Finally got a cruiser

[awa355]

Decided the old GB was getting a bit fragile with age, parts hard to get, and after a couple of break downs I was a bit edgy about going to far from home.

Last Friday I picked up a 2005 XVS650 Yamaha. One pommy owner from new, he bought it out with him. Has the Yamaha saddle bags, a windshield etc.

It may only be a 650 but FUCK its big!! compared to the light GB single. The first couple of days, I wasn't sure I had done the right thing.

It is not as cumbersome as I'd thought it would be. I need to re learn slow speed u turns etc. Have run some tight roads and it's supprisenly agile.

The foot boards are nice. after 40 yrs of pegs. They feel good. Not sold on the heel & toe gear change tho. Maybe its just a cruiser styling thing. I cant see any advantage over the conventional gear change.
The warning lights down on the tank are a pain. I have to drop my head to check/read whats flashing.
The speedo numbers are way to hard to read at night.

The motor has plenty of top gear grunt, tho' not a speed machine. For a 650 it pulls well from 50k's in top. Quite smooth at 100ks. The gearbox seems to a noisy one. The engine / gearbox noise has dropped off a lot since taking off the windshield. Exhaust note is pretty muffled.

Not sure how comfortable the seat will be over a days riding. The shaft drive is got to be a bonus.

Will spend tomorrow going for a decent run.

[Smifffy]

Congratulations! Pics!!

[The Lone Rider]

In 2010, the 650 version had the largest sales wordlwide in cruisers than any other of it's class.


I don't have the statistic in front of me, but I'm fairly sure that it is.

If you find the exhaust note to quiet, there is a very easy way to fix it, so that it has some noise but not overpowering. It takes about 30 minutes.

[awa355]

In 2010, the 650 version had the largest sales wordlwide in cruisers than any other of it's class.


I don't have the statistic in front of me, but I'm fairly sure that it is.

If you find the exhaust note to quiet, there is a very easy way to fix it, so that it has some noise but not overpowering. It takes about 30 minutes.

I'm keen, I dont want it loud loud. As long as I dont have to start mucking about with the carbys.

One thing I dont like , is checking the oil. Somehow, I'm supposed to hold the bike upright, then bend right down to look under the floorboards and the frame.

One other thing? has anyone ever fitted a Tacho to a bike that doesn't have one? I'd be curious to know what my revs are at 100ks. The handbook describes attaching a rev counter to the spark plug lead as part of the carb settings.

Just found out the bike is doing 4000 revs at 100kph. Dunno how the reviewer found that out, must be able to count really fast.

[The Baron]

Wow. Very nice.

Thanks for the pic.

[The Lone Rider]

I'm keen, I dont want it loud loud. As long as I dont have to start mucking about with the carbys.

One thing I dont like , is checking the oil. Somehow, I'm supposed to hold the bike upright, then bend right down to look under the floorboards and the frame.

One other thing? has anyone ever fitted a Tacho to a bike that doesn't have one? I'd be curious to know what my revs are at 100ks. The handbook describes attaching a rev counter to the spark plug lead as part of the carb settings.

Just found out the bike is doing 4000 revs at 100kph. Dunno how the reviewer found that out, must be able to count really fast.

I'll post up a drawing for you tonight or tomorrow.

Keep in mind it is a permanent modification, short of having to have a new round end plate on the exhaust made up and welded on to make it back to stock.

[The Lone Rider]

Attached is the photo of what your exhaust end plates should look like.

I have done about 5 bikes using this technique and none of the owners have been disappointed.

The 12, 3, 6, 9 o clock holes need to be drilled a minimum of 4mm drill bit.

the other 4 drill holes need to be at least half the size of the larger 4 drill holes.. meaning drill them at least 2mm, but not more than 3mm. I would stick to doing them at 1/2 size of the others for starters.

Fire up the bike and see if you like the sound.

At 4mm/2mm most likely the engine will breath but the exhaust will sound puffy.

Just keep drilling the holes 1 size up, fire up the bike and test.

The last dragstar I did was drilled to 10 and 8mm, but if you get up to the 10mm on the large holes, keep the smaller ones on 5mm and ride around for a week before you go any bigger.

Hopefully that should do it for you.

Oh, and get a friend to take the bike for a ride while you stand on the sidewalk listening.

[phill-k]

That's a nice looking ride, nice lines enjoy

[tex.trev]

Hi all , thanks for the info on exhaust mods. What an awesome site .

cheers Trev

[Freespaceage]

Decided the old GB was getting a bit fragile with age, parts hard to get, and after a couple of break downs I was a bit edgy about going to far from home.

Last Friday I picked up a 2005 XVS650 Yamaha. One pommy owner from new, he bought it out with him. Has the Yamaha saddle bags, a windshield etc.

Grats - welcome to the world of cruisers. It's a great bike!

[skinman]

Nice bike
If you want to use the windshield but find you get buffeting can I suggest lower wind deflectors.
Check out "http://www.cruisercustomizing.com" for all the shiny bits.