Licks Cycles: Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré

80s Rally Bike from The Kickback Firm…

On the 1985 Paris Bike Present, Yamaha unveiled the second-generation XT600Z Ténéré 1VJ — a motorcycle meant to be even nearer to the corporate’s manufacturing facility rally bikes. As chances are you’ll know, the Ténéré was named after probably the most grueling Saharan stage of the Paris-Dakar Rally:

“Tenere — or because the French write it: Ténéré — is among the many Tuareg phrases for ’vacancy’ or ‘desert’. The extra acquainted Arabic Sahra [Sahara] means the identical factor, however just like the Inuit and their snow, the nomads of the Sahara distinguish between many varieties of desert and areas. The Tenere is a very desolate and waterless flat expanse which fills the northeast nook of Niger.” –Journey Motorcycling

The XTZ 1VJ changed the unique Ténéré 55W, and modifications included firmer suspension, a rally-style air filter situated beneath the again of the tank, a 24-liter (6.3-gallon) tank, and 46 bhp from the four-valve SOHC single-cylinder engine. The bike is one thing of a legend amongst followers of the outdated Paris Dakar bikes and large thumpers basically.

That’s the place our new good friend Wes (@kickbackwes) of The Kickback Firm is available in.

“I’m…an entire thumper addict. I particularly have a love for late ‘70s and ‘80s enduro bikes with Dakar historical past. I personal a number of completely different fashions and have began a way of life model round them as @bringthekickback.”

We’d been following and loving what Wes is doing for a while. So when Wes reached out about that includes one among his beloved thumpers, we mentioned, “Hell sure!” The bike you see right here is definitely a model we’d by no means heard of, an ’89 XT600Z Ténéré 2RW. Says Wes:

“It appears like a 1VJ mannequin (1986-1987) nevertheless it’s truly a 2RW from 1989. A particular model solely made in Switzerland and the Netherlands. “

Wes purchased the bike in non-running situation from a “Belgium legend” and got down to create his final dual-sport for off-road day journeys and longer tenting adventures. In fact, the look is straight out of the Paris-Dakar archives:

“The design is influenced by the Sonauto Dakar fashions from 1985 sponsored by Gauloises Blonde, ridden by Jean Claude Oliver. We’ve mixed that look with some trendy age efficiency based mostly upgrades to create that rally trim.”

Upgrades embrace a rally tower, taller and higher suspension, customized pannier racks, an arsenal of rally elements just like the crash bars and barkbusters, a Dakar-replica exhaust, and naturally the beautiful Sonauto colour scheme. The engine was additionally fully rebuilt to alleviate the 1VJ’s identified overheating points, because the outdated 55W fashions have been identified to be a bit extra bulletproof.

Whereas the 600 Ténéré may not be as highly effective as right now’s rally bikes, this 80s brute is a surefire smile-maker:

“It’s an absolute pleasure! You actually really feel like an ‘80s Dakar legend. Sadly it doesn’t enhance my driving abilities to that diploma…nevertheless it doesn’t get the smile off my face.”

Under, we speak to Wes for the total story on his Ténéré. When you like thumpers, we strongly encourage you to observe @bringthekickback for many 80s big-single motion!

Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré: Builder Interview

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

My identify is Wes (@kickbackwes), I’m the proprietor of The Kickback Firm and an entire thumper addict. I particularly have a love for late ‘70s and ‘80s enduro bikes with Dakar historical past. I personal a number of completely different fashions and have began a way of life model round them as @bringthekickback.

• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?

The bike is a Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré. It appears like a 1VJ mannequin (1986-1987) nevertheless it’s truly a 2RW from 1989. A particular model solely made in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Mainly a 1VJ with a pair minor modifications.

• Why was this bike constructed? (Buyer venture, firm promotion, private, and so forth.)

This bike was constructed to be the final word dual-sport bike to trip on off-road day journeys, but additionally longer journeys with tenting.

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

The design is influenced by the Sonauto Dakar fashions from 1985 sponsored by Gauloises Blonde, ridden by Jean Claude Oliver. We’ve mixed that look with some trendy age efficiency based mostly upgrades to create that rally trim.

• What customized work was executed to the bike?

The bike has received an alloy rally tower, customized paint job, customized baggage racks, and quite a lot of rally elements like crash bars, higher and better suspension, and a Dakar reproduction exhaust. Other than that, the engine has been fully rebuild and upgraded, because the 1VJ has some manufacturing facility difficulties which have been fully eliminated.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

I name the bike “Pino,” as a result of large fowl from Sesame Road within the Netherlands is blue and makes me consider this chunky piece of historical past.

• Any concept of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?

The bike had an unique HP of 42. Its weight is 175kg carrying 24 liters of gasoline. It’s an ‘80s bike nevertheless it has loads of energy and pace to tug you up obstacles.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s prefer to trip this bike?

It’s an absolute pleasure! It tremendous excessive and the positioning may be very comfortable. You actually really feel like an ‘80s Dakar legend. Sadly it doesn’t enhance my driving abilities to that diploma. It’s a little heavy on prime due to the gasoline capability and rally tower, which does make it a bit extra of a ache driving in comfortable sand or moist clay. But it surely doesn’t get the smile off my face.

• Was there something executed throughout this construct that you’re notably pleased with?

I’d purchased the bike off a Belgium legend. Non-running correctly however already fitted with this superior rally tower. I actually benefit from the look and efficiency of it. I’m actually pleased with bringing that rally vibe with the paint job along with that look. The tuning of the carb and engine took eternally however the end result now’s spectacular.

• Is there anybody you’d prefer to thank?

I’ve to thank Motoritz for his work on the engine. She runs so clean now. Additionally Sander who helped welding the customized pannier rack that hauls the sidebags in excellent kind.