Yamaha XS Eleven
The Yamaha XS Eleven motorcycle is a Japanese superbike produced from 1978 to 1981, powered by an air-cooled 1101.6cc 4-stroke, DOHC inline four-cylinder engine mounted transversely in a duplex cradle frame with swing arm rear suspension, shaft drive, and telescopic forks.
Models
The XS Eleven made its debut in 1978 as the largest capacity Japanese superbike then currently in production. It featured dual front disc brakes, a rear disc brake, shaft drive and cast wheels. A "factory custom" styled XS Eleven Special was released along side it in 1979. Both models were superseded by the 1982 XJ1100 Maxim which used the same motor. In Europe, the XS Eleven differed from the North American model by having a larger gas tank (6.3 gallons vs. 5.3 gallons), a lower handlebar and longer exhaust pipes. The European market also featured the 1.1 Sport and Martini.
History
The XS Eleven was the first four-cylinder four-stroke motorcycle from Yamaha. It was closely based on Yamaha's previously released XS 750 four-stroke triple. When the XS Eleven was introduced, it earned a reputation as a powerful bike with marginal handling. "Nobody gets far riding the XS11 before they become acquainted with the fact that it's strong; we had ridden ours over hundreds of open-road miles before going to the drag strip and knew it was a bullet."[1] "When this behemoth of a motorcycle actually hits a corner at anything approaching interesting speeds then it takes a good deal of muscle to lay it down. While the Yamaha doesn't disgrace itself in corners (not as much as some Z1000s I have known, for example) it doesn't commend itself either."[2] Because of the heavy weight, powerful engine, comfortable seat and shaft-drive, the bike found favor with touring riders, who would rarely push the bike's handling to its limits.
In 1979, Yamaha followed the growing trend of offering a "factory custom" version of the bike, called a "Special" by Yamaha. Pullback handlebars, a stepped seat, a smaller, fatter rear wheel, a smaller capacity tear-drop gas tank, fully adjustable suspension, and altered frame created what was then called a factory custom, but what is now called a cruiser. The XS Eleven Special sold well despite complaints about the poor ergonomics. "What that translates to is a bike with an awkward riding position but generally excellent road manners. In fact, most of the things that irritated this staff in the way the bike rode and handled could be traced to the handlebar, which, although certainly as trendy as disco dancing, was not what the ergonomics doctor ordered for precise, comfortable control."[3]
Today, the XS Eleven remains somewhat under the radar of most collectors, but is well-loved by its owners. British motorcycle journalist Roland Brown, in his book Superbikes of the Seventies, says "The Yamaha's lack of reputation gives it one advantage these days, though, in that a clean XS such as this one costs less than its more successful contemporary rivals - whose performance advantage, so crucial then, is far less important now. Two decades and more after its launch, maybe the XS1100's time has finally come."
Gallery
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A 1981 XS 1100 Special. -
1979 XS1100 Special with king and queen seat. -
The XS Eleven shaft drive.
See also
- Yamaha XS750 - the XS 1100's triple brother