Yamaha XS650 History 1970-1983

[@kenclark3591]

I currently own two, a 1972 XS2 (brilliant red) and a 1976 XS650C (french blue). The most incredible thing about all these early Yamahas is their ability to take you back in time and make you feel young again.

[@hodaka1000]

Not wrong

[@Bbbbad724]

@@hodaka1000 Absolutely not! We wish we still had our XS2 that we nodded for a little more bite and handling. My wife and I both rode it and rode it 2 up sometimes, man that was a real treat! My son bought a Maroon 81 Special that I helped him get up to snuf. My wife and I still miss our XS2. I built it when we were 22 and at 63 we miss it really bad.

[@hodaka1000]

@@Bbbbad724 I'm reliving my youth on a 1978 SR500 Australian release 2J2 exactly like the one I had back in the day

[@dondraper8543]

In retrospect one of the best motorcycles ever made. Had the feel of a British vertical twin without the oil leaks.

[@hodaka1000]

Best British bike ever built 🤗

[@8632tony]

As a self reward for surviving a tour in Vietnam, I bought myself a brand new 1972 XS2 when I got home. Still have it. Still think it's the prettiest bike ever made.

[@Bbbbad724]

I had an XS2 in 1981 when we first got married . It had a cam that the EPA made Yamaha change in 1973. The XS1-XS1-B and the XS2 had a real bark and a lot of bite. Mine had the head shaved and a good valve job with a little bit of porting I did. A twitch of the wrist and it was time to shift, 7500, and you were seeing the road go by! Lol. I miss that bike ! We are 62 now and we spent 10 years on the 2 lanes enjoying the g-forces ! Finally had to sell it. I think it was harder on my wife than it was for me. We rode 2 up, and she loved to take it through the redline in at least 4 gears before she could let it go. We couldn’t afford a 427 Cobra, so we settled for its 2 wheeled cousin. That bike was a blast, I am guessing 60 hp and 45 ft lbs. The pipes it came with were like a musical instrument! I bought the Shell Thuet book and I used his guidance to do the head and the cam was perfect! I also did the suspension mods and it was really good riding.

[@stevegriffin2626]

Thank you for your service soldier!

[@GregSr]

I loved my '72 XS-650. I was 19 years old when I bought it new for $1200. At the time, I could not afford a fast car so I bought the 650 to level the playing field. It would not be considered fast today, but it did very well in the 70's.

[@JH-ex6mb]

I was 16 when my motor cycle mechanic buddies spotted a Yamaha 650 for me to buy. I rode the bike for 7 years until I had to sell it to raise cash for the birth of my 1st son. I loved that bike and it fit me like a glove.

[@mattd5681]

Lol I was an 18yr old mason tender back in 2001 when one of the assholes told me about a bike that was for sale. It was a '77 650. Was my first street bike and I didnt even know how to counter steer on the way home. But I smiled big and made it. 🤙🍻

[@GuruBikerTrash]

Thanks for the video! My DAILY rider is a "76 XS650C. Found it in a guy's backyard, 90% complete. Bought it from him for $100! And...about $4000 later..been from Illinois to Daytona beach TWICE and back! Didn't miss a lick! 52-57 mpg on the interstate! Old Bikes Rule!

[@camiloariel6378]

you all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost my password. I would love any tricks you can offer me.

[@marcuskylen5726]

@Camilo Ariel instablaster =)

[@camiloariel6378]

@Marcus Kylen i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im trying it out atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@camiloariel6378]

@Marcus Kylen It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account !

[@marcuskylen5726]

@Camilo Ariel No problem :)

[@rickmartinez713]

I bought a 1972 Yamaha XS2 650 brand new back in the day. It was my third motorcycle after owning a 1970 Yamaha DT1 250 Enduro (Red in color) and a brand new 1971 Honda CL350 Scrambler.

[@christopherg9806]

I was hoping for some narration about the history of the model, but you still did a comprehensive job of showing the differences of each year, which I really appreciate, so I gave the video a thumbs up!

