Yamaha XJ 650 Special - [1980] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Yamaha XJ 650 Special - [1980]

Yamaha XJ 650 Special - [1980] image

Yamaha XJ 650 Special - [1980]

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Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Yamaha XJ 650 Special
  • Year: 1980 | Type: Cruiser
  • Engine: 653 cc (39.8 ci) 8 Valve
  • Engine Type: Horizontal In-Line | Cylinders: 4
  • Engine Stroke: Two | Valve Config: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Air | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 5 speed / Manual
  • Drive: Shaft
  • Wet Weight: 243 kgs (535 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 0 kgs (0 lbs)
  • Power: 71 bhp (52 kW) @ 9400 rpm
  • Torque: 42.0 lb-ft (56.9 Nm) @ 7500 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 292.1 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 172.8 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 12.7 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 12.9 secs
  • Top Speed: 76 mph (122.3 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 13.76 secs @ 63 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Yamaha XJ 650 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Yamaha XJ 650 Special is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1981 Honda CB 1100 R BB and the 1981 Suzuki GSX 1100 SX Katana.This particular Yamaha XJ 650 has a 653cc Air cooled, Two stroke, Horizontal In-Line Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders and Carburettor.

Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura - [1984] image

An alternative Horizontal In-Line engine, Cruiser style motorbike includes the Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura - [1984]

The 1980 XJ 650 shares its Horizontal In-Line engine and Cruiser style configuration with the likes of the 1984 Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura and the 1984 Honda CB 750 SC Nighthawk S. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the XJ 650's Cruiser style with a similar size of engine then how about the 1984 Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura | 1984cc.1994 Suzuki VS 400 Intruder | 1994cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 243 kgs (535 lbs) this makes the Yamaha XJ 650 Special in the same weight category as the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC SE or the 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS, give or take 50kg.

Suzuki SV 650 ABS - [2025] image

The 1980 Yamaha XJ 650 shares the same bhp with the Suzuki SV 650 ABS - [2025]

In terms of power the 653cc 8 valve Horizontal In-Line 4 cylinder engine produces 71 bhp (52 kW) @ 9400 rpm similar to the 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS [73 bhp (54 kW) @ 8500 rpm] or the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally [72.4 bhp (53 kW) @ 9000 rpm].

The DOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 42.0 lb-ft (56.9 Nm) @ 7500 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Honda X-ADV 745 [50.9 lb-ft (69.0 Nm) @ 4750 rpm] and the 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS [47.2 lb-ft (63.9 Nm) @ 8100 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Yamaha XJ 650 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Honda XR 600 R - [1991] image

The 1991 Honda XR 600 R has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1980 Yamaha XJ 650 Special.

The 1980 Yamaha XJ 650 Special has a Power to weight ratio of 292.1 bhp per ton and 172.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 XJ 650 competing with the 1991 Honda XR 600 R [315.0 bhp\ton] and the 2000 Honda XR 600 R [315.0 bhp\ton].


Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Yamaha XJ 650 generating around 172.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 Suzuki GS 700 E [197.8 lb-ft per ton] and the 1985 Suzuki GS 700 ES [197.8 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.7 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.9 secs, this makes the Yamaha XJ 650 Special similar in acceleration to the 2008 Yamaha XV 1900 Roadliner (12.7 secs) and the 2008 Yamaha XV 1900 Roadliner (12.7 secs). This Yamaha XJ 650 Special also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).

Kawasaki GPZ 550 DOHC - [1983] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1980 Yamaha XJ 650 Special and the 1983 Kawasaki GPZ 550 DOHC

When talking about the performance of the 1980 Yamaha XJ 650 Special on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13 secs @ 63 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1983 Kawasaki GPZ 550 DOHC (13 secs) and the 1999 Kawasaki Gpz 500 S (13 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1980 version of the Yamaha XJ 650 Special has a maximum speed of 76mph.

