First, I Was Totally Lost
Let’s be real, I knew nothing about old bikes like the Yamaha 650 XS. So, my first step? I just jumped online and looked at pictures. Saw a bunch, thought “cool,” but man, pictures lie! Like, really bad.
I got excited about this one bike that looked super clean in the photos. Stupidly rushed over. Up close? Total disappointment. Rust hiding everywhere, wiring looked like spaghetti thrown at the wall, and the exhaust was hanging on by what seemed like chewing gum. Owner said “runs perfect,” but it wouldn’t even start for me. Learned my lesson fast: always look with your own eyes first.
What I Actually Needed To Check
After that mess, I decided to get smart. Made a simple list of stuff to poke at when I saw the next potential bike:
- The Frame: Got down on the ground. Looked for bends, bad welds, or rust holes that could be hiding. Poked weird spots with my finger.
- The Engine: This was tricky. Checked for leaks – oil or fuel dripping where it shouldn’t. Listened like crazy when it ran. Any weird ticking, knocking, or just sounding unhealthy? Walked away. Smelled the oil too – if it smelled burnt, nope.
- Electrics: Pushed every button, flipped every switch. Lights blink? Brake light actually light up? Indicators work? Simple stuff, but it tells you a lot about how neglected the bike is.
- Chain & Sprockets: Super important! Hooked teeth? Sprockets that look sharp? A chain sagging like wet noodles? Big money to fix later.
- Forks & Shocks: Pushed down hard on the front and back. Did it bounce back smoothly? Or did it just sink and stay down? Leaky stuff around the forks is a bad sign.
How It Felt Sitting On It
Okay, so one looked decent on paper and inspection. Time to actually sit! Mounted up. Were my feet flat? Arms too stretched or too cramped? Could I reach the controls easily? Felt natural? One felt kinda bulky and awkward. Another felt too small like a toy. The one that felt just… right? That’s the sweet spot. It just fit.
The Big Test: Actually Riding
If the owner was cool and the bike checked out so far, I begged for a quick spin. Key things I focused on:
- Clutch: Did it grab without feeling like mush? Or did it slip? Hate a slippy clutch.
- Gears: Clicked through ’em. Any crunching? Did it find neutral easily? Sticky gears are a nightmare.
- Brakes: Squeezed both front and back. Did they feel strong and smooth? Or kinda spongy? Brakes that fade are scary.
- Steering: Leaned it gently left and right. Did it feel heavy? Weird wobbles? Just flow naturally? Wobbly steering at low speed is a no-go.
This one bike, looked okay, felt okay sitting… but riding it? Felt kinda boring and dull. No real power kick. Meh. Passed. Found another one later that had that little bit of grunt, felt alive. That’s the feeling!
Finally Found My Match
It took longer than I thought! Looked at maybe six or seven XS 650s before finding “the one.” Looked clean-ish (not perfect!), started first kick every time, that clutch felt solid, brakes worked great, gear shifts were crisp, and that engine just had a nice healthy vibe. Best part? It felt like it was actually made for me when I rode it. Comfortable and just fun. Didn’t haggle super hard ’cause I knew it was right. Paid up, loaded it, huge smile.
Main takeaway? Don’t fall for the pretty pictures. Use your list. Check the important bits with your own hands and eyes. Take your time. And seriously, if you can’t ride it before buying? I’d walk away, every time. Good luck hunting!
