Built a stone’s throw from where the turbojet engine was invented! Introduced in 1969 as the XS-1, the Yamaha XS650 would boast one of the most advanced engines of the class, a 654cc parallel twin […]
Tag: Yamaha XS650
Red Ripper: Yamaha XS650 by Paul Hartman
“This thing just wants to have fun…” The Yamaha XS650 is one of our favorite motorcycles, a British-style parallel twin whose engine was highly advanced for the time, featuring unit construction, horizontally split crankcases, and […]
Shell Racing XS650 Street Tracker by Josh Keel
A stunning tribute to the Shell Racing trackers of the 1970s… Shell Thuet was one of the greatest motorcycle tuners of all time. Born in California in 1912, he had to begin supporting his family […]
“Martens Motard XSM750” Yamaha XS650 Supermoto
A truly “Handmade Motard” built for the 2018 Dirtbag Challenge… The Dirtbag Challenge, born in San Francisco, is a self-proclaimed “low rent chopper build off,” where participants have one month and a $1000 budget to […]
“La Canaglia” Yamaha XS by Brigand Moto
In Italian, “La Canaglia” means “The Scoundrel” or “The Rogue” — an apt name for this multipurpose Yamaha XS650 hybrid, built to tackle the “bastard configuration” of the Canadian roads, where well-paved highways are interspersed […]
Yamaha XS650 Tracker / Scrambler by Simple Sycles
“A tracker scrambler cruiser that’s only missing a surfboard rack for the ultimate summer’s day.” It’s tough not to love the Yamaha XS650. The air-cooled parallel twin motor is simple and beautiful, with solid punch, […]
Yamaha XS650 “Fat Tracker” by MUTO Motorbikes
“TRACTO” — a Yamaha “Fat Tracker” from France! Rémy Pagart of France’s MUTO Motorbikes is quickly making a name for himself with bikes that bridge the gap between bobber, tracker, and scrambler styles. Rémy, working […]
Yamaha XS650 Cafe Racer by Magnum Opus
The Yamaha XS650 is one of our favorite bikes of all time. The 650cc parallel twin, recalling the British twins of old, is simply one of the handsomest motors of the era, and sounds terrific […]
Yamaha XS650 Street Tracker
From unloved barn-find to stunning street tracker! The Yamaha XS650 is one of our favorite platforms, with a punchy parallel twin that recalls the British twins of old. Though the XS lends itself to a […]
Yamaha XS650 Tracker by Colt Wrangler
A two-up tracker for a Texas young gun and his lady… Colt Wrangler has quite possibly the best name of any custom builder in the world — and the skills, style, and heart to back […]
