Yamaha XT 500 1977 - Test 2023

Test ride of Yamaha XT 500 (1977) in Finnish countryside.
It was a wonderful experience. Ville owns a true classic.

[@9917794]

Drove one 77' model from London to Athens back in 1979.. The best trip of my bike life!!!!

[@James-dt7ky]

My '76 XT500 enjoyed this video.

[@BruceHoult]

It seems weird to me that there are a lot of XT500 and XL500S videos on youtube but almost nothing with TT500 and XR500. I felt that here in New Zealand the TT and XR were *much* more popular. They had significant'y more power, and lighter weight. Unlike in some countries, in NZ you could very cheaply add a mirror, lights, and number plate mount and be road legal. My first bike was a 1974 XL350, which was the big bore of the time. I got mine in 1980, and in 1981 and 1982 I rode it 200 miles between my parents' home and university (every term, not every day!). The XT/TT 500 came out a couple of years later with a little more HP but a lot more torque! And then a couple of years later again the new-gen XL/XR came out with a significant power increase. The XL250S was only 2 HP less than the XL350, but the XR250 was either 2 HP more (24) or 8 HP (30) more depending on what web site you believe. I *think* the difference came down to some countries (NZ probably) selling them standard with, and some (USA probably) without Honda's factory +5 HP kit. I had a 1980 XR250 in 1983. The original owner had raced it in local enduro events and it may have had more done to it -- I don't know. What I know was it was a rocket ship! I had friends with the Yamahas and we swapped a bit. I didn't get huge experience on them, but I do remember the TT500 being an absolute dream to wheelie from the moment I got on it. I don't know if it was just more torque right from down low or something about the balance too, but you just had to think about it and the front wheel was lofting.

[@marcomaniac2909]

They all are quite rare here in Finland😊

[@spanky8164]

I brought my XT 500D in 1977 as my first road registered bike. I commuted on it, trail rode it on weekends, travelled two up on it too. Only issue I ever had was premature wear of the top end, valve stems pitting, cam and rocker arm wearing too. Anyway I loved that bike and wish I still had it.

[@guygauthier4251]

quelle belle balade sur une très belle moto. J'ai possédé une 500XT de 1976 à 1981 et parcouru de nombreux kms sur route et tout terrain sans problèmes, que de beaux moments passés sur cette moto de légende ! A cette époque nous étions 6 - 7 copains à rouler sur 500 XT (modèles 1976 et 1977) , on s'est vraiment amusés avec !

[@carloscardova4221]

Love at first sight for me in 1977 when I Set eyes on the XT still in school and didn't make enough money to afford the Bike . But when the '80s Rolled in it was XT Yamaha Bliss. What a ride Yo Thank you bro, Awesome Scenery Go,go,go XT

[@hansruedischnider8280]

The real feeling was to ride offroad....it was arealy great time..

[@philipashley9717]

Had the exact bike back in 1978 aged 18yrs old, what a fantastic machine,got 90mpg and did wheelies for fun,great video😊

[@marcomaniac2909]

we are about the same age but I didn't have that opportunity then😊Better late than never!

[@cmdr.sypher1820]

I had one of these brand new in 77. Turned into a Supermoto long before that phrase ever existed. Would give anything to have a new one today for my stable.

[@dannydoyle8169]

Had a ride on a couple of these 40 years ago, always liked big singles, XT 500, SP 370 (which I think is comparable with the XT) . Just bought a Gas Gas ES700, wooah! Different kettle of fish altogether!

[@marcs1212]

Wow fantastic roads and scenery, great bike have a 79 myself.

[@marcomaniac2909]

Thank you! You are lucky one😄

[@stefanxt350-il8ku]

what a beauty :-)

[@marcomaniac2909]

Yes it is! It's not mine but I'm happy for my friend😊

[@widowmakerv2]

Wow best video ever of the reality of being out on the road with the xt500 i can relate i will soon have my 1978 Yamaha Dt175mx on the road i think i will take it into Germany nicer roads than the Netherlands 😊

[@jimmarshall807]

Super-cool bike

[@richardho5955]

Kick all the way through the kick stroke…if you don’t and it kicks you back, you’ll need a pair of crutches…I’ve owned a’77 since new, trust me…ride safe! 🇿🇦🏍️👍

[@jrbaeronz9840]

Correct timing is the important thing ,- my XT500C Enduro (bought 77 at 1200miles on Norfolk Island and shipped back to NZ) nearly broke my ankle kicking back,- had to ride 15km back home 1 legged (got someone else to start it) sounded like a shotgun going off. Found the timing was too far advanced, set it properly and never had another kickback. Another problem was the kick starter disengaging ramp inside the cover, which on mine was snapped off. It lifts the kick lever out of engagement at the end of the stroke, preventing kickbacks. Best bike I ever owned,- so much torque, you hardly needed to change gear on a trip.

[@marcomaniac2909]

Thank you! I agree you both👍

[@hectorgarzon4438]

es la mejor moto que fabrico yamaha la XT 500 y la TT 500

[@travisbryson6948]

I have my mint condition xt500 1977 for sale in Essex uk. £9000