The XT600 Thread

[mwolff]

Glad to have found this thread. I just bought this '86, pretty clean with 25,000 miles from the first owner who seemed to take care of it. Now after starting it, maybe 100 times, and a good 40 mile ride in the Natl. Forest, I need some advice on how to make it run better. I have gotten the starting routine down, and it has never failed to start after 3-4 kicks, and it idles perfectly, but then runs kinda rough at speed. It seems to have plenty of power, doesn't backfire, just runs rough as the RPM's climb. I adjusted the valves, they were pretty loose, and changed the plug, it was old but looked like it was burning fuel properly. Do I tear into the carb for a rebuild, or just clean. BTW, the air filter looks pretty clean also. Anyone's $.02 would be good. Now, can I post the pic.? Nope, I'll go to SmugMug and re-post.

[BIG ED XT FAN]

Originally Posted by mwolff

Glad to have found this thread. I just bought this '86, pretty clean with 25,000 miles from the first owner who seemed to take care of it. Now after starting it, maybe 100 times, and a good 40 mile ride in the Natl. Forest, I need some advice on how to make it run better. I have gotten the starting routine down, and it has never failed to start after 3-4 kicks, and it idles perfectly, but then runs kinda rough at speed. It seems to have plenty of power, doesn't backfire, just runs rough as the RPM's climb. I adjusted the valves, they were pretty loose, and changed the plug, it was old but looked like it was burning fuel properly. Do I tear into the carb for a rebuild, or just clean. BTW, the air filter looks pretty clean also. Anyone's $.02 would be good. Now, can I post the pic.? Nope, I'll go to SmugMug and re-post.

Hi, Do you have the side stand switch hook-up? If so, thats your problem. Just plug the 2 wires together. Will run better. I have a set of TT600 carbs on my XT 600. Way better choke system. Have a supertrapp muffler. Stiffer front springs. Ceet seat cover. Clarke gas tank. Moose handbars. Emgio bartbusters. Kende dual-sport tires. Trackmasters. 450x18 rear tire. Bigger just hits the oil tank. Uni-filters air that is. dual-grip grips.All blue frame, fenders. Thats my 2 cents! Hope it helps! BIG ED XT&TT 600 FAN!!

[BIG ED XT FAN]

Originally Posted by Martynbiker

Do you mean How easy was it? 20 mins! easy as falling on an XT!
with what did I replace it? Another Standard but NEWER shock I bought on Ebay.

Ohlins are EXPENSIVE but rebuildable, WP (White Power) are also expensive and also rebuildable.. if i had the Money WP..no Ohlins....no WP, wait Ohlins.er its such a hard decision! they are BOTH good!

martyn

Thanks for the reply! Anybody put on a Hagon shock? Had a XT 600 with a "Works Shock" Sold it! Had a TT600 with a Ohins tooo! Sold it too! Found a Ohins on e-bay but no $$$ Big ED XT&TT600 FAN!!

[Sucks2drive]

Originally Posted by mwolff

Glad to have found this thread. I just bought this '86, pretty clean with 25,000 miles from the first owner who seemed to take care of it. Now after starting it, maybe 100 times, and a good 40 mile ride in the Natl. Forest, I need some advice on how to make it run better. I have gotten the starting routine down, and it has never failed to start after 3-4 kicks, and it idles perfectly, but then runs kinda rough at speed. It seems to have plenty of power, doesn't backfire, just runs rough as the RPM's climb. I adjusted the valves, they were pretty loose, and changed the plug, it was old but looked like it was burning fuel properly. Do I tear into the carb for a rebuild, or just clean. BTW, the air filter looks pretty clean also. Anyone's $.02 would be good. Now, can I post the pic.? Nope, I'll go to SmugMug and re-post.

