Which Tenere is better to buy 34L or 3AJ?
 

Hi,
for start, i'm neewbie in motobike world. I usualy travel on my feets, but this year in Vietnam we rent old enduro Minsk for 14 days... I totaly love it, and realize that a bike is great way to travel. Now i want to buy bike for travel in south europe and after i got experince with bike some bigger trips in Africa and Asia.
I do lot of readings and i gues that old 600XTZ Tenere is good choice for me, but i'm not sure which model to buy. I can read diferences on internet, but i cant make decision what is beter. I want just reliable bike, with posibility to repair most of the problems on the way. Prize of both bikes are nearly same, so most of the money will be spend to get it to condition after buy.

34L 1983-85 old good, not to much electric, big gas tank, 20kg smaller weigh...
or
3AJ or latest model 1988-90 with smaller tank, rear disc break, eletric starter...

Can anyone give me some advice which one to chose?

Haven't a huge amount of knowledge about these but i own a 3aj as a field bike until i get to make it road fit. Small things like lack of kick starter an having to bypass neutral safety switch to enable push start are things i found annoying. Have to push start it cause of some slight carb trouble which doesn't seem uncommon. But its a 19 year old bike which hasn't been minded and taken plenty of knocks an keeps going,very very solid. I'm sure someone who knows a lot more can give ya better help!

thx for reply
I got now offer for one 3aj from 1991, its seems well on photos and has been serviced in yamaha official servis. So i think i go see it, after new year :)

I loved my 1984 Tenere (34L) kick only.

If you want an electric start geta newer one - but remember electric starters are for girls!!!

Happy New Year!!!

What about a 1VJ?
 

Everyone - including the Oracle - ie Chris Scott - seems to have a downer on these. Surely they're a good compromise choice, being essentially a single headlight 3AJ with both kick/electric start (and ok, a rear drum brake). Also, because of the bad press, they're cheap! I'm biased, cos I've got one, of course and I think it's great, after a few of the usual mods - I'm :stormy:just waiting for the gearbox to start whining (only got 30,000km on the clock), but then they all do that in the end don't they?:stormy:

I would say the 34l is more 'off road built' . On tarmac a 3aj drives much better, but off road I would prefer the 34L. (I still own a 34L, but sold my 3aj)
The 34L has more ground clearance (which you will like if going seriously off road!) and is easier to 'road maintain'.

The 3aj is much better on tarmac, I think, and off course an e-start. (which can fail, and if in sand or mud; how are you gonna start the bike than??)

Resume:
lots of tarmac, some off road: 3aj
Lots off road, bit of tarmac: 34L

Cheers!

thx all :)

I prefer 34L but it seems impossible to get one for reasonable price, even in bad condition ;( But i dont lose my mind and im still trying to find one for me ;)