncsu.edu (Steve Garnier)
Organization: North Carolina State University

In article <3300068@hp-ptp.ptp.hp.com> 
danb@hp-ptp.ptp.hp.com (Dan Bergmen) writes:
>/ hp-ptp:rec.motorcycles / fitch@iscsvax.uni.edu /  3:04 am  Apr  8, 1992 /
>>I am looking at an '82 Yamaha Maxim 1100 (seriously good condition, with the
>>exception of a minor wiring problem and first gear has seen better days) and
>>would really appreciate some feedback about this cycle.
>>I've driven some smaller cycles (650-to-750 range) and was considering that
>>range, but my cycle-riding friends were all in agreement that I buy something
>>larger even though this is my first cycle purchase.
>>Comments, Ideas, Suggestions (am I crazy to consider this cycle?).
>I owned a Yamaha XS1100 for about ten years and was very happy with it.
>I wasn't aware that Yamaha made a Maxim in the 1100 size although this
>may have been a follow-on to the Midnight Special series.
>
>The minor wiring problem you refer to is probably fixable but the first
>gear issue will require the engine to be removed and major disassembly
>by yourself with great attention to detail or by a trusted shop at great
>expense to you. Also, if in fact the first gear parts are damaged requir-
>ing a teardown, this is likely an indication of abusive treatment since
>these parts are practically bullet-proof. I would get an experts opinion
>on this one prior to any commitment.

I pretty much concur with what Dan's said above.

>My personal opinion is that this is a rather heavy bike to learn new skills
>on. General maneuvering, emergency avoidance, and second nature responses
>are much easier to aquire on a bike in the 400-500 pound range rather than
>one at 600 pounds. I think 650-750 is a good starter range.

I feel that one should ride what they're comfortable with, but one should
also consider their level of experience when choosing mounts.  Dan states
that he's "driven" (sorry, I "ride" :-) some 650-to-750 range bikes, but
he doesn't state how often, nor how many road miles of experience he has,
nor if he's taken the MSF or any other rider-prep courses.  Dan also doesn't
describe his own physical size...a factor that impacts *my* choice.  (You 
won't see me on a YSR! :-)  A liter-bike isn't for an inexperienced rider,
and one might be completely satisfied with the performance and handling of
a smaller machine, depending on their use.

>Advantages:
>1) Solid, reliable motorcycle (had mine for 56,000 miles).
I've had mine for a few more miles.  To merely describe my bike as "reliable"
doesn't give it enough praise, IMHO.

>2) Stays in tune, doesn't leak oil, and needs little maintenance.
Definite ditto.

>3) Well designed and extremely powerful.
Well designed?  Yes.  Extremely powerful?  By the standard of its day, yes.
By today's benchmarks?  Nope.

>4) Quiet, smooth, comfortable.
Yup.

>Disadvantages:
>1) Heavy, lousy handling.
A little heavy, but I wouldn't call it lousy.  Compared to sportbikes, I'd
say it has heavy, if not cumbersome handling, *IF* you want to ride it like
a sportbike.  If you want to cruise, there's an advantage to that "heaviness".
Face it...we're talkin' about a Yamahog here. :-)

>2) Shaft effect rather pronounced - adversly effects handling.
I've gotta disagree here, but my experience of minimal "shaft effect" may be
due to my size and weight.  I'm not a flyweight by anybody's definition.

>3) Jerky, sudden throttle response just off idle.
This is *not* a description of *my* bike!

>4) A miserable son-of-a-bitch to get on the center stand.
I always thought that YoMaha!(tm) was easy to centerstand...

Steve Garnier - 1979 Yamaha XS1100SF Special with 156,000 miles and *climbing*
DoD #00000005 - KotF (The Daemon's Byte and Keeper of the Flame), NC Chapter
steve@bucolix.ece.ncsu.edu       "Ineluctably Prolix" - John Norman Sims, Jr.
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