The Yamaha XS650

The XS650 is a little over looked by some, but the number of fans is slowly growing as it should. This bike is not what I expected and is better in every way. I can not wait to have more seat time with this one.
Socials: linktree.com/navsgarage

[@dog_guy-c8x]

I owned 3 of them . 2 of them were 77s of witch one of them I bought new and the other I bought years later used and I bought another new one in 82 I loved the bikes. they were very capable and reliable. An intereting fact the new 77 that I bought I traveled for 2 summers all over Canada I put over 70 thousand miles on it. The only thing I ever replaced on that bike was oil changes and I had to replace points on it every once and a while. Other then that oh ya and tires other then that they were rock solid bikes and i wished I still had one parked in the garage now.

[@ohtobetiramisu]

I just bought an 1979 XS650 last week for 2k, all stock, little did I know how legendary it is. I’ll keep it for a long time :)

[@CapnSchep]

Wished I’d never sold my 1972 XS 650 ..!!

[@johnsabin3626]

same here

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

I was a young adult in the 1970s and yes, everybody rode motorcycles. The insurance companies and the Arab oil embargo killed the muscle cars. Motorcycles reigned supreme. I really loved the Norton 850 John Player Special but it's price was unobtainium. I remember someone in the 1980s manufactured a John Player Special motorcycle replica body kit for the Yamaha 650.

[@billjohnson4626]

I owned a 75 xs650 for many, many years. Really miss it. Great bike, bullet proof.

[@rogermcadams8806]

Got one. That's why. Still like my old air cooled Suzuki inline fours but this puppy ( quite literally ) just has that vibe! They're just fun to ride 😀

[@navscycles]

Absolutely. It’s a super fun bike.

[@donparker1823]

I remember going into a bike shop back in the 60's and brand new BSA's, Triumph and Nortons would be leaking oil on the floor. You NEVER saw a Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha or Suzuki doing that.

[@stevenleek1254]

Only a squid would mistake that for a Bonneville

[@bigcity2085]

Back in the day, that yammy was.....^%$#&....from japan. Now i own a '83 honda. go figure

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@bigcity2085 Weren't we smart! And the "old" experienced bikers told us, too..."That Yammie 'll out last a BSA or a Triumph four to one". But we didn't listen, we knew better than our mentors.

[@wayne3340]

Yamaha came with a free helmet. Triumph came with an drip tray.

[@martymiller4300]

No oil spot on the driveway. If it’s British, it’s out of oil.

[@luvtheus]

I'm blessed to have a 75 with only 2400 miles. I bought it 6 years ago with only 1900 on the clock. The original mufflers dont even have any surface rust on them but I did have to line the tank which wasn't too bad to begin with. Good video here. Love thumper sound the engine makes at idle. These bikes are very nimble in the handling department and the engine has plenty of power too. I also have an 83 CB1100F and that is a BEAST. But the 650B is more of a "gentleman's" bike I think. I'm 68 and remember when these bikes first graced our streets back then. The Honda SL 350 k1 and k2 are also a couple of bikes from that era that come to mind for being quite popular. They just don't make them anything like this anymore. Hell I can hardly tell one new bike from another now days. They all look the same, hunched up tanks and tail sections that will stab you if not careful. In my opinion the best looking motorcycles were produced in the 70's. And when the 1969 CB750 came out man that changed everything. A high school kid a grade ahead of me bought one new. I remember many of us out in the school parking lot drooling over that beautiful red bike with four chrome exhaust pipes flowing from the engine. I believe it was one of the most beautiful sights I able to behold as a kid. Still have that feeling today......

[@RD-650]

I own one had it thirty odd years ive customised it etc exhilarating im 70 yrs old still riding it goes like shit off a shovel

[@karrolsmulovic6596]

Bought one of these in 1976 and did a 3k mile camping trip, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland then back to the UK. Following year went to Swtzerland. Brilliant bike, no trouble at all. Did over 50k miles on it. Points and alternator brushes lasted about 5k. Regret selling it after 10years of trouble free ownership.

[@utharaptortrex]

Ironically the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is the "new" XS650, at least in spirit.

