Yamaha Showdown: 1971 XS1-B vs 1972 XS2 - A Vintage Comparison

Yamaha Showdown: 1971 XS1-B vs 1972 XS2 - A Vintage Comparison #motorcyclerewind #xs650 #yamaha
🏍️ Join us on a thrilling journey back to the early '70s as we explore two iconic motorcycles that captured the hearts of riders worldwide: the 1971 Yamaha XS1-B and the 1972 Yamaha XS2. These classic bikes, though similar in appearance, harbor unique features that set them apart in the annals of motorcycle history.
Whether you're a vintage motorcycle enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone who appreciates fine engineering, this video is for you. Buckle up, and let's rewind to an era where motorcycles were more than machines; they were a symbol of freedom and innovation.
Don't miss the ride on the 1972 Yamaha XS2 at the end of the video. It's a ride to remember! 🏍️
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[@ndakhotmail]

Such a shame he changed the colour. That orange/gold is iconic 😢

[@motorcyclerewind]

I totally agree. I love the fact that Yamaha only offered these in one color per year. And to change the color of one is hard to understand. Thanks for watching.

[@petekraemer6613]

I love them! I bought one of these 1974 XS500 for $700 used in `76-77. It was my favorite bike of the last 50+ years ;- )

[@motorcyclerewind]

Same here! Thanks for watching.

[@ferdingare2599]

hi there from Indonesia..love those 2 XS

[@motorcyclerewind]

The XS650 is my favorite platform. Thanks for watching.

[@garyleake4616]

Wish I still had mine ❤❤😢😢

[@motorcyclerewind]

My XS2 was a bucket list bike. It’s not going anywhere. Thanks for watching.

[@altec19]

Those sold for $1300 -1500 range in 1972 Man I wish Yamaha would retro that bike again

[@motorcyclerewind]

They are out there to be found. Good luck invite hunt. Thanks for watching.

[@GregSr]

I bought my XS-2 in early 1972. Living in southern California I got to ride it year round. I was 19 years old and could not afford a decent car. So my 650 was my primary transportation for 3 years until I sold it. I paid $1200 for it and sold it for $800. I enlisted in the Air Force and got stationed in northern Maine. I loved almost everything about my 650. In its day, it was fast. My friend's 750 Honda was a little faster and smoother but my 650 did very well on the streets around Orange County. I dumped my 650 before I even made my 1st payment. I took a curve too fast and hit a guard rail. I don't remember any big issues with maintenance. My biggest complaint was a high speed wobble above 90 MPH. My bike never left me stranded...super reliable.

[@motorcyclerewind]

You’re right about a cb750 being smoother!!🤣 There’s something about how raw the XS650 is that I really like. Thanks for watching.

[@ThatOldHonda]

Nice ride Eric, thanks for taking us along

[@motorcyclerewind]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@aussiebloke609]

5:31 "How fast will it go?" reminds me of the story of a potential customer who asked "What's the lowest you can go?" The answer: "About 3 mph - any lower and I fall over."

[@motorcyclerewind]

😂 I am gonna have to use that one. Thanks for watching.

[@klassikfahrer]

Two real beauties! The XS1 was a milestone for Yamaha. Just one year later, the XS2 brought significant improvements (especially the electric starter). I myself have an XS2 from 1972 and this bike is a real joy!

[@motorcyclerewind]

The electric starter saved slot of knees. Thanks for watching.

[@harrothepilot]

Being an ' OG ', I can actually remember a neighbour who had a nice new XS2. It's the bike that got me to thinking about all things motorcycling ( at the impressionable age of 10 ). He let me start the bike, with that decompressor/start lever, and I think thats what stuck with me. From then on, much to my parents dismay, it was ' all things motorcycle '. My son rides the modern day Yammy equivalent, an MT07. Like others here, I sort of thought they were designed to take on the Brits, to a certain extent. Thats two really sweet examples you have there.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I love the start lever. You know the first iteration at the factory had to have two steps, decomp then start button. Till someone said, we can do better!

