The Yamaha XT600 is an Enduro motorcycle manufactured by Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha. It was built from 1984 to 2003, in various different versions.

The original 34L version of the XT600Z Ténéré distinguishable by the vertical blocks on the tank.

Model history

edit

The XT600 is considered to be an all-purpose Enduro, which is suitable for use on the road as well as off-road driving. Its disc brakes, four-valve engine, mono-shock absorber (Monocross) and contemporary 12-volt electrics represented significant improvements over the 1975 Yamaha XT500 model.

 
Second generation 1VJ Ténéré in the Sahara. Note the sawn-off mudguard to help cool the vulnerable cylinder head on early 1VJs

The first XT600 was introduced in June 1983: the XT600ZL Ténéré (type 34L), with the Yamaha XT550 engine, kick start only, with a 30-litre tank. In 1984 the basic XT600 was introduced to "replace" the XT550. In addition to the changes in design, the main difference was an 11.5-litre tank instead of the 30-litre long-range 600ZL Ténéré's tank; the road-model Yamaha SRX was released later. In 1991, the somewhat obsolete XT600Z Ténéré was replaced by the water-cooled, five-valve Yamaha XTZ660, which failed to carry on the legendary reputation of its air-cooled predecessors.

Over the years, the XT was built in 600 different variants, most of which only differ from one another in appearance. The most important change in the XT600, which had only had a kick start, was in 1990: the XT600E was presented as a new model with a more contemporary design, chrome-plated steel wheel instead of aluminum wheels, now without a tachometer, with the exhaust as a supporting frame member, a 13.9-litre tank, and an electric starter. In addition, the oil tank, which was previously located under the left side cover, was moved forward behind the steering head between the frame and girder bridge. Due to high demand, the XT600K, which featured a kick-starter, but was otherwise structurally identical to the XT600E model, was introduced to the market; the series ran until 1995. Due to more stringent emissions requirements, the power of the XT600E, which had become the only available model, was reduced by 4 kW to 29 kW (39 hp), and a tachometer was reintegrated in the cockpit. The clutch actuation on the engine body was moved from the left to the right side, and the muffler was no longer part of the rear frame. The reliability of the XT unit was not reduces, mileages of over 100,000 km without an engine rebuild being not uncommon.

The bike was eventually succeeded by several newer versions, including the XT660R (road-trail), XT660X (motard), and XT660Z Ténéré (adventure). Additionally, it inspired larger models, notably the adventure-styled XTZ750 Super Ténéré and XT1200Z Super Ténéré.

Points of interest

edit

The 600ZL was known as such because it was a 600Z 34L. However this trend did not continue in the following 55W model of 1984/5, otherwise this could have been known as 600ZW. The easiest way to distinguish a type 34L from the near-identical (but in many small ways superior) 55W, is that the latter has sloping speed blocks on the tank.

Technical data

edit
  • Type (serial №): 34L, etc. (see below)
  • Unladen weight:— type 2KF, 1987: 163 kg; type 2KF, 1989: 153 kg
  • Fork:— diameter: 41 mm; travel: 255 mm (front), 225 mm (rear; type 2KF rear: 235 mm)
  • Engine:—
    • Air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke, 4-valve engine, orientated vertically
    • Bore: 95 mm
    • Stroke: 84 mm
    • Displacement: 595 cm³
    • Compression ratio: 8.5:1
  • Maximum speed: 141–155 km/h (88–96 mph) (depending on model)
  • Power: 20 to 34 kW (27–46 hp) (depending on restriction)
  • Drive train: 5 gears, chain drive
  • Seat height: 860 mm (33.9 in)

