THIS CLASSIC 1988 YAMAHA XT500 MUST BE THE LOWEST MILEAGE IN THE WORLD - IT'S NEVER EVEN BEEN ASSEMBLED!
Imagine stumbling over a brand-new, unrestored classic bike, one that is still fresh from the crate, labelled with zero kilometres on the odometer, and nearly four decades old. Welcome to this absolute unicorn: a 1988 Yamaha XT500, presented in its original storage crate, unassembled, unused, and registered in France. One glance at the odometer reads 0 km - yes, it’s literally never been ridden. The XT500, built from 1975 to 1989, is one of Yamaha’s most legendary dual-sport models - a reliable, rugged machine born for both asphalt and adventure. The example up for grabs started its life at Leuridan Motos et Cycles, a Paris-based dealer, likely manufactured in 1986 as a French-market model and finally registered in September of 1988. It’s earned its “time warp” status, perfect for riders who want beauty, history, and legend all in one.
This XT500 is a legend on two wheels. In the inaugural 1979 Paris–Dakar Rally, of the 90 motorcycles that started, a staggering 38 were XT500s. Of those, two of the top three finishers rode XT500s - including the winner, Cyril Neveu, and runner-up Gilles Comte. In the 1980 edition, XT500s swept the top four podium spots, owning the dominance. The XT’s simple yet robust single-cylinder 499cc four-stroke engine, spoked 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, long-travel suspension, and bash plate made it the desert conqueror. It became the godfather of the modern adventure bike movement, spawning the legendary Ténéré lineage. What makes this particular XT500 extraordinarily rare is that it was never built, left crated, with zero mileage, and only registered later in 1988. For VAT purposes, it’s treated as 'as new', meaning it hasn’t lost its value whatsoever - a dream for any collector.
Specs recap:
499cc single-cylinder 4-stroke, 5-speed gearbox
Enduro-ready with high ground clearance and rugged build
Crate-stored, assembly required
Zero km, registered in France - VAT status applies
Provenance:
First supplied to Parisian dealer Leuridan Motos et Cycles
Likely built in 1986, registered in September 1988
This XT500 isn’t just rare, it’s historically significant and really should be found housed in a museum. It played a starring role in the era that created the adventure-motorcycle craze. Without riders like Cyril Neveu winning Dakar in an XT, the adventure genre as we know it might’ve never taken shape. Its fearless simplicity and desert dominance still resonate with riders today.
If you're a collector or riding obsessive, this time machine is waiting to become whatever you dream. Want a stripped-down rally rig or a fully restored showpiece? It’s a blank canvas with pedigree. We secretly hope the bike will forever remain in its shipping packaging. It's expected to fetch up €25,000, or about R515,000, at an upcoming RM Sotheby's auction.
Take a look at the YouTube video from old Isaac Johnston as he goes through a classic XT500 that admittedly has a whole lot more mileage on it than the zero-kilometre example offered up by RMSothebys: The Yamaha XT500. Are Vintage Enduro Motorcycles Any Good? | Isaac Johnston
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