I replaced the Carb Diaphragm on Mine and she runs 100% better! mine is an 88 XT600 2KF model. the carb diaphragm is not cheap ( cost me 70 quid, about 130 dollars) but as part of a carby rebuilt that cost about 200 dollars total!
Worth every penny. Starts second kick, 60mpg, pulls like a TRAIN! ( especially now i have gearing better too 14 tooth front and 39 tooth rear)

Martyn

[Going_Commando]

Hey guys, I have been lurking on this site for a while, and registered just the other day. I have been cruising craigslist quite a bit trying to find a used dualsport for under $2000 or so, and found a 1989 XT600. Now, my only motorcycling experience was with a Yamaha Virago 1000 for 30 days while on my learner's permit last year (I am 19). That bike killed my confidence, not to mention that I crashed, but it was at a low speed and luckily I didn't get hurt. This spring I am going to take the MSF, which I should have done last year but was an idiot about it. I want a bike that can go more places and has less horsepower (that bike was quite snappy), and this seems to fit the bill. Now, my question is, is this bike too much for a new guy? I am a bit over 6' tall with a 32" inseam. I have never used a bike with kickstart before, but my dad had a bunch of bikes back when he was younger and now has a Harley (don't pick on him too bad ). Will this bike be too much of a bitch to kick? From the looks of this thread and a little googling it doesn't seem like parts are too hard to find for this bike. It would be quite a hual for me to pick the bike up, and I would wait until after the MSF before really riding it. Here is the link to the craigslist listing.
http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/545762468.html

So, are there any problems I should know about for this bike? This is the first bike I have found that is within my budget.

Thanks guys.

[BIG ED XT FAN]

Originally Posted by Going_Commando

Hey guys, I have been lurking on this site for a while, and registered just the other day. I have been cruising craigslist quite a bit trying to find a used dualsport for under $2000 or so, and found a 1989 XT600. Now, my only motorcycling experience was with a Yamaha Virago 1000 for 30 days while on my learner's permit last year (I am 19). That bike killed my confidence, not to mention that I crashed, but it was at a low speed and luckily I didn't get hurt. This spring I am going to take the MSF, which I should have done last year but was an idiot about it. I want a bike that can go more places and has less horsepower (that bike was quite snappy), and this seems to fit the bill. Now, my question is, is this bike too much for a new guy? I am a bit over 6' tall with a 32" inseam. I have never used a bike with kickstart before, but my dad had a bunch of bikes back when he was younger and now has a Harley (don't pick on him too bad ). Will this bike be too much of a bitch to kick? From the looks of this thread and a little googling it doesn't seem like parts are too hard to find for this bike. It would be quite a hual for me to pick the bike up, and I would wait until after the MSF before really riding it. Here is the link to the craigslist listing.
http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/545762468.html

So, are there any problems I should know about for this bike? This is the first bike I have found that is within my budget.

Thanks guys.

You are over 6ft? No problem to start this bike. Keep a new plug in her she will start almost 1-2 kicks every time.
Looked it your link. Looks good. Problems?? Keep good gas, and go over the bike with a wrench and she will run a long time. The choke cable is crap! I am on my 3rd XT 600. Good Bikes. BIG ED XT&TT 600 FAN!!

[Sucks2drive]

Originally Posted by Going_Commando

is this bike too much for a new guy? I am a bit over 6' tall with a 32" inseam. I have never used a bike with kickstart before, but my dad had a bunch of bikes back when he was younger and now has a Harley (don't pick on him too bad ). Will this bike be too much of a bitch to kick?.

GO GET IT QUICK!! that is a nice, clean low miles bike. Enough Power to make it Fun, but gentle enough not to run away with you!

Starting it, is a Doddle! (Easy) Fuel ON, Choke ON, NO THROTTLE keep it closed, press gentle on the Kickstarter, till you hear a feint 'Click' this is the De-compressor..then prod it down fairly hard.... Repeat... after the Second kick she should fire, THEN give it a whiff of throttle, The choke only needs to stay on about 30-45 seconds!
The XT has a 'Knack' to easy starting, but after you learn it you will be away 2 kicks, 3 max.
When first learning the most I did was 5 or 6 UNLESS I opened that throttle. If you open the throttle before she fires you will flood her.

