YAMAHA 650
The
look, the layout and the performance of the 650cc XS-1 that Yamaha
launched on the American market in 1969 were all familiar to riders
who had grown up with British parallel twins. But this bike had one
big difference, as the name and the tuning fork logo on its fuel tank
made clear. The XS-1 was built by Yamaha of Japan, The last area of
Britain's two-wheeled domination was about to be lost.
By
1969, Yamaha was already establishing a reputation for high
performance, through its smaller two-strokes, on road and track.
Factory racing star Phil Read had won both 250 and 125cc world
championships in the previous season. But until the XS-1, Yamaha had
never built a four-stroke roadster - let alone a 650cc parallel twin
that was so obviously aimed at the British opposition.
And
which scored a direct hit, too.
For
although many riders questioned the wisdom of taking on the likes of
Triumph's Bonneville and BSA's Lightning with such a similar bike,
those doubts were rapidlyblown
away.
The
XS-1 - and particularly its descendants the XS-2 and XS650, for the
original model was promptly updated - soon became strong sellers in
the important American market, firmly establishing Yamaha as a
manufacturer of large- capacity bikes.
The
654cc XS-1 engine followed the British opposition in its use of a
360-degree crankshaft, and even its 75 x 74mm bore and stroke
dimensions were identical to those of the Lightning.
But
the Japanese bike also had plenty of mechanical differences, notably
its use of horizontally split crankcases. Instead of pushrods, its
valves were operated by a single overhead camshaft, driven by a
central chain. Peak output was a competitive 53bhp at 7000rpm.
The
motor lived in a typical twin-downtube steel frame, which held front
forks whose rubber gaiters concealed external springs. Brakes were
drums at both ends, with a powerful twin-leading- shoe unit up front.
Designed mainly for the American
market, the XS-1 looked lean and sporty despite high, wide bars - and
despite the fact that it was heavier, at 4291b (195kg) with half a
tank of fuel, than a genuine Bonneville.
YAMAHA 650
Pulling
power
That
weight and the engine's fairly soft state of tune did not prevent the
twin from having lively acceleration. It pulled cleanly from below
2000rpm in top gear, had plenty of mid-range punch, and was good for
a top speed of 105mph (169km/h). Although the engine vibrated in
typical parallel twin fashion at around 4000rpm, it smoothed as it
approached the 7500rpm redline. And the twin was strong enough to be
revved hard, even when tuned for flat-track racing.
The
Yamaha 650 chassis was less impressive.
The
frame and swingarm lacked rigidity, and combined with the
under-damped suspension to result in a frequent weave at high speed,
and a choppy ride on bumpy roads. The Japanese bike was fine at a
gentle pace, and had to be ridden really hard before it began to
misbehave seriously. But its handling, unlike its engine, was no
match for the better developed British opposition.
 |
| YAMAHA 650 |
Although
it had its faults, the XS-1 was a fine first attempt that paved the
way for its XS-2 and XS650 successors to establish themselves as some
of the best-selling bikes of the 1970s.
YAMAHA 650 price's 2014
MINT $6,000 $10,000 £4.500 £6.500
GOOD $4,950 £3,500
FAIR $2,500 £2.000
PROJECT $1,000 £650
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