Consensus---Best Year

Britman

XS650 Addict
Messages
225
Reaction score
631
Points
93
Location
Fredericksburg Va.
Do you think there could be a consensus from the learned and extremely knowledgeable members on this form????? In your humble opinion what is the best production year in the Yamaha XS650 line up. I sure hope the 650F, 1979 model is in the running somewhere, last year of points and the small tail light I believe, and there may be one in my future shortly......
 
Based upon what? If you consider continued improvements, that would mean the last ones were best.
Expect no consensus. We all like these bikes for various reasons. Which model is best is as varied as those reasons.

There is nothing wrong with an XS650F. So long as you like a standard with inner tubes, breaker points, BS38 carburetors …..
 
That said, pretty much ANY XS650 standard is a pretty bike. I got my Special because it's what was available, but I'd have much preferred a standard. With spokes, not mags. And those sexy baseball bat mufflers.
 
While I prefer the early ones (obviously), I've recently bought a couple of 1980 Specials just through dumb luck of spotting the sales ads quickest...gotta admit, they bring back a lot of memories and they're pretty darned fun to ride too.

Having said all that...I'd sure like to find a 75 Standard, because I love the rims and the color scheme...that or a French Blue 76 for the same reasons, love that color scheme!

Looking at this post I realize once again....I may have an XS650 addiction? 😳

1677608373873.png

1677608665026.png
 
Last edited:
For me, is not about acquiring an old bike for nostalgia. It’s about buying a new bike and keeping in because I got what I wanted. In 1983, I wanted an XS650 and I wanted a new bike. There was only the Heritage Special.
I worked at a Yamaha shop in my High School days (late 70's/early 80's), so I assembled and rode a LOT of XS650 Specials...they sold like hot cakes, literally.

I remember riding each one of them that we sold at the time and thinking man these bikes are just a huge amount of fun to ride....loved the fit, sound, feel.

Riding these takes me right back to that time frame. :heart:
 
I couldn't pick just one year or model but there are some I consider better than others. Using broad brush strokes, I'll start with '74 or newer models because of the 447 motor. It's easier and cheaper to get parts for. Narrowing that down, the next step would be '77 and newer because of the bigger forks and improved, linked carbs. While I do prefer the Standard models, now that I own a Special as well, it's starting to grow on me, lol. Applying the usual upgrades we do, they can be made into a very competent machine, nice riding and nice looking as well. I don't care for the rear disc and prefer a drum, not so much for performance but rather for simplicity. It's stone ax simple and there's no fluid to leak. That being said, I'd have to rate the '79 SPII as my favorite Special. It has the rear drum and it was the only Special that got alloy spoked rims.

Now let's talk about the '80 and newer models a little. These were all the Special style and only the '80 Special had a disc rear wheel (which puts it at the bottom of my Special list). Best upgrade to these later models is the factory electronic ignition. The BS34 carbs are rather pollution strangled but can be "fixed" and made to work very well. The seat grew a big, ugly hump on '81, but it is very comfortable. But the '81 also got a rear mag drum and I like that. I don't care so much for the mega-spoke Heritage wheels that came along in '82, or all the extra "safety" features they added, but you can change all this stuff. My Special is an '83 and had all that stuff. I changed it all, lol. I removed those safety relays and switches, swapped on a flatter '80 seat, and ditched the mega-spoke front wheel (I can live with the 48 spoke rear). I'm quite happy with the bike now.

As far as the '79 models go, the only one I don't care for is the regular Special with the rear mag disc. As I mentioned earlier, the SPII is one of my favorite Specials. The '79 models have the last of the BS38 carbs (and the best in my opinion) and the better 35mm forks. They still have points but you can upgrade that. I'd love to find a '79 Standard. I've never even seen one in person around my area, lol.
 
I couldn't pick just one year or model but there are some I consider better than others. Using broad brush strokes, I'll start with '74 or newer models because of the 447 motor. It's easier and cheaper to get parts for. Narrowing that down, the next step would be '77 and newer because of the bigger forks and improved, linked carbs. While I do prefer the Standard models, now that I own a Special as well, it's starting to grow on me, lol. Applying the usual upgrades we do, they can be made into a very competent machine, nice riding and nice looking as well. I don't care for the rear disc and prefer a drum, not so much for performance but rather for simplicity. It's stone ax simple and there's no fluid to leak. That being said, I'd have to rate the '79 SPII as my favorite Special. It has the rear drum and it was the only Special that got alloy spoked rims.

Now let's talk about the '80 and newer models a little. These were all the Special style and only the '80 Special had a disc rear wheel (which puts it at the bottom of my Special list). Best upgrade to these later models is the factory electronic ignition. The BS34 carbs are rather pollution strangled but can be "fixed" and made to work very well. The seat grew a big, ugly hump on '81, but it is very comfortable. But the '81 also got a rear mag drum and I like that. I don't care so much for the mega-spoke Heritage wheels that came along in '82, or all the extra "safety" features they added, but you can change all this stuff. My Special is an '83 and had all that stuff. I changed it all, lol. I removed those safety relays and switches, swapped on a flatter '80 seat, and ditched the mega-spoke front wheel (I can live with the 48 spoke rear). I'm quite happy with the bike now.

As far as the '79 models go, the only one I don't care for is the regular Special with the rear mag disc. As I mentioned earlier, the SPII is one of my favorite Specials. The '79 models have the last of the BS38 carbs (and the best in my opinion) and the better 35mm forks. They still have points but you can upgrade that. I'd love to find a '79 Standard. I've never even seen one in person around my area, lol.
Just out of curiosity and ignorance, why don't you like the rear disc?
 
Back
Top