1VJ - Unreliable?

jj · #1 5 May 2005

Hi all!
In an effort to research the best xt600 for me I came across this review of the 1VJ model on http://www.tenere.ch/english/etenerestory.html -

In 1986, Yamaha made several major modifications to the Ténéré. This model is commonly referred to as the 1VJ model in many countries.

In addition to the kickstarter it received an electric starter. The air filter box was moved from under the seat to under the fuel tank. This reduced the capacity of the fuel tank to 23 litres. The fuel tank also had lowered sides which improved weight distribution. However, then a fuel pump was necessary. The oil cooler was mounted in front of the cylinder head on the right hand side. With this change and the lowered tank sides, suddenly the Ténéré had engine overheating problems. Yamaha tried to overcome this problem with longer stud bolts at the cylinder head and an increased diameter (from 27mm to 28mm) in the secondary throat of the carburettor. But the latter not only increased fuel consumption but led to irregular engine running at high altitudes. Spluttering Ténérés were not a rarity in these years on alpine passes.

Please could anyone with experience of or owning a 1VJ let me know their opinions of the bike and these comments. Thanks a lot for any help,

Jasper

**bigbrummer** · #2 27 May 2005

Hi JJ
Did you ever find any info on 1vj's? I'm looking at one in Bristol, and I also need some advice. Plenty of people seem to ride them, but these rumours persist?
Dave

**oldbaldrick** · #3 28 May 2005

I had one for a while, that pulled the thread on one of the cylinder head bolts. I fitted a Time-Sert and longer bolt and eBayed it.
Apart from this, a very comfortable and practical bike.

**Rikard the Swede** · #4 31 May 2005

Hello!
I have had my 1VJ for a couple of years and
I am very pleased with it. I even coached my girlfriend to buy an 1VJ as well.
We have been touring Europe with them as well as taking short graveltrips in the vicinity of our home i Sweden.

The only thing to remember is that you can`t be in a hurry with this bike if you`re touring and stay off the Autobahn.

We were in Slovenia in the summer of -03 and temeratures rose to 40-42C in the shade. We got stuck in some trafficjams during roadworks, and uphill with only a kickstarter (mine doesn´t have the el.start) I had to let my bike run and it was fine.

If you only follow Klaus`s advice to change the inlets to through the rear of the airbox, I think the overheating wont bother you. And keep those baffles clean.

Regards / Rikard

**Matt595** · #5 29 Jun 2005

In warm countries and altitude = unreliable
stator and also rotor problems on a few early series.
3AJ is an improved 1VJ, and its surprising how powerfull it gets with a bigger airbox.
Okay, it looks less cool than the 1VJ.

Cheers

Mattias

**mika** · #6 29 Jun 2005

my 1vj has nearly taken me around the world

now at 265.000km i had to load it the first time on a pick up truck (because i did not find the faulty petrol pump problem in the middle of the western sahara)

1VJ - Unreliable? I dont think so

greetings from marrakesh marocco

mika

www.weltreise-motorrad.de

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**bigbrummer** · #7 30 Jun 2005

Thanks for your replies.
I'm getting mine this week, so fingers crossed.
The shop have taken the engine apart, checked everything, and replaced cam chain and fifth gear. I'll modify the air box, and hopefully it will give me miles of trouble free riding.
Cheers Dave