Jap cruisers

**toads** · 3rd September 2004, 19:16

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Interesting description. Sounds a bit like "what's the difference between a duck?"

what he meant Hitcher is the straight engines, with the cylinders behind one another don't look as cruiserish to his way of thinking as the v twin engines that look very beasty and have the v as a side profile, I can see the difference and I agree!! My cruiser has 2 cylinders but is not a v twin, he doens't like the look of it as much as his one

**crashe** · 15th November 2004, 14:20

I would like to say that since I first brought mine over 4 years ago.... I wouldnt trade it.... It has fast take off at the lights.....I leave the cars still sitting there at the lights lol. and it is also great to get around town on.... Have ridden her out of town on longish trips.... and it goes brilliantly.... even kept up with the bigger bikes..... (except those sports bike riders who love to go at great speed lol) I got her up to 140 once..... 130 a couple times.. but prefer to keep at the legal speed.... I like to see what is happening all around me....

**crashe** · 15th November 2004, 14:22

Whats with the "L-plate rider" beside name....

I have a full license.

**Dr Bob** · 15th November 2004, 14:37

Originally Posted by crashe

Whats with the "L-plate rider" beside name....

I have a full license.

It's because you had to ask that question.

**Dr Bob** · 15th November 2004, 14:43

A question for crashe and anyone else that may know.

My bike is from about 81 or 82 and was labelled an XV750 special, although the haines manual has a picture of it labelled virago. I was along side a much newer virago (probably mid to late 90's) the other day and couldn't believe the differences, besides the increase in the amount of plastic the engine "appears" to have a narrower angle V (although this could have been an opticle delusion) and the footpegs are about 1 1/2 metres further forward. The air intake is the obvious difference, coming off the side harley style rather than from under the seat.

My question is " How much can a model change before you change the name? "

**crashe** · 15th November 2004, 14:52

Maybe ask the Yamaha dealers...... Haldanes at Mt Eden.
They will know the answer to your question..... :spudwhat:

So I guess I get to kept the "L-plate" for a while huh....dang it...

As a newbie to this site.... can anyone tell me how long it stays there????

**Hitcher** · 15th November 2004, 15:24

Originally Posted by Dr Bob

My question is " How much can a model change before you change the name? "

If you're a car manufacturer the answer is "lots".

**Dr Bob** · 15th November 2004, 15:32

Originally Posted by Hitcher

If you're a car manufacturer the answer is "lots".

Yeah, as soon as I posted this I was thinking 'Mirage', 'Commodore', 'Bongo' - sorry last one I couldn't resist, don't know if it's changed it's just a stupid name.

**FROSTY:Me** · 15th November 2004, 15:43

Bob--Give alex a ring hes the xv expert
the xv has never changed its basic desighn. same angle etc
they have stuffed around with engine sizing.750,1000,1100 and I think there was an 850.
the basic frame hasnt changed a lot either
As I undestand it the xv went -XV750. (fully enclosed chain drive) then xv750 special-your bike then virago which is the chromed up version.

**duckman** · 15th November 2004, 15:47

Originally Posted by crashe

Maybe ask the Yamaha dealers...... Haldanes at Mt Eden.
They will know the answer to your question..... :spudwhat:

So I guess I get to kept the "L-plate" for a while huh....dang it...

As a newbie to this site.... can anyone tell me how long it stays there????

Not wanting to nit-pick BUT, Haldanes is no longer a Yamaha dealership they converted to Suzuki some months ago.

**Hitcher** · 15th November 2004, 15:54

Originally Posted by duckman

Haldanes is no longer a Yamaha dealership they converted to Suzuki some months ago.

The Evil Empire claims another scalp...

**Holy Roller** · 15th November 2004, 16:45

Originally Posted by XJ/FROSTY

Bob--Give alex a ring hes the xv expert
the xv has never changed its basic desighn. same angle etc
they have stuffed around with engine sizing.750,1000,1100 and I think there was an 850.
the basic frame hasnt changed a lot either
As I undestand it the xv went -XV750. (fully enclosed chain drive) then xv750 special-your bike then virago which is the chromed up version.

Somewhere in there is the XV500 and 535 still looking for a diff for a 26R framed XV500

**Jackrat** · 15th November 2004, 18:48

Yamaha must be good at this type of thing.
The XS had 18odd model designations but the bike didn't really change much at all.They could of just stuck with Standard and special.
Try this.
XS1
XS1B
XS2
XS2F
TX650
TX650A
XS650B
XS650D
XS650E
XS650S
XS650SE
XS650-2F
SX650SF
XS650G
XS650SG
XS650H
XS650SH
XS650SJ
XS650SK
XS650SL
That lot covers three bikes that apart from a few minor bits are much the same.

**Motu** · 15th November 2004, 19:08

Impressive list Jack - makes ya kinda sorry for those who own a bike that had a 6mth life span and then disapeared off the face of the parts fish.

**cruzer** · 27th January 2005, 14:06

Originally Posted by XJ/FROSTY

Which of all the jap cruisers do you rate as the best.
Me I've been lucky enough to ride a few -along with some outa here sports bikes.
Of all the cruisers ive ridden the virago 1100 rates my vote. Twin disks on the front a v twin -preferably with slightly loud pipes and a comfortable riding position if ya wanna get spirited with ya riding.

Suzuki 805 Volusia, nice ride, big cruiser feel have a look on my profile page