I went into a Yamaha dealership back in '78 to buy 4 sparkplugs for my '77 GS 550...30 minutes later, I bought a new XS11! The best bike I've ever had: smooth, powerful and fast...great for chewing up the miles...loved the colour: "macho maroon"!

Had one back in the 80's, brilliant bike, even took it off road and it didn't have a problem with that at all. Plenty of ground clearance, loved that bike, it was a beast!

I had the very first one sold in Miami, in Dec. of 77. 78 XS Eleven, I road it every day because it was my only ride and I loved going to work because I got to ride that thing every morning. Nothing could catch me, not one speeding ticket ever if you know what I mean, went to the Keys and all over the state a hundred times or more and up to Michigan twice, Daytona bike weeks, you name it, and for the first year or so, no one had ever seen one, where ever I went, it was a star to show off. So smooth, fast and never once broke down, like many other bikes back then did. I put on the full windshield (only for long trips) with stereo, radar detector and I had a party around that bike at every stop, at age 21, I was the perfect age to own that ride. With a 4 into 1 header, it's sound was amazing, bikes today just don't have that sound anymore. $2,889.00. Not a bad price for all that fun. Always ware a helmet, I would have been a goner twice, 40 years ago without one. A Honda 550 and 750 both totaled at over 60 but limped away from both because of great helmets. This went on too long, but it got my juices going just think about those days. Cheers to all the other XS- Eleven riders.

Back in 1978 when I was 18 years of age, I worked in a Yamaha Shop over here in New Zealand. I actually rode the very first XS1100 in the country when it was straight out of the crate and assembled ready to go. Riding around the town, I gave her a wee handfull after rounding a corner, immediately getting to 80kph (50kph area) and a copper was watching. Pulled me over, but was too excited seeing this magnificent beast, he forgot all about any ticket. XS1100 were raced 1978 and 1979 in the "Castrol 6-Hour Production bike" races here and in Australia. XS1100 won the race in 1978, and came 2nd and 3rd in 1979. There is a video on youtube of the 1978 race, and possibly also the 1979 race.

I had a 1978 version XS1100E... It was stone reliable, smooth and fast. I miss the big beastie.

If any bike could tow a caravan, the Excessive Yamaha XS1100 is surely the number one (from the era of air cooled monsters. The torque from low revs was incredible back then & playing with the throttle & shaft drive reaction was pure fun.... even though lethal when cranked over of the vertical. A pleasure to have owned & ridden for tens of thousands of miles, no mechanical failures & I customised my two, I even still have a slightly broken "Martini style" fairing & a very special 15" rear wheel. Smiling as I'm writing & remembering.

I had one in 1980. it was my favourite of all 46 bikes i have had. i custom painted it and added z1000 bars, marzochi shocks, marshal 4 into 1. loved it.

In South Africa, one was converted to chain drive (the shaft sapped LOTS of power) and, in the capable hands of Rodney Gray, immediately broke the lap records at every track in the country. I had one, 1980 model, I think. Great bike.

Wow, what a bike! Just show's you're never too late to join the party!

Thanks for uploading this. This bike is from the era that I started riding in.

Had an XS750 in 1980 (I'm 71 now) and loved it - no sports bike but I scratched with the best of them back in the day (favourite road was Kineton to Edgehill in Warwickshire - great bends) - family/car/job mediocrity got in the way for many years - had a couple of bikes in the last 10 years or so, but now without one. Would love one of these (if I felt I could handle it!). Love Yamahas and love the shaft drive. Ah well - dreams of an old man.

