1978 Yamaha XS Eleven, 750 Special, XS750 & More - 8-Page Vintage Motorcycle Ad

Description

1978 Yamaha XS Eleven, 750 Special, XS750 & More - 8-Page Vintage Motorcycle Ad
Original, vintage motorcycle advertisement
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
TWO-STROKE MYTH
Yamaha has been the undisputed leader
in two-stroke motorcycle technology for so
long that our tour-stroke accomplishments
may have been overlooked by a lot of you.
That being the case,we thought we'd better
bring you up to date a bit.
Our 1978 four-stroke street line is perhaps
the most exciting and complete ever offered
by anyone. So complete, in fact, that it’s going
to take seven more pages to tell you about it.
INTRODUCING THE XS ELEVEN®
If your idea of a
good motorcycle is a
fast motorcycle,take
a seat on our excit-
ing new XS Eleven.
And hold on tight
Because the XS
Eleven is quite pos-
sibly the fastest pro-
duction four-stroke
ever built. In the standing quarter-mile,a com-
pletely stock XS Eleven broke the 12-second
barrier with a pavement-scorching time of
11.73 seconds. (A test, by the way, conducted
not by us, but by Motorcyclist Magazine.)
Performance like that comes as no sur-
prise when you consider the performer: our
tough, powerful new llOlcc, DOHC, four-
cylinder engine.
It’s ably assisted by four 34mm “Type II”
constant-velocity Mikuni carburetors. Yamaha’s
exclusive Transistor Controlled Ignition pro-
vides a hot, reliable spark, using precise elec-
tronic impulses instead of mechanical breaker
points. And our vacuum advance system—
another Yunaha exclusive—promises clean,
efficient combustion and rocket-like
acceleration. —_
But dori t get the idea the XS Eleven
simply spews out raw power.
It has finesse.
The five-speed, constant-
mesh gearbox is hooked up
to the most sophisticated
t shaft drive system
* available for
.
' smooth, turbine-like power,
y.' with virtually no drive train noise
or maintenance. And none of the torque
reaction that plagues other shaft-driven
motorcycles.
\ This penchant for smoothness plus the
Eleven’s narrow design and optimum frame
geometry give it comfort and handling
characteristics totally uncharacteristic of
; a superbike.
And, of course, the XS Eleven comes
with all the extras you need, but don’t
need to pay extra for. Triple hydraulic disc
brakes, for instance. One-piece cast aluminum
wheels.Three-way-adjustable front forks.
Electronic fuel gauge. Self-cancelling turn
signals. And much more.
The XS Eleven. Be the first on your block
to fly one.
INTRODUCING THE YAMAHA SPECIALS
The new Yamaha four-stroke Specials are
motorcycles you can really get into.
Really.
Because you sit “in” these machines
instead of “on” them. In fact, you’ll find that
the contoured stepped seat and pull-back
handlebars put
you in one of
motorcycling’s
most comfortable
cruising
positions.
And all the
time you’re
feeling good
you’re looking good, too.
With a sleek
teardrop gas
tank. Short,
mellow mega-
phone pipes.
One-piece cast
aluminum
wheels. Trick paint.
And chrome. Lots of chrome.
But lest you think it’s all for show, remem-
ber that beneath the custom exterior lurks the
customary Yamaha four-stroke power, han-
dling and reliability.
There are three bikes to choose from.
All very Special.
750 Special. It boasts the same '(
powerful, DOHC, four-stroke triple
as our popular 750 standard. a 6
And the same unique, fully- I \
enclosed shaft drive, for smooth, '
quiet, power transfer with minimal
maintenance. Its lean, narrow shape
makes for superb handling. As do the leading
axle front forks, a feature usually found only
on the most expensive motorcycles.
650 Special. The classic single overhead
cam, vertical twin has been a favorite of
jZ'WT four-stroke purists for years. It’s
an absolute masterpiece of
___ simplicity and economy. And Yamaha
technology makes it a real power-
~T1 / house, too. Wrap it up in its shiny new
I custom package and you’ve got the
i ultimate urban cruiser.
