MOTORCYCLE Type
Make and model
Year
Top 10 Motorcycles
Reviews
Stars Refinement
2 ratings and reviews
Voted most helpful review
Reviewed on May 26, 2001
Motorcycle reviewed
1978 Yamaha XS500E

5.0
I've ridden one of these for 20 years. You couldn't ask for a simpler, more reliable bike. The CDI ignition will fire a combustion chamber full of oil. No such thing as a fouled plug. Great gas mileage. Handling that embarrasses many a high-powered sport bike. In all this time, I've...
read more
I've ridden one of these for 20 years. You couldn't ask for a simpler, more reliable bike. The CDI ignition will fire a combustion chamber full of oil. No such thing as a fouled plug. Great gas mileage. Handling that embarrasses many a high-powered sport bike. In all this time, I've made three changes. K & N clamp on filter. XT500 carb, for simplicity, and a free flow exhaust. that's it. Can't think of anything that could make this bike better. When I first saw the specs for this thing, I told my wife that if I got one of these, I'd never want another bike. She laughed. After 20 yrs, I still feel the same way.
Voted most helpful review
Reviewed on April 9, 2000
Motorcycle reviewed
1978 Yamaha XS500E

4.0
I BOUGHT ONE NEW IN '78 AND PUT OVER 18000 MILES ON IT. I THEN PURCHASED A USED ONE IN 1984 AND PUT A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES ON THAT ONE. FEW PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THE '78 HAS A VERY EXCELLENT UPDATED CYLINDER AND HEAD THAT MAKES IT QUICKER THAN ALL THE OTHER XS 500'S. IT WILL EVEN BEAT UP STOCK...
read more
I BOUGHT ONE NEW IN '78 AND PUT OVER 18000 MILES ON IT. I THEN PURCHASED A USED ONE IN 1984 AND PUT A COUPLE THOUSAND MILES ON THAT ONE. FEW PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THE '78 HAS A VERY EXCELLENT UPDATED CYLINDER AND HEAD THAT MAKES IT QUICKER THAN ALL THE OTHER XS 500'S. IT WILL EVEN BEAT UP STOCK RD350'S AND 400'S!!
- 1