XS650

[trev]

A mate has bought a 1983 XS650 Heritage Special. It only does 80 km/hr @ 4,000 rpm -is this right or does he need a smaller rear sprocket ?
Seems a bit slow as it doesn't like to rev much.

[NinjaBoy]

Both of my 600s were approx in that rev range. 80Km @ 4000, 100Km @5000 and so on...

[Motu]

Sounds close,I think mine was doing 100 kph at 4000rpm.Do you think this is too high or low? You don't explain what you want. They always feel they need an extra gear,but are actualy over geared and go better with about one more tooth an the rear sprocket.They rev alright,but your fillings fall out and feet vibrate off the pegs.I always shortshifted - keep it between 4 &5 grand and you can keep some good pace in the twisties.Good bike,one of the best motors ever made,but I prefered the earlier models like my XS1.

[Bonez]

Sounds close,I think mine was doing 100 kph at 4000rpm.Do you think this is too high or low? You don't explain what you want. They always feel they need an extra gear,but are actualy over geared and go better with about one more tooth an the rear sprocket.They rev alright,but your fillings fall out and feet vibrate off the pegs.I always shortshifted - keep it between 4 &5 grand and you can keep some good pace in the twisties.Good bike,one of the best motors ever made,but I prefered the earlier models like my XS1.Certainly one of the most over engineered motors put out alright.

[trev]

It sure as hell vibrates. It's more comfortable at 4000 rpm than at 5000 rpm but 80 kmh isn't going anywhere fast. It has a ton of grunt up to 4000 & feels like it could be higher geared.

[Rhino]

A mate has bought a 1983 XS650 Heritage Special. It only does 80 km/hr @ 4,000 rpm -is this right or does he need a smaller rear sprocket ?
Seems a bit slow as it doesn't like to rev much.

From your figures it sounds as though it is geared too low. I had a 1973 TX650 and it was higher geared. From memory the redline was at 7500 rpm. With your gearing that would be in the red at 150 kmh. I think the redline worked out at about 115 mph (Motu, does that sound right to you? It's a long time since I owned a XS/TX650.)

[skidz]

From your figures it sounds as though it is geared too low. I had a 1973 TX650 and it was higher geared. From memory the redline was at 7500 rpm. With your gearing that would be in the red at 150 kmh. I think the redline worked out at about 115 mph (Motu, does that sound right to you? It's a long time since I owned a XS/TX650.)
Yeah, my old 72 XS650/2 was about the same revs at about 110 mph.

[Jackrat]

Trev,34 tooth on the rear is Standard for the 1983 and does give about what you state.Tell your mate to go to a 32 tooth and he will be sitting on 100kph at 4800rpm.
You can go as low as a 30 tooth rear but you lose a heap of tourqe.
He'll find the change from 34-32 doesn't make a big difference in RPM but it's enough kill the vibes but keep the tourqe.I find mine perfectly comfortable at 110-120KPH with this set up.
Mike at Mt Eden Motorcycles can get you a sprocket,but keep away from that other crowd.
Cheers.

[trev]

Jackrat - thanks mate . I will pass it on. My mate is a good experienced rider but just isn't into thrashing bikes. He is using this one while he does up a 1959 speed twin & wants to be able to cruise comfortably at 90 - 100 kmh. Prferably nearer the 100 on the motorway as he has had several near misses with cars flying up his arse.

[Motu]

My XS1 was a mph bike - I cruised it at 70mph,very happy at that speed doing 5000rpm,it would certainly go to the red line easy enough and I did the ''ton'' a time or two.But I seldom rode like that,I'm not into speed,it's about pace,a different thing altogether,and much more fun.