Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 1990 Yamaha XT350. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
The Yamaha XT350 was a middleweight dual sport motorcycle produced by the Iwate, Japan based manufacturer that had a solid run of 15 years from 1985 until 2000. Derived from the larger and older XT500, the 350 was a more modern bike all around with its dual overhead cam 4 valve engine and aluminum mono cross suspension. Slotting in neatly between a 250 and 500cc bike it made a good compromise for many people with enough power to keep up on highways and go two up while still being light and maneuverable enough for most riders to handle both on and off the pavement.
Unlike most lightweight dual sports on the market today that are produced on a budget in southeast Asia for global markets, the XT350’s were all built in Japan and like everything else made during the bubble era in Japan where cost was not the main consideration, the quality was excellent. The 346cc air cooled, counter balanced 4 stroke was good for a respectable 28 horsepower on U.S. models (some European bikes came with restrictions in the carb insulators) and it could propel the bike to nearly 90 mph on pavement. If ridden economically, and with the help of its 6 speed transmission it would return near 65 mpg giving the bike decent range from its 3.2 gallon tank. Along with Yamaha’s modern mono cross suspension the bike featured their YDIS carburetor. This was a unique dual carburetor type system feeding a single cylinder. The design enabled better fuel economy at lower RPM’s and lighter throttle settings, while allowing more power up top.
The rest of the bike was quite simple: steel frame, kickstart, minimal electrics, telescopic fork with a disc brake on the 21″ wheel up front and a drum on the 18″ rear wheel. All of this kept the dry weight of the bike under 265 lbs which helped its off-road performance while keeping it very nimble during street duty, and that is the allure of middleweight dual sports: not only are they incredibly versatile, they are just plain fun and easy to ride.
Produced in fairly large numbers and reasonably priced at the time, bikes like the XT350 sold well and many saw years of use as college commuters, weekend trail riding rigs, or general all purpose run-around bikes that were usually well worn. Every once and a while a bike like this slips through the cracks and survives the last 30 years with very low miles and caring owners. The seller of this example (VIN: JYA3NVE0XLA006127) acquired it in November 2020.
Since then he’s covered 117 miles. The odometer shows 1,275 miles.
He is selling it to make room for a Honda CB500X.
Modifications:
BarkBusters (the original bar ends are included).
Battery tender lead. The sale includes the original tool kit.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
Per the owner, there are “minor scratches on right side cover and left air scoop. The decal on the right side cover is aftermarket.”
“The gas tank has very minor rust spots near the top, two very small “pencil mark” scratches left and above of left side air scoop on tank. Extremely minor.”
Recent Maintenance:
The owner states: “brand new TKC80 tires, recent oil change, brake flush. Runs great, starts one to three kicks when cold, one kick when warmed up”.
Inside of the tank:
Currently located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this Yamaha is offered on a clean North Carolina title. Have any XT350 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
