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Born again biker looking at a XJ


Daz046
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Hi everyone..

I have got the Bike bug again after over 17 years away from it after passing my car test and want to get back into it.

All i had before was small bikes (H**da CB's and the odd S****ki GP and GT's) and this xj will be my first Yamaha and my first big ( ish ) bike

i have found a couple of XJ's on the 'bay of 'E' for around £300 and there is one for sale in my town for £800.. all im after really is some advice as to what to look for on these machines, Have they any weaknesses that should be checked out? Are the Engines robust and not chuck a leg out of bed the moment you give it some welly?

Any info would be appriciated..

many thanks

Daz.

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Hey daz

I had one of these as a first big bike, '98 xj600n. was a really good bike, mechanicaly bullet proof. not the best looks or the fastest machine on earth but plenty fast enough for someone just starting out. the only thing i would say to you when buying one is check out the link between downpipe and silencer, if thats going rotten walk away. your looking atleast £300 to replace or a shed load of bodge welding.

hope that helps

JK

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Hi everyone..

I have got the Bike bug again after over 17 years away from it after passing my car test and want to get back into it.

All i had before was small bikes (H**da CB's and the odd S****ki GP and GT's) and this xj will be my first Yamaha and my first big ( ish ) bike

i have found a couple of XJ's on the 'bay of 'E' for around £300 and there is one for sale in my town for £800.. all im after really is some advice as to what to look for on these machines, Have they any weaknesses that should be checked out? Are the Engines robust and not chuck a leg out of bed the moment you give it some welly?

Any info would be appriciated..

many thanks

Daz.

Hiya matey...XJ900 or 600? my experience of the 900 (03 model) is huge...have done approx 70,000 miles on it, comfy, capable machine, engines are pretty bulletproof, exhaust downpipes and collector are a main rot area, check for a full stainless system cos the collector box is 100-300 new! I got a new stainless on Ebay for 100 (Obviosly not Yam, but was better that patent part, oh and cheaper!) When provoked id throw it around a bit ;), .. 2 up fully kitted with top box and side panniers....140mph down the er.... track...... She even can play a bit 2, good power band (right through), can be a little wallowy around country lanes if you push reallly hard...but it gets fun then.... :lol:

Im not sure how the older ones are, but must be similair.

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Cheers for the heads up ppl.. all taken on board..

The XJ i was looking at in my locality (An XJ 600) has been sold. which was a shame as it had a stainless exhaust so that would have suited me down to the ground.. never mind.. i'll keep looking.

Cheers

Daz

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  • 11 months later...

Had a 600 (killed by an escort) now got the 900 (both pre divvy)

MOTORS - Bulletproof you would have to be a complete mechanical moron to wreck these engines

FRAMES a little prone to surface rust due to wonderful Jap paint and British winters

BODYWORK - Basically sound but like all plastics can crack with age

BRAKES - Good on 600 a bit weak by modern standards on the 900

Basically if it looks clean and sounds OK you should have very few problems.. :D

now the problem areas...

1 Fuel Tank - very prone to leaks after a certain age - the paint was all that was holding the fuel in on my 900

can be costly to fix and replacements are like hens teeth due to the age of the bike

2. Collector Box / Silencers - as with all Jap bikes they rot quickly but get a stainless aftermarket and all will be fine

and very occasionally coils can degrade with age causing the bike to misfire and occasionally run on 3 cylinders

easy and cheap fix

if the engine vibrates a lot through the bars - get the carbs balanced XJ's are prone to knocking them out of balance at a whim - again a cheap and easy fix - the XJ series motors are smooth a silk when set up correctly

sorry cant advise on the divvy's - never owned one (didn't like the syling - plus the divvy is slower than the old XJ)

hope this helps

JD :D

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