Yamaha XT 600: technical specifications, maximum speed, operation and maintenance features, repair tips and owner reviews

Technical characteristics of Yamaha XT 600

The engine design was developed in 1957 and has not undergone any changes since then, which indicates ease of maintenance and reliability. The engine, created specifically for the Paris-Dakar trophy raid, was brought to perfection by the early nineties of the last century.

Clear and long-lasting engine operation is ensured by a unique power system with two carburetors responsible for different intake valves. This design is an advantage of the Yamaha XT 600, but it also has its drawback - the air filter quickly becomes dirty, which leads to its breakdown and shortens its service life.

The motorcycle is equipped with an engine with a capacity of 42 horsepower and a volume of 596 cubic centimeters. Maximum torque is achieved at 6250 rpm. The engine power is sufficient for dynamic driving both on the highway and off-road.

Yamaha XT 600 - review of a unique motorcycle, photos and videos

For many years, one of the most popular models of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer YAMAHA has been the XT600 model, developed back in the distant eighties of the last century. Over time, the motorcycle has evolved from a fairly highly specialized enduro into an almost absolutely universal device for traveling on and off the road. This was appreciated by both critics and fans of motorcycles by increasing the number of purchased units.

Performance characteristics of the Yamaha XT 600

Regarding the motor, it is worth noting that its original design was created back in 1975, and since then has not undergone any major changes, which, of course, has a positive effect on the reliability and ease of maintenance of the motorcycle. Although it is precisely this parameter that surprises many, because so many years have passed, new technologies and methods of their implementation have appeared, and the engine is still reliable and simple. The “heart” of the motorcycle

The power unit, developed for the famous Paris-Dakar trophy raid, was brought to almost ideal characteristics by the nineties of the twentieth century. Perhaps this is precisely the key to the genius of the developers, whose brainchild is still being used with great success.

A unique power system with two carburetors operating on different principles and responsible for different intake valves provides the engine with all the necessary mixtures for smooth and long-lasting operation in any conditions. This is a very significant plus when choosing a motorcycle in principle.

An absolute drawback of the power system is the design of the air filter, which is too susceptible to dirt and dust, which significantly reduces the service life of this important element.

The engine capacity is a very sufficient 596 cubic centimeters , which allows it to achieve a power of 42 horsepower at 6250 rpm. The engine power is more than enough to overcome both asphalt roads and very serious off-road conditions.

Chassis

Years of improvements and changes have almost completely erased serious off-road qualities from the motorcycle’s chassis. A soft suspension with small travel cannot support aggressive off-road driving that includes jumps and other motocross elements. At the same time, the motorcycle easily and at high speed overcomes difficult sections of public roads. The relative softness and low energy consumption of the suspension makes driving over long distances more comfortable. You can purchase high-quality spare parts on the pages of the online store astar.ua. The prices pleasantly surprise even experienced drivers, who know well that in our time it is quite difficult to find high-quality spare parts at an affordable price. A gas tank volume of 15 liters and an average fuel consumption of 4 - 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers provide a sufficient range for travel, while the possibility of installing tuned tanks of a larger volume brings autonomy to very respectable indicators.

In general, the age of the model has had a very positive effect on the number of various accessories that allow you to “tailor” the motorcycle for a variety of use cases.

Behavior on the road

The design of the YAMAHA XT600 quite strictly determines the environment of its use. It is very versatile, but completely unsuitable for cross-country trails. The engine's power and thrust are more than enough to overcome serious off-road conditions that do not involve jumping.

The behavior of the motorcycle on the road is extremely predictable. He forgives the pilot for mistakes that are unforgivable for others, for example, a high-speed pull to the side of the road to avoid an obstacle. At the same time, the motorcycle suspension gives the driver the opportunity not to pay attention to uneven road surfaces and the presence of stones and sand on it.

This behavior immediately puts the YAMAHA XT600 in the category of motorcycles recommended for novice pilots. Driving errors, such as the front wheel skidding during hard braking, do not lead to the expected fall.

