Yamaha XS 750 - 1978 Motorcycle Review

The 1978 Yamaha XS 750 is somewhat of a Yamaha oddity in that it is a 3 cylinder shaft driven motorcycle. It is definitely collectible and can be hard to find, but well worth the look. In 1978 when it came out it was considered a fast 750. It is great for touring as it is a shaft driven motorcycle,hence no chain maintenance or headaches. Of course, Standard, meaning that you sit up straight on this bike. Even on a long distance this was very comfortable. It is a very quiet ride.

In collecting, most searches are done through trade magazines, classifieds, Ebay and on-line. This bike came to me by a different and interesting route.

Some friends had talked me in to touring with them starting in Las Vegas. I flew in, with money in hand, looking for something to ride and tour the west. I had no idea what I would buy. I went to a smaller motorcycle accessory store that I had researched and saw the bike sitting there as a consignment bike. I talked to the owners of the store and they called the owner himself and he immediately came down to meet me. We talked and I learned about his bike. I really didn't know that much about this bike before I purchased it. The owner was also a collector like me, who was trying to thin his collection at the time. He was a retired airline pilot whom flew corporates to the brothels of Nevada. He showed up at the dealership in a cowboy hat, Hawaiian shirt, surf baggies and cowboy boots. We instantly hit it off. Anybody this wild and as knowledgeable as he was, was great to deal with. I got a great deal on it, took off, and rode it 2500 miles that week with no problems.

I continued to tour on this bike for years, riding the west, putting 15,000 miles on this motorcycle with only simple maintenance between the years of 1993 and 1997. It is a permanent part of my collection today and I would still tour on it, given the chance. I spent $1500. on and spent 15,000 trouble free miles over it's touring years.

A good example of cost of this motorcycle today would run you $2500. to $3500. and would be well worth the time cruising the classifieds.