What should i look out for xt600

[otr002]

Well in our little part of the world the Australian defence force is auctioning off 90 odd XT600's fro 1991 with from as little as 8000k's up to 60000k's. the auction center that i'll be going to has 25 for sale with no reserve and no starting price. These are military bikes and have been serviced and repaired using only Yamaha parts, service intervals have been adhered to. the bikes are standard except for a large tank (acerbis) and additional wiring for black-out lights etc.
So the question are....

• what should i be looking for,
• do they have frame cracking issues,
• will they take a rebore
• are the parts expensive
• these don't have a kicker...good or bad..
• can the head be removed without taking the engine out of the frame

Any help would be great as this will be the dirt road bike, and my first foray into solo adventure touring, I'll be taking my riding buddy along and he intends to buy one as well

this is an example of the bikes...

[Mezo]

Watch out for Redbacks in the toolbox.

Nah serious there's one sat right next to me, bargain bikes.

Mezo.

[Beemerboff]

Have a good look at the rims, some have had a pounding and have cracks in them.

And some will have replacement plastics, painted black to match the black OEM.

It appears that only white plastics are now available, and it is getting scarce, particularly RHS side covers and hand guards but I am happy to be contradicted on this.

Don't pay too much, $less than $1000- should get one , unless it is particularly clean and low mileage on the speedo is matched by the condition.

[otr002]

Redbacks, nice ....as for the rims that had skipped my mental list, i take it they are alloy and the Army didn't order steel rims for some strange reason. As for the plastics i don't really care if they have been painted as I'm not going to restore the bike just set it up for some touring and and and well we'll see

Can the engine be striped in the frame?

Rod

[bacardi23]

If I could I would LOVE to take three or four of those AT LEAST!


Oh man 25 you say?! I'd be in wonderland


Vando

[otr002]

Originally Posted by bacardi23

If I could I would LOVE to take three or four of those AT LEAST!


Oh man 25 you say?! I'd be in wonderland


Vando

No not 25.....90 to be auctioned off Australia wide

[geoffshing]

I'd love to be there and snap a couple up!!

I did africa on one and had 3 so far! Good bikes, reliable and easy to strip down. I did the piston rings without removing from the frame in the Congo..! Whoop Whoop!

They'll take a rebore but just do a compression test first, as long as the filters were regularly changed and same with the oil, they'll be fine! My old '03 Xt600e (50,000+ miles!) is still bashing it's way through Southern Africa with it's new owner and he's loving it!

I'm in Iraq and trying my hardest to find out when I can purchase one of the US military DIESEL KLR650's once they hit the market next year! (1000km per tank!!)

[Tenere Tom]

When/where are these bikes being auctioned?
Can they arrange delivery abroad???

I wouldn't mind a few being sent here to the UK...

[bacardi23]

90???? OMFG!!!! I gotta moove to Aussie! Lovely women, great bikes.... ouch ;P

[chucky55]

Hi all,

I believe there is a total of 500 of these magnificent beasts being supa seeded, starting from 2009 when I stole mine for $900 AUD. at auction.

Great bikes, legendary, enough said, just do it, you won't regret it.

Cheers from OZ

[otr002]

Originally Posted by Tenere Tom

When/where are these bikes being auctioned?
Can they arrange delivery abroad???

I wouldn't mind a few being sent here to the UK...

Would it be worth it, at sub $1000 Aus plus freight....are they that expensive in the UK

Rod

[otr002]

Originally Posted by bacardi23

90???? OMFG!!!! I gotta moove to Aussie! Lovely women, great bikes.... ouch ;P

You just stay were you are we've only got so many and beautiful women and at the moment just one beach per person is just how we like it..

[Tenere Tom]

A half decent 1991 XT600 over here would be up to £1250.
If I could get 3 or 4 (or more) of them shipping would be fairly good value.
I'm sure I could make a profit from them

[Tenere Tom]

How much would it cost to import 5 bikes from Oz to the UK???

Any ideas???

[Socks]

Originally Posted by Tenere Tom

How much would it cost to import 5 bikes from Oz to the UK???

Any ideas???

And this is where your plan kind of falls through, (but check it out) as the cost of importing will probably out weigh the profit margin! Unless you can find some spare room in a container heading your way, from Oz.


Any ideas???
So, Why not buy one, fly out on a holiday and ride purchased bike, you could for instance ride it over to Rod’s or Mezo in “Tenerland” and leave it with him, cheaper than hiring one out there and ……. Well I should have asked Mezo and Rod first, why don’t you? I would if I could.

Sounds like a Socks plan