1VJ - what to look for before buying?
 

Hi all. I have a chance to buy an XT600, I believe an IVJ model (disc front, drum rear brake, red/white color scheme, big tank). It has 50,000 KM on it so lots of small scratcvhes and dents but looks basically OK, no obvious major crash damage.

I have a BMW R100GS but I'm looking for a lighter-weight play bike for the weekends in the hills.

I'm not worried about cosmetics, but I want to know what I should look at on a very short test ride (about 10 minutes). I won't be able to do any real testing (compression, etc.) before buying.

The asking price is about $1700 US, which I think is a bit high, but I am in Mongolia and it is very much a seller's market for motorcycles. The price doesn't bother me too much if I can get a reasonably reliable bike for riding on the steppe.

Thanks for any suggestions.

-Scott

Howdy there. This is mainly received wisdom, it must be said, but oil pump and 5th gear.

I'm not sure what happens with the oil pump, I don't know. The 5th tends to break (at about 50K!).

I have a reliable receipt for uprated parts in mine, but unless you _know_ or change it, there is a good chance it will drop some teeth at speed.

If there's a little oil leak between the back of the block and the crankcase, don't worry about it. Saw a load of tenere's at the UK Hubb meet, and they almost all had it.

good luck,

jim