?

I got a message shortly after I posted previous blog. 

Fully equipped for adventure

YES, this is a Yamaha XT 600 E (for electric) and A (for 1990 model)

This was the only year for this particular model to be sold in Canada.  Many people have never seen one and are very curious when they do.  The USA on the other hand, had them for several years during the '90's and... Europe sold them for many a year.  They were the first 'Tenere' model and came in various guises to mimic the Paris to Dakar factory racers winning several P-D races.

Basically it is an air cooled 4V SOHC* screw type valve adjusters, with a dual carburetor YDIS** intake system.  The one imported to Canada were the final type which Yamaha sold in Canada going back to the mid 70's when they started with the first modern big bore four stroke TT 500.  There had been many changes over the years, formally ending with this one, in '90.  The early models were a pretty good dirt bike but the 90 saw the addition of an Electric leg and the deletion of the kick starter.

Typical trail riding

Lots of people have horror stories about "big singles" breaking legs on kick back, but to be honest, I never had any such instances.  Once turned over from compression, a swift kick would normally do it.  My AZ based XT 350 is a kick start model, but like many four strokes in them days, engines were equipped with either manual or automatic de-compresser, to make it easier.  Even after a years absence, I can normally start my 350 with 2-3 kicks and some times on the first one not counting the real first one that I softly push through to make certain it has not seized.  The key whether your bike is electric or manual starting, is to use stabilizer in the fuel and draining the float bowl, filling it with 'fresh' gas before attempting to still it.

Trevor and I with his kitted older  model veteran KLR somewhere in NB

Anyway getting back to Big Blue... it compares quite well with today's ADV (Adventure Bikes) of today. Interesting to see what the manufactures are building.  Big displacement ADV bikes and small ish) ADV bikes. 

Considering that my XT goes back to 1990, 29 years, and this was just one variation of this model among many Yamaha produced, I can imagine what an update of this type of bike would be like today. I can say this... keep it simple and affordable.

Another one that paid for it's tooling years ago.

Let's speculate shall we.

It's not unusual to sit on a larger displacement ADV with an engine of 1 L or larger, weighing in at 6-700 lbs without rider or passenger.

My kick start only XT 350, with proper gearing is very versatile. Cooler bag, soft saddle bags, these are my small ones. 

My humble XT has proper longer travel (around 9-10") and a relatively light weight (370 claimed lbs from the manual) completely full of fluids and nearly 10" ground clearance with a seat height of 33.7" which is just barely tip toe for moi.  At the rear is a 120/90-17 dual purpose tire while the front is a 90/90-21 on which I have 50/50 tires mounted. (my choice) as this bike has been off road lots in my lifetime.

Never know what you'll come across ADV riding!

The engine produces about 44 BHP give or take and with a 13 L fuel tank and 3.3 L oil in the dry sump oil frame tank, I can get about 230-250 km on the main tank, and around 40-60 km on the reserve.  It's not surprising to return 65-70 miles per CDN gallon. With a total fill-up to reserve time that can exceed several hours, much of which I am riding like an actual 'dirt bike' that's plenty of mileage for me.

For longer rides I use strap on soft bags and some type of tail bag.  I prefer easily and commonly available freezer bags that I can buy at WM cheap and with a couple of frozen bottles to keep my food cool make good sense.

I have a bolt on windshield that is common and cheap.  Takes the pressure on my chests, isn't prone to breaking if I fall over and easily removed if needed.

Aztec ruins... or Mayan? How about New Brunswick!

The 5 speed transmission is a bit of a handicap for longer rides but the 1 tooth over c/s sprocket at least lowers the vibes significantly when riding longer distances on pavement. 5 Gears in those days was common and perfectly acceptable. I typically cruise at about 100-110 kph if I'm faced with longer trips, on freeway type roads.  I prefer the back roads and often I am only traveling at 80 kph or 50 mph where the fuel mileage can occasionally tick near 75 mpg.

Given that the roots of this bike go back nearly 40 years, it works great and has actual highway and gnarly rocky up and down hills or maybe mud holes, capability.

"Really... it was this big!"

Makes me wonder what a modern version would be like.  What it wouldn't be as an overweight, over tall, overpriced pseudo dirt bike like were seeing now.


(even my Suzuki DL 650 when loaded with bags and passenger riding, weighs 600 or more lbs) 

I've traveled Baja in 1998 with my then G/F on an identical bike (wonder if she still has it?) doing much of it off pavement, I've ridden it in the Mohave desert, hauled them from Calgary AB to PEI in 2000 and rode the Cabot Trail among others, and of course the Rocky Mountains of western Canada.

Hopewell Rocks NB

By human standards this XT is about the same "age" as I... and if it keeps up like it has, we will grow into real old timers before it (or I) give it all up and head to that real adventure in the sky, the BIG one!



*single overhead cam
** Yamaha Dual Intake System composed of 1 1/2 carbs!

First ride of the season.

The Baja desert SW US, B.C. Rocky Mountains, Atlantic and much more veteran XT 600. 29 y.o and still a handsome dude. 

SPRING is right around the corner as they say...

Much of our snow cover which by the way began 5 months ago, is gone. There is a feeling a buzz in the air.  Our resident fox(s) have been more active in our yard and the Blue Jays are out in droves.

I took a few days last week to sweep much of the accumulated dirt from my garage and even though it wasn't into double digits as it had the day before, I decided to fire up the XT 600, Blue... and go for a neighborhood spin.  The pavement was wet in spots but there were no ice patches and I was extra careful.  It was chilly but this was really just a teaser.

