YAMAHA XT 600 Tenere (1982-2003) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Yamaha XT 600 was an all-purpose machine made by Yamaha from 1984 until 2003. The bike was produced in several different versions and could handle both paved and unpaved roads. It also represented a significant improvement over the 1975 Yamaha XT 500 model.

In 1982, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Yamaha XT 600 Tenere, packing the same specifications as the base model but with several visual modifications, including white with red chain blocks like Yamaha's brand colors and blue with black chain blocks, inspired by Yamaha Motor France racing team.

Alongside its visual improvements, the bike also brought a lot of innovations to the Enduro segment, with a front 267 mm brake disc instead of the standard drum unit and a progressive mono cross suspension system with an aluminum swingarm, providing 234 mm wheel travel.

In the visual department, the bike had standard features, such as a high-mounted front fender, a small rectangular headlight integrated into a small cowl, a one-piece dual seat, a small luggage rack, a high-mounted exhaust system, an engine plate, and wire-spoke wheels with off-road tires.

At its core, the 1982 Yamaha XT 600 Tenere had installed a 595cc four-stroke single-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 38 hp at 6,000 rpm and 52 Nm (38 lb-ft) torque at 5,750 rpm.