Yamaha XJ650 Turbo Review

Yamaha XJ 650 Turbo SECA Review

[@RonBrooks-u3c]

I purchased my 82 new off the showroom floor, sold it when fatherhood required in 88. Reunited in a barn in 2023. Restored and absolutely living the dream again

[@Adikxx]

Congrats ! They're superb bikes.

[@n7533p]

I loved my turbo Seca. Everything about was easy, except the turbo kicking in when you weren't expecting it. It was a hoot when it kicked in in a straight line. They talk down the 90 HP. I have a beautiful Bonnie now and it only has 65 HP and it's actually more of a handful than the Seca was. The styling was so 80's I couldn't give it away when it was time to part. Just a great bike, I'll say.

[@iancorley1330]

I bought an XJ650 Turbo in 1986 , just passed my motorcycle test visited my local dealer he had a brand new Honda CB 750 with gold wheels , and a New Yamaha XJ650 Turbo he had ,had the Turbo in stock for a few years nobody was interested sold it to me for around £3800 otr loved it brilliant bike especially when the Turbo kicked in at 70 + mph digital dash was a clever idea kept it for about a year or so back then I wanted to try out as many big bikes as I could . great days great memories .

[@Adikxx]

Indeed very cool bikes. So rare today.

[@iancorley1330]

@@Adikxx Right about that my one in 1986 is about the only one I have ever seen

[@heidthebaw3952]

I owned one of these back in the 80s. Very comfortable as you mention, and so great for touring. The acceleration with the turbo was outstanding - verging on dangerous in second gear as I remember. But the thrill only lasted as long as the spark plugs were relatively new. After a couple of thousand miles the plugs wore out and the crazy acceleration went with them. Sold it for a handful of sweeties after about 4 years of ownership - nobody wanted them (turbo bikes in general) anymore...

[@Luke_SkyWalk3r]

0:58 I felt that in my soul. They are a hassle to restore, cost a little bit to do properly, but the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction when its done is unbeatable. Beautiful Job, Beautiful Bike!

[@Adikxx]

Oh yes you're damn right. Satisfaction is huge. Thanks for watching !

[@seanbarrett1678]

I bought my 1982 XJ650 Turbo brand new out of the box in 1984. I loved my Turbo and had a lot of fun. Your video showing the POV from the rider seat was great. That and the sound really brings me back to the mid eighties. I sold mine back in the 90’s but watching your video brings back great memories!

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for commenting, it's hugely appreciated! Old bikes are pure magic indeed !

[@Moon_Quake]

This turbo seca video will be the best one uploaded to the internet, for YEARS. I keep coming back to watch it while i work on mine in the mean time. Thank you again

[@Adikxx]

Thank you so much for commenting. It's massively appreciated!

[@donaldhipple4921]

I had an XJ650 Turbo for a few years after a friend had decided to pass it on. I was a Yamaha mechanic for 50 years and remember them new. The waste gate kit did improve performance a bit, but I found just disconnecting the waste gate pressure hose had a real improvement. Also I mounted 4 piston calipers from a FZR600, then I had to remember not to break so hard as to lock the front wheel. Another mention about the warning lights, it had a low battery fluid level light. Wet battery, the sensor was installed in the 3rd cell (6volt). I passed it forward to another friend a few years ago so he had a vintage bike that he could carry his wife along for a ride.

[@vernnelson8121]

Excellent review! Your description of the driving experience is right on the money! When you talked about the brakes, clutch and handling, I was saying Yep! Yep! Yep! I owned one back in the late 80's. I found one in 2020 with 22000 km and had to buy it. It came with a parts bike. That is now on the road as my daily driver. I am currently working on a third. These bikes have some short comings but they are classics from the golden age of motorcycles. The Yamaha Turbo was the most common and I run into lots of people that are excited to see one on the road.