[@lachlanmaccormack5427]

Such Good looking machines ! Owned one in the 80s, along side my 77 Triumph Tiger 750, loved them both !

[@jdsolberg7613]

I wish I'd never sold my 79. Yamaha should make a retro! Kick starter and all!

[@articvinter]

Good days from the 1970s come back when I watch the video, owned a 1977 model painted in silver with black stripes.

[@jamesparker1935]

James Parker 11 seconds ago I owned a 1971 XS650, great cruising bike, just don't stuff it too hard into curve. Your pictorial brought back many memories. The one thing I noticed, was the four bolt valve cover on the front left of the engine. The 70/71 bikes were kick start only and didn't have the electric start compression release type valve cover. Someone has installed a newer head or a complete new engine from a 72 on up. Nice collection, James Parker

[@spanky522]

I've owned a '72 and a '78 and miss them both. I'm looking at another one right now to buy and do a bob job on it for a winter project. Love those XS650s!!

[@vegavairbob]

Very nice tribute. I had a 75 Star Black.

[@hauer54]

Owned the XS 650-B in the exact colour scheme as shown but mine had a double disk-brake on the front. Beautiful model!

[@marcusrussell8660]

Thank you. I had a 1977 Maxi Maroon new and drove it to college and graduate school. My best friend had a 77 850 Yamaha triple and he was always shifting due to his lack of torque. Though I have owned many bikes that was my favorite. I would pay big money for a like new one now that I am retired. Great bike.

[@newrivervalleywellnessdotc1260]

I have the 77 Maxi Maroon

[@skullduggery1096]

Cracking motor, loved my xs, went every where on her, called her Sally, only let me down once, used her to courier around London, home counties, and the southwest, rode her to hard coming back from a job in Exeter, blew the motor, had the motor rebuilt completely, then she became something else, talk about rapid, more torque, phenomenal acceleration, a dream to ride, happy days, lol, Skulduggery

[@roblee540]

Picked up a 75 just over a month ago, the bug hit and now i have another project bike soon to be the green grandaddy. Such a big difference the later upgraded frames in strength when I have both parked side by side.

[@alanlake5220]

It would have to be the XS650 B for me .

[@hoss1947]

Had a 71 Candy Orange, and a 79 Special II. Both were great bikes, wish I still had them.

[@m.l.webster6385]

Wow - thanks for this sharp video-great job ! I had a 1970 blue/metallic 650 XS as the one pictured here...sure brings back memories , loved the sound, the looks I got when I was on it and boy could I keep up with my husband's 1100 Honda Magna ! Maggie May

[@kenclark3591]

The blue/metallic color was only made for the 1973 models.

[@Jpeg13759]

And, btw, riding this bike stoned, at low rpm, was like riding a bumble bee ;-)

[@RideOp74]

I had a '74 and a '75. I'm sick because I sold them both.

[@michaelb.42112]

This is art. The old MIJ bikes used to be dirt cheap. Now, they are coveted as the bikes they really are - Cutting edge works of art.

[@mikemchugh163]

I wish that Yamaha would have the guts to reconfigure and modernize package and keep the look and feel of the best and most versatile motorcycle they ever made.

[@northvanwan7428]

It would probably be the Royal Enfield Interceptor.

[@hodaka1000]

The SR500 ?

[@glenndecker1645]

Great show! Thank you 😌

[@geraldmouse]

Owner of 2, 1973 TX bought new and still used; 82 cafe'd, I think that you have done a terrific job. Thanks

[@klonklone7787]

I’m about to start my 73 tx650 project, building a bobber. Anything about the 73 worth needing to know? I love that it has a release valve lever on top of one of the heads. Cool thing you don’t see on bikes nowadays

[@geraldmouse]

@@klonklone7787 Sorry for the delay as I didn't know it only works in Chrome. I have given a lot of thought and really, my only suggestion is to buy parts carefully. Every order I make from the US is 1/3 incorrect, damaged or broken ex-store. They know the return freight will be more, so I end up repairing the bits ordered. So frustrating. I mean that the motor did actually change over the years. eg 1973 and 1974 chains have different pitches. Frame bits won't affect you but my latest purchase was a 1973 seat, but I was sent a 1972 seat that does not fit. When it is going, I trust you will YT it and let me know. I agree about the valve lifter and have kept it though so loose it doesn't work, never needed it.

