Japanese Video Comparison, 1970 Yamaha XS1 vs 1973 Kawasaki WS1 650

Mailman · Jan 16, 2023

Very nicely filmed with great sound. I found a Japanese YouTube site by a vintage Japanese bike club. The videos are mostly non speaking, very nicely filmed, starting the bikes, idling, exhaust sounds and riding them. The Japanese countryside is beautiful and the sound quality is very good.
Check it out!

Mailman · Jan 16, 2023

Here’s another good one with multiple vintage Yamahas,

Jim · Jan 16, 2023

Those are some nice little roads they're riding on too.

5twins · Jan 16, 2023

They drive on the left side of the road in Japan? I didn't know that.

Downeaster · Jan 16, 2023

I had that EXACT Kawaski W1 while stationed in Japan, AND the pleasure of riding through the Northern Hokkaido countryside. It is indeed beautiful.

5twins · Jan 16, 2023

So DE, how would you say it compares to our 650?

gggGary · Jan 16, 2023

XS1 sounds an shifts better than that Kaw.
Whats up with the fuzz sticking up on the front drum?
XS is a bit tatty.....

5twins · Jan 16, 2023

Yes, one of the first things I do on an old "new-to-me" bike is replace all the cables. Some of those look well past their "Best by ...." dates, lol.

Oldschool · Jan 16, 2023

Fun to see the Kaw do the backwards concrete crawl while on the centerstand. I think the Yam is better at it, however. :sneaky:

Dom · Jan 16, 2023

5twins said:
They drive on the left side of the road in Japan? I didn't know that.

That's what makes Japanese imported cars popular in the UK

Downeaster · Jan 16, 2023

5twins said:
So DE, how would you say it compares to our 650?

No contest. XS all the way.

The Kawi was a sexy beast, but it was a finicky prick to start, had crappy brakes and handled like a hog on ice. I only kept it a couple of months.

arcticXS · Jan 16, 2023

Dom said:
That's what makes Japanese imported cars popular in the UK

And in eastern parts of Russia as well, despite the fact that they (usually) drive on the right hand side of the road. I guess that says a few things about the ruskies.....

Japanese Video Comparison, 1970 Yamaha XS1 vs 1973 Kawasaki WS1 650

Mailman

Hardly a Guru

Mailman

Hardly a Guru

Jim

Beyond the edge is the unknown. Here be Dragons

5twins

XS650 Guru

Downeaster

Everything in XS

5twins

XS650 Guru

gggGary

If not now, When?

5twins

XS650 Guru

Oldschool

XS650 Member

Dom

XS650 Junkie

Downeaster

Everything in XS

arcticXS

XS650 Guru

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