YAMAHA XT600 (1990 - 2004) Review

Year: 2002

Simple, reliable, rugged and ready for everthing. It wont shock you with its acceleration, speed or handling but as a cheap bike that will truly do everything this is hard to beat. I use it for simple commuting, having fun in twisties and trans continental crossings.Together with the KLR650 this is a good candidate for the title "The AK47 of motorcycles".

Version: South America

Year: 2004

Annual servicing cost: £250

A real jeep on 2 wheels

Buying experience: Keep the value because the quality

Version: E

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £150

What a brilliant bike Mr Yamaha built. I bought mine in Australia in 2009 when it had about 40k miles on the clock. I had a bit of an adventure and rode it back to sunny Sheffield, it took about 3 months and the bike was 100% reliable. The best feature for me was the reliability and the fuel consumption. I honestly can't think of any bad points about the bike and would recommend one to anyone. The bike also took me around Portugal and Spain on the many off road trails these countries have to offer, again, 100% reliable. Another trip, this time to Mongolia and back, was undertaken. My planning wasn't up to scratch but the trusty xt saw me through. On one occasion we did 48 hours in the saddle only stopping for fuel, another occasion we did 1000 miles in 22 hours, another 28 hour day saw the rear inner tube overheat and burst. The only thing that broke was a wire on the starter solonoid. The seat was acceptable during the 12k miles in 3 weeks. It now has 85k miles on the clock and uses oil now and again. It hasn't retired yet, its getting prepared for a trip around the Balkans later on this year.

Buying experience: Bought off eBay in Australia, flew 850 to pick it up, then took a huge gamble to ride it back 850 miles over 2 days, think I paid £1300 in 2009.

Version: E

Year: 2001

Great no nonsense bike!

Year: 1996

Fantastic experience. It's new each-time ;)

Version: E

Year: 2002

From the days before compulsory daytime lights, fly-by-wire gimmicks and sky high prices to match the running costs: an honest to goodness reliable machine that you can work on with confidence. It's fun in a way that combines grins with a clean licence...once you've wiped the mud off it.

Buying experience: Dealer. £1495.

Year: 1995

good all around bike

Year: 2002

crap front suspension for offroad

Version: XT600e

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £300

Jack of all trades master of none...and thats the way I like it. I purchased mine cheaply 2nd hand and it already had 45,000kms. It had been in storage for years and was running a little rough. I've since did a few maintenance jobs that were long overdue and it's running like new. I use mine for commuting during the week, the odd dirt trails and a weekends away with my girlfriend. I ditched the original exhaust for an arrow paris/dakar slip on, the true 'thumper' sound and a ferocious bark has emerged. It gave me noticeable performance improvements as well especially in the top revs. where it tended to die at around 4-4500rpm it's now got some extra puff. I've ridden this bike 600 kms in one day from Brisbane out through Western Queensland to Manar Park, I did 3 days on the trails and then rode home again.

Buying experience: I bought the bike 2nd hand for $2000. I then put some time and about $300AUS to do a proper service and fix a few issues from it sitting unused for too long.

I have owned my XT600e (2001) for 1 year now, the bike was bougth second hand with 22,000k on the clock. So far I have covered 15,000Km (9,300 miles Approx). Current K's 37,000 Today the bike has gone in for service - total parts needed: new brake discs and pads (front and back) oil filter + oil change air filter instrument lights (both popped during -14 winter riding) chain and sprokets, plus its time to have the valve clearence checked. THE GOOD............ This bike is a real work horse, it has never let me down and has survived a freezing winter, galons of rain and a blistererinlgy hot summer. I have owned all kinds of bikes from XL125V's, GSF's and CB900's and this is in my top 5 - riding this bike is easy, confidence building and good fun. It does exaclty what a big traile bike should do and if your a gravel man or a tarmac junkie the XT600 will tackle both with ease. Maintenance is low, just keep the bike clean and well oiled (engine and chain) and you'll have no problems. I have toured extensivly with this bike and with my 100 kilos plus luggage it still a beast and delivers good low and mid range power no matter the conditions. On one memorable occasion I did St Davids Pemborkeshire to Thetford Norfolk on B roads (500k) in the pouring rain with not even a moan or a grumble from the XT..................only from me. THE BAD........... Motorways can be a problem in Europe it will do the 120kph speed ( I even got my one up to 149kph) but overtakes need to be carefully planned, but anyway if your going touring why would you take the motorway anyway???? stick to B roads I say!!!. Vibration is everywhere on this bike but try to find a 600 sinlge that doesnt rattle....... after a bit of time you get used to it and when it gets to much you can always stand on the pegs. If its boiling hot and your stuck at a set of lights its a good idea to kill the power to the engine or it could over heat, but thats what you get with air cooled engines, I have the E model so a push of a button and im on my way again. Same appies to the K model as long as you dont mind kicking!! THE UGULY.......... Change the exhaust can, the original is a big and heavy and looks like it belongs on a Russian tank, I have fitted a Quill exhaust and the performance / sound is greatly improved!! Protection, the hand guards are made from soft plastic this may stop the odd bug from hitting your hands but in the event of an off they will do little to help you, I have fitted some Acerbis hand guards they look just the job and are practical too. Headlight, I changed the factory standard bulb to a Philips Super F***king bright one, it makes the differnce between seeing and being seen on those dark winter mornings. Rust..... change the header pipes for stainless the originals look like they are made from old bean cans and the salt just eats them away, this is the next change on my list, as are a 23ltr Acerbis tank and CRD sump guard. All in all... whether your looking for you first bike, a good commuter or the bike that will get you to Mongolia via Dakar......you cant go wrong with an XT600, Oh and one last thing..........heated grips are a god send!!! Hope this review helps any questions about the bike and you can e-mail me at xt@ocdracing.com

one of the best going cant fault it .ive had mine for 2 years and its a joy to ride. doint take my word for it see the reviews on the net.people seem to buy all these big bikes that can do this that and the other ? keep them for a year or so then sell them for something else more dramatic! mine a wolf in sheeps clothes is a proper alrounder