I will soon collect my brand new XT600E. Does anybody have any good ideas that will help look after the engine or cycle parts from day 1. I`ve read all the threads and feel it has a good solid reputation but I wonder if anybody has found something later and thought "I wished I changed that early on rather than wait until it broke or got stuck etc. I live in the tropical part of Australia with a climate similar to Miami.

One important thing you must know is NOT to follow the instructions as to checking oil level. Never fill oil or check level with cold engine! Always ride for at least some 15 kms, then let the engine idle for a few minutes, keep it upright, then check oil level.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

I have had my xt600 for just over a year now and I am very pleased with it. I was told to run it in carefully and not use the 5th gear and low rpm - eg less than 3000.
I can only emphasise how right Klaus is when it comes to checking the oil level. I had a couple of frights until I got helpful advice on this site.
Have fun thats the main thing, but you know that already.
Cheers, Dave.

Rob

I've had mine for a year (UK spec, so I'm not sure if the Oz one is any different) and greenlane/ride trials on it most weekends.

My tips would be, depending on how much off roading you are planning, would be to:

- Fit a decent bashplate: CRD do a good one that has taken lots of abuse on my bike. The OEM engine bars are useless and the crankcases might get damaged by rocks etc.

- If you are in or might go to wettish parts, I would sort out the engine breathers - see an earlier post:
The cheapest route is to pickup a couple (the XT600 carbs have 2 breathers) of plastic tpieces and some airline from an aquarium/pet shop (about 1 pound in the UK), cut the original breathers nice and high up, connect the cut pipes and two new lengths to each side. The 'under the seat' pipes should be situated *UNDERNEATH* the level of the air intake in case of a deep dousing - this ensures that the engine cuts out before sucking in water....
- Tyres: Conti Twinduro's or Michelin Deserts seem to be the recommended things depending what conditions you are heading for. Cornwall, the bit of the UK I hail from, is extremely damp & rocky - I find the Conti's ideal with a life of 6 months/2,000 miles before bald.

- Finally, Acerbis tank - the 23 litre tank is lighter than the OEM steel one, gets rid of the annoying and damage prone 'wings' and of course holds 23 litres of fuel (although I've only bunged in 15l max..)

It's a brilliant bike and is so much better of road than it ought to be! - have fun!

Cheers
Bish

He Bish, try Michelin T63. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Conti are rubbish compared to the T63.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

About the "famous fith gear", I would advice at least 4500 rpm.
With the gearing of the later XT's the 5th gear is a bit of an overdrive. Two sprockets more on the rear sprocketwheel makes riding at the ussual cruisingspeeds in Holland (80, 100, 120 km/hour) much more conveniend

Peter

[This message has been edited by peterkik (edited 21 October 2003).]

Hé Peter, I thought that after 1991 there were no 5th gear problems? I have none with my 1992 660 and had none with my 1991 3TB. Later XT600's and 660's all have a short enough final transmission to be able to ride 90 km/h. in 5th gear, certainly not like a 1VJ or 3AJ Ténéré 600.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.