This has been an awesome bike

Blue fired right up, (all my bikes on are chargers over the winter) and that deep bass thumper and it's 595cc piston, was music to my ears!  Each spring I turn into an (active) motorcyclist again and can't wait to begin the riding season, which in Canada and certainly on the east coast, is too short for my liking. 

Snow melt run off headed for the sea.

I'm actually headed to PHX shortly, and by the time I return, it will be full blown riding season.  Can't wait. 


The run off has swollen the little streams around my rural hood, but that should taper off over the next couple of weeks, if... we don't get plastered which often happens in mid March.

Even though our winter was long, it really wasn't hard.  Using the Cub Cadet blower and Big Bear mounted snow blade, there was no reason to call for help at any point.

That first ride is cold, but refreshing.

THE days are getting longer, daylight savings begun (kind of useless that) and although I did not, again, spend any time on the trials bike restorations or maintenance.  One of these days Alice, one of these days.

I'd much rather be biking.

I'll get some riding in while down south but mostly this trip is to kick start my "move" from the USofA.  Yup, you read that right.  I will be giving up my southwestern trips, other priorities are getting sharper, like Holly's family living in Seattle and as a grand dad, I have to make that a priority.

Maybe I'll have a bike on the west coast... ? Never know what the Dr will come up with next.

In any case, I am sooo looking forward to riding more around the Atlantic coast, there will be more blog and photos to see.

Bikes, and other such motorized items.

Had.

I was recently talking to Manfred, a German National I met in 2008 while transiting Albania.  You think I do adventures stuff.  Ha! Manfred and his friends would put me to shame.  Granted North America is vast by any standards except perhaps the Gobi desert or Siberia, but these guys both men and women, are the real adventure riders.  Always glad to catch up with those that are riding or simply interested in riding and or travel.

One of the most oft questions I get are: what do I ride?  Occasionally someone will ask if I actually own these bikes and what I own or have owned.

I'm going to work on that and do a post soon.  In fact I am headed to the USofA shortly and maybe will do it at that time. 

Stay tuned and remember, when the weather breaks into spring, there will be plenty of hazards on the road... gravel/sand, potholes, driver's that normally can't be bothered to activate their turn signal switch or some that are simply asleep behind the wheel.  Of course let's not forget riders that somehow during the winter hibernation have forgotten that they are responsible for their own safety.

Cheers f

Have.

Spring and another riding season, inches it's way closer.

No... I'm not riding a motorcycle!  It's a posted -31 with the wind chill according to Radio 103 "your Moncton Rock station," as I bypass the growing city on my way to Rothesay N.B. for a late winter visit.

High winds and blowing snow caused poor driving initially

It's been months since I was off the Island and once again on this trip, albeit while driving, I can't help but be impressed with the scenery of the Maritime provinces.  Living in the land of four seasons, the impact I felt driving from the bridge crossing over an ice filled strait, to forests to ancient mountains filled with semi frozen running streams to the little burgs you drive though on the way.

It's obvious to me that there is some prosperity accompanied by a positive buzz in contrast to when I last lived here in the '80's .  Can't quite put a finger on it but the evidence of construction, fewer For Sale signs, newer cars and trucks, lots of traffic in downtown Moncton and St John, the proliferation of funky bistro's, cafe's and of course the chain stores all point to something happn'!

Deer in the back yard Shipyard road

The highway was pretty good once I'd reached the outskirts of Shediac and got better after passing Magnetic Hill.

I drove the Caliber R/T that I bought from Lisa a few years ago, the same car I had found her to buy some years back while we all lived in Calgary, a city that sees winter and often the worst of it and of course sits on the cusp of the Rockies.  The variation in elevation among the city's streets was a natural match for the R/T's AWD system or perhaps vice versa!



I activated the cruise control function on a mostly sparse Trans Canada highway and while sitting comfortably in the right hand lane of the divided road, listening to some familiar music, I was reminiscing on my various bike rides already in this province, which btw, is the only official bi-lingual language province in Canada.

AWD performs well

Normally, when riding my SYM or the Thunderbird or the V Strom or one of my other bikes, the 300 km auto/drive inevitably turns into a 6 or 8 hour ride!

Yesterday, looks like I was lucky to make it across just in the nick of time

When I ride, I never commit to a specific ETA as I often take many of the minor back roads. I may leave the Island at 9 am... and not arrive until dark!

On this drive, I was happy to let the cruise function save me some back pain from keeping the speed via my right foot. It was toasty warm inside the cockpit and with so little traffic, I concentrated on the country-side and kept an eye out for animals, especially deer that inhabit every part of the province.

It was a very pleasant visit, the first off Island for me in months and I'm amazed at my pirate buddy* William, who I simply refer as 'Prince' and how he is growing.  He's almost three and every time I see him he's more talkative and certainly more active.  I am on the lookout for a used PW50, if  you have one and want to sell...

Yup high winds across the Strait, caused delays on the bridge

The Golden's are doing well, it's coming up on two years, and they seem to have adapted to their new life in the Maritimes, both working... found a good day care center a few km from home.  The Outlaws moved down from Windsor (ONT) area adding a couple more new 'immigrants' to the East!

Nice to know that spring officially at least, is a mere 3 weeks away.

I for one, can't wait.  I have plans...

 * ARRrrrrr maties...