Yamaha XT 600

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.

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.

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.

• 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)

• 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

• Yamaha’s Ténéré travel bikes
• German pages covering the air-cooled Ténérés
• XT600 retrospective by US Rider magazine