[@Bbbbad724]

The most beautiful bike I ever had was a Brilliant Red XS2. I rebuilt the engine, shaved the head and put 920 Virago valves and a Megacycle Shell Thuet cam and braced many things and it would pull the ton in 4 th and 5 th you could feel the wind blowing through. Man that 256 engine was a beast. It wheel dynoed at 67 hp. Sounds lame but it had so much out of the corners and the band was like stock 6000-7500 was just as strong as the midrange, I T wanted to throw you off. I loved that bike. It was the last of its kind.

[@betsabepachamama399]

Die 1972er habe ich leider als Anfänger 1974 auf der Autobahn mit 160km/h geschreddert 😞

[@SS-sh6ww]

Way better in Performance, Looks & Reliability than any British/American bike ever made during that era.

[@pbirdwell7876]

The amazing fact about these bikes is the seat was comfy!

[@mark.e.p]

My first big bike when l was 20. Black and silver 650E. I put Yammy RD 400 bars on as they were higher than the UK ones. Girling rear shocks and a 2 into 1 sidewinder exhaust. Loved that bike, alas most have been bastardised these days.

[@fuentes8503]

Wow,sure learned alot about the xs 650, they came in different colors wow!!

[@jbbeale9278]

Just got my first motorcycle. 1977 Yamaha XS 650D and I'm really excited---going to ride it just as it is for awhile..... :)

[@cannotsay5505]

I owned a 1981 Black Special, was always my favorite ride....

[@triffidgrower]

I had an XS650B and loved it, but here in Australia, the succeeding models went to a twin disc front end, still with the spoked wheel.

[@rickyquasar]

I had a 1973 in the metallic flake blue, great motorcycle

[@dianehansen5552]

Amazing sound...

[@arthurleino]

Thank you for sharing I had a 1978 XS650SE Midnight Blue. It was a great Bike!!

[@コメット-k3u]

こんなにXS650の種類があるんだね❤From Japan.

[@track1219]

Worked at a Yamaha shop in the 70s. The XS 650 was a very reliable bike.

[@yvesaltana5732]

i want a 70s one

[@dennish1624]

I grew up riding xs650s. owned a 72, 73, 76, and a 77. bulletproof motors. to bad everyone wants to bob them😞

[@davidcook2513]

Many times it's because the rest of the bike is falling apart around that amazing engine 😉. Besides, that engine is really the ONLY Japanese motorcycle engine that looks like it was designed spefically to go into a chopper or bobber (yes that especially applies to all the CB 750 lovers out there- sorry not sorry).

[@diegocalvo1898]

Nice video!!

[@tommurphree5630]

I loved my 82 . The way it looked, the way it handled, the way it felt. I can only think of one word : perfect...for me any way. Perfect size, perfect weight. Only problem was a recharging issue. Finally found a mechanic that knew what the problem was. He replaced some part. Don't know what it was. Unfortunately, a big dog ran out from a driveway, hidden by trees. Killed the dog and I didn't do so well myself. Neither did the motorcycle.

[@pjshot]

had 5 all up , 74 to 80 , best bikes ever , best british bike to come out of japan :)

[@U_ever]

#MC MotoHistory: Any idea where the photo of all the 650s in a row at a show came from? EU, US, AUS, CDA, JPN, etc?

[@AndyLonewolf]

Mine is a Black 1983 XS 650, I Love It.

[@keithvanbrunt6721]

the brown 74 tx650 a was my fist bike. i rebuilt from scratch in 1979 all except the transmission.