Models

edit
Year Serial number Designation Performance
MY 83–84 34L XT 600 ZL 20 to 33 kW (27–44 hp)
MY 85 55W XT 600 Z 20 to 33 kW (27–44 hp)
MY 84, 85 47N (Switzerland) XT 600 Z
MY 86–87 1VJ XT 600 Z 20 to 34 kW (27–46 hp)
MY 88–90 3AJ XT 600 Z 20, 25 & 34 kW (27, 34 & 46 hp)
MY 88–90 3DS (Switzerland) XT 600 Z 28–32hp
Year Serial number Designation Performance
MY 84–86 43F XT 600 20 to 33 kW (27–44 hp)
MY 87–89 2KF XT 600 33 kW (44 hp)
MY 87–89 2NF XT 600 limited to 20 kW (27 hp)
MY 90–94 3TB XT 600 E & K 33 kW (44 hp)
MY 90–94 3UW XT 600 E & K limited to 20 kW (27 hp)
MY 95–97 3TB XT 600 E 25 to 29 kW (34–39 hp)
MY 97–99 VJ01 XT 600 E 25 to 29 kW (34–39 hp)
MY 99–03 DJ02 XT 600 E 25 to 29 kW (34–39 hp)
Designation Year Serial number Intended Market
XT 600 ZL 1983, 84 39E AUS, EUR
XT 600 1984, 85, 86 43F USA, CAN, EUR
XT 600 1984, 85, 86 47N EUR (Switzerland)
XT 600 S, T 1984, 85, 86, 87 49L USA, AUS
XT 600 N, S, T 1984, 85, 86, 87 49M USA
XT 600 L, N, S, T 1984, 85, 86, 87 49N USA
XT 600 NC, LC 1984, 85 49R USA
XT 600 SC 1986 49R USA
XT 600 TC 1987 49R USA
XT 600 1987 2KF USA, CAN
XT 600 N 1987 2NF USA, EUR (Germany)
XT 600 1988, 89 2WJ EUR (Switzerland)
XT 600 U 1988 2WK USA, CAN
XT 600 U, UC, W, WC 1989, 90 3EW USA
XT 600 1989 2KF USA, CAN, EUR
XT 600 1989 2NF USA, CAN, EUR
XT 600 E 1990, 91, 92, 93, 94 3TB USA, CAN, EUR, OCE, JPN, OTH
XT 600 EN 1990, 91, 92, 93 3UW EUR (Germany)
XT 600 E 1990, 91, 92, 93, 94 3UX USA, CAN, EUR
XT 600 AC 1990 3UY USA
XT 600 EA 1990 3UY USA
XT 600 E 1990, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 3UY USA
XT 600 BC 1991 3UY USA
XT 600 D,DC 1992 3UY USA
XT 600 EE,EC 1993 3UY USA
XT 600 EA 1990 3WR USA, CAN
XT 600 EB 1991 3WR USA, CAN
XT 600 E 1992 3WR USA, CAN
XT 600 EE 1993 3WR USA, CAN
XT 600 E 1994, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 01, 02 3WR OCE, AUS
XT 600 (kickstarter) 1991, 92 3TB EUR (Spain, France)
XT 600 N (kickstarter) 1991, 92 3UW EUR (Germany)
XT 600 E 1995, 96, 97, 98 3TB EUR
XT 600 KH 1993 3TB USA, CAN, EUR (France)
XT 600 KN 1992 3UW EUR (Germany)
XT 600 E 1994 3UW EUR
XT 600 E 1995, 96, 97, 99, 2000, 02 3UX EUR (Switzerland)
XT 600 E 1996 4MW Brazil
XT 600 1994 3TB EUR
XT 600 E 1999, 2000, 01, 02 DJ021 EUR

Literature

edit
  • Bucheli Verlags: Yamaha XT 600 Ténéré / XT 600 from year 1983: Manual for care, maintenance and repair ISBN 3-7168-1789-9
  • Bucheli Verlags: Yamaha XT 600 E from 1990, ISBN 3-7168-1869-0
  • Yamaha Motor Co Ltd, 1st edition Apr 1983: Yamaha ZT600ZL Supplementary Service Manual serial# from 39E000101 Manual# 39E-28197-60
  • Yamaha Motor Co Ltd, 1st edition Dec 1983: Yamaha ZT600ZL Supplementary Service Manual serial# from 39E004101 Manual# 53R-28197-20

References

edit
edit