how good was it back then?... people were real and we waited for entertainment like this with a passion.... nothing will ever be better than the mid-late 70's. not even the 50's n 60's.... these were magical times.
I remember this race well. Ah to be 15 again... Stretched out on the floor in front of the tele for 6 hours, dreaming of the bike I'd buy next year when I got my licence... Thanks for the memories.
Those were great days. I lived about 15 mins from Amaroo and loved these bikes. The 6 hour was like Bathurst for the cars our "Bol d Or" the biggest thing in Australian bike racing. My mates and I bought and toured on these same bikes and 2 of us met our wives on such tours. It was a passage to adulthood.
I loved my 78 XS11 even though it didn't stop or corner well at all!!! It would get a little scary in hairpin turns! It always wanted to stand up on me but I just got used to it. Brings back great memories.
such a great race and unique in that the bikes are stock standard, You could only change the tyres spark plugs and handle bars. Great memories watched it every year loved the bikes, they were all individual to look at and you could work on them yourself
I have a SUZUKI GS1000E/1981.She is One of the best motorcycles ever made in my opinion... enough power, lovely sounds, smooth and fast... My dad had a GS550E 1982. He tried to teach riding to my mom. After 500m they felt 😁😁. She forced to my dad to sell the motorcycle. and ultimately he did. My dad passed away at 1998.
I remember this, it was so hard fought as they always were this was what always this such a great event. Bikes were real bikes not these plastic rocket ships and good to hear and see those riders again
Thanks for posting these classic races. Doesn't seem that long ago. I used to be able to ride a mates CBX1100 in the 80's and was an awesome bike for its time.
Back then, I had just switched from a Honda GL1000 Gold Wing to a Honda CB900F Bol D'or... The engine on the Wing broke the crankshaft and seized - a scary moment at 120kph! It was repaired and the new crank let go just three weeks later. It pretty much destroyed the engine and was written off. So I opted to "downsize" to the 900F. It was a good choice, it was a great bike. Now it is 2024, and I am now 72 and still riding. The Honda days are gone and I now ride a Kawasaki VN900 Vulcan cruiser. However, this will be my last year of riding. Arthritis in my neck and shoulders has made riding difficult and somewhat dangerous. I have no regrets, however. My years of riding were enormously enjoyable. Ride Safe and Ride Far 👌🏍
The Yamaha XS 1100 was a very much underrated bike. I had one and surprised many other supposedly faster and better handling bikes when I passed them AND stayed in front. I got the crowd spectating at the bottom of Creg-ny-baa on Mad Sunday in the I.O.M. in 1986 to their feet as I passed a group of three "superior" machines, the first coming into the corner, the second mid-corner and the third on the way out. This was told to me on the boat on the way home by a guy I knew who was there at that time. He said "Is your XS eleven black but with a red engine?" When I told him yes, he told me of the crowds reaction. When he told me he was riding a GSXR 1100, I said that he should've been out on it, having fun.
XS1100 and CBX's as race bikes - ahhhhhhhhhhh those were the days! Looking at it, the rear tyre is narrower than front tyres on modern bikes. 72 seconds - RECORD PITSTOP!!! LMAO!!!! 2:57, that laugh must be Jan Blizzard!!. Her and her hubby Arthur ran so much of Australian bike racing in the 70/80's.. shes still involved with St George MCC these days.
In 2019 I own 2 Yamaha XS 1100's one is the special and the other one is the MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. The special has a 4 into 1 MAC exhaust on it with a K&N air filter and the carbs rejetted. The bike did 150mph on rte 91 in Greenfield Mass. This was about 2 years ago .
Fantastic..... The yamaha bots are hero's, I had an XS1100 back in the day, a fucking barge of a bike and just how these boys won on it is beyond me.. Epic....
I've probably ridden more XS1100s than most here put together, I did my motorcycle mechanics apprenticeship with Yamaha in the mid 70's! Too heavy, it was a win of fortune, and they were mighty fit fellas to do 3 hours a piece, the GS1000 was simply a better bike, amazingly under rated, and it all proved that horsepower/size sold.
If l remember correctly these xs11's weren't exactly production models as they were chain drive and not shaft driven. An easy swingarm and front sprocket conversion from the removable bevel transfer box to make them chain. Also used to see a lot of xs750's swapped over before the 1100 came out.
I had an xs1100 new. A great touring bike, but it would be a pig to race, the road bike was 500kg fuelled and oiled. I did the south tamworth to lutwyche in brisbane trip in 6 hours on the new england highway. I really salute those production bike race riders of that era as tyres were so inadequate for production racing.
Who would think an xs11oo, essentially a sports tourer could beat a much purer sports bike like the ducati ss900 in a race like this ? Who would choose the xs over the duc nowadays ?
Jack DeJohnette Well, the XS1100 is a beast, with hellacious midrange power. It was the first production bike to do the quarter mile in under twelve seconds. I'm not surprised at all.