[@dalemx]

Had a red 72 and a green 70 both ran great.

[@dalemx]

That engine is strong and dependable as hell.

[@matthewcoldicutt5951]

Hi Dale, theres' something about a green 70 with the drum brake up front...Am lucky enough to have had a few XS 650s but this is the one I hope to finish with . Pleased to hear you liked yours. Am working on a plan, a bike a friend is building up from a frame, forks and wheels. He never would ride a green bike , for superstitious reasons so fingers crossed we can come to an arrangement one day when the bike is complete. Some parts are rare, so it may take a while...

[@PenttiDanbom]

Thanks for sharing this

[@robertsaez3202]

The most not reliable bike I had as my first big bike.... But the engine feeling make it as the best memorable bike I ever had among 70 others bike I owned..

[@doelundercover]

mumtaj jiddan bro...i have ones of them

[@alfrediwanek5507]

Fantastic, Great, beautiful !!!

[@MarkMeadows90]

My uncle had a 73 model XS650 in Candy Green. My dad tried to restore it years ago to no avail. It was going to be my first motorcycle when I turned 14, but just never got around to restoring it properly. Big mistake my dad made when he sold the bike for hardly nothing...

[@wes326]

Would have nice to show the differences year to year. Thanks for sharing.

[@motormikeb1047]

..... I watched this presentation.... I have the first and last year model. Then at the end.. the line up.. Surprised ! That's my 1970 Xs1.. my 82' at the end. Some how the local VJMC show was attchedto this site. :)

[@matthewcoldicutt5951]

Mike, perhaps you're the exception that proves the rule , in that XS fans seem to either go for the earlier roadster or the chopperised later heritage models. Good on you. Personally it would have to be a roadster. But thanks be we are all different

[@Jpeg13759]

Had one of those...Just a fucking beautiful motor...and with 50Hp fast enough to chase Porsches at the Autobahn at 165km/h... ;-) Yeah !

[@relaxfly7]

Beautiful bike👍 That’s all I like

[@sarmel5117]

Bravo pour cette superbe vidéo! Elles sont vraiment top ces machines, avec leur moteur sculptural!!!

[@bva4677]

My first bike 20 years ago was a 76, just inherited a 77 and reliving my youth

[@hodaka1000]

Reliving my youth on a 1978 SR500E I've had it for near 5 years, had one exactly the same 35 years ago

[@brianeibisch6025]

Beautiful!!

[@ronaldswafford4724]

I had a 78 and an 80.great bikez

[@techydog7854]

My first bike was a '76. Sold it a year after I got for what I paid for it. The guy that bought it didn't ride it much and then left it outside uncovered. Never should have sold it.

[@at906]

I seriously expected more from this channel, than this slideshow

[@geraldmouse]

I bought my 1973 TX650 new. 40+ years later I still ride it and have deleted later better bikes as they bore me on a good ride. I own 6 old bikes and the TX is my 2nd favourite. I am not brand biased but my 2 Ariels and my TX are way on the top list

[@nelsonthekkath4830]

I really like the 1970 model. I love to have one!! But in India hardly find.

[@wobu5361]

It’s cool to see how the design morphs into looking like the xj series by ‘78. Kinda sad tho too because it was so nice looking

[@GeDoBa]

I love the Standard XS 650 B-D Yamaha Type 447. We bought 1977 a 1976 model Star Black cash in London. It was the same 1976 model as shown here, but in Europe the Standard bike was delivered only with two disc brakes in the fork. That was necessary to run the two seater on the autobahn and cross the alpes passes with two persons plus load of a tent and baggage. I changed the color of bike in metallic silver and leave it to my wife. - Later on I changed the wife and ordered a nearly new 447 model XS 650D in candy red. Yamaha gave up this type in 1984. - Now the bike is retired with a destroyed bearing of the crankshaft. It waits for years for a technical wake up here in Germany ;-(

[@jimcollins2466]

Well Done!

[@MJ0279]

Which year Yamaha XS650 model is best?