I love the 1980's rare version of the Black- Gold "Midnigth -Special". As a young boy from 15, it was only a dream. The engine of the XS 1.1 sounds like a big turbine, great sound of the XJ and XS class I really loved to hear and bring back the memories of the days, that only excisted in my head. Now at the age of 57, I drove for 32 years my other dream bike: the Z1.😉

Oh God, I loved them soooo much. Simply one of the best motorcycles I've ever owned. There have been a few small changes over the years. Firstly, a slightly wider handlebar, which significantly improved control in fast corners and also made the handling itself much easier. Spreading the little finger was enough to initiate the curve (ok, that was an exaggeration, the supermoto handlebars really improved the handling extremely). The indicators moved upwards, right next to the seat. This also allowed me to dispense with the extremely wide chrome strut above the rear light, which gave the rear end a much narrower look. Wide as a Great Dane at the front, narrow as a... well, nice and narrow ;-). After around 150,000 km (!!!), the original exhaust went. I then changed to a 4 in 1 (I'm no longer sure which manufacturer, Akrapovic would be possible, the company came up around the middle/end of the 1980s). I then rode the bike until the early 2000s and sold it to a very good friend with almost exactly 386,000 km (!!!).... with a heavy heart, but my health no longer allowed me to ride a motorcycle. Unfortunately, he threw it into a ditch almost a year later and destroyed it so badly that it could not be rebuilt, or only at extremely high cost. Unfortunately, this is a common fate for the XS 1100... :-(

Picked one up last year ridiculously cheap. When I was growing up my Dad would tell me stories about touring all over Canada, the US and Mexico on his XS. He would have been in his 20s, he is 70 now. When I saw this fully stock (even the pipes!) bike come up for sale, I took a ferry to go and grab it. It did not run, had a rusty tank, etc etc... shes pretty much all sorted now and it is alot of fun. And, my old man still rides... gets to take the XS out, and I ride it alongside him. I doubt it will go anywhere, pretty cool connection to the past, and too cheap to sell! Ride on.

Back in the day I had a 1980 standard version of the XS11 with a header and carb work. It was impossibly fast, especially in a straight line. One of my favorite bikes ever.

Great work both of you, a really brilliant film about a much overlooked classic.

Nice video! Bought one in February 1978 when they first came out. Yamaha required the dealer to take it. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to sell it (rural area), so I got a smokin' good deal. Never had any reason to replace it. Still runs great. As I remember it the "XS Eleven" was released before the Honda CBX, which clocked a couple tenths faster in the 1/4 than the 1100.

the 1979 model was the first stock, off the showroom floor motorcycle to be able to go through the traps on the quarter mile in 10.34 seconds. this bike is the reason kawasaki went after that title and never looked back. we have speed because of it. I own two of these bikes. an 83 model and a 79. the 79 is being restored to its original glory right now. they are rolling peices of history that should not be forgotten and are a joy to ride.

Had one back in the day. A cracking big barge with bags of character plus brakes that where neigh useless with all that weight.....God I miss her...

I never owned a new car but I owned four new bikes. This one, the XS1100 Special was the most awesome piece of machinery that was ever made. Nothing could touch it. Opened it up to 125 mph and there was still a lot left in reserve. Weight to horse power, it was like having a 1200 hp car.

Dang! I really miss my xs! Such a fun bike!!

I had the full dress model. The longest road trip I took was from Denver through Wyoming, Montana into Canada; across Canada to highway 101 in California to the tip of Baja and back to Denver. The VS1100 was the best road bike I ever owned.

Had one back in the day , what a monster , wish I had never sold it .☹️

Good article and dead on about the engine. Mine was a relentlessly fast touring experience, neck ache, arm ache etc. Despite the fork brace and experements with an adjustable steering damper and handle bar weights (none of which were convincing), it went around corners slightly better than a block of flats. I loved that bike and it still hurts me that it was stolen.

Thank you so much for these videos. Short but informative, and with quality footage as well. It shows you really care for these gorgeous vehicles.

I was gifted an '81 XS11 a couple years ago. I'm finally getting into it and it's such a simple bike for what it is. I've watched this video at least 15 times just to keep my motivation up, so thank you to whoever posted this. The XS11 is such a gem.

