86 XT350 - Decent, or should I save up for something newer?

There is a fairly clean 1986 XT350 locally for sale, I was thinking of a dual purpose for going down some ditches or fire roads.

Anything to watch out for with these? One carb and one cylinder makes it seem pretty easy to work on after the secs, haha.

I assume the suspension will be crap compared to new SMX bikes, so some Ebay parts or revalving will be in order.

 

When you set yourself in motion on a motorcycle you'll get urges to take a ride and go visit a friend or just too take a long ride.

A 350cc Bike isn't the best choice for going distance, ... there's a few Buzz-kills.

Low Power
Fatigue-causing Vibrations
Wishing you had more ponies
Being last in line all the time.

 

Yamaha knows how to build single-cylinder bikes.

Back in the day, I had a couple of SR500s. I wish I hadn't sold the second one, for a whole lot of reasons.

Anyway, they're bulletproof, and the XT/TT series are great fire-road blasters (power line cuts too, right?)

If like a lot of us, you aren't as young as you used to be or not a super-experienced dirt bike rider, I'd highly recommend the 350 over the 500 (or is it a 600 by now?)

"Google" it, and check out the specs online. Then, fire up the parts fiche and see what it's made of: http://www.yamahapartshouse.com/oempart ... ycle/parts

Neat bike. If I had a dirt-riding bone in my body (I don't) I'd seriously consider one. 4-valve motor too; betcha that 350 would kick the original 500 to the curb.

An old bike is an old bike; it will still need some work that you already know about. BUT, if you want to get serious, you can make it sexy:

 

That is a nice bike fitzy!

 

Singles are good fun, light and gutsy, good to have that off the main road ability too.. go on get it you'll enjoy it's different character to that big lump of a 4 cylinder 750 road bike.

 

Yeah it is. NOT MINE, though; just a pic I lifted off the innawebs.

 

I would strongly consider the purchase for the right price. I have a 1974 XL350 in the stable just waiting for a re-commission. I always liked the idea of being able to veer off the highway and scope out a new riding area. I’ve seen some stroker XL350’s that put out decent power too with top speed in neighborhood of 110 mph. Durability, simplicity and gas mileage are definitely a plus on these singles.

 

Re: 86 XT350 - Decent, or should I save up for something new

That XT is one of the best dual sports around. Same bike from -85 till -00 i think it was. There is a reason for that. Not the best at anything, but pretty awesome for what it is. Someone compared it to a mountain goat, will make it trough more or less anything. 6 speed, easy to work on, decent power. Signle carb, dual barrels. Make sure it runs ok on top revs, otherwise it might be the cv part is ripped on barrel nr 2.