Yamaha XS1

1970

Yamaha

XS1

Green

Original 1st year production

This was Yamaha's introduction into the world of 4 stroke engines. The 1970 650 XS1 was a direct Japanese competition with the English twins...BSA and Triumph. I bought perhaps the very first XS1 in the San Francisco Bay Area in late June of 1970. At age 17, the price of $1,245 seemed unbelievably expensive! This was one of the Big Bikes of its day! I rode the XS1 across the country in January, 1971, leaving it in Miami for about 8 months and flying out for a South American adventure. Upon returning, I rode up the Northern route of the US and had many, many adventures. All and all, that first cross country trip was about 10,000 miles of old school adventure. I rode my original XS1 several more times across the country before my final Iron Butt marathon San Francisco - Tucson ride in 24 hours. Sold my beloved friend and lamented that I did until...I found it's sister last year in Bellingham, WA. Perfectly restored in mint condition. Funny how that old Yamaha seemed so big and stable way back then. Now I ride my K1600 when I want to have a real ride and putt around on the XS1 if I just want to have old school riders oogle and tell stories of "way back when". What a bike!

Almost 48 year old stock and showroom condition