I was wondering how the GS compares to the early 80s 650 Yamaha Maxims? I saw Scratch lost his Maxim to a head-on?????? For those not familiar, it is an i-4, air-cooled, semi sport-cruiser. Nice Tq down low but ran out of breath around 80-90. I want to say it had 65hp. I also had the 400 afterwards, it was pretty weak but driveable.
Thanks,
Redline
Keep it in the Red.
Welcome to GStwin!
I'd say it had more like 50hp, but it could easily heft up the front end! The GS is way lighter, feels like it has the same seat height, the Maxim is more comfortable, more powerful, more bottom end (it's an '80's cruiser). The GS handles the same (which is actually saying that Yamaha makes very good handling bikes, including cruisers), but the GS is better designed to take corners (shorter wheelbase). I prefer shaft drive. I still think the '82 XJ650J Maxim is a work of art, albeit a bit dated now. My neighbor has one, so I get to see an example from time to time (has some unidentifiable 4-into-1 exhaust and a sissybar, bleh).
I had an '81 Maxim 550.
It was beat to sh!* but, it still did quiet well (except overheating problems).
GS vs XJ
Comfort: XJ
Handling: GS
Power: Tie
Fun: GS
Wheelies: GS
Commuting: GS
Road Trips: XJ
Overall they are very close though the GS is more sport and the XJ is more cruiser.
Thanks guys,
I have been wanting a sport bike for some time and have geared towards the F after countless hrs of research. With two valves per cyl., air cooled and being a twin it should be easy to maintain. I like the ninja 500 but not the color options and I think the 250 is a bit light for the highway.
Yeah, the Maxim design is pretty sweet even today.
Redline
When the GS was intorduced in '89, Motorcyclist made a mention of how it compared to the '82 Yamaha XZ(sexy?)550 Vision, a liquid-cooled, shaft drive V-twin, also, a bike I have owned. A wonderful, if not quirky, sport-tourer way ahead of its time. Service shops charged an additional $10 and hour over their standard shop rate to work on these beasts, mostly because of the difficulty of doing a valve adjustment to a 4-valve per cylinder, shim over bucket, dual overhead cam, liquid-cooled V-twin. I didn't find it that difficult, but I have little fingers (easy to get into tight spots). Also, dual downdraft carburetors that had to be vacuum balanced, er...unbalanced a certain way. Add to that, a suspended engine, clip-on handlebars (remember this is 1982), and a very comfortable seat, and not-intentional frame flex and you have a very unique motorcycle.
In 1985, Yamaha still had '82 Visions in the warehouse. At the time, I talked with a dealer who could get me one for $1400. A potentially great bike that didn't have enough development time to iron out all the bugs. I had a sales brochure hanging on my wall for a brief time in '82, until I heard about all their problems. :cheers:
I bought mine brand new in '87 for $2176 OTD (how's that for memory), $200 more than an '82 XJ550 Seca in red with the fairing(!), after I healed up when I totaled the Maxim.
The '83 Vision came equipped with a fantastic sport-touring fairing. I was holding out for a 750cc version, but the model died on the showroom floor before it had a chance to grow up. Ahead of its time, or not made for these times; the Vision lacked masculinity pure and simple. :(
i have an 82 XJ650 Maxim and now a 83 Seca turbo(may find new life as a Maxim as the frame is identical) the Maxim 650 is in the 50ish range, slanted toward the low end of the decimal, with #2 cyl weezing and what, i could still get it to 127mph indicated by a superhawk. I love yamaha's but they need to learn brakes arent just for Hyper bikes and put some on the other models. Maxim is a general purpose frame, mid point between sport and cruise. no mans land in my opinion, its comfortable for most part depending on seat and bar choices. the engine if Maintained "Properly" will last a long time, not that it askes for much to begin with. the shaft drive is nice, but the Auto Jacking effect is very presant when wicking the go tube. good beginer bike with alittle more power then the GS and weights abit more. price range these days can be had for 1200 or less for good used one from 750cc down.
Auto Jacking?
Is that why the bike would lift so much at wot? I thought it was a mushy suspension.