Reading Letters to the editor a name caught my attention. Read her response.
FAST MEMORIES
I want to thank you for the Retrospective article on the late ’70s Yamaha XS Eleven (May 2020). Even in those days I read Rider magazine, including the bike reviews. The XS Eleven was my trade-up bike from the Yamaha 750 triple. Got the XS Eleven in March of 1978. As I remember, at the time it was supposedly the fastest production bike. I also believe that later that summer it was detuned to comply with California standards. My then-husband, a roommate and I each bought one on the same day from a local dealer. He graciously gave each of us a helmet! I think the dealer was shocked that a woman had brought these guys in to buy that specific model. I loved that bike! It did everything I needed, and as a 20-something, what did I know about handling and all that stuff? I just knew that it was the “fastest” production bike. At lights I knew that I could smoke anyone who wanted to try to take me off the line. Never had to do it, but was smug in the knowledge that I could! Thanks for a trip down memory lane.
ELSIE SMITH, York, Pennsylvania
