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XT600 or DR650 which is the best for long distance travel? XT600 or DR650 which is the best for long distance travel?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #46  
Old 27 Oct 2014
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^^ Sorry, when I said you cant get them new, I meant the aircooled one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTR2...2-HPZyLvmXbHCA

Here is a vid of me and the missus riding from Brisbane to Sydney last Christmas. Ive got the old OZ army luggage rack (from the 91 model) which I custom fit to the last model(96 onwards)
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  #47  
Old 27 Oct 2014
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Here is that Army rack on the XT. It looks heavy but isnt too bad. Holds things better than any other rack I've tried for the XT.

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  #48  
Old 27 Oct 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by banditderek View Post
If you buy an XT you are gonna have to repair it because they are all years old and have done lots of miles. And getting aftermarket products, like luggage racks etc is harder(I'm not saying it cant be done, but your options are reduced)
Have to agree. My mate just bought an XT600E last week. I think a great deal for 2k, but he's been complaining about exactly this. And reduced options generally relate to less competition and higher costs

But luckily he's good at manufacturing, and can kit it out as he wants.

But apart from Acerbis, doesn't seem like there's much options out there for an aftermarket fuel tank. Wish there was a 30l Safari tank... But couple hundred $$ for 6 liter of fuel extra seems a bit steep
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  #49  
Old 27 Oct 2014
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Yamaha discontinued XT600E imports to USA in 1995, and we never got the new generation 660's, do get Tenere' 1200.

But ... IIRC ... the UK (and possibly the rest of EU??) got the XT600E until 2003 or so, no? Is that correct?

What about Australia? 2003 is not ancient times. Seems to me parts would still be around from Yamaha since the bike was in production for so long? After market support is another issue ... and I'm sure by now it's dropped right off in most markets. That happens after an 11 year absence.

The good news is that there is so much "knowledge" about the XT600 that it seems certain help will be around for years to come, so it's worth the investment to buy the parts NOW and RIDE RIDE RIDE ... but nothing lasts forever.

We're lucky to still have the Suzuki DR650 in production with fantastic aftermarket support. On the road as a travel bike the DR650 has now become a very common site along with the KLR, V-Strom, various BMW's, Hondas and a few others. You won't see many XT's in the Americas nowadays.

For this reason, I'd go with the DR650. But I know and trust this bike, so for me it's a "no brainer".
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  #50  
Old 28 Oct 2014
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
What about Australia? 2003 is not ancient times. Seems to me parts would still be around from Yamaha since the bike was in production for so long? After market support is another issue ... and I'm sure by now it's dropped right off in most markets. That happens after an 11 year absence.
Talking in general about Yamaha- they're not like Honda that'll make any discontinued component at a premium. If it's older than 10 years, you'll start to battle for spares. The XT's head (and cam) does not have bearings. Once the cam start wearing out the head/tappet cover, you're screwed and its up to backyard mechanic tricks to keep it going. And if you can get a new unit, it costs more than the what the bike's worth. Sad end to a otherwise reliable machine

Like you said- DR spares are more available and it's still in production.

And not knowing the cost of DR parts, but Yamaha spares are higher than Honda for example. And you don't get spares/parts from people like Ballards Racing (You replace almost anything out of an XR from their catalogue)
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Old 28 Oct 2014
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Australia got them till 2003, I think, however they are not the absolute last 4pt model. I have a 96, and my wife a 2003, and they both have the 3tb engine. This setup can be identified at a glance by the exhaust heat shield on the side, and the clutch position. The full 4pt had the clutch routed through to the right, where as the 3tb has it on the left, with the clutch cable having a banana bend at the end. The only difference I can notice is that when you turn the handlebars with the clutch pulled in, there is resistance against your hand, like the clutch cable is getting tighter like that. The true 4pt didnt have this problem.

My opinion is this. If you can get a decent mileage proper 4pt, do not hesitate to get it. I wish I could get one in OZ
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