[@FoundingStockNZ]

Nice work mate, I'm a big fan of yamaha inline 4s and turbos but I decided instead of doing what we call here a +T to my 650 maxim, I realised that a stock 750 makes 88hp over my stock 71-73hp and it's a straight swap! 🎉

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for watching and commenting💥

[@SundownCity]

I enjoyed your review. In 1983, I walked into a Yamaha dealership and fell in love. I purchased four of these brand new from 1983 - 1985. They never sold well, and many sat in dealerships for a few years. I was able to buy all of mine at steep discounts. Unfortunately, over the ensuing years I crashed one and had three stolen. But not before I twice spent about eight weeks and 4,000 miles traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles through the Southwest. I took two of them to their top speeds and it was a rush. The turbocharger didn't kick in until about 5,000 rpm or higher; I preferred the lower vibration of about 4,500 rpm so I didn't use it too much. But when I did punch it, the sensation was like the way that warp drive was portrayed in the first Star Trek movie. One reviewer in the '80s described it as reaching out and grabbing onto the back of a speeding truck. I once did a modelling shoot with a gorgeous blonde actress I was dating -- like the one in the Porsche commercial -- overlooking the Pacific south of Los Angeles. I have only ridden vintage motorcycles for the past 25 years, but still have a very warm place in my heart for my Turbos (and for the blonde as well).

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for your awsome comment, i appreciate you watching the vid💥

[@SundownCity]

Sure; it was nice to hear its sweet exhaust sound again.@@Adikxx

[@T3-RIDER]

3 bikes of the same bike stolen? Ouch...i feel for you brother

[@SundownCity]

At least the pace has slowed: I've only had two motorcycles stolen since then.@@T3-RIDER

[@richardbyrnes8398]

I test road one of these around 1982. Best bit was the fairing which was a revelation when most bikes for sale were naked. The turbo effect was, shall we say, underwhelming and the tyres and brakes were marginal. I saved my pennies and bought an FJ1200 a few years later, which blew the XJ out of the water in every respect. Thanks for the video though!

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for your comment, we appreciate it. Fj 1200 is indeed a superb bike, I filmed a review of FJ1200 and gave it lots of praise, really liked it. Yamaha made some superb bikes in it's history.

[@darrellhamilton9886]

I had that same very bike in 1991 electrical nightmare. it rode nice and it was very comfortable when it was running

[@mcdk72]

Diversity in ones bike fleet is essential:)

[@Moon_Quake]

i was excited to type in seca on youtube again because its been awhile. i was so excited when your video popped up! i am currently attempting to get my 650 turbo back in riding condition. This video is a huge motivator, and answers a lot of questions i had... and hope that ill be able to find all the parts i need if i pay enough. thank you so much for this.

[@Adikxx]

Thanks ! There will also be a little seriers of videos showing some work on this bike, might be useful. Link to 1st episode below: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnmnhaiOmryieNEsi=qOoUWv6xrepm5qFL

[@Moon_Quake]

@Adikxx YES!! You're the man! The bike looks incredible, you did an amazing job on it. I'll check that out and thanks again

[@uhtred7860]

Always thought Yamahas XJ650T was ugly as sin when i was younger, but now i'm (a lot) older the styling isn't anywhere near as bad as i used to think, its quite nice from most angles. They also sold a non turbo XJ750 with the same fairing here in NZ for a few years as well. Nice job on the resto👍, my next project is an 84 FJ1100, i found a reasonably low km example (77,000 km around 50,000 miles) that hasn't been messed with, it still has its original exhaust in good condition. (no salt on the roads here). Can't wait to hook into it.

[@Adikxx]

FJ is another gem from Yamaha, so underrated ! Hope you buy it as it really is a very cool bike.

