It is most fun if you keep it between six and nine thousand, to exploit that generous power band. This may be a function of hauling my 5' 10" 220 lbs frame around, or again, cruddy carbs. It keeps pulling hard through the 10K redline, although at higher revs, an annoying lag would appear when the throttle is opened. Things begin to stir at about six thousand, when the motor comes into its sweet spot of cam, valve train design and gas flow. The engine feels wheezy below four thousand rpm, but that may be simply a 17 year-old, low-mileage bike needing a carb cleaning. So what is it like to ride? That friendly riding position coupled with the snorty motor and your typical period five-speed tranny make for a pleasant ride. This may not be a problem around town, but could be annoying on extended runs. While the windscreen provides an effective bubble at speed, the rest of the fairing generates an onslaught of clanks, rattles and buzzes. Convex rectangular mirrors are actually useful, until above eight thousand rpm, when the entire bike gets buzzy.
#Yamaha xz 550 full#
Unlike a lot of after-market jobs, this doesn't interfere with the controls or the handlebars at full lock. This particular Vision came with an unusual factory-mounted full fairing. That bench seat is good for an entire tank full, with low, forward-mounted footpegs on cast hangers which incorporate a neat boot guard, so you don't melt your soles on the pipes. Coupled with a low, foot-peg placement, you sit in a neutral, comfortable position. Cast risers on the top triple-clamp bring the grips to your hands. This is definitely a bike you sit on, not in. The riding stance is pure Universal Japanese Motorcycle. Coolant temp warrants its own gauge, and rubber-mounted blinkers on all corners are welcome for garage and parking lot blunders. As a plus, the idiot lights are noticeable, even in direct sun. A convenient choke/enrichener is mounted below the standard push-to-cancel turn signal switch.
A slow engine speed compared to today's zipper bikes, but plenty zesty enough to provide fun. The cockpit is kind of dated, with its chunky styling and 55 mph redlined speedo a remnant of the "speed kills!" '70s. While current bike styling is rounder and more organic, the boxier Vision has aged very well. Equally inviting is the wide bench seat, which easily permits my 32" inseam legs to find the ground at stops. Its broad, flat, metal tank is friendly to a variety of tank bags. The transverse-mounted motor (think Harley-Davidson) keeps the cycle slender. I shrugged off my desire as unobtainable.įast-forward to the present. I was out of high school and into bikes when Yamaha offered this 550cc, liquid-cooled V-twin gem. Would that person be like I remembered her to be? Would I still find her sexy and fun? These questions were in my brain as I picked up the 1982 Yamaha Vision. W e've all had the chance to date someone years after we first met them.
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