hi,i am looking at buying an xt600 for some travels in the outback. other than straight frame/ non smoking engine , what should i be looking for when buying this model.is a noisy head and difficulty finding neutral common?and are the electric starters reliable?
any advice much appreciated,thanks

Do a compression test on the engine, to ensure top end is in good condition. I own an 83 XT600 Tenere and it makes a fair bit of engine noise, from the tappets and camshaft/camchain however this is normal. Not to sure about later models though. Make sure the front brake piston caliper hasn't seized due to rust. See if it smokes up all right in first gear and its a winner.

[This message has been edited by dougM (edited 31 May 2001).]

doug
thanks for that
how do you do a compression test with electric starter?

Jez,

your email address as listed in your profile is bad, mail keeps coming back to me whenever someone posts a reply to your post, instead of going to you to tell you there is a reply to your post. Please correct asap,

thanks,

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

You need a compression tester,and an adapter that fits your spark plug thread. Most car/bike shops have these.
1. Screw in adapter into spark plug hole.
2. Fit tester into adapter.
3. Remove air filter for better air flow
4. Turn off fuel
5. Make sure ignition is off
6. Hold throttle wide open and kick engine over.
Where the needle peaks is the compression of the engine.
If bike doesn't have a kickstarter do one of the following.
A Fit a kickstarter
B Ghostie bike off a cliff into the sea and buy a bike with a kickstarter, since if you plan on hitting the outback you definetely need a kickstarter.

stop!!!
don't throw your bike down a cliff!
you can perform also a pressure test (every good bike-workshop should be able to do this):
- dismount spark-plug
- move piston to upper dead
- mount a special adapter into the spark-plug thread
- with the aid of a compressor, apply about 10 bar pressure
- then watch the manometer, the speed with which the pressure decreases is an indication for the wear of piston / valve-seats.

if the piston is worn, air would come out of the crankcases breathing pipe
if the valves don't close properly, air should come out either through the exhaust pipe or through carburettor (or both)

but of course doug is right, you can't make a fault when you mount a kick-starter, although the e-starters are relaiable (but you never know...)
XT600 is always a good choise!

good luck!
mailto:klaus@xt600.de