Maybe, but to me the fact it was shaft probably won them the race. It looked like a much cleaner well change with a lot less fuss than the Honda CBX1000. I know I couldn't change my wheel on my old GPZ750R(G) Ninja that fast!
I just love this type of racing, old superbikes, with normal flat handlebars, it's what we need now.
how good was it back then?... people were real and we waited for entertainment like this with a passion.... nothing will ever be better than the mid-late 70's. not even the 50's n 60's.... these were magical times.
Just amazing to see a CBX and an XS Eleven racing in a serious event. Like racing battleships. This video is like a preview of Mad Max.
Kenny Blake RIP ....what a legend.... Loved the 6 hour at Amaroo....MA bring it back !!!
Yep, he sorted out Ago at Laverton .. total legend winning the 6 hour by himself on a Z1A
I had a 79 Ducati 900SS. A wonderful old school race bike. The one I wish I'd kept.
I remember this race well. Ah to be 15 again... Stretched out on the floor in front of the tele for 6 hours, dreaming of the bike I'd buy next year when I got my licence...
Thanks for the memories.
Those were great days. I lived about 15 mins from Amaroo and loved these bikes. The 6 hour was like Bathurst for the cars our "Bol d Or" the biggest thing in Australian bike racing. My mates and I bought and toured on these same bikes and 2 of us met our wives on such tours. It was a passage to adulthood.
The Six Hour & the Arai Three Hour. Both bloody good races.
What a great time in Australia, thanks for puttin this up. Fucken grouse !
Greg Pretty was a legend. Unbelievable talent on a production bike. Used to watch him at Virginia on his K1 750 and then his z1b.
Good stuff ! It's important to upload as much of our road race history as possible.
Keep up the good work.
Sometimes the like button just isn't enough.
Thanks for posting this video from my favourite track.
8:46 ... Jim Budd, cool as :)
This is fantastic footage for me - we used to call the XS1100 the tea trolley because of the poor handling. And these guys raced them...!
Watched Parts 1 + 2. Awesome stuff!!!!
I loved my 78 XS11 even though it didn't stop or corner well at all!!! It would get a little scary in hairpin turns! It always wanted to stand up on me but I just got used to it. Brings back great memories.
such a great race and unique in that the bikes are stock standard, You could only change the tyres spark plugs and handle bars. Great memories watched it every year loved the bikes, they were all individual to look at and you could work on them yourself
I have a SUZUKI GS1000E/1981.She is One of the best motorcycles ever made in my opinion... enough power, lovely sounds, smooth and fast... My dad had a GS550E 1982. He tried to teach riding to my mom. After 500m they felt 😁😁. She forced to my dad to sell the motorcycle. and ultimately he did. My dad passed away at 1998.
I remember this, it was so hard fought as they always were this was what always this such a great event. Bikes were real bikes not these plastic rocket ships and good to hear and see those riders again
Thanks for posting these classic races. Doesn't seem that long ago. I used to be able to ride a mates CBX1100 in the 80's and was an awesome bike for its time.
I love the CBX.
Put crash bars on it and you don't even need a kick stand.:D
Awesome! Actually racing a CBX & XS1100!
Back then, I had just switched from a Honda GL1000 Gold Wing to a Honda CB900F Bol D'or... The engine on the Wing broke the crankshaft and seized - a scary moment at 120kph!
It was repaired and the new crank let go just three weeks later. It pretty much destroyed the engine and was written off. So I opted to "downsize" to the 900F. It was a good choice, it was a great bike.
Now it is 2024, and I am now 72 and still riding. The Honda days are gone and I now ride a Kawasaki VN900 Vulcan cruiser.
However, this will be my last year of riding. Arthritis in my neck and shoulders has made riding difficult and somewhat dangerous.
I have no regrets, however. My years of riding were enormously enjoyable.
Ride Safe and Ride Far 👌🏍
Over 250 kg. wow. Love that hill of amaroo.
Awesome sound of Warrians Ducati.
The Yamaha XS 1100 was a very much underrated bike.
I had one and surprised many other supposedly faster and better handling bikes when I passed them AND stayed in front.
I got the crowd spectating at the bottom of Creg-ny-baa on Mad Sunday in the I.O.M. in 1986 to their feet as I passed a group of three "superior" machines, the first coming into the corner, the second mid-corner and the third on the way out.
This was told to me on the boat on the way home by a guy I knew who was there at that time. He said "Is your XS eleven black but with a red engine?" When I told him yes, he told me of the crowds reaction. When he told me he was riding a GSXR 1100, I said that he should've been out on it, having fun.
They certainly had an extreme workout wrestling these beasts at race pace for 6 hours. That XS1100 weighed in at 1/4 of a metric tonne😨
The "excess elephant" was one name used for it. 6 hrs at Amaroo on it is brave. i raced Amaroo on my LC350 Yam in the 80s,, was a great track.
XS1100 and CBX's as race bikes - ahhhhhhhhhhh those were the days!
Looking at it, the rear tyre is narrower than front tyres on modern bikes.
