Who knows about the old Tenere's and XT's?

[essjay]

So I'm selling my 11GS in the next few weeks and had originally planned on getting a 2002 or 2003 XT600e.

Been thinking though I wouldn't mind one of the classic Tenere's if they weren't complete pigs. So who knows about the old Tenere's and are they a pile of shite or genuinely good bikes? Reliable? Any links for reading about them?

This is what I'm talking about:

 

[Timpo]

Richetroo or GiorgioXT on advrider, both have done a bit with these bikes.

 

[essjay]

Seen this for around £700. Might be complete shit thoough....

 

[FERRET]

Its RICHEYROO

 

[essjay]

might be a nice one on Autotrader too

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201129405253672

 

[metropolis2k]

I'd make yourself familiar with the different bikes as they all have their positives and negatives. I'm only really familiar with the very early years:

1983-1984: 34L - kickstart only, some issues with 5th gear disintegrating
1985: 55W minor changes, rarest of the lot (I've got one!)
1986-1987: Moved the airbox under the tank, this reduced fuel capacity and led to overheating problems. Electric start added

Personally I'd be looking for something from '83 to '85. Most of the parts are interchangeable with the standard XT600s and many areas can be upgraded to newer XTs.

Can't comment much on the ride because mine isn't finished yet but they pull well and as long as you're not expecting much from the brakes or expecting to be able to cruise at motorway speeds for long you might enjoy it.

Recommended forum:
http://tenere.co.uk/

Recommended reading:

Don't know how your German is but this is well worth a browse:
http://www.rallye-tenere.net/

http://www.heikkil.net/tenere/engl/tech.htm
http://www.tenere.ch/english/etenerestory.html

Personally I just think they look fantastic and are an absolute classic and I'm keen to get mine back on the road.

 

[essjay]

Great, thanks

 

[Stormforce8]

That surprised me, seeing my 3AJ pictured on here

The 88-90 XT600Z Tenere 3AJ is the last of the range - with a 'leccy boot, and the 89 model had a bigger oil cooler.

Mine shown above has a few mods - Acerbis high mudguard, Acerbis disc guard, Riky Cross Bashplate, Rear Frames, and Rear Rack

Aside from a dodgy 5th gear, that is well documented, they're pretty bulletproof.

Dave Lambeth is the main man on Tenere's over here - and if you're looking for inspiration then as has been mentioned above - Ingo Lochert's site is pure porn

 

[essjay]

That surprised me, seeing my 3AJ pictured on here

The 88-90 XT600Z Tenere 3AJ is the last of the range - with a 'leccy boot, and the 89 model had a bigger oil cooler.

Mine shown above has a few mods - Acerbis high mudguard, Acerbis disc guard, Riky Cross Bashplate, Rear Frames, and Rear Rack

Aside from a dodgy 5th gear, that is well documented, they're pretty bulletproof.

Dave Lambeth is the main man on Tenere's over here - and if you're looking for inspiration then as has been mentioned above - Ingo Lochert's site is pure porn

Very very nice bike I have to say. Would be worth picking up the blue one pictured above for £700 as a project. Or could I get something better for the same money?

 

[essjay]

Stormforce8 - Had a look at some 3AJ's. What are they like for a bit of green laning? Too big and heavy?

Nice bike here, but a little pricey, no?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201106379538904

 

[abrasion]

All i know is if you blow your baffles out on the way down the motorway to london you end the day waiting for the recovery vehicle to take you home ofter the motor goes bang

 

[Ogmios]

essjay,
talk to the guys in Mototechnic.
http://mototechnic.ie/M1/index.php
they both like their big old singles and they know the subject well.

tell them the bloke with the Guzzi sent ya.

 

[metropolis2k]

Stormforce8 - Had a look at some 3AJ's. What are they like for a bit of green laning? Too big and heavy?

I wouldn't want to risk that fairing getting a bump, that's why I favour the earlier ones. That said, unless you go for the 1VJ (which had overheating problems) you're lumped with only a kick-start! Decisions decisions...

I love my 55W but if I was to buy another I would sorely be tempted to try to recreate Stormforce8's bike. That is a beauty

 

[Stormforce8]

Stormforce8 - Had a look at some 3AJ's. What are they like for a bit of green laning? Too big and heavy?

Nice bike here, but a little pricey, no?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201106379538904

Ouch - looks like a minter, but still £700 over what I would give for it.....

I'd budget between £800 and £1200 for a decent usable rolling project bike.

The 3AJ is a typical 80's thumper, I use mine on Salisbury Plain and a few lanes around Dorset and Wiltshire - and it's good fun for a gentle bimble. It'll just keep plodding along no matter what you throw it at - and the 'leccy boot is a godsend on a stalled hot thumper
Weightwise, it's fine - obviously if you want to go lightweight then there's plenty of 'pogo' options elsewhere - but I can heartily recommend the 3AJ Tenere, it's a well respected bike that is comfortable and very capable.

This is one of Ingo's creations that inspired me to buy mine.........

One of the best online resources is the XT 600 SITE - it's in German but very readable using the automatic Chrome translator - especially the Forum

 

[essjay]

Great stuff, cheers!

Saw these couple on Gumtree:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/xt-600/82150871 (34L/55W/1VJ?)
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/yamaha-xt-600-tenere/84301493

 

[D6]

buy an xl instead,
xt is the most agricultural singles i ever owned, seen a few too many feck the mainsd up when used in anger too, they spin the main rollers under duress and feck the casings,
the honda handles and goes better, with more power

 

[ahutcheon]

I had a vanilla 80's xt600 for a while, toured europe and allsorts on it. Kickstart only, fine when hot or cold but don't stall a warm one...

I found it a good laugh, and it did most things I asked. Seat was far too narrow and hard over long distances. My arse is yet to forgive me for the autobahn stretches, and I parted company with the xt many years ago.

Bits fell off when thrashed (including the exhaust parting company with the head once, but a "spare" subframe bolt fitted the thread and got me home.) Second gear lost a tooth, dunno if that's common.

In the urban environment it was a better hooligan bike than a GS. On the open road it was a cheap substitute for the young and determined. Kinda big and heavy for off-road. Hoisted minging wheelies easily.

 

[essjay]

55W on eBay if anyone is looking

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320741439665

 

[metropolis2k]

Sad to see another one that never made it onto the road here. The missing parts on that bike are a nightmare to find (side panels, headlight unit) unless you have £££ laying around. Could be a good project for an enthusiast but I think the buy it now is more than twice what it's worth in its current state.

 

[essjay]

Joined the club today for the grand total of £708...... It's a 34L

Needs a bit of work. No side stand, mirrors, head light not wired up, ignition barrel bypassed and can't find the VIN..... Hope it's not nicked!

Have the V5 though so that's a start. On it's second engine too but odo showing 24k miles so that's probably been replaced. But for 700 quid, I don't mind that.