spongy (disc) brake

Geez, if that's the best they could do for handling I'm glad I don't own any
more Yamahas... this bike is *NOT* a great handler. I'd call it "acceptable
for a cruiser bike that's 27 years old". I've got new rubber on it and it's
ok but really needs a fork brace and some sort of modern front suspension
with rebound dampening.

Although the motor is reliable, would it be any less reliable if they used a
90-degree offset for the firing angle and got rid of all that shitty
vibration? It doesn't help the handling to have the steering components
mounted on squishy rubber bushings so your arms and hands don't go numb.

Just my 2 cents.

Dave

 

Well yeah of course. I owned mine in 1980. Back then the 4 cylinders
were so top heavy if you looked at them cross eyed they'd fall over.

The vibration was terrible. Stock tuning sucked but a little work went a
long way.

I have a road I use for testing. It's out in the boonies and is new
asphalt with several sharp turns and even two S's. I put a big conti on
the rear and adjusted the shocks and whatever else I could. I used to
have a blast driving down that road as it was a short cut to where I
lived.

Bottom line it was an old motorcycle - old design. But Yamaha certainly
sold a lot of them over what 14 years? Having said that I'd never buy
another one. Starting 1981 or so the technology advanced too fast to make
it a wise choice anymore.

Like you said the vibration was awful and the power band was absurd. My
little 83 XS400RK would run circles around one. I use that around town.
I like the 49MPG

 

That's a bit more like it.... ;-)

 

I've got a '73 CB750K3 Honda. It's heavy, but when you get used to the fact
that you need an extra gear down going into the curves to pull the bike up
you get used to it. The suspension is no worse than the XS650 which came
out 7 years later. And the powerband is way way smoother. The drum brake
on the rear does suck.

 

Nothing wrong with a drum on the back, given that most of the braking
should be done by the front.

 

It would be nice if someone could make a reliable transverse mounted V4.
Well maybe there is but I am not aware of one. I think Yamaha used to
make one but am not sure (Also not sure if it was reliable).

 

You know what? As much as I've heard the name I've never seen one in the
showroom at my dealer. I know very little about them and all I've ever
ridden is Yamaha. Go figure...Coincidence I guess.

 

Oh I see they are 1200CC engines and weigh 580 pounds dry w/ 140HP
(2003). That's heavier than I like and several 600CC motors are as
powerful. It looks like they could trim some weight but I'd rather see a
600CC version.

 

Wouldn't that make a rather long drive-train? Or are you assuming a
very big displacement? Just curious ...

 

Like the VFR750/800, one of the most reliable bikes ever made?

 

Actually I'm just thinking of a engne design shape that lowers and
narrows the weight distribution of the 4 cylinder engine.

 

Have a look at the new BMW four-cylinder sports bikes.

 

message

Most drum brakes suck because they're not working properly.

Here's v simple trick to improve feel and power of a drum brake....

- Loosen wheel spindle
- Apply brake *hard*
- Re-tighten spindle while holding brake on

The plate that the brake shoes are fitted too is a clearance fit on the
spindle and will normally hang under gravity when assembled.
The above process ensures that it's centered to the drum and can make a huge
difference.