Source: Bike Bound
80s Rally Bike from The Kickback Company…
At the 1985 Paris Motorcycle Show, Yamaha unveiled the second-generation XT600Z Ténéré 1VJ — a bike intended to be even closer to the company’s factory rally bikes. As you may know, the Ténéré was named after the most grueling Saharan stage of the Paris-Dakar Rally:
“Tenere — or as the French write it: Ténéré — is one of the many Tuareg words for ’emptiness’ or ‘desert’. The more familiar Arabic Sahra [Sahara] means the same thing, but like the Inuit and their snow, the nomads of the Sahara distinguish between many types of desert and regions. The Tenere is a particularly desolate and waterless flat expanse which fills the northeast corner of Niger.” –Adventure Motorcycling
The XTZ 1VJ replaced the original Ténéré 55W, and changes included firmer suspension, a rally-style air filter located beneath the back of the tank, a 24-liter (6.3-gallon) tank, and 46 bhp from the four-valve SOHC single-cylinder engine. The bike is something of a legend among fans of the old Paris Dakar bikes and big thumpers in general.
That’s where our new friend Wes (@kickbackwes) of The Kickback Company comes in.
“I’m…a complete thumper addict. I specifically have a love for late ‘70s and ‘80s enduro bikes with Dakar history. I own several different models and have started a lifestyle brand around them as @bringthekickback.”
We’d been following and loving what Wes is doing for some time. So when Wes reached out about featuring one of his beloved thumpers, we said, “Hell yes!” The bike you see here is actually a version we’d never heard of, an ’89 XT600Z Ténéré 2RW. Says Wes:
“It looks like a 1VJ model (1986-1987) but it’s actually a 2RW from 1989. A special version only made in Switzerland and the Netherlands. “
Wes bought the bike in non-running condition from a “Belgium legend” and set out to create his ultimate dual-sport for off-road day trips and longer camping adventures. Of course, the look is straight out of the Paris-Dakar archives:
“The design is influenced by the Sonauto Dakar models from 1985 sponsored by Gauloises Blonde, ridden by Jean Claude Oliver. We’ve combined that look with some modern age performance based upgrades to create that rally trim.”
Upgrades include a rally tower, taller and better suspension, custom pannier racks, an arsenal of rally parts like the crash bars and barkbusters, a Dakar-replica exhaust, and of course the gorgeous Sonauto color scheme. The engine was also completely rebuilt to alleviate the 1VJ’s known overheating issues, as the old 55W models were known to be a bit more bulletproof.
While the 600 Ténéré might not be as powerful as today’s rally bikes, this 80s brute is a surefire smile-maker:
“It’s an absolute joy! You really feel like an ‘80s Dakar legend. Unfortunately it doesn’t improve my riding skills to that degree…but it doesn’t get the smile off my face.”
Below, we talk to Wes for the full story on his Ténéré. If you like thumpers, we strongly encourage you to follow @bringthekickback for lots of 80s big-single action!
Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Wes (@kickbackwes), I’m the owner of The Kickback Company and a complete thumper addict. I specifically have a love for late ‘70s and ‘80s enduro bikes with Dakar history. I own several different models and have started a lifestyle brand around them as @bringthekickback.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
The bike is a Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré. It looks like a 1VJ model (1986-1987) but it’s actually a 2RW from 1989. A special version only made in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Basically a 1VJ with a couple minor changes.
• Why was this bike built? (Customer project, company promotion, personal, etc.)
This bike was built to be the ultimate dual-sport bike to ride on off-road day trips, but also longer trips with camping.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The design is influenced by the Sonauto Dakar models from 1985 sponsored by Gauloises Blonde, ridden by Jean Claude Oliver. We’ve combined that look with some modern age performance based upgrades to create that rally trim.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The bike has got an alloy rally tower, custom paint job, custom luggage racks, and a lot of rally parts like crash bars, better and higher suspension, and a Dakar replica exhaust. Apart from that, the engine has been completely rebuild and upgraded, as the 1VJ has some factory difficulties which have been completely removed.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
I call the bike “Pino,” because big bird from Sesame Street in the Netherlands is blue and makes me think of this chunky piece of history.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
The bike had an original HP of 42. Its weight is 175kg carrying 24 liters of fuel. It’s an ‘80s bike but it has plenty of power and speed to pull you up obstacles.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s an absolute joy! It super high and the positioning is very comfy. You really feel like an ‘80s Dakar legend. Unfortunately it doesn’t improve my riding skills to that degree. It is a little heavy on top because of the fuel capacity and rally tower, which does make it a bit more of a pain riding in soft sand or wet clay. But it doesn’t get the smile off my face.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’d bought the bike off a Belgium legend. Non-running properly but already fitted with this awesome rally tower. I really enjoy the look and performance of it. I’m really proud of bringing that rally vibe with the paint job together with that look. The tuning of the carb and engine took forever but the result now is spectacular.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I have to thank Motoritz for his work on the engine. She runs so smooth now. Also Sander who helped welding the custom pannier rack that hauls the sidebags in perfect form.
More Photos
Follow the Builder
Owner: @kickbackwes, head of @bringthekickback.
Web: www.bringthekickback.com.
Full review of the bike on youtube.com/@bringthekickback
