The Yamaha Vision

The Yamaha Vision is an interesting bike, nearing true vintage status.  It's definitely a classic.  Yamaha built it for only two years, 1982 - 1983.  It was originally plagued with carburetor problems and priced significantly higher than other motorcycles in its class.  It was also mismarketed.  In my opinion, it is a fantastic small sport tourer - not the pavement ripping crotch rocket Yamaha tried to paint it.  Put a set of soft luggage on it and it makes great two lane twisting mountain roads a pure pleasure to ride.

People familiar with the Vision tend to either love it or hate it but it is tons of fun to ride when the bugs are worked out!  Those who hate it just haven't taken the time to learn how to tune and maintain it properly.  The Riders of Vision website and Lucky's Vision page are great sites to learn how to make needed repairs, tools, modifications and where to obtain those hard to find parts.

You can see photos of my Vision on the photo album page.  It is a 1982 XZ550RJ with just over 6,000 miles on it.  I put the Vetter Quicksilver fairing on in the early fall of 2003.  Beyond a few new batteries, a new seat cover, two sets of neoprene hand grips, fork seals, a starter seal, fuel tank liner and one set of tires, I haven't needed to do anything else to it beyond the suggested modifications to the electrical system to help the stator and regulator / rectifier live as long as possible.  In addition to the Yamaha accessory engine guards, I have a small sport fairing - often referred to as a "shark" style.  It is also a genuine Yamaha accessory.  I replaced it with the Quicksilver because it has a rubber gasket that holds the glass over the headlamp that is cracking from age and UV exposure.  Also, the Quicksilver gives better protection, making for more comfortable cool weather riding, thus extending my riding season a few weeks.

General Specifications

Frame & Suspension

The engine is nearly a piece of sculpture.  It hangs, suspended between the frame rails.  The double overhead cams run 4 valves per cylinder so each cylinder has two exhaust ports feeding into the 4 into 2 exhaust system.  The engine revs to 10,000 rpm and makes its most power between 6,000 and 9,000.  It also has good tourque right out of its 1,300 RPM idle speed.

I bought my Vision brand new from Thunder Motors in Steamboat Springs in 1984.  It hadn't sold in over two years and Yamaha had great deals to get them out the door.  I paid about $1,300 for it and it had fewer than 20 miles on the odometer.  I bought the engine guards, fairing and a matching belt buckle at the same time.