Raph’s Yamaha XT500

Raph caught the motorcycling bug at an early age, riding on the back of his fathers Yamaha XT500 around the fields at his home in France.
Little did he know that this nostalgic piece of his childhood one day would be his. Since aquiring the bike he hasn't let the soul of the iconic XT500 fade and has made sure it's still been ridden as intended! Whether that's rallying across Europe to Africa from Budapest to Bamako, road-tripping across the Alps and Pyrenees, travelling to wheels and waves or racing in the Malle Miles' 'Hill Climb'.
CameraDan first met Raph when he spotted his bike parked in an alley and left a little note (borderline love letter) on it wanting to know more. It was one of those bikes that you could tell had been used properly and had some stories to tell. So we got it down to the shed and made a quick video about it. Here's Raphs ride, enjoy.

[@Frankies95]

I've inherited the 2002 xt600e from my dad who sadly passed away in November, I'm going to order the larger tank and hopefully plan a trip to Africa and his hometown in Zimbabwe. Nice vid!

[@rob8710]

Rhodesians never die. I hope you ended up making that trip!

[@1990-t1j]

I did three trips to Portugal and back from England and one to Greece. Superb bike.

[@Herzankerkreuz67]

The pure character of this bike as well as her bigger sister the XT600 put modern 'Adventure ' bikes to shame. I rode my XT600 anywhere any time and it was never to heavy nor to delicate to be a really dependable buddy that would pull both of us out of the mud 👍🏍 My advice keep it , it's a treasure !!

[@David-cm4ok]

Yeah, something has been lost when the adventure bikes are 14k and ridden by dudes with hi viz. Good luck to them, they're happy, but I love the simplicity of the older bikes.

[@mohba01]

NEVER EVER SELL IT !

[@madmarv5246]

My first bike was an 83 yamaha xt 550. Love that thing but its a bitch when it kicks back!

[@jde9095]

Great bike, Great story! Fantastic, thank you for sharing.

[@david555montez9]

Gorgeous machine!!!! 😎👌

[@ExtroniusAttributes]

I had one of these back in 1981. Outfitted it with a big tank, better seat and improvised luggage and rode it from Chicago to Moab, toured around on the 4WD trails in the desert. What a great trip, what a great bike! Wish I still had it, though I'm not sure that kick-starter would be all that great with my fake hip!

[@alanmoley320]

Love love love me an xt500! Had two and the second one tried to break my foot many times,it was a bitch still loved it.stripped it over one Xmas and found worn out rings.it was 100 % better after that.they are special bikes though.with e start would be perfect.

[@klausl.2212]

36000 km. (Yes. I know. No mileage but kmage). I always missed my first XT. I bought a second hand good one. In 2001. She is build in 1989. We are stil a couple

[@FordMaverickFanatic]

Awesome stories and awesome bike! I want Raph's shirt! Where can I buy one? '77 XT500 owner here!

[@lawrenceatkinson5884]

You riding to Bamako in Mali is amazing. The bike looks great you've used it the way it's meant to be ridden, I salute you for that.

[@arievianza]

very cool bike :D and with great history

[@mckevikev]

Exactly the same as mine, had it 21 years.

[@paulpride8842]

I just bought one of these exact bikes off a guy and it's been sitting out side for years. brought it home and put gas in it and it fired right up

[@pablomora6725]

The BMW R80 G/S and the Yamaha XT 500 best bikes ever made

[@GurrasGarage]

Thats really cool!

[@irishrover63]

Good to see you here mate. :-)

[@Rob-hx6on]

Nice bike man, I have one myself in need of a little attention but I look forward to getting it back on the road.

[@kyntyckykobra3300]

Xt500 no match for my TT500,I had 2 xt500's,my buddy has 1980 special ordered with racing package Millie kit might be called etc.he was working on my xt500,so he said ride my tt500 I said ok road it,wow we!! It was a beast,sold xt500 bought tt500 different but so alike💪

[@aaronbartle8307]

Great bike and amazing story’s!

[@blairguinea1337]

Wow love that XT Sir, I had one similar colour scheme as your in 1981 ................just a big wow !

[@joesjunkgarage]

Truly wonderful video! I’m going to make mine “Margaret” as well as it was my Grandmother’s name. I also agree......., Margaret Thatcher was very tuff lady! Thank you for taking the time to produce this wonderful video!

[@TristanFerlesch]

My dad also gave me the same exact bike.

[@jmanjman6548]

This are great bikes already a collector

[@Perry_dAccard]

I have that same shirt. Plus one wth an SR.

[@klausl.2212]

I have read the comments. For me, there was only one solution. At my age about 20 i sold my XT500 with a mileage about

[@yollalzgo]

Super cool ride there

[@yeldog11]

Appreciate the family history and the bike. Great story. Thanks!

[@choqui2]

I have a xt500 from 1978. Its cool bike

[@climbmotoadv1550]

Cool cool cool 😎

[@boxingboys]

Kamusta! what raph do in the Philippine islands! did he do some riding here aswell?

[@maximignatyuk9836]

I wonder what mileage it has?

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

Clocks read 92681.

[@mechashiva8328]

I was expecting a lot more miles. Thanks for sharing the bike and the awesome story.

[@rrrrrichard]

As a fellow yamaha 500 rider i want to know where to get one of those shirts Raph is wearing?

[@SuperLaplander]

Sweet bike, thanks for sharing!

[@jusride7]

BRAVO

[@ImLeuff]

How difficult it is to keep one of this going? Parts-wise

[@darkiee69]

Seems to be plenty of parts still. But they're hard to break.

[@The000clash000]

Available but expensive

[@CustomGarageAlsace]

I love XT 500 👍🏻👍🏻

[@mechanicman8687]

82 xt550 never let it go

[@sirehan1002]

This bike aging soo good

[@jeffie0]

What a bike mate, beautiful!

[@jamescole4620]

Where did Ralph get the fuel tank made ?

[@craigbrown2183]

That's the reason I'm reading through the comments, certainly the best long range I've seen

[@emeeul]

Where'd you get that shirt?

[@craigbrown2183]

Kedo

[@keithsage1593]

That's my bike Ralph...I was hit on the road by a 14 year old girl..lost my leg just below my knee.(rt)

[@zannpaci]

he mounted the bike from the wrong side

[@BikeShedMotoCo]

He's French.

[@zannpaci]

Bike Shed Motorcycle Club hahaha!