Yamaha XJ650 The Real Deal Mid-Size Bike

Yamaha XJ 650

Yamaha XJ650 or also known as Maxim, Introduced in early 80's and it's stole the show with a 4-Stroke 650cc Middle Size displacement. the engine has four cylinder with the latest technology in that era, developing its successor Yamaha XS Which also become a hype in 1970's.

1980 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim

The 4 cylinder, air-cooled, twin-cam 650cc engine is housed in a cross-braced duplex steel tube frame. Yamaha made the engine narrower by locating the alternator behind the cylinder block and above the gearbox rather than on the end of the crankshaft.

The Yamaha XJ650 Maxim had shaft drive. Contemporary reports praised the Maxim's performance and braking. Criticism was aimed at engine vibration and under-damped suspension. Succeeding Maxim models were refinements; the 1982 Maxim 650 had a more comfortable handlebar, an air-adjustable fork, and a more luxurious seat. (Wikipedia)

1982 Yamaha XJ650

As we talked above, Yamaha Maxim XJ650 was upgrading its features because of some critics and also advice around the Vibrating Engine and a bit uncomfortable shockbreaker. the 1982 model was an evolution to satisfy the bikers who love the real deal cruiser bike.

Cycle magazine said in 1982 "Three years later, after the wide proliferation of special styling, it's easy to forget what a landmark bike the Maxim was...The 650 was striking, controversial, sensational, and wildly successful in showrooms. Other companies have produced bodacious knock-offs of the 650 Maxim, imitations that suffer from excess. It's too bad the Maxim was obscured when manufacturers blanketed the market with cruisers. A decade down the road, the Maxim may well be a genuine classic of the 1980s — a bright idea that stood the test of time

1982 Yamaha XJ650 Cruiser

the 1982 Maxim 650 had a more comfortable handlebar, an air-adjustable fork, and a more luxurious seat. A turbocharged variant, the XJ650 Seca Turbo, was featured in the 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again.

1982 Yamaha XJ650 SECA

Critics May not seems make the manufacturer give up, XJ650 was developed to upgrade the features. and in 1982 Yamaha XJ 650's new model releases named SECA.

1982 Yamaha XJ650 SECA

1982 Yamaha XJ650 SECA Turbo

Besides, XJ650 Has a special edition named Yamaha XJ650 SECA Turbo Because it's featured a Turbocharged technology. not only the performance, SECA Turbo is look Unique because the bodyworks are also customized. we can see the fairing is kind of Bosozoku bike style.

1982 Yamaha XJ650 SECA Turbo

As Mentioned before, This Yamaha XJ650 Seca Turbo was featured in James Bond's Movie Never say Never again.

Yamaha XJ650 SECA JAMES BOND

Yamaha XJ650 Cafe Racer And Bobber

XJ650 Yamaha Has a good base to shaped into the other styles like Cafe Racer and Bobber. Here's some of examples how Yamaha XJ650 Cafe racer Conversion Looks like.