Yamaha MT-125 Single Cylinder - [2023] image

Top Speed of the 1980 XJ 650 equals the 2023 Yamaha MT-125 Single Cylinder

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1980 Yamaha XJ 650 Special then how about a 2023 Yamaha MT-125 Single Cylinder (87 mph) and the 2021 Kawasaki Versys-X 250 (87 mph).

Related Links:

1980 Yamaha XJ 650 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Yamaha

Bike Comparison


Performance Figures & Specs:

Choose a Bike Make for a List of More Performance Figures and Specs.




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More Yamaha Models:

Edition:

AG

BT 100

CS 200

DT 125

DT 175

DT 200

DT 230

DT 250

DT 360

DT 400

DT-1

DT-2

DT-3

DX 250

FJ

FJ-09

FJR

FZ

FZ 150i

FZ 16

FZ 400

FZ 600

FZ 700

FZ 750

FZ-03

FZ-07

FZ-09

FZ-10

FZ-S

FZ1

FZ6

FZ8

FZR 1000

FZR 250

FZR 400

FZR 600

FZR 750

FZS 1000

FZS 600

FZX 250

FZX 700

FZX 750

GTS 1000

GX 250

GX 400

GX 750

IT 125

IT 175

IT 200

IT 250

IT 400

IT 425

IT 465

IT 490

MT-01

MT-03

MT-07

MT-09

MT-10

MT-125

MT-25

MXT 850

MXT 890

NMAX

R1-Z

R5

RD 125

RD 200

RD 250

RD 350

RD 400

RD 500

RS 100

RS 200

RT-1

RX 350

RZ 125

RZ 250

RZ 350

RZ 500

SDR 200

SR 125

SR 250

SR 400

SR 500

SRV 250

SRX 250

SRX 400

SRX 600

Star Raider

SZR 150

SZR 600

T-150

TDM 850

TDM 900

TDR 125

TDR 250

T�n�r�

Tracer

Tracer 7

Tracer 9

Tracer 900

Tricity 125

Tricity 155

Tricity 300

TRX 850

TT 225

TT 250

TT 350

TT 500

TT 600

TT-R 225

TT-R 250

TW 125

TW 200

TW 225

TX 500

TX 650

TX 750

TZR 125

TZR 250

V-Max

V-Star 250

Vixion

VR 300

WR 125

WR 200

WR 250

WR 400

WR 426

WR 450

XJ 1100

XJ 400

XJ 550

XJ 6

XJ 600

XJ 650

XJ 700

XJ 750

XJ 900

XJR 1200

XJR 1300

XJR 400

XMAX 125

XMAX 250

XMAX 300

XMAX 400

XP 500

XP 530

XP 560

XS 1100

XS 250

XS 360

XS 400

XS 500

XS 650

XS 750

XS 850

XS1

XS2

XSR 125

XSR 155

XSR 700

XSR 900

XT 1200

XT 125

XT 200

XT 225

XT 250

XT 350

XT 400

XT 500

XT 550

XT 600

XT 660

XTZ 125

XTZ 250

XTZ 660

XTZ 750

XV 1000

XV 1100

XV 125

XV 1600

XV 1700

XV 1900

XV 250

XV 400

XV 500

XV 535

XV 700

XV 750

XV 920

XV 950

XVS 1100

XVS 125

XVS 1300

XVS 250

XVS 400

XVS 650

XVS 950

XVZ 1200

XVZ 1300

XZ 400

XZ 550

YZF-600

YZF-R125

YZF-R15

YZF-R25

YZF-R3

YZF-R7

YZF-R9

YZF1000

YZF750


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Engine Capacity: 399cc
Top Speed: 0 mph
Power: 59 bhp


Kawasaki KLR 650 DOHC

Kawasaki KLR 650 DOHC
Engine Capacity: 651 cc
Top Speed: 94 mph
Quarter Mile: 14.5 secs @ 0 mph


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Quarter Mile Time
11.2 seconds
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14.6 seconds

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