XT600 vs XL 600 ??

[flytoolow]

Well as some of you may have guessed Im looking for a mid 80’s trail bike for a trip to Greece next year.

Ive kinda narrowed it down to either a Yam Xt600 (34L/55W or 1VJ depending on price/availability) or a Honda XL600 LM(F) with twin headlights.

Both are nigh on impossible to find in this part of the world, but there are some nice examples in Italy/France/Germany, and with the fall of the euro…It could be a good deal..

Im drawn to the Yams I guess because of the “Paris Dakar Heritage” but Ive read issues such as 5th Gear disintegration/ Tractor like engines etc etc and also difficulty of obtaining spares from 25+ year old bikes., and also since I doubt that I would lose much if I decided to sell it on a few years down the line

The Honda on the other hand, although not in that same heritage league, seems to have fewer issues, RFVC engine, and the examples that Ive seen just seem to have worn better (at 30K miles +) than the Yamaha equivalent, don’t have the “premium” cost attached, and there is a Honda dealer at the bottom of my road…which could come in handy…and the two “Bug-eyes” on the Honda just seems kinda function not form…and I like that
So, have any of you had both and give me some pointers between the two..I doubt that it would be possible to “try one first” since they are all over 600Kms away…

Anybody care to offer some advice between the two ??

 

[fatgser]

http://www.the-engine-room.co.uk/motorbikesstock.html

looks nice

 

[tractor4play]

thumper

Well as some of you may have guessed Im looking for a mid 80’s trail bike for a trip to Greece next year.

Ive kinda narrowed it down to either a Yam Xt600 (34L/55W or 1VJ depending on price/availability) or a Honda XL600 LM(F) with twin headlights.

Both are nigh on impossible to find in this part of the world, but there are some nice examples in Italy/France/Germany, and with the fall of the euro…It could be a good deal..

Im drawn to the Yams I guess because of the “Paris Dakar Heritage” but Ive read issues such as 5th Gear disintegration/ Tractor like engines etc etc and also difficulty of obtaining spares from 25+ year old bikes., and also since I doubt that I would lose much if I decided to sell it on a few years down the line

The Honda on the other hand, although not in that same heritage league, seems to have fewer issues, RFVC engine, and the examples that Ive seen just seem to have worn better (at 30K miles +) than the Yamaha equivalent, don’t have the “premium” cost attached, and there is a Honda dealer at the bottom of my road…which could come in handy…and the two “Bug-eyes” on the Honda just seems kinda function not form…and I like that
So, have any of you had both and give me some pointers between the two..I doubt that it would be possible to “try one first” since they are all over 600Kms away…

Anybody care to offer some advice between the two ??

i have had a few tt 600,xr,600,xt600 and xl 600.at the moment i have 600lm and xt 3aj.the xt is slightly more powerful but not as well made as the xl.all the rfvc i have owned have been very reliable as long as correctly maintained(oil levels and oil changes as reccomended) in all honesty the first nice xl or xt comes along buy it as they are both on a power with each other.ones as good as the other.

 

[D6]

i prefer the honda, find em smoother , and faster, handles better, the lmf is the worst of a good bunch, the xl600rd ,the best
i always thought the early xt,s were agricultural,and that the honda made more power, maybe i had a bad xt?
iv also seen a few xt,s spinning their mains and wearing the casings under hard use, so i would buy honda every time