Yamaha XT 600 Z Ténéré first series: reliability

[arkad471]

Hello everyone,

I am interested in purchasing a first series Yamaha XT 600 Z Ténéré and I have some questions about its reliability.

I know that the second series had reliability problems (cylinders 34K00, 34K01 and 34K02), which were only towards the end of production (with the 34K03 cylinder). Can you confirm that the first series, whatever it is (34L or 55W), does not suffer from reliability problems?
If I were to look at a first series Ténéré, what should I pay particular attention to? That is, what are its weak points?

Thanks

[donnybach]

Same engines. The reliability only ever really referred to lack of cooling air getting to the cylinder. I live in wales and have never had a bike engine overheat . They are reliable bikes when set up correctly. Bear in mind they are now 4 decades old, so only as reliable as any classic bike can be without a full rebuild. All old rubber will be shit, even on a 25 year old bike. People buying 1/4 century bikes thinking they are modern bargains they can ride like new soon find out what spanners are for. If anyone needed modern reliability, get a T7. For anyone who loves tinkering, and going slow, air cooled all the way.
You’ll enjoy the bike riccardo, and learn a lot about maintenance. Get us some pics and let us know how it goes. Good luck.

[arkad471]

Okay thanks a lot donnybach!
I heard the XT 600s had reliability issues with the shifting. What can you tell me about that?

[donnybach]

I’ve not had a problem on my 1vj, and it’s probably got 40-50k on the clock. Clutches are a little strange in my opinion, but work ok once you find your sweet spot. I have heavy duty springs in mine and soaked the plates well when I built her. She’s a little sticky getting neutral first time but that’s about it. She actually shifts really smoothly on the move.