Minor disadvantages of the motorcycle

The versatility of the motorcycle leads to some disadvantages, but they are not very critical. For example, it is not always convenient for moving around the city due to the insufficient efficiency of the braking system on asphalt. At speeds above 120 kilometers per hour, there is uncertainty in the behavior of the rear axle, the motorcycle wobbles noticeably. This is an inevitable price to pay for a soft suspension and frame that allows you to comfortably overcome bumps.

The engine power, which is quite sufficient for conquering off-road terrain, despite this, does not give the pilot the opportunity to actively move in urban conditions. The low maximum speed and downright slowness in its acquisition do not make the YAMAHA XT600 driver a leader in urban racing.

Available engine tuning with replacement of the piston group and exhaust system will certainly add the missing strength to the engine, but will significantly reduce its reliability that it is easier to immediately consider purchasing a more powerful device if YAMAHA is not satisfied with this default parameter.

But the undeniable advantage is reliability and ease of maintenance. After installing a reusable air filter, all technical work on the engine is limited to regular oil changes.

But the most obvious and serious drawback of the YAMAHA XT600 is its imperfect headlight. This problem is noted by absolutely all owners of this motorcycle and is not cured even by the now popular xenon installation. It is quite possible that the developers will eliminate this flaw, although it is quite strange that this “disease” has not been cured for so many years.

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Chassis

The main off-road characteristics of the Yamaha XT 600 were almost completely erased during numerous modifications. The small travel and soft suspension are not suitable for aggressive driving on rough terrain, but make it easy to overcome difficult sections of ordinary roads at high speed. Traveling over long distances is possible thanks to the energy-intensive suspension.

With an average fuel consumption of 4 liters, the fuel tank capacity of 15 liters is sufficient for long journeys. The manufacturer provides the possibility of installing larger tanks, making the motorcycle more autonomous.

The years that have passed since the release of the first Yamaha XT 600 model have had a positive impact on the number of additional accessories and spare parts that can dramatically change the appearance of the motorcycle and improve its technical characteristics.

Yamaha XT660R motorcycle review

Yamaha XT660R enduro motorcycle model

appeared on the market in 2004 and is the 4th generation of the XT line (models of previous generations: XT500, XT600, XTZ660 Tenere). The model has nothing in common with previous modifications; it is equipped with a 4-valve Minarelli engine that produces 48 hp. power and 60 Nm of torque. Based on this engine, other modifications of the XT series were presented:

The main sales market for the Yamaha XT660R was Europe, but since 2005 the motorcycle has been actively sold in South America.

Among the features of the Yamaha XT660R, we should highlight a steel frame, an injector, simple suspension in the form of a conventional telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock absorber at the rear, disc brakes, a 15-liter fuel tank, a 5-speed gearbox and 181 kg of curb weight.

2016 was the last year of production of the Yamaha XT660R, after which it finally left the production line. Moreover, in the last 2 years of its life (2015 and 2016), the model was produced exclusively for the South American market.

The main competitors of the Yamaha XT660R in the class:

Content

Brief history of the model

• 2004 – start of production and sales of the model.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe and others).
Factory designation
: 5VK1, 5VK3.

• 2005 – model available in South America.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe, South America and others).
Factory designation
: 5VK4, 3S61.

• 2006 – no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe, South America and others).
Factory designation
: 5VK6, 3S62.

• 2007 - European versions receive catalysts for the new Euro environmental standards.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe, South America and others).
Factory designation
: 5VK8, 3S63.

• 2008 – no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe, South America and others).
Factory designation
: 5VKA, 3S64.

• 2009 – no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe, South America and others).
Factory designation
: 5VKC, 3S65.

• 2010 – no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe, South America and others).
Factory designation
: 5VKE, 3S66.

• 2011 – no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe, South America and others).
Factory designation
: 5VKG.

• 2012 – the model is temporarily not produced for Europe.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (South America).
Factory designation
: 2C1*, 2D0*.

• 2013 – no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (South America).
Factory designation
: 2C1*, 2D0*.

