2026 XS650 Calendar VOTE HERE!

[Travis]

Vote for the XS650s you'd like to see in the 2026 XS650 Calendar!

Calendar Details:

• The nomination stage is over, and it's time to vote!
• There are 28 bikes to vote for this year! Click here to see the nomination thread.
• As usual, Shawn (@samoran1) is putting the calendars together for us.
• The calendar will feature 13 bikes (one for each month, plus January 2027).
• The bike with the most votes will be on the cover and also have its own month.
• This will be the 14th year for the XS650 Calendars!

Voting:

• You can vote for as many bikes as you want (multiple selections allowed).
• Only existing members can vote. Accounts created after the time of this post won't be able to vote.
• Voting ends on October 21st at 8:30 PM CDT.
• You can only submit your votes once (changes are not allowed).
• Vote using the poll above.

For the Nominees:

• Feel free to post more photos and details of your bike in this thread. Promote it!
• If you want me to replace any of the photos in this post, let me know via private conversation. I used what was provided in the nomination thread or what I could easily find elsewhere on the site.
• I will post up to two photos of each bike in this post. You can add more to this thread in your own post.

Winners:

• A list of the top 13 bikes and the next 3 runners-up will be posted at the end of this thread.
• To ensure calendars are printed and shipped on time, the following deadlines apply for the Top 13:
  • November 4 – You must contact @samoran1 to confirm you intend to provide photos and information on time.
    If not, we’ll move on to the next runner-up.
  • November 11 – Deadline to submit:
    • Several high-resolution photos (no watermarks or logos)
    • Your name, location, bike year/model
    • A SHORT bike bio. See the previous calendars if you need examples.
• You must own the photos or have permission to use them for the calendar. If someone in the top 13 doesn't meet a deadline, we’ll go to the next runner-up — so spots 14, 15, and 16 should be ready just in case.

What happens next:

• Once the calendar is assembled, a new thread will be posted with the final proof and a link to order.
• Calendars will be available for a limited time, so be sure to check back often.
• The order link will also be posted in this thread.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make this calendar happen so far!

Here are the nominations. Vote using the poll above.

@Dannyh82

@rickthefix

@sph

@Ben1

@Resto_Paul

@NP2650

@Markangels4

@Peepz

@Flash1977

@Moonboy303

@dts66

@Elie

@Milomax

@GLS4004

@JMAS

@TazDog1966

@Hogbody

@spresser

@Dunc

@lrmercado12

@rjet43

@writehanded

@VISHOUS

@cap44

@xskiwi

@lakeview

@meals

@650 Scrambler

 

[Travis]

Voting ends Oct 21, 2025 at 8:30 PM CDT!

Good luck to everyone!

Here are the previous calendars:
See the 2025 Calendar
See the 2024 Calendar
See the 2023 Calendar
See the 2022 Calendar
See the 2021 Calendar
See the 2020 Calendar
See the 2019 Calendar
See the 2018 Calendar
See the 2017 Calendar
See the 2016 Calendar
See the 2015 Calendar
See the 2014 Calendar
See the 2013 Calendar

 

[Travis]

Note: A few bikes were not included because their nominations were not accepted, and one XS500 that was ineligible because this is an XS650 calendar.

 

[Mikey]

This was Friggin hard !!

 

[bosco659]

I think there should be a better pic(s) of @Dannyh82 ’s bike. I don’t think the posted picture does it justice. Multiple pics would be nice too.

Just sayin’

 

[Travis]

I think there should be a better pic(s) of @Dannyh82 ’s bike. I don’t think the posted picture does it justice. Multiple pics would be nice too.

Just sayin’

Agreed. All nominees need to get on it if they want to make it into the calendar.

 

[spresser]

More on my bike. 1975 xs650b built completely from an empty frame and boxes to what it is now. Full engine rebuild, recon crank, bored 3rd oversized, reconditioned carbs(went through about 3 sets) and a Bazillion other parts thrown at it. Finally ready to enjoy this spring!!!

 

[Dannyh82]

Hi, thank you for the nomination and requesting more photos & info. I have 100s of build photos and around 100 build videos so I've picked some to share.

