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7-3
EWA00001
wMake sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes and tires. If nec-
essary, clean the brake discs and
linings with a regular brake disc
cleaner or acetone, and wash the
tires with warm water and mild
soap. Then, carefully test the
motorcycle for its braking perfor-
mance and cornering behavior.
ECA00013
cC8
8
Apply spray oil and wax spar-
ingly and wipe off any excess.
8 8
Never apply oil or wax on rub-
ber and plastic parts, but treat
them with a suitable care prod-
uct.
8 8
Avoid using abrasive polish-
ing compounds as they wear
away the paint.
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
NOTE:
Consult a Yamaha dealer for advice
on what products to use.
After cleaning
1.Dry the motorcycle with a
chamois or an absorbing cloth.
2.Immediately dry the drive chain
and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3.Use a chrome polish to shine
chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts, including the exhaust
system. (Even the thermally
induced discoloring of stainless-
steel exhaust systems can be
removed through polishing.)
4.To prevent corrosion, it is recom-
mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all (even
chrome- and nickel-plated) metal
surfaces.
5.Use spray oil as a universal
cleaner to remove any remaining
dirt.
6.Touch up minor paint damage
caused by stones, etc.
7.Wax all painted surfaces.
8.Let the motorcycle dry complete-
ly before storing it or covering it.
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7-4
a.Remove the spark plug cap and
spark plug.
b.Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil
into the spark plug bore.
c.Install the spark plug cap onto
the spark plug and place the
spark plug on the cylinder head
so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d.Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder wall with oil.)
e.Remove the spark plug cap from
the spark plug, install the spark
plug and then the spark plug
cap.
EWA00003
wWhen turning the engine over, be
sure to ground the spark plug elec-
trodes to prevent damage or injury
from sparking.
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
1
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
StorageShort-term
Always store your motorcycle in a
cool, dry place and, if necessary, pro-
tect it against dust with a porous
cover.
ECA00014
cC8
8
Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cov-
ering it with a tarp while it is
still wet will allow water and
humidity to seep in and cause
rust.
8 8
To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
Long-termBefore storing your motorcycle for
several months:
1.Follow all the instructions in the
ÒCareÓ section of this chapter.
2.Drain the carburetor float cham-
ber by loosening the drain bolt;
this will prevent fuel deposits
from building up. Pour the
drained fuel into the fuel tank.
3.Only for motorcycles equipped
with a fuel cock which has an
ÒOFFÓ position: Turn the fuel
cock to
ÒOFFÓ.
4.Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
5.Perform the following steps to
protect the cylinder, piston rings,
etc. from corrosion.
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7-5
MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
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2
3
4
5
67
8
9
6.Lubricate all control cables and
the pivoting points of all levers
and pedals as well as of the
sidestand/centerstand.
7.Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, then raise
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground.
Alternatively, turn the wheels a
little every month in order to pre-
vent the tires from becoming
degraded in one spot.
8.Cover up the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering.9.Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and recharge it once a
month. Do not store the battery
in an excessively cold or warm
place (less than 0¡C or more
than 30¡C). For more informa-
tion, see
ÒBattery storageÓ in the
chapter ÒPERIODIC MAINTE-
NANCE AND MINOR
REPAIRSÓ.
NOTE:
Make any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 7~9 12/27/00 1:30 PM Page 6
Page 84 of 96
SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications.....................................................................................8-1
HOW TO USE THE CONVERSION TABLE.......................................8-5
8
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Page 85 of 96

SPECIFICATIONS
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2
3
4
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9
Specifications
ModelXT500E/XT600E
Dimensions
Overall length2,220 mm
2.295 mm (N, S, CH only)
Overall width865 mm
825 mm (CH only)
Overall height1,205 mm
Seat height855 mm
Wheel base1,440 mm
Minimum ground clearance230 mm
Minimum turning radius2,300 mm
Basic weight (with oil and full
fuel tank)176 kg
172 kg (CH only)
Engine
Engine typeAir-cooled 4-stroke, SOHC,
gasoline
Cylinder arrangementForward inclined single
cylinder
Displacement499 cm
3
595 cm
3
Bore
´Stroke87.0 ´84.0 mm (XT500E)
95.0 ´84.0 mm (XT600E)
Compression ratio8.5:1
Starting systemElectric starter
Lubrication systemDry sumpEngine oil
Type
Recommended engine oil
classificationAPI Service SE, SF, SG type
or higher
cCBe sure to use motor oils that do not contain anti-friction
modifiers. Passenger car motor oils (often labeled
ÒEnergy ConservingÓ) contain anti-friction additives which
will cause clutch and/or starter clutch slippage, resulting in
reduced component life and poor engine performance.