• 2014 – model again available in Europe. Last year of production for Europe.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (Europe, South America and others).
Factory designation
: 5VKL.

• 2015 – no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (South America).
Factory designation
: 2C1*, 2D0*.

• 2016 – no significant changes.

Model

: Yamaha XT660R (South America).
Factory designation
: 2C1*.

Photos

Specifications

Yamaha XT660R Specifications:

Fuel consumption

Average fuel consumption on the Yamaha XT660R, according to test results, is approximately 4.9 liters per 100 km. The exact value depends on the riding style and surface of travel.

Video

The price for a used Yamaha XT660R model starts from 200,000 rubles.

Reviews

Yamaha XT660R reviews:

A freaky, fun and daring motorcycle. Somewhat reminiscent of a cheerful one-year-old puppy running out for a walk. Even if his thrust is far from the same as, say, Bandit 1200. He rushes like an African buffalo. But there is no such fun in it, it is a heavy and serious waste. After these rides, I still ran in 600 kilometers and seemed to get a feel for my motorcycle. I got used to driving at low speed with almost constant crankshaft speed. As a result, I didn’t bother to eliminate the interruptions at low speeds, I’m too lazy and don’t bother me. The reason is clear and does not cause concern. As for oil consumption, I haven’t noticed it yet, although the previous owner says he topped it up sometimes. And it became clear to me why for several years I could not find a motorcycle for my soul. It's not just about your tasks. The main thing, it seems, is the similarity of temperaments. The moto's must be the same as the motorcyclist's. The XT660R has a temperament similar to mine - choleric. That's why it's a thrill. Let it be for now. And then we'll see.

Of course, the cross-country ability of this motorcycle is far from Dzhebelovskaya. You can ride it wherever it goes. A motorcycle for dry roads or dry off-road. You can feel the weight, and it skids much more than Jebel when cornering. You can’t really carry 172 kg on yourself. dry weight. I once went downhill on the DR250. I was able to climb onto the road only after I had removed all the weight. I had to drag the motor along. The wheels didn't move on the sand. I couldn't get the XT660R out of there without a winch. It stands on the road like a glove, but still not like a real road worker. There seem to be enough brakes, but it wouldn’t hurt to add more in front. This motorcycle is suitable for travel within a radius of 200 - 300 km. from home, when you can drive along the highway without thinking about fatigue. Or for a long-distance journey, to drive at a speed of 90 km/h.

Motorcycles in this series, XT660R and XT660Z Tenere, differ in tank volume (15 and 22 liters, respectively), suspension travel (225 and 210), fork angle, weight (172 and 183) kg, ground clearance (210 and 245), and slightly in saddle height and a little - in size. The XT660Z Tenere has two front brake discs. Both motorcycles are used over the hill for long trips, including around the world. Many people don't like the XT660R, but those who do like it really like it. I am among them. I do not advise you to take this mot based on any descriptions. He is very unique. You should definitely go for a ride. And even then, as in my case, an opinion does not form immediately.

The XT660R and XT660Z Tenere motorcycles have the same Minarelli engine, which is considered very reliable. The engine is produced in Bologna, the engine as a whole is produced in France. Minarelli engines are installed on: Yamaha: Booster 50, X-Max 250, XT660; Malaguti: Phantom 50, Password 250; Aprilia: Pegaso 660 and others, including the Yamaha Raptor 700 ATV. The camshaft is on rolling bearings, like the crankshaft. The gaps on the fists are adjusted with screws. It is impossible to buy spare parts in Japan due to sky-high prices. Ebay is full of used and new ear units and parts at reasonable prices. The main source of tuning and spare parts are stores in the UK and Germany. This motorcycle was not delivered to the States; it is not included in the list of motorcycles on American websites. Although the Americans collected signatures from Yamaha in their country with a request to organize the supply of XT660 motors to their country.

So it turned out that I was going to choose from 5 models, and settled on the second one. Perhaps the XR650L would be to my taste as well as other motorcycles; judging by the reviews, I did not find any shortcomings in it (those that I did find suit me). Most likely this would be the case. So far I haven't come across any bad motorcycles at all.

