Yamaha XT600

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Yamaha introduced its now legendary XT500 in 1976 as a big four-stroke single cylinder off road trail bike.

Such was its rugged simplicity, light weight and ready power, it soon started acquiring top results in long distance off road events, culminating as winner of The Dakar Rally of 1979 and 1980. Equipped with a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear with enduro-style tyres, it was fit for both on- and off-road use. Seat height and ground clearance were good which made it suitable for a wide range of duties, from crossing rough city roads to pounding the African plains.

The new Yamaha XT 600 was introduced in 1982 and was essentially an improved 500 with new styling and graphics plus an extra 100cc and a new four valve cylinder head for easier breathing. Its mud plugging ways enhanced its appeal and it sold well.

This 1987 model comes from a small collection of Seventies and Eighties motorcycles in Herefordshire. It is a Canadian market XT600 that was imported into the UK in 2003, which accounts for the speedometer being calibrated in kph. The bike has been thoroughly refurbished with a powder coated frame, alloy rimmed wheels laced with stainless steel spokes, a pair of new road tyres, a stainless steel exhaust and repainted bodywork.

It is the more powerful 44bhp model and has auto decompression for easy starting. With matching frame and engine numbers, it is MOT tested until September 2016 and has a total of 5 old MOT certificates on file. It has just had its generator rewound and is said to start and run well.