[@navscycles]

I thought about buying a new RE, I would love to ride one.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

I'm looking forward to seeing what influence Royal Enfield have on Western markets with their range of bikes. Those 650 twins fill a gaping void in the market, in my opinion.

[@mred7030]

fair point .

[@Fallen608]

Wish Yamaha would do a 650 in this style again. Only have the SR400 for what I would call an "Optimistic" price.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

I'm with you, but they are probably a bit gun shy following the market's response to the Kawasaki W800. And where's Honda in all of this? I am truly hoping that Royal Enfield's sales reveal a market to the big four that they have sadly missed.

[@martymiller4300]

Go test ride an XSR 700. Doesn’t have the separate left and right exhaust so the lumpy idle is absent and it won’t move backwards on the center stand (after you add an S W Motec), but totally trouble free excellent performance with a few suspension upgrades (Ohlins rear, upgrade fork oil). An affordable modern interpretation of what we all wanted from the British.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@martymiller4300 I really liked the look of those but in Australia (where I am), they shave 24 hp from the tune to make them learner legal.

[@lezmdk187]

I had one for myfirst big bike they called it a poor mans triumph but i had the last laugh mine never stopped

[@charliebrown4624]

Never went around corners either.

[@nickchen1134]

It was 1991. My friend's XS650 was slower than my Guzzi 850 T4, and sounded only okay-ish in comparison. But it looked better and was dead reliable, he owns it till today. My Guzzi got sold after a few years, as it was only great when driving. Which it refused to do too many times, and it was always serious and/or difficult.

[@darksidemoonoi6601]

Greetings from Thailand, a quick note, in the 70"s Yamaha employed a guy by the name of Percy Tait (Former Triumph works development rider) to sort out the XS650's dire handling, which he did, with mixed success

[@mark.e.p]

The Bonneville V XS 650 - 'mines better than your's' comments have resurrected from the 70's. 😅. Secretly, though, my Yammie was better!

[@pf1468]

I had a 76 model when i was 17 an now i have 1 again all stock

[@flyinhawaiian9174]

A '79 XS650 was my first road bike in 1982. It was a fun and reliable daily driver.

[@grumpopzijnmashfifty3109]

For me personaly. The xs650 is the best bike yamaha ever build. Kinda have to say that cause i own one. But the best looking bikes were from 69 up to 74 , again just my opinion. After that it went downhill a bit looks wise. From 79 to the last model, the are plain ugly.

[@navscycles]

Yah my favorite is the 69 70. But I like the 76 more than the xs2 because of bikes I’ve had in the past. I like them all before 76. Like you said they got worse looking as time went on.

[@db-zc9xv]

@@navscycles When it comes to classic twins I'm like The Lord. I love them all.

[@hotwheel6663]

I wanted a '79 Special so bad as a teen but no money.

[@navscycles]

Those later ones are pretty affordable. Definitely could save up and buy a nice project for winter.

[@mark.e.p]

I had an XS650E in 1979, great engine. Most now have been butchered.

[@jesusbernal9025]

Don,t you hate to see,em being butchered and deform forever? I can,t imagine riding an xs shaker like this on a beautifully customized, solid as a rock hard tailed, for more than 35.5 miles a month.

[@brettminer19]

Love the xs650 videos, im currently in the process of getting my 1975 going again. It was my grandfathers and i still have the original receipt! Got it on the road last weel super excited!

[@navscycles]

Nice, my XS is out of state so I hope I get more seat time on it when I bring the bike home, so I share the excitement!

[@charliebrown4624]

Bullshit.

[@GaryShellberg]

Bad handling and atrocious vibration, not even close to a Bonneville.

[@navscycles]

The later models like this ones were greatly improved

[@db-zc9xv]

No reason to have a timing chain out of adjustment on a 650. Three minute job.

[@andikarkalake3750]

👍Sehr schöne Maschine.👍

[@717rocket]

Owned a 77, I absolutely loved that bike. Such a comfortable ride. Still looking for one again to restore and keep.

[@navscycles]

77s pop up now and then and when they do they usually aren’t too expensive. Hope you find one!