[@malcolmwhite6588]

I am in New Zealand too- years ago I worked for Joe lett Suzuki in Wanganui. They traded one of those and it sat with the previous owner and the waste gate seized. our head Mechanic was an ex Yamaha Grand Prix mechanic from memory , so he went over it and got it to run well, and they wanted me to ride it to my house in Hawera to give it a run at 200 km round trip.-to confirm it was alright- even then I remember it being a terrible bike ! LOL ,by the standards of the day a good 750 was quicker and lighter. It was under braked - stable, but not good handling , under powered off boost , overpowered on boost and if you rolled off the throttle it was terrifying because it would continue under power! You got used to rolling on the throttle while you held it on to rear brake to come out of corners under boost to avoid the slow lag! Up to corners and then braking hard before you needed to with the throttle closed to try and overcome the XS boost before it slowed down! LOL

[@uhtred7860]

@@malcolmwhite6588 Hawera? LOL, i'm in NP.😄

[@malcolmwhite3567]

@@uhtred7860 OMG that’s crazy these videos go around the world and there you go 70 K up the road for me - I moved to new Plymouth a number of years ago and the last couple of years I’ve been working in Palmerston North I have no modern bikes, any more - long storybut I now have a 1996 Suzuki F 900

[@Kingsoupturbo]

They are so awesome! Single piston caliper with 270 discs should be plenty, we have a GS1000 with similar brake size (although pad size matters a lot) we tried fire on the stock pads (fork oil in them) but they never worked right, new pads made a huge difference and it stops not bad now (plenty for a street bike really) the drum brake in theory should be fine considering its duty, Turbo = awesome, styling, pretty good for very early 80's, 110/130 tires = good turn in, low weight, and really quite a lot of traction, nice to have simple carbs instead of perhaps troublesome early 80's EFi.

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for a really good comment , it's appreciated.

[@Drobium77]

One of the bikes I really regret not buying. I was at a bike shop in 1999 and I was looking for an unusual bike, as I was a bored with my 600 divvy at the time. They agreed to part ex with either a GT380 suzuki, or a turbo XJ650. I was really interested in the XJ , but when they started it up, it smoked like a 40 per dayer, so I decided to get the GT380, which also smoked for England when cold, but for the right reasons. I saw the prices of the XJ turbo go through the roof around 10 years later, even dodgy ones. I could kick myself sometimes

[@Niro.C]

The turbo bikes of the early 1980's are very cool, mostly the Honda.

[@Adikxx]

Indeed very interesting bikes !

[@kenneth61]

Was one of my dreambike then, could not afford one. Got XZ550S instead, similar design.

[@Adikxx]

I always liked XZ550. Another very rare and interesting bike. Today literally extinct, no way to get it in the UK..

[@chetandabholkar7489]

one more video on Honda cx650 turbo..ple

[@TwoHemiViewer]

Great review thanks very much, yes I'm old.

[@Adikxx]

Thanks very much for watching and commenting, it's appreciated💥

[@lipsee100]

A couple of things I like about this bike are ,,, 1 the fairing ,,, I,v seen a special with this fairing on a stock 650 and it looked way cool,,, 2 If I remember rightly its a shaft drive bike,but they can keep the turbo,,,nah not for me

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for dropping a comment, it's hugely appreciated.

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

Well done on the restoration. Great Bike Great Video.

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for watching and dropping a comment, it's always appreciated ! Merry Christmas 💥

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

Keep up the great work. Merry Christmas 👍@@Adikxx

[@johnrenehan7406]

A pretty good review with decent details - but what most viewers would like , is more on how this turbo model goes ; & how does it compare with a normally aspirated model ??

[@Adikxx]

@@johnrenehan7406 i made a video showing acceleration bud. Check the channel, i've uploaded it maybe a couple of months ago.

[@TheVictorFour]

Great video. I find the brakes ok UNLESS I've just hopped on from a bike with better brakes on. Love the fairing, very comfortable, feels like, sounds electric and really fun when turbo kicks in. Some better rear shocks would be a priority for me. Is your battery sensor working?

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for commenting💋 My battery sensor would probably work but previous owner installed AGM modern battery and wire that would normally be plugged in the battery has no place to go.. Regards 💥

[@TheVictorFour]

I have the same, but am getting sensor that will work :) @@Adikxx

[@vernnelson8121]

Connect the sensor wire to 12 V through a 4.7K resistor.

[@peterwillmott8510]

I had one for a number of years and I agree with your review hole heartedly, great bike very comfortable and easy to ride, wish I still had it and to find one today in Australia you would have to spend about $9000. What is it with fatherhood and motor bikes NOT going together?

