1981 Yamaha XT200 with 2000 miles

[Ravenwoods]

I've been looking for a used Yamaha dual sport bike. There is a 1981 XT200 with 2000 miles on it that has been stored in a garage and the guy is asking $1200. His uncle bought it new. I haven't been able to find much information online about the XT200. I get the impression they did not make it for many years and that parts would be hard to get. I'm going out to look at this bike this evening. The guy says it looks new. Does any one know what years it was made? I'm assuming it has a five speed transmission. I'm a little bit hesitant to pay $1200 for it if parts are hard to get. Any suggestions on what it might be worth? How about reliability?

[QuickMick]

It all depends on what "Looks New" is. I wouldnt think just because its a 81 parts would be hard to get. Im sure many of the parts on that bike carried on to other newer bikes anyway, or that bike model stayed the same for quite a few years.

If you do get it, check the tires, I bet they are bad. I would change every fluid in that bike, but be ready for things to start wearing out quick. From brake lines to oil seals. Some sprocket shaft and shift seals you can replace without tearing into the motor, you just have to know how to. Dry rot in the seat, grips and even in the plastic can happen.

So worst case senerio you might have to dump another 500 in it to get it to really Like New. Im sure the motor is fine after all it is a Yamaha.

Post up some pics after you go look at it. even if you dont buy it.

Mick

[dondeere]

I have a 1986 BW 200 needed CDI last year ($300.00 w/tax) ,still available from Yamaha. Also had to make a muffler for it. Check out bikebandit.com . Honestly I would keep my money in my pocket on a 1981. If you think you really need it offer $ 400 and leave your phone number.

[Ravenwoods]

When I got there to look at it, there were two people already ahead of me drooling over it. The first guy had come to look at the four-wheeler ATV that was also for sale, but decided to take the Yamaha XT200 instead. He bought it without even starting it up or taking it for a test drive. The bike was in immaculate condition. The seller said it had belonged to his uncle. His uncle had hand crafted a beautiful rack for above the rear tire. Looked professionally made. The original tires were still good, the seat looked like new. Everything great. The seller started it up and it ran beautifully. The buyer had come in a car and had no way to get it home so I offered to deliver it to his home with my truck. So I followed him to his place. After unloading the truck I gave him my telephone number and told him to call me if he decided it was too small for him. I've been watching Craigslist religiously and dual sport bikes below $2000 are just getting snapped up and very few are offered for sale. Anyway, exactly two weeks later the buyer phoned me and said he saw another bike on Craigslist he really wanted. I think it was more a street bike and said I could have the XT200 for the same price he paid for it. He had changed the oil, put in a new spark plug, bought a new battery--even though the old battery still works great. So I went down and test drove it and bought it. I've put on about 400 miles since then. This last weekend I took it down to Chitina, Alaska to do dipnetting for Red Salmon in the Copper River. There is a four-wheeler trail that runs near the river that I used. I mounted a large milk crate on the rack to carry fish in. I drove in about 3.5 miles and many spots in the trail were very challenging. One spot only an ATV can go over. I had to dismount, unload the fish, push the front wheel up on the ledge and then lift the back wheel up. Anyway my buddy and I caught 41 fish (two of them were king salmon). My last run I carried 6 fish in the crate and 5 in my backpack. Anyway the XT200 performed very well.

Apparently the uncle had taken care of the bike very well and always kept it in his garage. Our sun up here in Fairbanks, Alaska is not so intense so things like rubber and plastics do not degrade as fast. He must have driven it some each summer and stored it properly each winter. Our summers are short too, so that limits the time you can drive it each year.

[brad321]

Yamaha is one of the best bike holding series