This 360 is a kick-start model only, which is a deal-killer for a lot of riders, especially if they have a prosthetic right leg as the seller does. That’s reportedly why this one is for sale; they can’t start it anymore, so it’s been sitting for around four years. This 1977 Yamaha XS360-2D is posted here on craigslist in Cushing, Wisconsin, and the seller is asking $1,250. Here is the original listing.
The all-out XS360-D was $1,197 in 1977, but the cheaper 2D was $995. That $202 doesn’t seem like much today, but in 2026 dollars it represents $1,113. Along with no electric starter on the 2D, Yamaha left out the front disc brake and gave cost-conscious buyers a front drum brake; the turn signals (“What are those, SG?”) aren’t self-canceling, and there is no engine. No wait, I mean, there is no center stand. Those four things knocked the price down to under $1,000 in 1977.
I would prefer a regular 360D, but that doesn’t mean that I’d turn down one without those four features. I only have two motorcycles with electric start right now; the kick starters seem to work fine for me. Two even have a pull-start, which also works well. You can see the rip in the seat, and there are many other things going on that concern me, since I like things as close to new as possible, if possible.
Those rusty bolts, for one thing, and there’s a big scratch on the top side of the gas tank, some chips in the front fender, etc. Made for model years 1976 and 1977, the XS360 is fairly rare to see today. Luckily, Yamaha didn’t skimp on the good parts, such as the fantastic engine and the six-speed transmission, or the nice seat, or the suspension. The seller bought this bike four years ago and somehow rode it, but then they moved, and with a prosthetic leg, it hasn’t been started since then, so everything will need to be gone through.
The engine looks fantastic, doesn’t it? This is Yamaha’s 359-cc four-stroke SOHC twin-cylinder, which was rated at around 34 horsepower and 21 lb-ft of torque. Passing through the sweet-shifting six-speed manual, this one will need to have the fuel system flushed out, the carbs cleaned, it’ll probably need new tires, a new seat cover, and the usual fiddling due to sitting for a few years. Hagerty is at $1,900 for a #4 fair-condition example and $2,700 for a #3 good-condition bike. This could be a decent deal at $1,250 with the work that needs to be done – all things a person can do by themself. Any thoughts on this “base model” XS360?
Good all-around putt-putt. It can do the freeway in a pinch too. I could get this bike up to snuff in no time. If it wasn’t so far away I’d take a swing at it.
“…they can’t start it anymore…The seller bought this bike four years ago and somehow rode it, but then they moved, and with his prosthetic leg…”
Poor job of concealing the seller’s gender.
My apologies for offending you, Bob. You’re right; I assumed they were a male, and that was wrong. That being said, please tell me you’re gender neutral in every other case as well; otherwise, it just seems like an attempt to lay down a negative comment.
Happy Sunday, everyone!
I purchased a 1977 French blue Yamaha RD400 when I paid a visit to our local Yamaha dealer back in Sept 1976. Still own it
I bought a blue RD400 in the crate since I worked at a Yamaha shop. One of the most dependable bikes I ever owned up to that point. Ran it in a 24hr race at Palm beach with no issues. Ran it from Gainesville fl to St Louis MO to attend a Yamaha seminar all doing 70 to 80 for hours at a time with no problem. Had to sell it for tuition but bought a red 76 RD400 a few years ago and love it. Back in 76, it was a cheap bike but today, it’s easy to see how way ahead of its time it was when you ride it.
Did you ever wonder why( in my best Andy Rooney voice), these small bikes are often low miles and in perfect shape? Most times, they just weren’t that fun to ride. In the 70s, with the gas baloney, many turned to small bikes for local riding. All the Asians jumped on the wagon, each offering 350ish bargain priced twins, and for literally Bar Mitzvah money, you could have one. Thing was, since there was low initial investment, once that local gig was over, like school, these got stuck in a corner, and here we are today. While the kickstart is a bit intimidating, you aren’t kicking an old Panhead or Limey, these start 1st kick everytime. My small bike values remain, but Yamaha had much better styling than the others, I thought, very similar styling to SGs 750. It’s a nice find.
Howard,my 49 pan started first kick every time. Also,Yamaha still used the same gauges as my 1972 DT-2 enduro.
There are/were lots of CB350s with high mileage on them. Probably one of the most popular bikes, ever. With hundreds of thousands of them made, Harley and others could only have dreamed of selling that many bikes.
Many were used for commuting back and forth to work – my dad included. Plus, were reliable bikes that could be easily handed over to the next person as their first bike.
Howard,my 49 pan started first kick every time. Also,Yamaha still used the same gauges as my 1972 DT-2 enduro.
I have never seen one of these 350s before – they did a great job os carrying the styling over from one size to another. It looks similar to the ’79 XS750F I owned.
And, my 750 was kick start only – the electric start was busted. Not a big deal at all. And. I’d bet that this one is easier to kick over than the DT400 single I also owned.
Same tank/seat/bodywork as on my (2) XS 500s. Those came with alloy wheels, front and rear disks, etc. A set of Clubman bars and a bar-end mirror, and you started lookin preety racy! Great bikes, that whole family line, including the shaft drive XS 750 triples…..
best
bt
Gone, did one of you grab this sweet Yamaha?