New to the XS 650 and motorcycles in general

[52Chevy]

Hey everyone I am new to the forum. I've been looking at getting a motorcycle for a while couldn't really afford anything nice. My dad had a 650 in his barn that he said if I can fix it I can have it. So I scrounged around and found the parts he had laying around, took it to my house and I'm eager to get started.

Hopefully I will get a lot of answers here

Dave

 

[drewfunk]

Welcome! I've been into bikes for a while, but just got my first XS. Wasnt running when i bought it, but all it took to get it running was a battery, plugs, a few pieces of wire, and a tank of gas. Good luck!

 

[Belle]

Welcome. There are a lot of answers here. Feel free ta read everything.

 

[gggGary]

I am SO sorry. All is lost now. Might as well give in and enjoy your decent into biking. It's only a matter of time before you are wearing fringed chaps and looking down your nose at anyone who isn't riding a Harley.
You must have been born under a lucky star your first motorcycle and YOU got an XS650 in your lap. Odds are you will ride a lot of different bikes in your life and after years and countless adventures you will realize you never enjoyed a motorcycle more than the XS650 you started with.

 

[52Chevy]

I am SO sorry. All is lost now. Might as well give in and enjoy your decent into biking. It's only a matter of time before you are wearing fringed chaps and looking down your nose at anyone who isn't riding a Harley.
You must have been born under a lucky star your first motorcycle and YOU got an XS650 in your lap. Odds are you will ride a lot of different bikes in your life and after years and countless adventures you will realize you never enjoyed a motorcycle more than the XS650 you started with.

Yeah thus far I am very happy with the experience. It was this or a 360 Honda that used to be my Grapdpa's but my dad seemed to want that for himself.

I just got off the phone with my dad and he was very shocked at how much I had gotten accomplished in the time I've had the bike. If all goes as planned it will be running by August(my birthday) and then over the winter I can tear into it again and do any mods that I feel necessary.

I was going to buy a Ninja 250, I've heard they make a really good first bike. I just didn't have the money. My dad thought about it and figured this would be a low cost option. Then he started looking for parts and was able to find all of them he had, and the title! That was the shocker.

 

[jd750ace]

Well, it won't cost you as much as a new Ninja 250 ( they are great little bikes!) but don't count on it staying free!
Welcome. I also am taking posession of my father's XS650. Funny. That seems to be going around.

 

[Purplezinger]

I agree with GG. My first "full size" bike was a TX650. I had owned a number of other bikes and had ridden for years. I did a demo ride on the 650 and was immediately hooked. Enjoy your treasure.

 

[jd750ace]

My dad's 79 Special II, well, mine, but it will always be dad's, was the first full-on street bike I ever rode out of sight of the house on the actual road, instead of a logging trail, or cow path, or mining road! Went half way to town on it when I was 17!

 

[whynot2]

I can see it is too late for you already.
whynot2

 

[Samuraiace]

First bike ever was the XS and I don't think I'll ever sell her. (fingers crossed) I'm hooked.
There's something about these bikes that just feels right, I hope you catch that the first chance you get her out again. Good luck with your build, Glad you didn't get the honda.

 

[52Chevy]

Yeah I already have a bug, and I haven't even ridden it yet. Hopefully by August!

 

[jchrisk1]

The first bike I ever rode was a RX50 Special. I think I was around 10 years old. I guess I have gone back to the Yamaha Special as well. Only now it's a more fitting 650.



Not the actual bike, but exactly like it.