[@TheMickvee]

I'm pretty certain that my old 75 XS650 had twin front discs. Maybe it was a UK spec thing. They were bloody good though!

[@anderseriksen2282]

@TheMickvee: Your right, mine /a 1975 XS650 also had dual/twin front discs, was Red, rode it all over Europe, for app 2 years, and every day to work - Damn god bike, exactly like this one - see link Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omnNl3uAp8xnqbc

[@markordorica4935]

👍

[@matthewcoldicutt5951]

I had a black 75/76 bike back in the 80's and am looking for another, or possibly a bonneville/tiger Triumph. The Yamaha should be like for like more affordable but both marques offer great twins. Perhaps the British bike will handle a little better, who knows.

[@oceanhome2023]

I always considered these to be a reliable Triumph 650

[@hodaka1000]

Best British bike ever built

[@Szinbad]

I Rode an xs2 from the east to the west coast of Australia in 75 about 4k km. Several hundred of them dirt. It was ok. And later I had a C. Good motors - Dreadful frames. I was always trying to recreate my 71 bonnie. Used lots of ad ons and replacements - Konigs, Triketts front end kits steering damper. Various tyres. Just made me miss the Bonnie.

[@ChromeArty]

I do agree, the 70s bikes look better. But us with the 80s bikes love em too... and they are a lot less expensive to obtain. There is a pre 1980 at the end of my block for $4850 right now. I bought an 83 yesterday for $1800 (Canadian). That is a hell of a price difference. But yes... if I could afford a 70s XS... I'd buy one 😁

[@joepasco1420]

Great look until 78 then they started to look like something funkywinkerbean would ride.

[@mebeasensei]

Yep..started off as cool Brit 50s knock-offs in 1970 and started to get Harleyfied in '78. TO be fair, even Triumph itself started to go that way toward the end.

[@BuilditRideit]

Totally agree with you.

[@MoonStone2626]

Yes, exactly, and it seems that after the mid 70s, all bikes started to look like shit, pardon my french. They started to push disgraceful shapes that suggest power, agression, war gadgets, they lost all sense of harmony of form and finesse. I cant find words for todays bike. And buyers are the ones that actually WANT those warlike esthetics.... Manufacturers give them that to stay in business !

[@DoctorMotorcycle]

At least they did stock......Modded they can (and do) look just as good, and you have transistorized ignition instead of points and a better timing chain tensioner.

[@hodaka1000]

@@MoonStone2626 They look like "Transformers" those robots from the movies

[@franzkass5639]

In Germany the XS 650 (starting in 1974) had always two discs in front. Only the later "custom" Version ("SE") had one, a disadvantage...

[@Treurigvarken]

Great look since 1978 although I like the older versions aswell.

[@TheBogusOtis]

MIA here is the 1983 XS650SK in New Yamaha Black or Ruby Red. Looks like the 82 but with much more chrome and less of the black out.

[@jesusvicentesidaespinoza8358]

Hi just want to ask of I buy one o this beautiful bike. I'm from mexico and I'm don't know if is a good idea because I don't know if I can buy some parts in the future, of the engine.

[@jesusvicentesidaespinoza8358]

Muchas gracias hermano!

[@davidcook2513]

Ese motocicletas estan el mejor. Si possible pa ti, compra el ahora. El engine es indestructible.

[@davidhamilton506]

These bikes I find more appealing than the current crop of bikes that have that godawful swept up look as if they just exited a race track, looking all the same, with scant all individual style. That said, it's heartening to see that Triumph for a few years now, decided to rerelease the Bonneville, as it once looked back in 1959 through to 1968, but of course with subtle up to date changes, and high tech. Hopefully Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha follow, as Honda's CB range in the 70s, the legendary Kawasaki Z1 and the above Yamaha 650s. Another benefit was that they were easier to service and clean. IMO, these were the real deal in how a motorcycle should look...

