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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.
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
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  #1  
Old 13 Mar 2018
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New XT600E owner with some questions

Hello guys,new to the whole site/forum,but have read many threads the past couple of months.I've made an account because i'm about to be a proud yamaha xt 600 e 1997 owner and I have some questions.

So with all the preparation and the anticipation comes also a big fuss about parts and choices for the bike.

First of all,it's going to be a super moto,that's decided.So here are my questions:

1)Is there an oil that's objectively good on the bike? I've heard 15-50 is the best choice,but belray? motul?
2)What dimensions of supermoto wheels are the best? I've read 3.50x17 and 4.25x17 are the best cause of the whole lack of power of the xt and that a 5 rear would be too much.
3)I want to put an oversized 320mm disc brake in the front.Any good suggestions?
4)I've also read a 44 tooth rear makes a lot of difference on how the bike works,gives a little less acceleration but better top end for cruising.Is that correct or it's a waste of time?
5)What about tyres? I do 99.9% street riding and I want good grip on the wet.

Thanks a lot,cheers from Greece.
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  #2  
Old 13 Mar 2018
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1) Just about anything will do, ask a thousand people and get a thousand answers. I've tried over 10 different oils, the bike doesnt care. Something around 10w40 is fine.

2) yup, thoose are pretty normal to go with, and its what I have aswell.

3) Not super many options, make sure to get a a caliper relocation bracket with the new disc.

4) Sprockets are cheap, but 1 tooth on the rear doesnt change much. Try the stock ones first, since thats what you probably have anyway. Easy to change later on. 1 tooth smaller in the rear will give you 2km/h more at the same rpm, in 5th gear.

5) About same answer as 1. Many options, ranging from cheap, good at a price, and expensive but good. I often choose what I can find for a good price, and mare sure the reviews seems legit.
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  #3  
Old 13 Mar 2018
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4)It's that small of a difference? That's kind of disappointing.
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  #4  
Old 18 Mar 2018
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agree with jens, any oil question is going to end up in 1000 answers. oil threads in forums all over are a known trap.

tires? depends as they say. what will you do most? touring? commuting rain or shine? some off road too? my track only 600 supermoto wears semi slick pirelli supercorsas... for instance.

if you are disappointed about the difference 1T makes on the rear, then add 1T to the front sprocket
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  #5  
Old 21 Mar 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turboguzzi View Post
agree with jens, any oil question is going to end up in 1000 answers. oil threads in forums all over are a known trap.

tires? depends as they say. what will you do most? touring? commuting rain or shine? some off road too? my track only 600 supermoto wears semi slick pirelli supercorsas... for instance.

if you are disappointed about the difference 1T makes on the rear, then add 1T to the front sprocket
Sorry for the delayed response.First of all,everybody I ask about oil they answer the same thing,that whatever I put inside that thing it will run for ages.So that's done,I'm gonna put a known brand oil and I think I'll be ok.About the tyres,my riding is 99% on the road as I said,that's commuting,short getaways and longer getaways(haven't gone longer than 250km with my other bike though,cause it was a smaller one but plan to).I only have my bike as means of transport,no car,so rain,shine,cold,hot I ride.I had Michelin Pilot Street's on my cbf and I was in love with them,so I'll consider them for my xt too.And lastly,wouldn't the 1t+ be too much? I've heard it loses all its spark with such a big change(1t front=3t back right?)
Thanks for the response dude.
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  #6  
Old 23 Mar 2018
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Changing sprockets is pretty cheap, so give it a go.

I change mine from 14-47 to 16-45 and a lot in between, depending on the intended use. Having said that, stock is pretty good for the street.

But take the bike for a spin first, no point in changing stuff, if it works for you as it sits right now.
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  #7  
Old 24 Mar 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jens Eskildsen View Post
Changing sprockets is pretty cheap, so give it a go.

I change mine from 14-47 to 16-45 and a lot in between, depending on the intended use. Having said that, stock is pretty good for the street.

But take the bike for a spin first, no point in changing stuff, if it works for you as it sits right now.
Have done some kms on the stock gearing and it seems nice.We'll see in the long run.

Here are some pictures,but it's not finished yet:









We have some more work to do,but we're getting there!
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Old 25 Mar 2018
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Whoah, looks mint!!
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  #9  
Old 28 Mar 2018
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Those other pics disappeard for some reason.

Here we go again:





















All we need is some new handlebars and the bike is exactly as I want it.I'm debating whether I should put the side plastics on(i have them a little broken rn from the previous owner so i'd have to buy them new).I think it turned out pretty nice.The exhaust is freaking AWESOME.

Be safe out there guys.
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  #10  
Old 28 Mar 2018
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Yeah i have same exhaust and it turnes head Change the headers too and you will get even nicer sound or is it stanless aftemarked?
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  #11  
Old 29 Mar 2018
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Originally Posted by xtrock View Post
Yeah i have same exhaust and it turnes head Change the headers too and you will get even nicer sound or is it stanless aftemarked?
I'm pretty sure my headers aren't aftermarket.

Asked my mechanic if I should invest on some headers and a k&n filter and he told me that on a stock xt it's not worth it.I'd have to invest somewhere around 200-300 euros for those 2 things and I just can't justify the purchase.
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  #12  
Old 29 Mar 2018
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Originally Posted by TakisMp View Post
I'm pretty sure my headers aren't aftermarket.

Asked my mechanic if I should invest on some headers and a k&n filter and he told me that on a stock xt it's not worth it.I'd have to invest somewhere around 200-300 euros for those 2 things and I just can't justify the purchase.
I can recomend buying the Dynojet kit and KN filter, it makes a big difference! For me all parts can be justified for bikes or cars Btw what brand are the rims and how much you pay for them? Aftermaked licence plate holder and new brake light woud look alot better on this bike.
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  #13  
Old 29 Mar 2018
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You dont have to buy new plastics, just take them somewhere to weld them, it should be cheap, and then just sand and paint them. I am curently doing some on my tenere, and all toogether should be under 100€ (welding, sandind, painting, clear coat + some decals)
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  #14  
Old 29 Mar 2018
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Originally Posted by xtrock View Post
I can recomend buying the Dynojet kit and KN filter, it makes a big difference! For me all parts can be justified for bikes or cars Btw what brand are the rims and how much you pay for them? Aftermaked licence plate holder and new brake light woud look alot better on this bike.
Coming from a 125 little bike I really don't want any more power as of now.If I decide that I'm going to keep the bike for good,then maybe I'll alter some of its components.I've done 150 km in 2 days and I really like how it accelerates too.
Now the rims are Excel's from Japan and they costed 320 euros second hand(for the circle thingy,the spokes and the assembly,I put on the oem wheel centers).I really like the oem license plate and the light so I think I'm going to stick with them for now.

Quote:
Originally Posted by lslabe View Post
You dont have to buy new plastics, just take them somewhere to weld them, it should be cheap, and then just sand and paint them. I am curently doing some on my tenere, and all toogether should be under 100€ (welding, sandind, painting, clear coat + some decals)
Here in Greece we have workshops that produce aftermarket polyester side fairings all black for around 60 euros,so the oem ones are out of the equation for good.
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Old 29 Mar 2018
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Ok i get it, good start from 125 and you will surely have lots of fun with it! So enjoy the bike and ride safe
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