Capacity
Periodic oil change2.7 L
With oil filter replacement2.8 L
Total amount3.3 L
EAU01038
SPECIFICATIONS
8-1
–10° 0° 10° 20° 30°
40°
SAE 10W/30
SAE 10W/40
SAE 20W/40
SAE 20W/50
–20°
SAE 15W/40 50°C
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Page 86 of 96

SPECIFICATIONS
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2
3
4
5
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9
8-2 Air filterDry type element
Fuel
TypeRegular unleaded gasoline
Fuel tank capacity15 L
Reserve amount2 L
Carburetor
Type/quantityY26PV/1
ManufacturerTEIKEI
Spark plug
Type/ManufacturerDPR8EA-9 or DPR9EA-9/NGK
Spark plug gap0.8 ~ 0.9 mm
Clutch typeWet, multiple-disc
Transmission
Primary reduction systemSpur gear
Primary reduction ratio74/31 (2.387) (XT500E)
71/34 (2.088) (XT600E)
Secondary reduction systemChain drive
Secondary reduction ratio38/15 (2.533) (XT500E)
45/15 (3.000) (XT600E)
Transmission typeConstant mesh 5-speed
OperationLeft foot operationGear ratio1st2.583
2nd1.588
3rd1.200
4th0.954 (XT500E)
0.955 (XT600E)
5th0.792
Chassis
Frame typeDiamond
Caster angle27.75¡(XT500E)
27¡45Õ (XT600E)
Trail120 mm
Tire
TypeWith tube
Front
Size90/90-21 54S
Manufacturer/BRIDGESTONE/TW47
modelDUNLOP/TRAIL MAX L
Rear
Size120/90/17 64S
Manufacturer/BRIDGESTONE/TW48
modelDUNLOP/TRAIL MAX
Maximum load*176 kg (XT500E)
180 kg (XT600E)
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Page 87 of 96
SPECIFICATIONS
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2
3
4
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9
Air pressure (cold tire)
up to 90 kg load*
Front150 kPa (1.50 kg/cm
2, 1.50 bar)
Rear150 kPa (1.50 kg/cm2, 1.50 bar)
90 kg load ~ Maximum
load*
Front150 kPa (1.50 kg/cm2, 1.50 bar)
Rear225 kPa (2.25 kg/cm2, 2.25 bar)
Off-road riding
Front125 kPa (1.25 kg/cm2, 1.25 bar)
Rear125 kPa (1.25 kg/cm2, 1.25 bar)
High speed riding
Front150 kPa (1.50 kg/cm2, 1.50 bar)
Rear150 kPa (1.50 kg/cm2, 1.50 bar)
* Load is total weight of cargo, rider, passenger and accessories.
Wheels
Front
TypeSpoke wheel
Size21 ´1.85
Rear
TypeSpoke wheel
Size17 ´MT2.50 Brakes
Front
TypeSingle disc brake
OperationRight hand operation
FluidDOT 3 or DOT 4
Rear
TypeSingle disc brake
OperationRight foot operation
FluidDOT 4
Suspension
Front
TypeTelescopic fork
Rear
TypeSwingarm (new monocross)
Shock absorber
FrontCoil spring/oil damper
RearCoil spring/gas-oil damper
Wheel travel
Front225 mm
Rear200 mm
8-3
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SPECIFICATIONS
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8-4 Electrical
Ignition systemT.C.I. (Digital)
Charging system
TypeA.C. magneto
Standard output14 V, 13.5A@5,000 rpm
Battery
TypeYTX9-BS
Voltage, capacity12 V, 8 AH
Headlight bulb typeHalogen bulb
Bulb voltage, wattage ´quantity
Headlight12 V, 60/55W ´1
Tail / brake light12 V, 5/21W ´1
Auxiliary light12 V, 4W ´1
12 V, 3.4W ´1 (GB only)
Front flasher light12 V, 21W ´2
Rear flasher light12 V, 21W ´2
Meter light12 V, 3.4W ´1
Neutral indicator light12 V, 3.4W ´1
High beam indicator light12 V, 3.4W ´1
Turn indicator light12 V, 3.4W ´1
Fuse
Main20A
4PT-9-E6 (ENG) 7~9 12/27/00 1:30 PM Page 11