Enjoy your XT. you will NOT regret the decision to Buy

[mwolff]

Originally Posted by BIG ED XT FAN

Hi, Do you have the side stand switch hook-up? If so, thats your problem. Just plug the 2 wires together. Will run better. I have a set of TT600 carbs on my XT 600. Way better choke system. Have a supertrapp muffler. Stiffer front springs. Ceet seat cover. Clarke gas tank. Moose handbars. Emgio bartbusters. Kende dual-sport tires. Trackmasters. 450x18 rear tire. Bigger just hits the oil tank. Uni-filters air that is. dual-grip grips.All blue frame, fenders. Thats my 2 cents! Hope it helps! BIG ED XT&TT 600 FAN!!

Hey Big Ed, thanks for the idea. Mine does not have the side stand switch. I'll remove the carbs and take a look. The choke on mine sticks, but seems to work, but I need to manually move it back to non-choke after its warmed up. Great bike so far, plenty of power for an older guy like me, and nice and light compared to my V-strom.

[GiorgioXT]

Originally Posted by mwolff

have gotten the starting routine down, and it has never failed to start after 3-4 kicks, and it idles perfectly, but then runs kinda rough at speed. It seems to have plenty of power, doesn't backfire, just runs rough as the RPM's climb. I adjusted the valves, they were pretty loose, and changed the plug, it was old but looked like it was burning fuel properly.

Think also the silencer ... the spark arrestor inside may gets clogged up from soot at the point that the engine seem seized ! - since is practically impossible to dismount it even after 2 months ... just punch open with a big scalpel the inner tube.

[patrolskid]

hey guys hope you can help me out . . . . figured a thread about XTs' would be a good place for advice .

am currently contemplating a '91 xt 600 with 45,000 kilos' . the ad is over on dualsportbc.com .

just wondering what the general beta on these bikes is . . . . strong points , weak points , recommended / necessary mods , etc .

i'm 49 , 5' 7" , 160 with a fair bit of offroad experience ( slow singletrack grovelling ) with an '86 honda TLR 200 . intend to use the bike for paved / gravel / logging road type day trip exploring to prepare for longer multi day tours in the future .

any and all comments appreciated . . . .

'skid

[BIG ED XT FAN]

Originally Posted by patrolskid

hey guys hope you can help me out . . . . figured a thread about XTs' would be a good place for advice .

am currently contemplating a '91 xt 600 with 45,000 kilos' . the ad is over on dualsportbc.com .

just wondering what the general beta on these bikes is . . . . strong points , weak points , recommended / necessary mods , etc .

i'm 49 , 5' 7" , 160 with a fair bit of offroad experience ( slow singletrack grovelling ) with an '86 honda TLR 200 . intend to use the bike for paved / gravel / logging road type day trip exploring to prepare for longer multi day tours in the future .

any and all comments appreciated . . . .

'skid

The 91 XT 600 has the button !! But has a a 17 inch rear wheel. Steel rim too. The muffler is part of the side frame too. For the riding you plan to do its great! So get out there and ride !! BIG ED XT&TT 600 FAN!!

[ekkemu]

Hi guys,

I own a XT 600 E from 2001 and would like to buy some accesories for my precious. I have no idea where to find them, or which will fit. If you have used any of this and know that they will fit the XT, or have any other info that might help, please let me know.

1. Hand guards
2. Windshield
3. LIGHTS - fog lights, brighter bright lights, stop lights. In the night, the default lights suck! I need extra lights. Maybe some of you who own the Touratech lights might tell me if I can adapt the mounting kit to my bike. I am not interesing in Touratech only, so other brands are ok.
4. Key Locking mechanism (I can not turn the key to the "block" position so I guess I need to replace it, or can it be fixed?)
5. Engine tuning. What can I change/add to have more power?


