Debate SR500 vs XS650

P

PHeller

Coast to Coast
I noticed an interesting quote in another thread that the SR500 was superior to the XS650 in power and weight.

Did some reading, discovered in stock form:

SR500
27hp
158kg (348lbs)

XS650
50hp
200kg (450lbs)

Now this is a good debate for all classic bikes. Does 100lbs make a difference if you've got twice the power? I'm sure as the weight increases, it makes a dramatic difference in the performance of a bike, but stock vs stock, does the lighter bike have an advantage?
 
I have both bikes and the xs650 is definately faster by a long shot...
 
I have previously owned a XS650 and currently own an sr500 the XS650 was wayy faster but the SR500 can do wheelies a lot easier :D Both are great bikes in my opinion SR500 is just a little more interesting and has more character in my opinion
 
I sold my SR for my xs650 and i can tell you the power difference is definitely noticeable. its so much more comfortable to go at highway speeds. The SR was cool though because of the torque which really made the rides fun around town. The xs vibrates but nothing like the sr. the sr was just not comfortable for longer rides. The weight difference is noticeable around the garage, but when you're riding, the xs handles really well.
 
Swivel said:
I've had SR's with just a pipe and a 36.0mm mikuni and I'm sure they are putting out about 35bhp.I can't see an issue with SR vibes if you run the euro 16/42 gearing.I get 60mpg at 70mph all day long.An SR with good tires,chassis setup and shocks handles like a race bike on the road.They really are that good.You can get a SR down to about 140 kilos fairly easily.

A XS650 would be good if you are hauling someone around all the time,but in that case I'd have a GR650 because they are the sweetest motor I've ever used in the city and highway,at any speeds.XS650's always seem slow,heavy and dumpy handling to me.

If you have good corners where you live and you ride solo most of the time get an SR.If you ride from cornfield to cornfield get the XS or GR.I've never come across a XS650 that would keep anywhere near a good SR on a twisty road,honestly.
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yep geared mine up and I cruise 65 all day and get on average 66mpg it does handle quite well if you know what your doing, the ends of my foot pegs don't have paint on them anymore ;]
 
cobraace2 said:
You could get an rd and smoke them both ;D
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or you could buy my rd and smoke most sport bikes in the 1/8 mile bring ear plugs haha
 
Swivel said:
Try doing a thousand miles in one day on a RD and still be able to feel your hands.
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where in the hell do you come up with this shit, really where. If you ever decide to ride a 350cc 2 stroke motorcycle a third of the way across the the country in one day your hand will hurt. Haha well its a good thing you told me. i guess ill just fly
 
SRs are neat. Would love to own one someday. That said, Id take the XS anyday. Not even going to say why, as I dont feel like being lectured by Prof. Swivel, but honestly... XS anyday. And with Brads RD, you wont need to worry about the vibrations as much as youll need to worry about whatever demon you sold your soul too to be able to handle it. Haha.
 
That demon has got a face like this >:( and walks with a limp haha
I dig both bikes but i will buy a sr500 at some point 500cc yamaha single that kool in my book
 
Ya man. I love the SR and honestly want one, but I dont only ride on twisty back roads. I need a bike that can handle highway miles and whatnot.
 
Clearly, all the pros and cons of each bike, justifies the need to have one of each!



on that note, why not one of each genre and style off all bikes?...
 
HAHA I found a 81 xs650 today for $850. I'm gonna get it one way or the other. I kinda wanted a tx500. Now those bikes was cool DOHC that would run 120MPH
 
I have an XS650, I also want an SR500. That being said I want an XLCH, a BSA rocket 3, a Triton, ect.
Ive had a GS650, ridden a CB550, and a 04 Ninja 600, not my cuppa tea


Different bikes for different applications old bean..

(I hear the SRs are wheelie machines)
 
VonYinzer said:
Ya man. I love the SR and honestly want one, but I dont only ride on twisty back roads. I need a bike that can handle highway miles and whatnot.
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some SR porn :P --> http://omega-racer.blogspot.ca/2012/04/2nd-sr-thailand-meeting.html

I do a lot of highway myself and I can agree with Vonyizer that the SR is not the best bike for the highway. I did some minor mods to the motor (piston, cam, carb, exhaust) and she's performs a lot better now.

would love to have a XS, I believe Philthy bought a tricked out XS from a VRRA forum member a while back.

Cheers,
Kelvin
 
Swivel said:
TX500's cracked heads,leaked oil and were underdeveloped bits of junk.A least when the Japs built the XS 650 they knew which German bike to copy.The Horex Imperator 400cc.
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My brother had one when he lived in NC, rode to NM at around the age of 18 and rode around when he got here. It was running perfect when he sold it. I was impressed enough to get my own. rode it just about everyday in my teenage years. Maybe the one you had was a lemon?
 
Early model tx500s had issues. They were mostly fixed right around the time Yamaha scrapped the model. The head idde is easy to fix. They really can be amazing bikes, you just have to overcome a couple flaws.
 
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