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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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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  #1  
Old 29 Apr 2003
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cruising speed
Is it healthy for a runned in new XTE to cruise at 75mph for long periods of time? What is the fastest "safe" cruising speed?

What is the best cruise speed in search of the best miles per gallon?

I always had a doubt, what is the difference between american gallons and british gallons?
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  #2  
Old 29 Apr 2003
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Hi Pedro,

I have found so far that it is best to stick to fourth gear at about 57mph (90-95kph) when fully loaded and going long distances. I do this because I reckon that fifth gear for long periods fully loaded is hard on the engine, It would also use more fuel and increases the wind into your body. I am also not in a rush normally when travelling.

Finian
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  #3  
Old 30 Apr 2003
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Ha ha! I like that - "about 57mph"!

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  #4  
Old 1 May 2003
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U.S. gallon = 3.78 Litres, imperial ( i. e. British ) = 4.55 Litres.
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  #5  
Old 4 May 2003
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Hi pedro!

I guess the XT has 2 carbs, so the best cruising speed/mpg is just before the opening of the second carb... that way you will run the bike with just one carb!!

Are you thinking of some desert traveling with your bike?

I am planning a trip to dakar with some friends in august this year!!
some 4wd and at least a XR600! join us!

Renato B.
Figueira da Foz / Lisbon
Portugal

www.AventuraS3.com
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  #6  
Old 5 May 2003
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Thank you very much for the invitation, but i still haven´t got a bike, am only buying one by the end of the summer, and have already made plans for another trip this summer by car to the Nordkap, but i think we cam stay in touch, who knows what the future will say? Cheers
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Old 6 May 2003
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hi

renato:
"at least a XR600"?... :-)

chico had already bought the XR?

pedro:

hi from coimbra!

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Old 6 May 2003
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hello back to you, it´s great hearing from portuguese people in this forum.
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  #9  
Old 8 May 2003
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I cruise along at between 70-85 m.p.h. which my XT handles with no stress at all,she`ll pull to 90 easily with me sitting up-right,plenty for me on local roads and as fast as I want to go,with about 1500 r.p.m. to go before the red-line,top gear however is very high as standard,think it`s geared for 112 but 100 is probably a lot more realistic top speed and if you want any more than that you`ve probably bought the wrong kind of bike,112 on an XT probably wouldn`t be a great idea anyway!!
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Old 11 May 2003
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Like Dave B my XTe is happy cruising at 70 - 80 mph on roads with fast sweeping bends.
On a trip in March exploring Harris and Lewis ( Western Isles Scotland ), with narrow roads and strong winds I was using 4th gear and travelling around about the 55 mph mark for a lot of the trip. Still got good mileage although I did not work out the figures.
It basically means adapting to the conditions, as a rule I stay out of 5th gear if the revs are dropping below 3500 and don't change up again unless revs building and over 4000 - 4500 rpm
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Old 12 May 2003
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Gullman - just buying XT600E to replace road bike. Harris and Lewis on my list (cycled there in past ). Did you camp? Any problems with wild camping? I know this is drifting away from subject - but very interested. Regards.
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Old 12 May 2003
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Gullman - just buying XT600E to replace road bike. Harris and Lewis on my list (cycled there in past ). Did you camp? Any problems with wild camping? I know this is drifting away from subject - but very interested. Regards.
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Old 13 May 2003
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Hi Boxer,
I was planning on camping but fortunately changed my mind just before I left.
Stayed at a bunkhouse at An-t-Ob on South Harris. Ended up using that as a base for the full week. It meant long runs back in the evening against the wind and rain,exciting stuff, but the weather was wild and wet so I was glad to have somewhere civilised to stay. Had the place to myself which was nice. Cycling would have been great going north but coming back !!!
To answer your question, camping wild is usually possible most places in Scotland, and as you know the folk out on the Isles are really friendly. I would have been happy camping anywhere "sensible" on Harris. Lewis I had dificulty seeing through the mist in the air and on my visor, but I am sure you could find places. It would just take alittle more looking or asking a crofter. Enjoy your trip.
The website for the bothy is www.ambothan.com
Cheers.
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Old 14 May 2003
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Having just returned from a weekend in Northern France I was interested to see the sort of speeds that some XT's are capable of. Mine sadly gets nowhere near the figures quoted. At best, with the throttle wound wide open and my ample frame leaning into the wind, I can get approx. 80mph @ 6000rpm. The gearing, as supplied, on my 1VJ is 16 front and 40 rear - is this right ? The Clymer gives 15 - 45 ! ANY thoughts appreciated .........
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  #15  
Old 16 May 2003
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Not being funny here but is that in top?,top gear is very high and going into a strong-ish wind or up-hill will drag your speed way down,dropping a gear at 6000 r.p.m. wont do any harm at all.I`ve had mine up to 95 and only mis-trust of the XT`s brakes at that speed and the back of a lorry looming made me ease off,100 was well within sight though any more would probably have been a struggle,mine regularly cruises at 70-85 for as long as I want it to,basically I just use top gear as an "overdrive" gear,bike will happily hold that speed in 4th no matter what the conditions.
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