Hi all. There are a lot of letters because we have very little information on this motorcycle. It will be useful for someone, and our forum is gradually turning into a general forum, which is very good. And now I’m selling Jebel, although without haste. I won’t sell it, I won’t be upset, there will always be a place for it. Great bike.

My first ENDURO grip

I traveled 200 km off-road on this particular motorcycle. My data is 175cm/80kg.

In a nutshell: the more SOLID soils and asphalt, the more preferable and correct this choice.

The engine is eternal, but you need to keep an eye on the oil. There are no jambs in the design of the engine. There is no low end, but locomotive traction from 3000 rpm all the way to the end of the handle. For example, my IksAr-650 is walking next to me with a tachometer of 1000-1400 rpm at a speed of 4-5 km/h. Potentially, the XT660Er cannot afford this, but it is STILL not necessary on asphalt and hard soils. THERE you need the courage to turn the knob and then the potential of this engine is revealed at 100%. Comfortable to fit. But it won't be comfortable without glass.

This season I bought an XT660R. I’ve already traveled to Brest (I got there in 11 hours), and I’ve been drinking for about 400 km. There is a windshield. Cruising confident 120-140. Then it starts to shake. The moto, unlike the 600E, is more adapted for roads. Better brakes, more powerful suspension, lights, more explosive engine. Allows you to easily overtake after 110, at 600E this is problematic. Better to steer. There is an emergency warning light button, a gasoline sensor (+ when the gasoline light turns on, the km countdown begins in reserve). Unlike the 600E, there is no tachometer.

The motor is much more dynamic.

660R is 30 kg heavier. There is no bass on it, maybe you can reconfigure the injector, but I don’t know. You have to drive it off-road; it doesn’t run at low revs.

It is not popular in Russia and therefore the price is quite low. But it is incredibly popular in Europe. Tuning (4 types of biggrin running boards alone) and a sea of ​​spare parts. There are a bunch of sites dedicated specifically to the XT660R/X.

Last year I bought an XT660R, this is the second season. The car is extremely reliable, perfectly balanced, super design. The dynamics of acceleration in the city are simply a whirlwind; at high speeds it’s scary beyond 130 km. I wanted the F650GS at first, but the XT is more creative. In the city, traffic jams are not a problem, handling is confident. Next season I'm going to test it with a long-distance shot. Good luck.

Behavior on the highway

The Yamaha XT 600 is a versatile motorcycle not intended for motocross trails, but the traction and engine power are more than enough to overcome off-road conditions.

The car's handling on the road is ideal: mistakes made by the driver are not felt, the suspension softens all road irregularities, regardless of the type of surface. This behavior makes the motorcycle ideal for beginner motorcyclists: mistakes do not lead to falls.

Peculiarities

The versatility of the Yamaha XT 600 causes non-critical shortcomings - for example, it is not particularly convenient to move around the city limits due to the insufficient efficiency of the braking system, which significantly limits maneuverability. The motorcycle begins to wobble noticeably at speeds above 120 km/h, which is, in fact, a payment for the frame and soft suspension, which ensures comfortable movement.

Tuning, which is available to every owner of a Yamaha XT 600 and involves replacing the intake system and piston group, can increase engine power, but has a negative impact on its reliability. For this reason, it is advisable to immediately install a more powerful power unit.

Unpretentiousness in maintenance and operation and unsurpassed reliability are the undeniable advantages of the motorcycle. All technical work related to the engine, after installing a reusable air filter, is reduced only to the timely replacement of engine oil.

The motorcycle's head optics, which are not powerful enough, cause a lot of criticism. All owners of the Yamaha XT 600 in their reviews note this problem, which cannot be eliminated even by installing popular xenon headlights. Of course, one can hope that the manufacturer will solve this shortcoming, but for so many years of the motorcycle’s existence, nothing has been done about it.

