Retromotard: Yamaha XT600 Supermoto

Yamaha XT600 “Funbike” from Warkot Motorcycles…  

The Yamaha XT600 is one of those big, beefy single-cylinder dual-sports that’s as likely to survive the apocalypse as anything on two wheels. The XT featured 10 inches of suspension travel, a 34-inch seat height, and a top speed of ~100 mph. There was no electric starter until the introduction of the XT600E in 1990, while a kickstart-only model persisted for several years due to popular demand.

Back in the 1980s, legendary motorcycle author and journalist Clement Salvadori noticed it was the most popular pick for folks heading to Africa — a pre-digital land without roadside service or a safety net of repair shops. 

“If you really wanted to go someplace rough, like the backroads of many African nations, you needed a bike that was stone reliable. And preferably reasonably light in weight in case it had to be dragged out of a muddy swamp, or put in a canoe should the need arise.” -Clement Salvadori, Rider

The fact the XT600 remained in production until 2003 — nearly 20 years with only minimal changes over the years — is a testament to the bike’s original design. Today, the XT600’s simplicity and ruggedness make it a great donor for custom builds. 

This project comes from brothers Maciej, Mateusz, and Michał of Poland’s Warkot Motorcycles — aka the Vintage Brothers.

“We are brothers who share a passion for classic motors, in particular for old motorcycles from the turn of the 60-80s. It all started in childhood, when our fathers took us for rides on their motorbikes. We also often watched as they were repaired, and the sound of the engine brought back to life and the smell of freshly poured gas immediately made us smile.

Our goal is to build unique and extraordinary machines with a soul, which are used not only to move, but also give a sense of freedom and fun to ride.”

This retro-inspired XT600 supermoto — what you might call a “retromotard” — was built for a friend who’s just starting his motorcycle journey. Fun was a primary emphasis with this build, and the Vintage Brothers hope this machine will turn their friend into a lifelong motorcycle rider and enthusiast.

The resulting “funbike” (as the Warkot boys call it) is a well-rounded, stylish machine that harks back to simpler times, offering the owner nearly limitless riding options. 

“This machine delivers tons of riding fun — it’s agile in tight corners, ideal for urban traffic, but also more than capable on gravel roads and light trails.”

The boys from Poland give us the full story below, along with more photos courtesy of Rafał Gieleciński (@gielecinsky). 

XT600 Retromoto: In the Builder’s Words…

Some time ago, a motorcycle we had never worked on before landed on our workshop bench. The Yamaha XT600 is a solid machine with a reliable engine that holds great potential as a touring bike, an off-roader, or even a funbike. And it was this last concept that became the focus of our latest custom build.

We started the process by stripping the bike down to the bare frame, which turned out to be quite complex in its construction. The new body line began with fitting a fuel tank from a Honda CG125, which we had to cleverly adapt to a frame that incorporates an oil reservoir. We also shortened the rear subframe and fabricated a minimalist seat.

For technical reasons, we kept the original airbox, which required some creative hiding. To achieve this, we crafted handmade side panels, onto which we mounted our logo.

We also made custom fenders that offer effective protection against mud. On top of that, we built a chainguard, exhaust header shield, and a front fender mount — all designed to match the style of the other hand-crafted components.

The bike now rides on supermoto wheels taken from a Yamaha XT660, which underwent a complete restoration: powder-coated Excel rims, reinforced stainless steel spokes, and refurbished hubs. We fitted them with Pirelli MT60RS tires, which perform excellently on asphalt while still handling gravel roads with confidence.

The XT600 now stops just as well as it goes, thanks to a 320mm floating front disc and a 4-piston Brembo caliper. The front master cylinder, also from Brembo, comes from a KTM 690 SM. At the rear, we upgraded the brake disc from 220mm to 245mm. Both front and rear brakes are connected via steel-braided lines for optimal performance.

From the beginning, we envisioned a minimalist color scheme, with black as the dominant theme. The fuel tank, however, provides a tasteful contrast, finished in a color from Audi’s paint palette. Two thin pinstripes running along the tank evoke the retro style that inspired this build.

The engine remains the original unit, having undergone only basic servicing. The carburetors were rebuilt and re-tuned. The bike’s raw character is emphasized by the fact that it’s kickstart-only, and the deep thump of the big single-cylinder engine is amplified by a custom-made stainless steel exhaust silencer, built specifically for this project.

We equipped the motorcycle with a range of high-end components: a custom front headlight with protective grille, minimalist Highsider indicators, an LED taillight, minimalist Highsider mirrors, a Daytona Velona speedometer, and a Domino quick-action throttle.

This machine delivers tons of riding fun—it’s agile in tight corners, ideal for urban traffic, but also more than capable on gravel roads and light trails. We’ve created a motorcycle that’s not only a blast to ride but also dependable and full of unique character.

We’re genuinely proud of this build. The bike was made for a good friend of ours who’s just beginning his motorcycle journey — and we hope this machine helps turn him into a lifelong rider.

Follow the Builders

Web: warkotmotorcycles.com
Instagram: @vintage.brothers
Photos by Rafał Gieleciński (@gielecinsky | @rafal.gielecinski)

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