[@andyhaygood7675]

I love the video, but there's one point of clarification. 1979 was the last year for the Standard. (xs650f) Great pictures. Thanks.

[@skylark4901]

Yes, that's the bike I wanted to see as I am about to buy one and wanted to see if it's all original

[@hodaka1000]

Best British bike ever built 🤗

[@micksterboone4517]

I still have my XS1b

[@pdm2201]

Always liked the classic look (British?) of these. I recall that they tested well except for the handling. Was there any year in which the handling was improved?

[@matthewcoldicutt5951]

the '74 650 A marked the debut of the heavier frame..From then on handling was more predictable, but mods can make the ealier bikes pretty good

[@123WG2324]

wasn't there a 1979 in cobalt blue?

[@craigwilliamson31]

I have a 1970 XS1 650 that has been sitting in my barn for over 25 years. It has 13,000 miles on it. What is it worth?

[@ceesklumper]

$1,500 would be my guess

[@matthewcoldicutt5951]

Do you still have it ,Craig?

[@johnhamelin6884]

Anyone know if the 82 650 maxim sopost to be in the family of the specials ,came as an in line 4 ?

[@gregabell4799]

The Maxims were all 4 cylinder - I bought my '81 XS650 Special brand new, and my buddy Tommy bought his '81 650 Maxim brand new - I was just out of school a year or so and couldn't afford that much. If I remember right, I paid something like $2,000 Out The Door (with the right-side mirror - not standard equipment back then, along with a passenger backrest and luggage rack). Tommy's bike was Out The Door at closer to $2,700 (with NO add-ons). The Maxims were A LOT smoother and more powerful, but I was on my 1st NEW bike - I didn't care! My mother NEVER wanted me on a motorcycle. On the night that I turned 18, I bought my buddy Dave's XL125 Honda - my mother was pissed! But, she obviously came around, because she co-signed on the loan for my new Yamaha.

[@hodaka1000]

@@gregabell4799 Back in the mid 80's I had this 44 Magnum semiautomatic Rugger rifle and a mate said he'd swap me his XS650 for the rifle The bike was in pieces but it was like a bike and half with two motors spare wheels new pistons and other parts in their factory box's, so I've gone home grabbed the Rugger and as I headed for the front door I made the mistake of mentioning to my old mum that I was gonna swap this gun for a bike I actually made it onto the front veranda before she caught me and grabbing the gun started wrestling with me for it while crying out "NO DON'T NO DON'T NO DON'T..." I told her to wake up to herself and she'd get me arrested carrying on like that where the whole neighbourhood could see, and I was something like 28 or whatever and could swap my gun for a bike if I wanted to or words to that affect So she stopped carrying on for about thirty seconds which gave me time to get out onto the front footpath and I was about to get in the car for the get away when she's caught up to me again out on the street and started yelling again "NO DON'T NO DON'T DON'T.." while wrestling with me for the gun again It seems after she'd thought about it she would've preferred to have gotten me arrested or maybe shot by the police than to allow me get that bike So yeah I had an XS650 to, I did a lot of work on it and later sold it uncompleted and so I never rode it anyway

[@PedroMata-pk7sb]

Hola Nexesito los carburadores de la xs650cc

[@tomgraham8231]

I had a 73 Blue, It was a great bike until a car turned left in front of me.

[@thomasosteen9936]

Thanks !!!

[@pbirdwell7876]

Still a sexy bike.

[@joseph.papajoe5604]

I had the 1973.blue.i was 17.

[@mikejones-qk2ou]

Who's the band!

[@user-mx2bb7nd4h]

What was the seat height on a 1977 Yamaha 650?

[@hodaka1000]

Not sure but the 650 Specials with the 16" rear wheel and stepped seat would be pretty low

[@vegavairbob]

I had the '75 in Black...

[@ismailkandral6127]

ilk turing motorum 1976 model yamaha ohaca 650cc cift silndir vakumlu kalbiratör Yamaha XS650 History 1970-1983

[@mikecwrebster3178]

Still have 1973