Teddy Horn’s 1970 Yamaha XS650

After riding his friend’s 1970s Yamaha XS650, a reader knew he had to get his own.

Reader Contribution by Teddy Horn
Published on December 10, 2019
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by Teddy Horn

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After decades of riding, racing and loving bikes, I rode my friend’s 1975 Yamaha XS650 one day. I pulled out of the driveway, up the hill grabbing gears and twisting the throttle, when it struck me. I’ve got to get one! I looked and looked for an early ’70s model, because the early ’80s XS’s, though plentiful, and even though basically the same with a torquey engine, can be rather boring in style with cast wheels, smaller preset carbs, etc. Then I found a 1970 first-year green XS650 in Wisconsin. It was big money and a long drive, but it has low miles, a clean title, the original tires, manuals and it is just cool as hell. I love it, and it turns heads wherever I go, but mostly it is just a joy to ride.

Teddy Horn/Fort Myers Beach, Florida

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