Yamaha XS650 vs Kawaski KZ650

What is the big deal with the XS650? They seem to fetch loads of money on Ebay here in the UK. I suppose the W650 attracts quite big money too. I would personally go for a BSA A65 Lightning or Spitfire but then we are talking much more cash.

Choppers and Street Trackers. Tough little oil tight engines. Weak points are starter and frame. In stock form they would often get into tank slappers if pushed. Easily overcome. I always wanted a Tracker.

hell yeah they make great trackers and boobbers I'm gonna build the wife a bobber out of one.

i'm hunting for one right now iwant to build a short tracker to run in the vintage class we have up here now. our biggest track is 3/8 mile one of those with the rigt swingarm and suspension package would be perfect for these tight little tracks. also i have had 6 or 7 of those bikes and i know how to get pretty good power out of those motors.

I have got two XS 650 Yamahas a blue 73 TX and a black 78 XS with 586 miles on the clock i have always liked them a few of my mates had them in the 70s and they were a cool bike and they were cheap to buy

Regards Dale

Locozuna wrote: "In stock form they would often get into tank slappers if pushed."

I had 4 friends that owned these bikes. They all would tell you that in stock form these bikes would ALWAYS get into tank slappers if pushed. Rumor has it they engineered using the smaller Japanese body model and didn't accomodate the dynamics (at speed) associated with the larger size & weight of many American riders. Ed

I guess Sumo wrestlers don't ride motorcycles..... :blink: :laugh:

i had 6 or 7 of these bikes over the years the only one that i had that did any thing wierd like tank slapping was due to the fact the swingarm bushings where worn out once i fixed that and replaced them with bronze bushings problem was solved. in fact they are a blast to ride fast if you can get over the vibrations.

I would love to build one of these into a streetracker. I wish there was some flat track racing down here in florida close by I'd rock one.

this was my first bike...it was a great bike and was way too much fun for a 17 yr old.....a guy rode by me while i was in my car today on this same paint and year ...i about shit......it was super clean and shiny....imo...this is a about as timeless japanese bike as they come....a kz 650 is just a small kz imo....not a true ZED

the xs has a true racing history too.....imho

Of all the bikes Yamaha made there are only maybe two that I would fancy. One is the XS650. I lusted after one when I was younger. A more user friendly and oil tight bike than a Brit twin. The other Yamaha I would be interested in is the V max. Other than those two, Yamaha never did anything for me.

that was my first bike, actually i still have it! got it when i was 16 now im 31. last time i actually rode it i was 17, i start it often. its the only yamaha in the fleet of bikes i have, and it is babied. i have so many memories on that bike! the engine was very hopped up when i got it. wiseco pistons , big cam and magneto. it has vw baja mufflers and its loud and fast. i think most people like them because of the insane torque they have. rev mine on the kickstand and you have to chase it across the shop. i better shut up now, i could go on all day about this thing.