I got one of the first XS1100 that got to Denmark in 78, and it blew my mind... Now I just bought a BMW K1600 GT 🏍️ to replace my FJR 1300. But I will never forget the thrill og the XS 1100 🙏👍🏍️😎

It was 1978 and I was working as a salesman at y first motorcycle dealership. We were a Honda, Yamaha, Husky and Triumph dealer.Anyway my buddy was the service manager and I told him I was going to buy a new CBX. He talked me out of it and onto this really sharp looking blue with gold pinstriped new 1979 XS1100 Yamaha.What a great bike! It had power and torque like nothing I had ever ridden much less owned, especially compared to my little RD400.That was the most trouble free motorcycle i have ever owned and I've owned a lot! I would like to find a clean one somewhere to add to my collection. Like an idiot I ended up selling mine to an acquaintance and unbelievably he still has it. 40 years and he's still riding the same bike!

I bought a '79 Special 7 years ago. Fixed the 2nd gear dog slip and the middle case oil seal. Other than that she fires up no matter what and is still uber reliable. I like how Yamaha upped the ante over it's competitors with all disc brakes and a shaft drive. My only complaint is the smallish tank on my Special and the small frame doesn't make it ideal for carrying a passenger long distance. It's the best $700 dollars I've ever spent and has made me a Yamaha convert because they build good, tough stuff.

Very nicely done video, I've an '81 XS1100H model, for just a couple of years now and absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!

Bought one new. It was my daily for three years of university. I miss it. The acceleration was magnificent.

I still have the original Motorcyclist magazine issue on this bike where they rode it from LA to NYC in three days. Ken Vreeke on the cover with the big red beast. Anyone remember that ?? I never owned an XS1100 myself, though an acquaintance had the first one here in Ireland, in silver, and it was very impressive. Always have been a Yamaha guy first and foremost, and owned three FJ1200`s ( All at the same time !! ) while living in Boston. I also owned five XJ Seca 750`s, one which I only recently sold, along with my original FJ1200 from 1986 which I shipped home from the USA in 2011 when I retired. I still own a hopped up 2008 R1.

Great vid of a good looking bike .you forget how nice some of them bikes looked when chasing the latest tackle

I just found this. Thank you, it brings back some great memories. I had a full dress version and dam it was fun to ride!

In the early 1990s I rode an XS-1100 with full front fairing, saddle bags and sliding back rest. She took me everywhere, commuting to highway vacations. Boy, I wish I could see her again!

I'm building one up now as 2018 is the 40th anniversary of the XS1100 and as an homage to the Castrol 6 Hour race. See the original tv video of the 1978 Castrol 6 Hour race on youtube, the half distance wheel change on the winning bike is just brilliant (I was there watching it at the time) and caught almost everyone by surprise. The Honda team panicked a bit and stuffed theirs up when the very hot rear axel wouldn't fit into the new cold rear wheel and the seconds ticked by...exciting stuff. You have to see how the likes of Wayne Gardner, Ron Haslem, Helmut Dahn, the brilliant Steve Gall ( full time mx racer with only a few hours practice on the XS11), even Mike Hailwood threw these big bikes around with stock pipes, foot pegs and road tyres to believe it. These monsters won production races in Oz Nad NZ up until 1982, raced by guys that went on soon after to win GP world championships and Suzuka 8hour races. The XS1100 appears to be the best survivor of them all.

I have a 1978 bought from cellar storage since 1992, 8,500 miles now at 10,200. Full Yamaha fairing with bags from the period. Spent months cleaning the tank and carbs, org paint and truly beautiful, the 225 delivered to the states. Now at 73 I am looking for a good home so someone else can maintain and enjoy. Very very fast bike.

Im buying one this weekend, and its the completion of a 14 year dream. I've have 1000s, Hyperbikes, cafe bikes, dirt bikes, but finally, finally I am coming home to the bike I always knew had captured my soul.

Still have a 79 Special. Pretty awesome bike, still runs fine.

What a motorcycle I had one back in the late 90s I've never known a bike with so much lowdown grunt it would pull up a bank in Top Gear at 9 mph to up it was the custom model I really miss this bike even though it was a big old tank

I'm a Yamaha bikeboy and fanboy too, it's very nice and really cool to see this coming back, hope they launch this in India too

I want one so much Also your editing is amazing

Would you believe that an XS1100 won the 1978 Castrol 6 Hour production race in Australia. Beat off bikes such as the CBX1000, Ducati 900SS and Z1B Kawasaki. The Castrol 6 Hour was the preeminent production bike race in the world, no mods allowed, standard street tyres and the whale won it running away. Amazing bike and very underrated.