The project mission:
Achieve the highest engineering, performance, finish and tolerance standard possible on every aspect and component with no compromise.

Overview:
Year- 1979 special
Engine- Fully re-worked rephased 744
Frame- Re-worked with widened & braced arm
Tyres- Front 110/80 R18 Rear 150/80 R17
Front suspension- Racetech & custom internals, fully adjustable pre load and dampening.
Project duration- 3.5 years

 

[Raymond]

Do you have some good calendar shots - typically showing the whole bike? Doesn't need to be any special location, in the garage or in front of a wall is fine but making the most of the bike's personality. I don't know what that is, but your bike has plenty of it.

 

[Dannyh82]

Do you have some good calendar shots - typically showing the whole bike? Doesn't need to be any special location, in the garage or in front of a wall is fine but making the most of the bike's personality. I don't know what that is, but your bike has plenty of it.

Hi Raymond, full - half bike shots are above, my personal favourites are these 3.

 

[bosco659]

Hi Raymond, full - half bike shots are above, my personal favourites are these 3.

 

[650Skull]

I usually leave my voting till the last minute.
Reason, I wait and see if someone posts a story or better pics on their bike. In the past I have voted for someone who engages with us voters over someone who doesn't. I will vote on that basis over a bike that I think looks better.

I see a lot of self nominations but no engagement. Early days yet, but, the early bird gets the worm.

Make me want to vote for you and your bike

 

[Raymond]

For me it's about the bike and as long as there's good clear pictures that show me the bike to advantage, I'm not too bothered about the historic military cemetery in the background or whatever.

 

[Resto_Paul]

I just had some professional photos done for a possible magazine submission so if I happen to make the cut I will provide a few of those as the quality will be much better than my cell phone pics lol. Here's a few more of the bike for now....with matching helmet too!

 

[lakeview]

Driver '77
A fellow had this machine as a project for several years and nothing was getting finished on it. I had advertised for XS650 parts and projects and he responded. With my assurance that no tab would feel the sting of the angle grinder, he sold it.
The motor needed to be assembled but the p.o. had collected some good stuff so it went together properly. I am happy with the way it turned out. It's a good driver quality machine that you can actually use.

 

[Jan_P]

Please better picture
@dts66

 

[bosco659]

Just thinking…for next year. It’s difficult to vote on bikes with so many different photos - different angles; featured areas etc. To make future voting more objective, can each bike nominated, have a full left; full right; front; rear; and maybe a top shot from the rear fender? I found it difficult to cast votes this year because of the variation in pictures by bike.

 

[Raymond]

Nah. Diffrent folks will always post diffrent pictures, depends how they see their bike. We vote for the ones we like and the calendar gets put together. With standardised photos the calendar would be more same-old, same-old every month?

Thank you again to @samoran1 & @Travis for all their work - must be like herding cats!

 

[650Skull]

But a ery basic understanding of balence and light makes all the difference between a pic and one that enhances or makes the bike catch the eye.

A couple of small examples.

This in no way meant as a critacisin of what people have done. Info on what helps +, (or) some editing to help make a pic pop.

Ben1. The bike is in shadow, some editing enhances the motor and frame. Gives the background mor definition.



Lakefields chemical plant background.
Cropping out the sky stops the eye from being dragged to look at the steM coming out of the stack. Brings the bike into focus. Some light editing taking out some shadows


Another of lakefields. Cropping out the top of the petrol pump again brings the bike into the focal point. Background is busy without stealing the pic. Nice angle of the bike shows the good points. Slight edit taking out shadows and enhancing the bike. More definition at the shadows by the car

This pic was more about the background. Sunny day with the side in shadow.
Heavy editing to b able to see the bike. Sky could have been better in the second pic.

I love this pic. The angle from low looking up and along the bike gives it a bulldog strong look.
These are ugly bikes. Shows how an angle makes a silk purse out of a sows ear.
Second pic edit brings the bike into a nice focus with a better definition between the bike and sky, and overall lifting the shadows

 

[Dannyh82]

I've just lightly adjusted these 3 photos that stay true to the bike but bringing it more into focus.