Yamaha's 650 models spanned many decades, and saw a lot of technical improvements. From the XS models, developed in 1969 to copy British designs, to the innovative XJ Maxim, which made its debut in 1980, each variant represented an effort to appeal to motorcycle aficionados of all ages and preferences.
XJ 650 Maxim
The 650 Maxim was sold in 1981. Its four-cylinder engine generated 71 horsepower at 9,400 revolutions per minute and had a dual overhead cam with two valves per cylinder. It had a 66 millimeter bore and 52.4 millimeter stroke with a 9.2 to one compression ratio. The Maxim used a five-speed transmission and a shaft drive. This motorcycle could complete a quarter mile in 12.6 seconds and reach 107 miles per hour. It had a top speed of 120 miles per hour. The front brakes used a single 300mm disc, while the rear utilized drum brakes.
XS 650 Special II
The Special II made its United States debut in 1980. The parallel twin-cylinder engine generated 50 horsepower at 7,200 revolutions per minute. The engine had a single overhead cam with two valves per cylinder. It had a bore of 75 mm and a 74 mm stroke, along with a compression ratio of 8.4 to one. It utilized a five-speed transmission with a chain drive. The front suspension used telehydraulic forks, while the rear had a swinging arm fork with adjustable shock absorbers.
XS 650
The XS 650 was produced in 1975. The parallel twin cylinder engine generated 50 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute. The single overhead cam had two valves per cylinder and an 8.4 to one compression ratio. The bore was 75 mm, while the stroke was 74 mm. The engine also used a five-speed transmission with a chain drive. The front suspension used telescopic forks, while the swinging forks were used for the rear suspension. Single 267mm disks with one piston caliper made up the front brake system, while a drum system was in place for the rear.
Tags: yamaha, motorcycle, compression ratio, engine generated, engine generated horsepower, engine generated horsepower revolutions, engine generated horsepower revolutions minute, five-speed transmission, generated horsepower, generated horsepower revolutions