Excellent narration in the the video. Classic ride. Excellent video

Great bike. Over years not a single problem.

I had one back in the 80's, the 1.1 model, maroon and silver paint job. (sigh). Rode just about every road in South Africa on her, breakfast runs to Hartebeespoort dam every Sunday... sometimes twice it was so much fun. Went on a run with a bunch of buddies up to the northern Transvaal once; my brother was on his new GS1000. Nice long straight and my brother went past me flat out lying flat on the tank for max speed. He got very bent out of shape when I made a show of examining my finger nails as I cruised past him, sitting bolt upright. Those were the days. I think she was my all time favourite.

I have the XJ1100, same driveline, same super smooth buckets of power. If not mistaken, they were the fastest bikes out. Engineering was awesome, they designed the motor to spin opposite of normal and built reliability that was to easily achieve 100k miles. I love my RD350 for the twisties, but climb on the 1100 for longer rides or just brute force power.

Great video, brought back some great memories, my favorite one was the nickname it had in my riding circles, the flexi flyer, due to its shaft jack when twisting off or down especially in a curve 🤪

What a machine. Great video.👍

I had a 1978 XS750 triple. It did what I heard it does.....Using it as a racer reving it out and fanning the clutch while the shifter is loaded (speed shifting) I spun the center rod journal bearing. Taking it apart found one bearing shell on top of the other. Crank was bent so bought a new one. Sold it after I fixed it. Maybe it was the ARCO graphite oil that just hit the market but was also told that bearing did not get a good supply of oil.

I miss my '78 XS-11! It was smooth, comfortable and had more power than I ever needed.

Had one of these back in 82. It was a 'T' reg, so 4 years old when I got it. Loved every minute on it and would have another in a heartbeat. Now, nearly 60 years old, I've got a 1250 Bandit. No comparisons made, suffice to say, it hasn't got the soul of the '11'.

Very nice video of the retro superbikes ,, calm secure excessive power of the eleven , you don't need anymore ,, it feels nice,, makes you want one ,,, yess ,, I got one .

I had a '79 XS1100 Std. It was a pretty cool bike, but indeed, it was better versed as a "straight-line" bike. I imagine if I had bought it new, I might have thought a bit better of it, but it didn't follow you, you had to follow it and steer it more by handle bar pressure than balance. But that said, it was still a kick in the pants. Wind open that throttle and I felt like I was in a small version of the Millennium Falcon about to hit warp speed. I even found my hand slipping off the handle grip a time or two from the pull. I just wish I'd had the money to get a Midnight Special version of one "back in the day". If I had managed that, I expect I'd possibly still own it today. Instead I now drive a HD Fat Boy which actually has a lower center of gravity, but it's low-end torque saves me from wanting to "express" the potential of higher revs and speed like that XS11 did. But I'm proud to have owned/ridden one.

I bought one of these new in 81. Rode all throughout southern Africa with it for several years. To this day, it is the most comfortable bike for long trips I have ever ridden.

My mate had two of these. The first as a sidecar combination, and the second a few years later as a solo. He missed the first one so much he had to buy one again! Very nice bikes, never rode one myself but did a lot of miles on the pillion and in the chair with him.

Classic looks. Never goes out of style. Wish i have one hehe

Had one then and have one now having only bought it at an auction 6 weeks ago for the same price they were in 1978, condition is very nice, standard and original but due to it being parked up since 1987 and unknown history its getting what I think it needs. It did have relatively new pads back and front albeit cheep ones and fresh petrol in it, it started first press of the button and runs a treat. Its getting calliper seals back and front, master cylinder seals back and front, new pads, new brake lines though they look ok, K&N air filter, oil filter, new oil and finally carburettor rubbers.