( JWp 400. A smaller machine with the low,
stepped seat and custom appeal of its bigger
brothers.The 400 offers sure power and quick,
precise handling wherever you ride. It also has
a versatile six-speed transmission. Plus a
few big-bike extras you might not expect:
electric starter, self-cancelling turn
signals, ignition switch/ fork lock, and
five-way adj us table rear shocks.
THESE BIKES NEED NO INTROBU€TI@M
OurXS750 has always
been as well- engineered
and good-looking a motor-
cycle as ever put tire to
pavement.
But you know us. We
just had to make it better.
So we added a couple of
things this year.
A new red. Carmine.
And a new red line. 9500 RPM.
Cycle Guide was inspired to report: “It’s the
fastest and best 750 you can buy.” They liked
the color, too.
But even with all that extra power and
response, the 750 engine is still as smooth as
they come. A quality no less
apparent in our five-speed,
constant-mesh transmission
and state-of-the-art shaft drive.
And this year, to give you a
better handle on handling,
we’ve added three-way-adjust-
able front forks.
The XS750 is a perfect bike.
Improved.
If there’s one thing our XS500 engine has
going for it, it’s eight things. Eight valves.
Four per cylinder.
Why eight? Because they
give this DOHC twin
maximum horsepower
from minimum displacement.
Add to that the unique Omni-Phase Balanc-
ing System for smoothness and a compact
road racer-type frame for maneuverability and
you’ve got a bike unmatched in its
class for performance
__
and handling.
It’s really in a class
by itself.
The XS400 Special Value Edition is a very
good way to get the best for the least.
Its 391cc SOHC twin is smooth and reliable
with plenty of pull for cruising or touring.
It has a versatile six speed transmission.
Five way adjustable rear shocks.
Chrome fenders.
Complete instrumentation.
Low price.
. INTROOUCSNGAN iOEA
WHOSE TIME HM COM!, AGAIN
—*
When’s the last time
you saw one of those big, beautiful, single-
cylinder, four-stroke street bikes of the’50s?
Well, the next time you see one will be at
your Yamaha Dealer.
The new SR500 is here. Along with all
the qualities you loved about those big-bore
beauties.
Its lightweight, economical and a positive
cinch to maintain. And it has that same
torquey, throaty throb that spells out power.
And plenty of it.
It also boasts modem niceties like an elec-
tronic ignition system; a piston indicator
window and compression release lever for fool-
proof starting; front and rear hydraulic disc
brakes; an all ball-and-roller-bearing engine
AND NOW OUR
TWO-STROKE STREET LINE
1
1 •
1
•«1
1
The RD400 is it. Our entire two-stroke
street fleet.
And with good reason. It’s the
ultimate two-stroke machine,
a direct descendent of
the legendary Yamaha
TZ350 road racers.
Tire 1978 model is
the best yet.
A wide range of
usable horsepower iSliW
combined with torque induction for low-end
snap and a short-throw six speed make
sMpK the RD400 one quick machine.
The handling is quick and
responsive.
The styling sleek and racy.
The RD400 is the
fastest, most well-
equipped two-stroke street
machine there is.
And that’s no line.
for longer life; full instrumentation, including
self- cancelling turn signals; and a whole
lot more.
The SR500 is even better than you
remember.
SOMETHING OLD.
SOMETHING NEW.
The 1978 XS650 is one of those rarities. A
successful blend of tradition and technology.
The vertical twin engine design has been
around for forty years. Incredibly reliable.
The Yamaha SOHC version preserves all
the pluses of the past and adds a few of its
own, making the XS650 smooth, steady and
versatile, with power to spare. And the dis-
tinctive Yamaha styling gives it a traditional
look all its own.
It’s the best of then. And now.
12017-7803-09