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Edition:
Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special - [1981]
This edition of the Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special is the 5 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 1981. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Honda CB 750 SC Nighthawk and the 1982 Yamaha XS 400 L Maxim.This particular Yamaha XS 1100 has a 1101cc Air cooled, Two stroke, Horizontal In-Line Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders and Carburettor.
An alternative Horizontal In-Line engine, Cruiser style motorbike includes the Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura - [1984]
The 1981 XS 1100 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 XS 1100's Cruiser style with a similar size of engine then how about the 1984 Suzuki GV 700 GL Madura | 1984cc.1984 Honda CB 750 SC Nighthawk S | 1984cc.
Weighing in at 258 kgs (568 lbs) this makes the Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special in the same weight category as the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC SE or the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC, give or take 50kg.
The 1981 Yamaha XS 1100 shares the same bhp with the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ - [2025]
In terms of power the 1101cc 8 valve Horizontal In-Line 4 cylinder engine produces 95 bhp (70 kW) @ 8500 rpm similar to the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ [119 bhp (88 kW) @ 10000 rpm] or the 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 [72.4 bhp (53 kW) @ 9000 rpm].
The DOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 66.5 lb-ft (90.1 Nm) @ 6500 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC SE [73.0 lb-ft (99.1 Nm) @ 7700 rpm] and the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC [73.0 lb-ft (99.1 Nm) @ 7700 rpm].
If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Yamaha XS 1100 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.
The 2000 Suzuki GSX 600 F Katana has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1981 Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special.
The 1981 Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special has a Power to weight ratio of 368.2 bhp per ton and 257.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1981 XS 1100 competing with the 2000 Suzuki GSX 600 F Katana [392.6 bhp\ton] and the 2004 Suzuki GSX 600 F Katana [392.6 bhp\ton].
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 XS 1100 generating around 257.7 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 1986 Suzuki GSX 1100 EF [282.4 lb-ft per ton] and the 1987 Suzuki GSX 1100 EF [282.4 lb-ft per ton].
With a 0-60mph time of 10.0 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.3 secs, this makes the Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special similar in acceleration to the 2021 Yamaha Tracer 7 GT (10.0 secs) and the 2016 Honda ST 1300 Pan European (10.0 secs). This Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight 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).
Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1981 Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special and the 2023 Yamaha YZF-R7 DOHC
When talking about the performance of the 1981 Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.7 secs @ 114 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 2023 Yamaha YZF-R7 DOHC (11.7 secs) and the 2004 Kawasaki KLV 1000 V-Twin (11.7 secs).
The 1981 version of the Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special has a maximum speed of 126mph.
Top Speed of the 1981 XS 1100 equals the 1994 Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana Final Edition
If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1981 Yamaha XS 1100 LH Midnight Special then how about a 1994 Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana Final Edition (137 mph) and the 1990 Suzuki GSX 1100 S Katana (137 mph).
Norton V4SV 1200 125th Anniversary
Engine Capacity: 1200 cc
Top Speed: 200 mph
Quarter Mile: 9.4 secs @ 0 mph