Great video! Excellent editing! I'm restoring a Yamaha XS1100 right now, you got me motivated! Cheers from the Finger Lakes!

A new XS1100, a CBX, and a Suzuki 1000 with a turbo kit (remember those). These three were sitting on the side of the road as I went past at 100+ on my RD400 of course they had to come after me and it wasn't very long until they flew past. lol 1980, the good old days.

When I see this I understand what the XSR900 was trying to capture, and am so happy that Yamaha seized the opportunity

I bought a new XS ELEVEN (in the US) in 1978. Rode the snot out of it for 3 years. Great touring bike. Prone to tank slappers and very thirsty. I ran it completely out of fuel in 56 miles during a late night WFO session on I80. : ) Also had an appetite for rear tires. Traded it for a 1981 750 SECA when 2nd gear went out. I still have the Yamaha service manual for the ELEVEN.

Superb bike back in the day. I had one of the first sold by a well known London dealer that came with a free Martini style fairing. Got it home and removed the fairing and went from Northern England to St Tropez on it. Never missed a beat other than a rear wheel puncture on the circular by Fords Dagenham heading for dover. I had to figure out how to use the crazy little cable thing to raise the swing arm to enable wheel removal. Happy days when bikes came with a toolkit and we could fix them ourselves !!

I had one in the 90s , first bike to wheelspin in second gear with me on it. (18 stone) , i was elated, and couldn't stop doing it for an hour or so. I'd really love to see you're collection in the flesh, I'd keep the location super secret, and donate a body part. Awesome collection, we are of the same eclectic mind of car's and bikes , only you actually have them, whereas I just watch videos and dream about them. Amazing video of the xs11.😎👍👍👍

G’day I bought one of these back then it was dark metallic brown and had 1. On the covers it’s exactly what you said in your review. Thanks for that it bought back some great memories. Regards John

I used to own a 1980 XS100 Special. One of the best bikes I ever owned. I mad a big mistake selling it, as I did with many other wonderful bikes. I had no idea that bikes would become nothing more than computers on wheels back then. Oh what I would give to have some of those wonderful carbureted air cooled bikes with real brakes back. I do have a few normal non computer bikes, but they are not as good as the bikes they made 40 years ago.

I have only one thing to say... wow! that is a very nice bike:)

Just picked one of these up yesterday! needs some work, but i'm excited!

Owed 2 XS1100 Specials. Great bikes and styling.

1982, rode one from SF to NFLD across canada, NFLD to SF, back through the states. what a bike.

I had a Maxim 1100 Special pre ethanol and no issues with carbs on that issue. It took a long time to warm up like ride with the choke half on for cool days. Heavy was a good thing and low but you have off camber turn and you need to put your weight on the up side of the turn. No liquid cooling made on my bike and that helped it bowel like music. Great deal of comfort and I loved the stepped seat , easy windshields barn doors were great as was the adjustable handlebar. I miss that sounds. Black and gold rolls with a blow Hemi.

I did a job on a farm and we were replacing all nails for screws on this barn and when lunch came we decided to cool off in the shade inside and I got to see one of these bikes along with 10 other bikes.

I love all these old bikes, even my dads ancient Puch Maxi S !!

i always wanted to have this bike- always fascinatin me- the look- the motor- kardan the whole package- there was a midnight edition i remember !??

Best bike in the rain i ever had , you could slide it about with total confidence , a big soft cuddly bear .

Lovely bike, great vid to watch ! Although I am a Suzuki guy, my first big bike, back in 1993, was Suzuki's equivalent to the Yamaha XS 1100, a GS1100G, I bought a 85 model, and kept it for 5 years. Now I have a mint conditioned 2004 GSX 1400.

My mate had one of these new in the day,wow impressed me when riding pillion.My Kawasaki mates nicked name them XS weight.Saw many for sale in later years with blown 2nd gear or jumps out of gear,apparently a common problem.Definitely worthy of praise.

In 1978 October I went in an purchased a 79 model first week I took it for a ride I left Los Angeles and wound up in Reno that evening it was so smooth it was like riding on a cloud.

