Being the owner of a 1984 XT600, I would suggest staying away from a kickstart model. (I am infuenced by the fact that mine is still a bitch to start). That leaves you with post 1990 if you get a non Tenere model, when the XT600E was introduced.
I don't know the detail, but I believe some Tenere models prior to 1990 had electric start.
The wisdom on here suggests the following as a minimum to make your bike long term reliable. It would need the crankcase to be split.
- Replace 5th gear.
- Check the counter balancer bearings carefully.
- Probably fit a new voltage regulator - especially important on an electric start bike.
- Possibly a cam chain and tensioner (I haven't read anything about them failing though).
- Check compression and rebore if required.
Other than that (and others will add to the list), congratulations on choosing one of the most bullet proof bikes ever made.
A Polish guy I was talking to at work reckons it is up there with the Honda C90 for reliablilty. And they love their XT550 and XT600s.
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