72 seconds - RECORD PITSTOP!!! LMAO!!!!
2:57, that laugh must be Jan Blizzard!!. Her and her hubby Arthur ran so much of Australian bike racing in the 70/80's.. shes still involved with St George MCC these days.
Very good thanks, i watched part 1 and 2 :)
In 2019 I own 2 Yamaha XS 1100's one is the special and the other one is the MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. The special has a 4 into 1 MAC exhaust on it with a K&N air filter and the carbs rejetted. The bike did 150mph on rte 91 in Greenfield Mass. This was about 2 years ago .
Having owned a 79XS11 Special as my only form of transport for 2 years and outrunning every CBX/ZI/GS I came across this does not come as a surprise.
Good stuff .
Thanks.
No GS1000 Suzuki, it would have out handled them all
I had a CBX for many years. Fast sweepers would make it wobble. Pegs and engine cases would scrape. I can't imagine racing such a heavy motorcycle
Fantastic..... The yamaha bots are hero's, I had an XS1100 back in the day, a fucking barge of a bike and just how these boys won on it is beyond me.. Epic....
Klasik fantastik
I own a big GS and you would not want it bouncing up and down on you, never mind a CBX or a XS plus they are on 70s rubber..........wow
I've probably ridden more XS1100s than most here put together, I did my motorcycle mechanics apprenticeship with Yamaha in the mid 70's!
Too heavy, it was a win of fortune, and they were mighty fit fellas to do 3 hours a piece, the GS1000 was simply a better bike, amazingly under rated, and it all proved that horsepower/size sold.
Mark Mark my 78 is a beast
i thought the 650 was near perfect
If l remember correctly these xs11's weren't exactly production models as they were chain drive and not shaft driven. An easy swingarm and front sprocket conversion from the removable bevel transfer box to make them chain. Also used to see a lot of xs750's swapped over before the 1100 came out.
Yuk-erk McKirk watch the tire change on the XS it is shaft drive
Kevin Cass' shop ??
Riding one of those behemoths for 6 hours around Amaroo Park would be like running two 26 mile marathons in your backyard!
Imagine 6 hours with a 1970s full face helmet. Not fun.
Riding one of those monsters for6 hours, would be like riding a Kangaroo on a space hopper, in a coal bunker!
Great video. Don't suppose there's any footage of Doohans lap record of Bathurst in the superbikes.
Just watched this for the first time. I've got an 80 xs1100 and love it,but race it ! No way .those guys defiantly had big cornys
Great Stuff.The days of "What won on Sunday,Sold on Monday".Nowadays Yammy 1.1,s are rarely seen,& not so sought after.
XS1100s and KZ100s aren't easy to find for sale anymore, and they don't tend to go cheap.
Thanks for posting the real heros of motorcycle racing would you know where I can purchase a dvd or video of these racers. cheers
I had an xs1100 new. A great touring bike, but it would be a pig to race, the road bike was 500kg fuelled and oiled. I did the south tamworth to lutwyche in brisbane trip in 6 hours on the new england highway. I really salute those production bike race riders of that era as tyres were so inadequate for production racing.
Especially given how small these riders were. I still have my 1981 XS1100.
XS1100 weighed around 600 lbs. Where do you get the extra 400+ lbs?
I would have never expected the big XS to win that one.
The XS11 is a beast. I've surprised quite a few people with mine.
How do you get it to handle? Mine used to wobble horribly in corners.
@@pachma405 Front fork brace. If you don't have one already you should install it. It helps A LOT with the wobble.
Who would think an xs11oo, essentially a sports tourer could beat a much purer sports bike like the ducati ss900 in a race like this ? Who would choose the xs over the duc nowadays ?
How do you think my XS850 would play in that race?
Jack DeJohnette Well, the XS1100 is a beast, with hellacious midrange power. It was the first production bike to do the quarter mile in under twelve seconds. I'm not surprised at all.
ducati only wins when they can cheat or when they get provisions of some sort, a plain ducati v4 vs Yamaha R1M is no contest at all
rebroadcast on ABC2.
that pit stop was painful to watch
KÖNNER!!!!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
STEVE DICK WON THE 1978 OR 9 CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP ON A CBX
Shaft drive XS1100 tire change, what a pain
Maybe, but to me the fact it was shaft probably won them the race. It looked like a much cleaner well change with a lot less fuss than the Honda CBX1000. I know I couldn't change my wheel on my old GPZ750R(G) Ninja that fast!
For heartless and hopeless female.
XS 1100 was a bullet proof bike, but awful bike to ride.
Shaft ⁉️
an xs eleven ! ... fuck where are the gs1000 ?
+oi32df The rider went to the ground while leading... damn. Well, it is not all the time we see a Suzuki not winning an endurance race.
The XS 1100 was built like a tank. Their engines are nearly bulletproof.
？字幕欲しい
Yamaha hat gewonnen.
260kgs!!! OINK OINK!
An OINK that won!