[@fredteunissen8934]

Sure, the XS 650 was oiltight and reliable but a dragon when you want to deep into a bend. Frame behaved like chewing gum.

[@navscycles]

They got better through the years. I haven’t really had complaints with mine.

[@dufushead]

If you think they're great today you won't believe what they felt like in 1976 the first time I rode one.

[@navscycles]

Oh I bet.

[@paulsheldrake2698]

Superb bike back in the day, very reliable!

[@shannonparker7404]

I had one of these back in the early 90's. GREAT thing. A big end bearing failed and at the time it was such an unloved thing that I left it in a Dumpster... Oh my, if only I knew.. 🙂

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

I put an RD 250 in the skip bin, next to a couple of Kombis and an old Beetle.

[@shannonparker7404]

@@davidbrayshaw3529 We were SO young and ignorant! :-) LOL

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@shannonparker7404 It can be forgiven, if you grow out of it. Not everybody does, though.

[@mikejones-qk2ou]

I rode one! Couldn't stand the VIBRATION! I passed!

[@navscycles]

Probably was an earlier one. Mine doesn’t vibrate too bad

[@doug-muise]

You might want to adjust the cam chain and valves, boss. A lot of top end rattle.

[@navscycles]

The rattle isn’t the engine. It’s the dash piece vibrating since it’s loose

[@thomgorman]

The 1973 (only) TX-650 was probably the first four stroke produced by Yamaha. The XS followed in 1974.

[@navscycles]

The xs came out in 1969

[@thomgorman]

@@navscycles You are absolutely correct. My memory is faulty. My buddy rode an XS1 while I had the 1973 TX-650. The XS-650 had a much stronger crank and was a significant improvement over all previous models.

[@Chapps1941]

@@thomgorman l agree. The XS-1 had the rear geometry of Picasso

[@alanhodge984]

i also have 75 model i put Magura 13mm front brake master cylinder, stainless steel braided brake line and Ferodo pads on front it stops on a dime......i had one brand new in 75 when i was 23 years old i paid $1500 for it

[@UnluckyLunkhead]

My XS650 (early version but bright orange) had a feeble electric start with a valve lifter that was supposed to enable it to work. However it needed a full battery charge and so I always ended up kicking it. I loved that bike but it had a crack in the frame and weaved like a loom as soon as power was shut off. I changed it for a CX500.

[@peterfarrelly483]

No comparison.

[@josmoify]

xs650 in red my second bike.owned ....never a problem but once a flat tire on the freeway .lol

[@wayne3340]

Great video. The only thing I'd add is that when looking to build a new bike in the 60s, Yamaha bought out Showa, who had purchased Hosk. Hosk built the original Japanese 650 twin. Yamaha perfected it. Mine was a 1971 with the drum brake. ( I thought it was a 71, may have been a 70)

[@navscycles]

Thanks for sharing and adding that! Your bike might have been a bike that was made in 70 but was tagged as a 71 which is very common with older bikes.

[@johnreese5752]

Just got a 1975 xs650 that looks just like yours. It was a barn find in Oregon and has been sitting for 4 years, so it's gonna take a little work to get it completely right, but cosmetically it looks great. I'm thrilled to have this bike -- it's the same model as my first bike, which I bought in 1980 when I was 18 from my neighbor who had bought it new in 1975. I sold my first one in 1982 cuz I was a poor college student and needed the money. I sold that one for only $500. This new one cost me $3000! But with a little bit of work, I figure it will be easily worth twice what I paid. But, like you, I'm not planning to sell.

[@navscycles]

Yah I paid similar to the 3k for this one. Seems like they are still undervalued imo.

[@karnereeves3460]

Kawasaki w650 is my choice and having owned a 1950s Triumph it's much the same experience minus breakdowns and oil leaks

[@navscycles]

I have always wanted to ride a W650. But those came quite a bit later

[@Chapps1941]

The first two models of the XS650, which l remember were called the XS-1 (ed), were evil handling bikes. They got better. I loved my RD350s. They're nutso but in a good way.

[@thomgorman]

I think they had nylon swingarm bushings.