I know these are a lot of questions, but if you can help with info for any of the above (if you had hands-on experience than that is the best), please let me know.


P.S.: I am currently in Austin, TX for 6 more weeks so I might be able to buy some of the stuff from here if they are cheaper than Europe.

[ekkemu]

Originally Posted by ekkemu

Hi guys,
4. Key Locking mechanism (I can not turn the key to the "block" position so I guess I need to replace it, or can it be fixed?)

I think the correct word for this is: Ignition switch

[Sucks2drive]

Originally Posted by ekkemu

Hi guys,

I own a XT 600 E from 2001 and would like to buy some accesories for my precious. I have no idea where to find them, or which will fit. If you have used any of this and know that they will fit the XT, or have any other info that might help, please let me know.

1. Hand guards any good bike store, try off road specialists, surf the net a little!
2. Windshield Ya Sissy!
3. LIGHTS - fog lights, brighter bright lights, stop lights. In the night, the default lights suck! I need extra lights. Maybe some of you who own the Touratech lights might tell me if I can adapt the mounting kit to my bike. I am not interesing in Touratech only, so other brands are ok. try the phillips HI-Power bulbs, they ar 80% brighter, work good for me and i LIKE BRIGHT!
4. Key Locking mechanism (I can not turn the key to the "block" position so I guess I need to replace it, or can it be fixed?) do you mean the steering lock on the headstock? it is probably siezed, or you may need to waggle the bars as you try to lock it.
5. Engine tuning. What can I change/add to have more power? NOT WITHOUT SPENDING LOTS!!!!!!


I know these are a lot of questions, but if you can help with info for any of the above (if you had hands-on experience than that is the best), please let me know. YEP< check the Avatar! i ride, use n abuse one daily!


P.S.: I am currently in Austin, TX for 6 more weeks so I might be able to buy some of the stuff from here if they are cheaper than Europe.

hope the above helps, my comments in yellow........

[ekkemu]

Originally Posted by Martynbiker

hope the above helps, my comments in yellow........

1. Hand guards any good bike store, try off road specialists, surf the net a little!
I actually did try. I even tried to mount some Acerbis hand guards on my handlebar, but they wont fit (even if the guy from the store would bet they would ... they didn't). I was curios what hand guards are you guys using (I do not want to change or modify my stock handlebar!)

2. Windshield Ya Sissy!
Yep, I get your point :)
BUT, since some of my riding mates have more touring oriented bikes (TA, F650ST) and I might find myself riding with them, I would like more comfort for long rides on paved roads

3. LIGHTS - fog lights, brighter bright lights, stop lights. In the night, the default lights suck! I need extra lights. Maybe some of you who own the Touratech lights might tell me if I can adapt the mounting kit to my bike. I am not interesing in Touratech only, so other brands are ok. try the phillips HI-Power bulbs, they ar 80% brighter, work good for me and i LIKE BRIGHT!
Thanks for this, I'll try them. What about additional lights? Like fog lights? Or just super duper bright ones (but added extra)

4. Key Locking mechanism (I can not turn the key to the "block" position so I guess I need to replace it, or can it be fixed?) do you mean the steering lock on the headstock? it is probably siezed, or you may need to waggle the bars as you try to lock it.
Yes, that's it. I tried everything, I even went to a mechanic with it (this might not mean to much though ... ) and told me that it needs to be changed (they were not selling me that part, so I guess there was no hidden interest in there). So, were can I get one from US?

5. Engine tuning. What can I change/add to have more power? NOT WITHOUT SPENDING LOTS!!!!!!

Hmm ... come on! There has to be something that I can change or upgrade to gain some power. Sparkplug, muffler, donno ... that's what I am asking :)




Anyway, thanks for your time mate, hope others will write back also