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for watching and dropping a comment, it's hugely appreciated.

[@chrisafd1]

I love this bike !!!

[@Adikxx]

Yep, it's really great. Piece of Jap motorcycle history.

[@KevinVallans]

Its a yes from me as i have two of them 🐼👍

[@Adikxx]

Thanks for watching and commenting, it's appreciated

[@jeffrey1915]

Would you like to sell me one....?

[@billcarpenter5271]

Yeay !

[@mcdk72]

Exciting. Have you tried the gsx1100f 88-94?

[@Adikxx]

Would love to. Great SACS engine!

[@mcdk72]

@@Adikxx Yes.

[@nbowling10trio]

Nice, I wish the turbo bikes would've taken over. Pretty easy to mod and add boost

[@chriscow7687]

I love these bikes. I have 3 seca turbos. Two fully functional and one parts bike. I also have the Honda cx 500 turbo. The brakes on the seca suck.

[@Adikxx]

@@chriscow7687 yep they do :(

[@lukakir3130]

Such a good video please make more videos of Xj650 turbo

[@Adikxx]

@@lukakir3130 thanks for watching and commenting. There are many videos about this bike on my channel. Series of restoration videos, acceleration clip, riding footage etc. Check the channel and you'll find more XJ 650 Vids. Regards

[@lukakir3130]

@@Adikxx i watched them all already😂

[@Adikxx]

@@lukakir3130 ah ok lol😁

[@MassimoBaccaro-x3y]

bella moto da collezione pure io ne possiedo una perfetta mitici anni 80

[@r1bayside276]

Looks very fun

[@edwardwilliammorris1340]

Beautiful sound

[@Adikxx]

@@edwardwilliammorris1340 thanks for watching and dropping a comment !

[@give-peace-a-chance]

Are really testing a Yamaha XJ650 Turbo, what will comes next, wow, really....? Holly sh...t! 👍 Do you have a Suzuki XN 85 Turbo in mind??? Sure you have, don‘t you...😉? A Yamaha GTS 1000 friend watching your videos from germany🇩🇪👍

[@Adikxx]

Hello to you my friend! I would love to get my hands on the XN85, what a great and collectable bike! I appreciate your comment and time spent watching those videos. Regards

[@uhtred7860]

My brother had an XN85 for years, I rode it many times, it was a great handling bike but suffered from turbo lag, and when the boost kicked in it was too little too late. A guy in the vintage Japanese bike club we are in has it now, he has one of each of the Turbo bikes.

[@Adikxx]

@@uhtred7860 that is one heck of a collection ! I'd love to ride the XN85, tbh that's my favourite out of the jap turbo bikes of the 80s 😉

[@uhtred7860]

@@Adikxx I loved its looks, and the fact it was rare, but the Z750 Turbo was a far better turbo bike. My brother was always talking about using the barrels and crank out of a GS 750 or GS 850 to get some CC's 🤣🤣

[@ericromeiro6688]

I have 1 with 4,000 miles on it ❤

[@Adikxx]

@@ericromeiro6688 collectable gem !

[@lane5480]

"Promosm" 😠

[@Adikxx]

What ?

[@mociczyczki]

265 mm disc with 1 piston at front for 260 kg 90 hp bike 🤭 atleast thers 2 disc at front i quesss 100 - 0 breaking distance without passenger 80-100 kg rider be like 50 -55 metres ? vs avg bike do 40 m 👍🏻 and force on lever required for achieve the same deceleration is huge probably 🫣 wait actually now im seen from test which you plug in 128 ft so 39 metres from 97 km/h is 9,2 m/s”2 avg deceleration actually not that bad its 42 m from 100 km/h its acceptable distance breaking even be 2024 standarts 🤷🏻‍♂️👌🏻 probably biger drag partly help it in deceleration 👌🏻 but force on lever required for breaking is probably much biger than modern setup 👍🏻ive seen worse breaking distance for modern motorcyclein motorrad test 🤭