I love the styling of these bikes.

Classic standard style and great sounds.

Back in the day, mate down the pub had one. People would walk up, look it over, then look at the clocks, and walk away smiling. Of course I had to take a look. At base of the clocks was a little rocker switch labelled "Push to engage warp drive". It was quick in a straight line, in an almost lazy way; just twist the throttle, didn't matter what gear, and away it went. Didn't much like corner's though...

Thanks for the video ¡

Now this is when Japanese bikes had Character and a Soul. Today they still build great bikes but you acquired a special attachment to these machines back in the day. I guess that's why I had to buy a first gen Vmax, something to keep me connected to the past...I'll never forget my very first bike, a brand new, 1982 Yamaha Maxxim 550 inline four.

I had two of these in the '80s. Both were the metallic blue and cream paint scheme. The first one must have been a year old when I got it in 1984 - full fairing with Krauser style panniers. Pretty fast for a big lump, and handled well enough. An excellent, unstressed tourer. I had the second one for about two weeks before it got stolen!

Awesome video! The choice of music is just perfect and the narraters voice is absolutely top notch. 👌 I stumbled over your channel, after I bought a now 45 years old Eleven and fell in love with it. You have a new subsciber now so please keep the good work up. 😉✌️

This was a real icon.

I had a 1980 in dark grey with orange pin stripe. It was also the fastest production bike at the time with a top speed of 134.8 MPH. One of the problems with it was they used a very fine twisted wire in the ignition assembly and the wire would break inside the insulation. I replaced mine with a couple of pieces of speaker wire (LOL) and it ran just fine until I sold it. The only thing it would pass was a gas station. On one high speed run down some back roads it dipped down to about 18 miles to the imperial gallon. Wish I still had that beast today.......

I jumped from a ‘75 orange tanked RD350 to a ‘79 red XS100 Special. First thing to go were the bars! A low set with only a slightly swept back angle gave me the look I wanted and kept the grip switch housings from hitting the tank. I was the big dog here on the Island, terrorizing all the Kawasaki’s until the Ninjas and the 4 valve Suzuki’s came out. The forks were spindly. I’d replace the rear shocks with struts when I went to the drags to keep the shaft drive from lifting up and down during launches. 4th gear required a good shift when racing! It was stolen and slightly damaged but insurance was generous and I bought smooth bore carbs, a new exhaust, a stellar new bright red paint job, etc. I loved that bike in spite of the tickets and the stupid things I did on it. Kaplan has/had one that brought back the memories for me. Thanks for that.

rode one of these from CA to NFLD. a bat out of hell!

1978 XS11. Hands down, the best bike I have ever owned. Mine was second hand with forty thou on the clock. A decent set of shockies on the arse end & open the eyes of those on supposedly more sports oriented bikes on any road.

I had a 1979 years ago and I loved it. I nicknamed the zapper because it was so damn fast when you twist the throttle in any gear!

I remember I think it was Greg Hansford took one for a test ride with a turbo kit fitted. Got off it and said something to the effect of “ take it apart and dont put it together again. “ The frame was flexing wildly and he reckons the speed blur gave him about a 20 degree field of view.

My dad had the Martini Racing livery Mike Hailwood replica version of these, pretty rare! He came home with a brochure for it and being a young teen i was just nuts about the look of the thing, then two days later he surprised us all with it sitting in our garage!, it was a great bike.

G'day and greetings from Tasmania Australia I bought mine which was a dark brown with just 1.1 it was a bloody beautiful bike and as you said it had plenty of power and very comfortable to ride. I bought it in 1993 brand new thank you for reviewing this lovely bike kind regards John

Sweet Memory 😁

Ive owned three of these bikes, including a midnite special. Awesome bikes👍🏻

Yamaha have always built Quality bikes, The Shaft drive is used in my Super Tenere 1200 today another awesome machine! :)

I love my daily driver '79 Special!

I drive one...so much wonderful!!..the best

Great content. Tks.