Suddenly, Sherpa had a neighbor in his garage. I was looking at different options like DR650 or KLR650, but prices jumped up and I planned to ride on the green for another season. But suddenly... Kawasaki KL250 Super Sherpa 2002 - Yamaha XT600E 1992

I saw this spendthrift in the advertisements. Since I live nearby, I decided to go have a look and meet the owner. The Yamaha is old, of course, but it seems to be alive. The engine runs quietly, all consumables and bearings were replaced and the old lady was ready for battle))) Outwardly very shabby, brown bugs are driving her to all secret places! Plastic has seen many types of flora in our country. In general, you need to use your hands and a rust converter))

Of course, I was captivated by the price and a good list of installed extras: - Acerbis tank 25 l - rental steering wheel + lever protection + heated handles - luggage frames + side engine protection

I will prepare the Sherpa for sale, although it’s a pity to part with it (((

The back is not a case, it's a suitcase with a drill)

I took it for a ride in a circle so that the cockroaches would come out, first impressions: - the engine is lucky - the brakes are weak, but the truth is on asphalt and bad tires - the suspension is soft, like on a sofa)) By the way, I was surprised that progressive Wilbers springs were installed in the fork, and the oil was 5w! you need to delve into the materiel. — yes, the amount of oil amazed me ~ 4 liters :-) I rode along the usual easy route, the weight of course interferes with slow maneuvering in difficult areas, but excellent traction helps. Of course, it’s not usual to see the wheel start to fly up when you suddenly open the gas))) But after 5 minutes, it’s already understandable and predictable. It feels like we've been together for a long time...

Yes, it does not provoke jumps and other hard tricks, but on the primer it can give dust to the checks.

The standard rubber footrests were incredibly annoying; any moisture and you glide on them like you're wearing skates. I ordered wide footpegs for the Sherpa (by the way, they are for the DR650), but never installed them. Yesterday I tried it on and added a couple of washers, they fit well. The footrests are made from China, but they look strong (cast steel). Their 1500 rubles are definitely worth it.

I'm restoring the XT a little bit. I think I'll deal with the manifold and frame in the winter. The previous owners managed to break my plastic. Another used plastic was installed with intact fasteners and no cracks. was:

became:

The exhaust is light and not rusty))) It is necessary to make a support, since the original muffler was the load-bearing part of the frame!!!))). The turn signals were all different and were held on with tape; I replaced them with Chinese diode ones. On the rear ones we had to shorten the tubes so that the wing would not touch. There is not enough resistance for full operation. They bend well and shine brightly.

At the same time, I replace the rusty bolts with new ones. The protective bars and rear trunk were sanded and powder coated.

And the general view:

I replaced the front fender with the original one, it was a universal polisport. Along the way, throwing out the rusty bolts. We install new stainless steel and place it on the clamp.

And in addition, the muzzle is from the later XT (2002), fortunately the mounts themselves and the headlight have not changed since 1990))) Black at least fits the theme, otherwise multi-colored parsley (purple-blue). Now the old woman has acquired a youthful appearance and lost her years

I think I can polish the tank and rear plastic, although I understand that later it will be covered with an even layer of dirt/dust

In general, we roll and finish, good luck to everyone. Let's live in peace!!!

Advantages

Based on numerous reviews and reviews of the Yamaha XT 600, we can compile an impressive list of advantages of the motorcycle:

• Affordable price.
• Reliability and ease of maintenance and operation.
• Long engine working life.
• Soft suspension and braking system that does not cause any particular complaints.
• High strength plastic sheathing elements.
• Convenient and comfortable seating position even for short drivers.

Flaws

The long-term existence of the Yamaha XT 600 motorcycle has not eliminated all its shortcomings, among which the owners include the following features:

• Frame of weak strength.
• Poor engine protection.
• Air filter subject to rapid contamination.
• Any damage to the fuel tank will result in scratches and dents.
• Despite the good volume of the fuel tank, many owners complain about the lack of fuel for long trips.
• Head optics do not always cope with their task.

Motorcyclists and experts often note that for a universal motorcycle equipped with such an engine, the maximum and cruising speed of 155 and 140 km/h are too low, and the rear braking system is not effective enough to stop quickly.