Yamaha XS750 2D (1977)

Yamaha XS750 Triple from 1977.

Back in the day I remember someone I knew had one of these with a 3-1 stubby exhaust and it sounded awesome.

I'd like the look of the bikes, but at the time it wasn't sporty enough so didn't go down that route.

In September 2008 when this one came up for sale it looked good, seemed to have a decent history and fairly low mileage so I thought I see what they were all about.

Picked up the bike from Cambridge way and rode it home about 50 miles.

My first thoughts were that it was a bit sluggish and at 231kg was not the easiest thing to maneuverer around. I thought maybe the suspension and or tyres may be the issue so checked them out when I got home.

Bike on the bench, forks off for new seals and oil. New tyres fitted, carbs checked over, new oil and filter, new plugs and a bunch of other minor electrical bits and bobs done.

None of tweaks really made a difference to the overall package.

The bike was overweight and didn't hold that weight very well. It didn't handle well around twisty back roads or even fairly sedate bends. With that weight and only a claimed 64bph it was not at all a sporty bike.

When I first got it the brakes were binding a bit so moving it around in the garage took some effort. Even after rebuilding the brakes they were barely enough to stop the bike.

I guess these bike were really just for longer journeys on fairly straight roads and at lower speeds and when ridden like that it was fine.

Got it in September 2008 and sold it April 2009.

Nothing wrong with the bike, just it's charactoristics were not for me.

According to DVLA in 2026  the bike has just had its Tax renewed  so this one's still active.