New XS650 Owner Here What Should I Know First?

[Jonas1ne]

Hey everyone,
I’m new to the XS650 community and recently started getting interested in these bikes. I’ve always liked the classic look and simplicity of them, so I figured this would be a good place to learn from people with experience.
Just wanted to ask

• What are the first things a new owner should check on an XS650?
• Any common problems or weak points?
• Best places for parts?
• Things you wish you knew when you first got one?
• Looking forward to learning more and seeing everyone’s builds and projects. Thanks!

 

[jetmechmarty]

Did you acquire an XS650 or are you seeking one?
Either way, it’s not too soon to acquire the factory service manual. https://biker.net/ or https://thexscafedotcom.wordpress.com/

My own recommendation on receiving an XS650 is to perform all of the actions in Chapter 2 PERIODIC INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT. Doing that will uncover necessary repairs and fast track you to a safe and reliable motorcycle. Anything in there you don’t understand is often covered in the Tech section of this board and there is a panel of experts standing by. You will soon learn the trusted information sources here. There’s a lot of it. Depending upon where you are, there are folks here willing to lay hands on your motorcycle.

Welcome aboard.

 

[motormike]

... weak starter spring... and just toss in electronic ignition.... once it's squared away as a nice runner.. then entertain suspension upgrades... better shocks.... etc etc... provide photos.. if it's a great unmolested unit... do not chop.....bob or hack it....

 

[Jonas1ne]

Did you acquire an XS650 or are you seeking one?
Either way, it’s not too soon to acquire the factory service manual. https://biker.net/ or https://thexscafedotcom.wordpress.com/

My own recommendation on receiving an XS650 is to perform all of the actions in Chapter 2 PERIODIC INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT. Doing that will uncover necessary repairs and fast track you to a safe and reliable motorcycle. Anything in there you don’t understand is often covered in the Tech section of this board and there is a panel of experts standing by. You will soon learn the trusted information sources here. There’s a lot of it. Depending upon where you are, there are folks here willing to lay hands on your motorcycle.

Welcome aboard.

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I haven’t acquired an XS650 yetI’m still in the research stage and trying to learn as much as I can before taking the plunge.I appreciate the links to the service manuals. I’ll definitely spend some time going through Chapter 2 so I can get a better understanding of what ownership involves. It’s great to hear there’s so much knowledge and support available here. Looking forward to learning from everyone and hopefully finding the right XS650 soon.

 

[Jonas1ne]

... weak starter spring... and just toss in electronic ignition.... once it's squared away as a nice runner.. then entertain suspension upgrades... better shocks.... etc etc... provide photos.. if it's a great unmolested unit... do not chop.....bob or hack it....

Thanks for the tips! The weak starter spring is definitely something I’ll keep an eye out for when I’m looking at bikes. I like the idea of getting it running and sorted first before diving into upgrades.

 

[jetmechmarty]

If you’re OK with Specials, the 1980 and later Specials have electronic ignition. They can prove easier to live with. Standard models were discontinued after 1979.

 

[650Skull]

Hey everyone,
I’m new to the XS650 community and recently started getting interested in these bikes. I’ve always liked the classic look and simplicity of them, so I figured this would be a good place to learn from people with experience.
Just wanted to ask

• What are the first things a new owner should check on an XS650?
• Any common problems or weak points?
• Best places for parts?
• Things you wish you knew when you first got one?
• Looking forward to learning more and seeing everyone’s builds and projects. Thanks!

Welcome to the XS community.

What attracts you to the XS650 more than other bikes of this era?

Do you have a model in mind, they changed quite dramatically over the years, with the later being a chopper style.
I assume you have been looking at the XS650, does any particular colour attract you more than another, we can give you the details on that specific model rather than go into the full encyclopaedia of all the bikes from 70-83/4

 

[650Skull]

Hey everyone,
I’m new to the XS650 community and recently started getting interested in these bikes. I’ve always liked the classic look and simplicity of them, so I figured this would be a good place to learn from people with experience.
Just wanted to ask

• What are the first things a new owner should check on an XS650?
• Any common problems or weak points?
• Best places for parts?
• Things you wish you knew when you first got one?
• Looking forward to learning more and seeing everyone’s builds and projects. Thanks!

Are you AI?

Not trying to b rude, there is a lot of AI generated questions on bike forums these days where it it information gathering rather than a genuine personal interest in the bike.
Your questions and answeres do read like AI.

If you are not I apologize for any offence you might have taken.

 

[Its been a long time]

Are you AI?

Not trying to b rude, there is a lot of AI generated questions on bike forums these days where it it information gathering rather than a genuine personal interest in the bike.
Your questions and answeres do read like AI.

If you are not I apologize for any offence you might have taken.

Hmmm. Yes, I see that too.

 

[John Regular]

If you are AI could you design a couple of versions of what an xs650 would look like with Halfmile's uni-shock swing arm he has for sale, do something about the massive hip section to slim that area out and give it some curves, a tail section resembling what an Indian FTR has but not too high, And create a tank badge that says Yamaha but uses the font that Indian uses, actually make a few different font styles that are not all caps block lettering, I swear it's like it's yelling at you YAMAHA!

see what I mean? Oh and how about images of after market seat actually on the bike that they are supposed to fit so you can see what it will look like on the f#ckin bike. Almost alll the manufacturers are guilty of this, they will have several images from all angle and even dimensions but no pic of the seat on an actual motorcycle. It's really frustrating. Maybe show exhausts too, paint schemes maybe. Have fun with it. If you're not AI then please disregard. Welcome