1994 XTZ 660 -- Common problems? Headlight conversion?
 

Hi! This is my first post here, after being a long-time lurker (:

I am going to take a look at a 1994 Yamaha XTZ 660 Tenere tonight. It has 54000km on it and judging by the pictures it seems to have been taken well care of.

I know little about these bikes -- what should I look for mechanically except the basics?

And also, are the headlights easily converted to H4 like the XTZ 750 and Africa Twin?

http://cache.finn.no/mmo/7/230/913/17_-1283402441.jpg

Thanks!

-Andreas

Im pretty sure the headlight IS h4 :)

Hej,

beside the basics take a good look on:

spokes back wheel (loose, complete - XTZ660 illness)
Choke funktion (cable, choke piston often corroded in carb)
battery, charging system (multimeter needed for check)

..........otherwise it is a nice bike, pretty much underrated in my opinion.

Good luck!

Spokes were pristine, choke worked well. One thing though, the starter made a strange sound before engaging. Also the handlebar was a bit off, but I think that's easy to fix. No idea about the battery, but it turned the engine around easily.

Mechanically the engine and gearbox seems to be in very good condition. No ticking or rattling, shifts smooth as butter and even throttle response.

It looks pretty darn good cosmetically too. One or two small scrapes, no rust. And some fairly new TKC-80's on the rims.

Not exactly an Africa Twin though (mine was stolen two weeks ago). But I think I might like this bike very much :)

And yes, the bulbs were halogen!

....sounds good.

The handlebar is rubber mounted, feels always a little strange.

Feels like the starter clutch makes the sound you noticed.
Not a big deal - but you´ll have to pull the flywheel for repair or replacement.

Max MC Import from Denmark offers aftermarket spares for Yamaha starter clutches - but I don´t know if the 660 is on the list. Just google for dealers, they sell in Norway too.

Starter clutch, got it. Is it likely to fail completely at some point if not replaced?

.......hard to say, but on a bike without kick-start I would go for a perfect clutch.

Don´t know if the engine has already been warmed up when you started it.
A warmed engine (thin oil) is easier to turn for the clutch than a cold one (thick oil). It´s summer now - but the clutch can fail on lower degrees in fall!

Should be fixed - just my 2 cents

Allright, then I'm putting it on my todo-list.

Here's a picture the seller took of me on the bike today. The geometry seems spot on for me:

http://bildr.no/image/676751.jpeg

If the handlebars appear not straight stick the front wheel in a corner of the garage and give the handlebars a push to straighten them up,I do it to mine every time I drop it.......which is often........

Great, thanks kenymact I will try that. I bought the bike this morning. Might not be registered to me and ready for pickup untill tomorrow though. I'm looking forward to it! :D

Hi,
another common fault is the fuel vaccum pump failure (engine works fine when the tank is full, but hesitates on high rpm or does not work at all when the fuel level is low). Solution is opening the vacuum pump, clean, put in new screws.

Congratulations, you've bought a great bike,and one much more offroad capable than most say about the late models.:thumbup1:

Ah, the fuel pump. How bizarre that this issue haunts so many bikes of this type from that era.

The offroad capabilities seem to be very good. The suspension is almost too plush. I can hardly feel potholes anymore (:

One thing to note on the starter clutch. before assuming you need to replace it, try an oil change. the slipping may well be because of an inappropriate oil, or one that has some manner of crappy additives that belong not in motorcycle engines.

The fuel pump usually just needs retightening, not complete overhaul, so we are spared a couple of € :thumbup1:

The suspension can be hardened a bit using a different grade oil in the forks (SAE 15W) and tightening the rear shock preload. I found that the "no rebound damping" works best for me with knobbies... :) :scooter:

I took a 40km ride today, and I must say this bike is a joy to ride. The engine is really smooth, almost close to Africa Twin smoothness (: It is very easy to maneuver despite being top heavy. I could have liked some more power though, but I'm NOT complaining.

True, joy to ride is the word :thumbup1:. Well AT is a twin afterall (and a really great bike), but the big single here is quite smooth for it's kind.
The lack of grunt in the low RPM zone can be sorted out with a different, less restrictive exhaust can and bigger rear sprocket, but it's still a single. On the other hand, i have both, the super tenere and 660. Guess which one has been sitting in a garage for a year now (well, shame on me but i can only ride one bike at a time :thumbdown: and 660 is much more versatile :innocent:) ...

BTW, is that a coffe mug on the exhaust in the second photo?? XTZ/espresso?

Correct, the previous owner was quite fond of coffee stops. Should I add a cup holder I will place it somewhere else (it interferes with my sidebags).