[@mred7030]

there was a rumour back in the day that norton where interested in this engine .

[@lorimcquinn3966]

I highly suggest that before you take the time to produce a video, you provide your due diligence in acquiring the facts on the subject, your covering. Considering your age, it's obvious you don't have first hand, new bike ownership so at least take the time to interview past owners that do. You've produced a lot of grossly inaccurate statements, unless that was your intent, you might want to stay fact base on researching your subject. The internet is full of inaccuracies, try reading the magazines produced during the same period as when the bikes were produced. Or go to a few bike brand specific bike rallys, speak to the owners and document everything. I've owned (2) Bonnevilles, 1970 & 1979 and (2) Yamaha 650's, 1972 & 78 all purchased new. I maintained and modified all the bikes to address weaknesses. Get the facts.

[@navscycles]

Well yah obviously I wasn’t around when these bikes are new. I understand I didn’t go super in detail because I didn’t want to get things wrong. That being said I did try my best to read up on everything that I put out. Genuine question, what was so “grossly inaccurate”. Edit: also saying you bought those bikes new would mean you’re 60+. It’s would take weeks of time to go interview people. Luckily my dad knows a lot but the internet has lots of accurate information. And most people in the comments agree with that I said.

[@lorimcquinn3966]

@@navscycles Keep reading and not on the internet.

[@bigcity2085]

I had a '68 Bonneville in the early 80's. 4 inches over, high bars, king/queen....the ultimate Bonnie. I made myself SWEAR ...I would never ever buy one of these yamaha copies. Ever. I missed my 68....pretty much every day...for 40 yrs. I now have an '83 Honda cx650c. Better brakes,20 more horses, shaft drive, gorgeous motor...I'll always miss my Triumph, but I'll blow by these Yamaha's ....on a better 650 twin.

[@navscycles]

I’ve got a 62 Bonneville. It’s not going to be turned into a cruiser, back to original is what looks best imo. I also have a cx650 it’s a good bike but weird. I definitely like the xs over it even if it’s faster.

[@bigcity2085]

@@navscycles The cx is heavier than the xs...and there's a higher center....I know my Triumph was more nimble...but ; "weird"-... I guess I get that, but I just got it last fall and I'm trying to work the weird out of it. Can't afford another Triumph - plus i have a rule : you can never go back. At 66; I just don't want to be old and die without a bike. It's nice having one sitting in the garage..waiting for the nice day. . .to go to the foothills of the rockies. Or just across town.

[@lawrencesohn7538]

Don't knock the Marines!!

[@navscycles]

I don’t think I mentioned the marines in the video

[@mikekoehler3779]

I have a 75 just like that that I’m getting ready to go

[@dorianwolf2198]

Just a copy of a Bonnie triumph test rider had to show them how to make it

[@klassikfahrer]

The XS650 is a great motorcycle. I ride an XS2 from 1972 and love it! But Triumph is still very successful today with its Bonneville. So, Yamaha didn't kill them 😉 Nice and informative video 👍

[@navscycles]

Triumph closed their doors in 1983 after the Japanese bikes started outselling all of theirs. They then in the 90s came back after the name was bought out. So yes at one point even Triumph went under. Yamaha made a killer machine. Thanks for watching!

[@slakk5093]

Todays Triumph is not the same Triumph of the 1960's

[@klassikfahrer]

@@navscycles That's right 👍

[@klassikfahrer]

@@slakk5093 No manufacturer is the same as it was in the 60s. This also applies to the Japanese. The Japanese retro bikes are beautiful, but far removed from the charm of the old classics.

[@slakk5093]

@@klassikfahrer no I mean they closed down and the name was sold to a new ownership, they are not the same company

[@pf1468]

i just bought a 1976 model 3 weeks ago here in australia for 7k

[@navscycles]

I don’t know exactly what that comes out to in usd but that seems about right.

[@db-zc9xv]

Good choice, but In Oz; you could also have a W2.

[@michaeldavidson1146]

Thanks!

[@mr1bienvenu1]

The engine vibration on those bikes was terrible 😮

[@navscycles]

Not really that bad