[@daveallen8824]

Gotta love those 360 twins - They just sound so mean and snotty, especially on downshifts. I had one of these, and they will absolutely ravel your shorts with vibration, but still - so much fun.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Agreed. The vibration makes the mirrors useless. 😂

[@altec19]

My first street bike 1972 just got my license you’re right awesome bike

[@motorcyclerewind]

Awesome motorcycles.

[@nathanlovern5283]

I like the look of the early XS’s I had a R5 and DS7 and they looked alike. I had a 82 XS Special and it had a bad second gear it would jump out on throttle n jerk badddd. I put another 82 motor on it and it had same problem. I geared mine down 2 teeth in the back and the torque was amazing it would pull out at 5 mph in top gear and not hesitate, I didn’t take it on the interstate. I still have that frame and a 76 frame with original title but no parts to put a whole bike together

[@motorcyclerewind]

I love the looks of the early Yamaha's. I had a DS7, it was fun to ride once you got into the powerband. Thanks for watching.

[@owenjones506]

I have a XS650 79 special it amazing ,i love it ,by the way i live in the UK and my bike is a US import :)

[@motorcyclerewind]

The XS650 is my favorite platform. Thanks for watching.

[@terryross6070]

I thought some of these roads looked familiar, I used to live in Picayune and rode your way several times.

[@johnnyrvf]

I had an XS2 back in 76/77. My friend with the restored Kawasaki W1SS has a yellow/gold Yamaha XS1B. The difference between them is extremely apparent!

[@motorcyclerewind]

The Kawasaki has the shifter in the wrong side. 😂

[@xzqzq]

Th XS650 is the best ' around town ' bike I have owned....SR500 for twisty mountain road riding.... XS1000 for touring.... never had any problems with any of them....

[@motorcyclerewind]

Such a great platform. Thanks for watching.

[@DJBlackRabbit]

I can totally relate! I have a low mile XS1 that I love and ride a bunch and am starting building a custom 81 special

[@motorcyclerewind]

Awesome. I have had several XS650’s over the years. Thanks for watching.

[@BigHeinen]

One of the biggest differences between the XS650 and the Triumph 650's was the lower crank case design. On the Triumph the cases were split vertically (left & right sides) so there was an opening (with a gasket) all the way around the bottom of the engine! They were oil leaky as all hell! The Yamaha cases were split horizontally (top and bottom halves) and had no openings other than an oil filter cover on the bottom of the engine and never leaked a drop! Brilliant design change from Yamaha!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Such a great bike, unless you want to use the mirrors. So much vibration they are simply a guess of what’s behind you.

[@philarchambault5767]

love the vibration and boy do miss that sound it buy the way the shifting was like that lol miss that ride thank you🥴👍🤟

[@motorcyclerewind]

It was my pleasure. They sound so good. Thanks for watching.

[@robertnosbisch5906]

I rode the crap out of my '71. All over PNW and Canada.

[@motorcyclerewind]

WOW!!! They are awesome motorcycles. Thanks for watching

[@pnotuner1]

I think mine was a Special II. Now I have the fever for another one. There really isn't another bike for me. Before my Special, I had a Suzuki GT550, 3 cylinder 2 stroke. It has it's own appeal, but I don't really want one of those. I want my Yamaha. Also, I am a piano tuner and I know that their pianos are good.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Yamaha 650 and pianos. What more could you want?

[@hodaka1000]

I'm reliving my youth on a 1978 SR500 got it about nine years ago It's exactly like the one I had back in the day

[@maxstuder6477]

Love my 650XS Heritage Special that I bought new in 1985 - still runs nice, except the front break is not that great.

[@motorcyclerewind]

The XS650 is my favorite platform. Thanks for watching.

[@TheHuckster100]

I really enjoy your videos but didn't Yamaha come out with these to do "battle" with British twins, particularly Triumph? Never thought of these as being compared to CB 750s.