This weekend I am going for a 450km drive to check out an old property me and my brother are considering buying. My very first adventure with this bike (:

Just a small update on this bike. I have logged almost 5000 kilometers with it since I bought it.

I have stiffened up the suspension to suit my weight better, and added a cool black MRA touring windscreen. And I have also added two cigarette lighter sockets, a digital temperature+volt gauge with blue backlight (looks the biz!), and a new chain + sprocket set is on the way from Germany as I type this (DID VX + JT Sprockets, 15x45).

I also own an Africa Twin, and well, the AT is getting a LOT of rest these days (:

Here are some pictures:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4351279_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4713397_n.jpg

Added the MRA (and myself):
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7446673_n.jpg

My dad trying it out, he loved it to bits:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._3626892_n.jpg

My babies:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2973591_n.jpg

This queen has been quite jealous the last few months, but I still love her too:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4638253_n.jpg

Have to say it but doesn'nt the AT look a bit lardy and bulky parked up next to the Tenere? :clap: hehehe,no offence

For distance work i fitted a 40 tooth rear sprocket,this brought down the revs enough to cruise at 70mph/110kph at less than 4k revs.keeps the carb under the crossover point for the 2nd choke to kick in.

Tenere is a brilliant bike,only just reluctantly sold mine after 5 years and bought a Cagiva Navigator.

Andy

Haha, I agree, the XTZ stands so tall and slender compared to the slightly overweight queen.

That is very interesting! Was there any impact on fuel economy? I am considering ordering a 16 tooth up front for swapping in for the long hauls (norwegian speed limits are 80, sometimes 90, and 100 tops here and there (km/h)).


The Navigator looks sexy, haven't come across those before. I read that the engine is the same as in V-Strom 1000! Cool!

I have an XTZ Super Tenere sitting in my garage, and it hasn't turned a wheel since I got my XTZ660 tenere.

I also came from an AT. Sold it because my girlfriend got pregnant, and I wanted something lighter for off road exploring. Since I lost my pillion, there was no need for such a big bike anymore. In my opinion it is a very underrated bike. The only think I miss from my AT is the power. My XTZ seems really lazy. I tried with an aftermarket exhaust and it wasn't better. Anyway, just to check if my engine is OK, what is your top speed? My stops at arround 155km/h.

I tried the new XZ660Z the other day and wath a surprise, eaven if they have same hp (48) the new motor seemed much more powerfull and ready to go. Very nice.

Hi mladen! Your top speed sounds about right. The new XT660Z has fuel injection and very good mapping which gives a better hp/torque curve. When the XT660Z can be had used for a fair price I will buy one. The mpg you get from them is outstandig.

Hi there,

Great engine except for problem with nut loosening to balance shaft, which may (will) cause seized engine

My 660 in my MZ went from smooth to wrecked engine in 200 mtr. at 70 mph on the motorway. (at 50,00 miles)

Good job it didn't happen whilst away travelling!

See this thread in MZ forum :-http://www.mzriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2268
Look at fourth entry from Bill Jurgenson.

Best wishes - Alec

Thanks for the replay!

So it means that it is just lazy.

That is very interesting. I will look into this! Thank you very much (:

Hi again! Turns out my engine indeed has the symptoms for this, although in a very very early stage. I have ordered a new side cover gasket + loctite + oil + oil filter + clutch friction plates -- might as well go all the way when I pop that cover (:

In other news: I still love my XTZ to bits, what a splendid bike this is! My poor Africa Twin must be awfully jealous (:

Don't you still have warranty on that bike of yours?
If you do, Yamaha should do all that for you for free!


Vando beer

Warranty on a 16 year old bike? I would have liked that! :clap:

Ups!

Thought you were talking about the newer XT's doh

Yeah, 20year or limited miles warranty would be great indeed!


Vando :cool4:

Great Bike
 

I loved my Tenere and as others have said it is a very underrated bike.

I bought one with 30,000 odd Kms on the clock and then put about 12,000 hard off road kms on it, never missed a beat. prob a bit top heavy in hind sight or maybe that was all the gear I was carrying :confused1:

The usual story, change the oil regularly, check grease points...

Enjoy !

Trawling up an old thread. Im looking maybe for an old Tenere 660... not the new 660!!!
Im trying to find clues to reliability, maintenance issues
Also how well they cruise on the roads for some touring, and what needs doing for any light off road
Tend to be finding conflicting opinions, as some are saying a Dominator is a better bet, but a water cooled engine must be more useable than an aircooled