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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126438
00 CN I-< Q) ~ e Q) > o Z IAbove) The lIttrec:tive stepped seat is comfonable for blasting around town, gets firm on longer jaunts.IBeIow left) Twin 34mm . Mikuni carburetors feed the beast.IBelow right) There's a single disc at the rear wheel, a seat/helmet lock, KYB shocks with lots of chrome. lBottom Ieftllnstruments _ simple, .-lIy read at a glance. lBottom right) Here lwe think) is the culprit. Makes the XS650-SG wiggle on freeway raingrooves. they still deliver that British twin bark, only softer. The step;seat has an attractive alloy grab bar surrounding the rear section. The bar, which shows a touch of Harley influence as does the lower triple clamp on the forks, also is very useful as a place to anchor bungee cords. The seat itself is comfortable for around town putting, although it gets firmer on longer rides. The seat lines blend into the fuel tank top. The tank's teardrop shape fits the Image perfectly and it holds enough gas to make a Harley rider envious. The gas cap locks, looks good. Pullback handlebars end in comfortable grips and plastic-covered .dogleg levers. Liked the levers a lot. Bar shape is a personal choice, although they may suit someone perfectly. We'd definitely have to do something about these. A bit too pulled back. The headlight and instrument cluster laid out with the Image in mind, very attractively, in our opinion. Separate chromed instrument shells hold the tachometer and speedometer. Likewise the head light shell is chromed and clean in design. No dumb·looking streamlining or plastic pods; just the necessities. Chromed. ~nerally speaking, the motor contributes to the Image. Goes back to the British mystique part of Yamaha's advertising. The lightweight and nar· row 650cc motor - compared to likesized four·cylinder Japanese units - is shaped right, mak.es all the right sounds and vibra tes reassuringly as a good twin should. In fact, the only part where the motor is lacking is in the modem technology section. Set-up to meet emission standards, it's a very, very cold starter. And it has an annoying and dangerous tendency to die right when you least expect it until it's warmed up. For example, it'll sit there idling nicely while you're waiting at a stop sign for a break in traffic, then miss a stroke or two just as you start to pullout. The solution seems to be to run with the choke on for, at minimum, 10-15 minutes. Even then, don't bet your life on its pulling smoothly off idle. When it's warm, the problem disappears. But first time riders shoUld be forewarned. Once warm and underway, the 653cc SOHC four-stroker pulls firmly, propelling rider and a passenger swift· ly down the street. Riders spoiled by IOOOcc four·cylinder machines may say the XS650 is lacking in power, but don't you believe it. Compared to nonnal traffic, you're still riding a jet. You just don't have that extra 350cc of overkill power. . In fact, the XS650 pulls fifth gear easily and gives the impression that it could use an even taller top end gear. Or a sixth speed overdrive. In all, the XS650-SG is a good intermediate machine. At a suggested list price of $2399, the payments (and insurance rates) will be a lot easier to live with than th05e of a IOOOcc machine. Plus, there's that touch of British mystique. Hell, OUTS even seeped oil ... slightly. • Specifications Engine type four-stroke SOHC twin Displacement 653cc Bore and stroke 75 x 74mm Compression retio ................................•.......... 8.7:1 Maximum torque 39.8 ft.-lbs. @ 5,500 rpm Carburetion , Mikuni BS34 Twin Ignition Transistor controlled Starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .• Electric & kick Lubrication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Wet sump Transmission five-speed Overall length...•...................................•....... 83.5" Overall width 36.4" Overall height '.' 48.0" Wheelbase ........•..•................................•.._ 56.5" .. Ground clearance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . .. 5.3" Dry weight : 463 Ibs. Fuel tank capacitY. . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0 gals. Oil fank capacity. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . .. 2.6 qts. Suspension Telescopi~ forks . Front Rear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. SWlngarm Brakes Front. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Single disc Rear Single disc Tires Front , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.50S x 19 Rear 1301908 x 16 Color New Yamaha Black, Cardinal Red 18 Specifications are subjec:t to chenge without notice.