[@motorcyclerewind]

They were based off the German Hosk 500cc. I believe Yamaha was following Kawasaki’s W1 650 and they both lost to the CB750.

[@kevinstrawser5073]

I had a72 XS ,NOTHING COULD OUT RUN IT,INCLUDING THE KZ 1000.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I haven’t raced mine. Will take your word for it. All I know is that it pull strong. Thanks for watching.

[@paulfitzpatrick9231]

superb!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks for watching.

[@spacerconrad]

I loved my old XS 750 triple. Bigger, heavier, more advanced. In my dotage, I'm starting to appreciate simplicity again, so would love to find one of these old 650s to tinker and ride. That lope is as distinctive as the ol' Harley sound, but obviously not the same thing. I like both, but the Yammer does seem a bit more polite. :)

[@motorcyclerewind]

I really like the XS-650. Riding it is so much fun. Thanks for watching.

[@lplp8394]

I have an 82 Heritage, and the clutch issues with finding neutral when warmed to engine temp really does suck, do you have any suggestions for a sure cure? Thanks

[@motorcyclerewind]

I found this. Hopefully it helps.www.xs650.com/threads/cant-find-neutral.26694/

[@andersaxelsson2196]

They look good. Sounds good

[@motorcyclerewind]

They do. I really like the XS650 platform.

[@twowheelsoneleg5672]

Always likes the XS650 but didnt know the history of the early models. I ran a Z750B twin for a while. A nice bike but lacked the style of the XS

[@motorcyclerewind]

I was chasing my XS2 for a while. Wanted one in good original condition. Need to find a 70 XS1 for my “wife” her favorite color is green.

[@peterjohn3123]

I bought a new xs 650 in 71. My best friend had a Triumph chopper. Rode that bike to Canada, and to Ohio from Il.sold it for a down payment on a 73 Dodge Charger.

[@motorcyclerewind]

They are awesome motorcycles. Which one do you wish you had back the XS1 or the Charger.

[@peterjohn3123]

@@motorcyclerewind I would take the Charger. I had a lot of bikes, my favorite was my 79 Triumph 750 Bonnie. Bought from a farmer. Was 100% original. 4 months later it looked show room condition. 3 times I won 2 first place,and one 2nd. Place in British motorcycle shows I Had that bike for 12 years. I sold it when I moved out of America in 2005.

[@Don-lw4cb]

Really beautiful motorbikes the XS 650's and so much better looking than the current crop of Yamahas that are great bikes but quite ugly with their horrible bug like headlight assemblies and discoloured exhausts that look old an knackered almost from day one.

[@motorcyclerewind]

The XS650 is my favorite platform. Thanks for watching.

[@rdanpauley1992]

Do you (for your bike or recommend to others) that they change to electronic ignition or keep the breaker points?

[@motorcyclerewind]

Big disclaimer. This is MY opinion. I like to keep points. Because I have a better chance of fixing it in the side of the road. I have friends that would say just the opposite. I put electronic ignition on my 305 Dream. Was not a noticeable difference went back when I rebuilt the top end. This probably did not help!! Thanks for watching.

[@rdanpauley1992]

@@motorcyclerewind my complaint way not the points but rather the centrifugal advance never seemed to work correctly Same with old HD Sportsters. Points worked but I liked the programmed advance of electronics

[@motorcyclerewind]

I can see that the mechanical advance is pretty clunky and prone to corrosion. Which effects it working properly.

[@yomommaahotoo264]

Baffles pulled?

[@motorcyclerewind]

No they had all their parts. Thanks for watching.

[@mr1bienvenu1]

I'm one that hates the vibration or as some people call, character 😕

[@motorcyclerewind]

The vibration definitely keeps you guessing as to what behind you when you look in the mirror😂

[@michaelfraser5723]

guy guy guy guys

[@motorcyclerewind]

Guy, GUY, guys!!!

[@stevenleek1254]

Handling? Handling??

[@motorcyclerewind]

They handle like a 50 year old motorcycle. 😂