When it comes to the XT500, you can't get past XTom.
He knows every washer by its first name.
He has experienced almost everything with his Xts.
The XT500 community knows and appreciates him very much.
They have been in love since 1991 and Tom sees no reason to cheat.
As Tom is a tireless organizer of XT meetings, workshops and especially anniversary-related rides, the XT500 community is very lucky to have Tom around.
Reason enough to make a short moving image portrait of XTom.
Our thanks for the successful film go to KOOL MOTION PICTURES.
Anyone who gets to know Tom will quickly notice three things:
1: XTom manages so much that it quickly gives the impression that he has 24 hours a day at his disposal.
2: XTom is at peace with himself - when others are stressed, Tom manages to resolve the situation calmly and calmly.
3: XTom is extremely helpful.
XTom has probably hosted more May orientation rides than anyone else.
The Zündel family estate has already served as a base on several occasions.
In addition to the many May O rides, regular mechanic meetings and workshops take place here.
On his Old school Website xt-500.de you will find plenty of information about XT meetings, workshops and of course about the XT500.
XTom now shares his screwdriving knowledge via video on our Youtube-Channel.
We have been there for XTom's tips & tricks has created a playlist in which there is always something new to discover.
The first films are online and XTom is still busy producing.
Your suggestions for interesting screwdriver tips are welcome.
Tom has been traveling the world on his XTs for years.
Here are a few tidbits from his many trips and rallies.
We can only present a few highlights from XTom's travels and meetings here.
Just check out XToms Youtube-Playlist.
XTom and Marco take on the Hellas Rally on XT500.
This makes them by far the oldest machines at the start.
For us, it's completely normal that their XTs amaze the rally entourage.
Rally driving: Time, technique and orientation
Once you've driven a rally, you can't get away from it. Demanding endurance sport for pilot and machine. The restriction to classic XT material provides the kick. Just do it.
It was Marco's idea to sign up for this rally because his cousin's wife had signed up ... and she had yet to get her driver's license. This impressed Marco and made him curious at the same time. He asked XTom if he wanted to take part and the two of them signed up.
With Marco's VW T3 Syncro and XTom's trailer, the two of them drove the 2,500 km to Greece and enjoyed a week of rallying. The start and finish of this rally is always in the port of Itea, only on the marathon day everyone stays overnight in Karpenisi. Although the XTs are by far the oldest bikes at the start and the two thought that they would be the last to finish, they left a good 50 of the 250 motorcycles that started behind them. The XTs run like clockwork and cope with the exertions without any problems. Marco breaks his collarbone on day 5 but still rides to the finish on day 7.
It was a really great event - take a look at the pictures and enjoy the detailed report to.
Since XTom has had an XT in California with friends since 2018, it is obvious that further trips will be made with it.
In March 2023, the first Father and Son Tour took place with son Robin, the older of the two Zündel sons. Robin was just under 22 years old at the time.
In 2025 it will be Lasse's turn ... the trip through the west of the USA is already being planned.
Robin and XTom made a small mistake when planning the time of year. They didn't take into account that northern Arizona and the whole of Utah is located on a high plateau at over 2000 meters. Although the two of them were traveling almost exclusively in the desert, it was a very cold trip. They had to contend with snow and ice time and again. Nevertheless, they don't regret a single kilometer and still consider the trip a complete success today. The Ginger brown XT500 - US model from 1977 - was built by Tom for the TAT in 2018 and has since been stored with friend Axel in California. Axel was kind enough to let the father and son team use his blue Reise XT for this trip.
From September 15 to 23, 2022, the KEDO Rally Team - consisting of Lutz Sempner and XTom Zündel - took part in the Rallye des Pionniers (RDP) DAKHLA CLASSIC.
The history: In 2012, Pascal from near Paris founded the "Rallye Raid les Pionnier's de l'Histoire" in memory of the good old DAKAR days. Back then, the route ran through France. After Corona, the organization now offers a format called MOTUL DESERT BIKER. In the style of the "real" Dakar, individual riders can have a typical equipment box transported by the organization and do not need their own service rider. Lutz and XTom have chosen this format.
It was 2018 when Johny from the Belgian XT scene asked our Tom if he wanted to ride in a new event in France. From Versailles to the island of Ile de Ré in three days according to the road book. That sounded good and so the two of them signed up with other friends from Belgium. It was a great orienteering trip that continued every year from then on. Always starting where it ended the previous year. In 2020 and 2021, Lutz and XTom took part as the KEDO Rallye Team and had a lot of fun, as you can see from the pictures.
Watch his movie about this event on YouTube to.
La Transat Verte - France on Stolle - you should have experienced it. Incredibly beautiful and varied landscapes, team spirit and literally divine food and drink. This is what a successful trip on the XT500 looks like.
Corona has the world firmly in its grip. Only a few countries allow unrestricted travel. Italy is one of them. So the Zündel boys decide to go on a tour together on the Italian section of the Trans-Europe-Trail (TET). Robin had passed his driving test a few days before departure and was able to ride his own XT500, while his little brother Lasse was still on board as a passenger.
Of course, the Zündels have an XT500 for their 18th birthday - what else 🙂
Anyone who is part of such an active family can count themselves lucky. A huge gift for everyone. A trip like this forges a bond and will not soon be forgotten. The baton has been passed on and the XT will retain its place as an adventure companion for the next generation.
XTom and his favorite Swiss, Peter Alt, set up two Ginger-XTs at their buddy Axel's place in the USA in order to cross the USA from east to west on the Trans America Trail (TAT).
You can find out whether this was successful on Tom's YouTube playlist.
Peter Alt is the uncrowned king of the Swiss XT500 scene. His collection of perfect machines is legendary. His knowledge of detail is almost infinite.
The Trans America Trail connects the East with the West in the USA over a distance of around 8,000 kilometers. The route is designed to avoid paved roads as far as possible. Ideal for enduro riders. Also ideal for our two XT500 specialists, of course.
After Lutz and Tom had already attended the "Jojo Rally" in 2013 and the "Baja 300 Deutschland" in 2013 and 2014 together, they were keen for more and so the two of them signed up for the Dalmatia Rally in Croatia.
The organization came from Italy, the rally took place in Croatia. The special feature here was that the drivers stayed in a hotel on the beach and the paddock was located in front of the hotel in a small wood. The drivers' briefings were in Italian and lasted 45 minutes each time, while the English briefing afterwards lasted a maximum of 5 minutes. But even the non-Italian-speaking participants crossed the finish line every day.
It was May but it rained for more than one day.
Nevertheless, it was a very cool rally that they both look back on fondly.
The first Paris-Dakar Rally started on December 26, 1978 and reached Dakar on January 14, 1979.
The winner in the motorcycle category was an XT500.
Exactly 30 years after the start of the first Paris-Dakar Rally, one XT rider and eleven XT riders rode from Paris to Dakar to celebrate the victory of the YAMAHA XT500 in 1979.
Once again it was XTom who lured the XT500 community into the saddles with a great idea and organization.
No rally stress, no big fuss, no service vehicles.
Only XT500s with their riders. All participants returned by plane, while a friend brought all the XTs back to Europe by LandCruiser and trailer.
At that time, most TIC-TOKers were not yet born, but Tom had already published two films about this trip on YouTube:
- Part 1 on Youtube
- Part 2 on Youtube
You can also find a detailed report on Tom's own website www.XT-500.de: Paris-Dakar anniversary ride
This is where Tom's passion for rally driving began.
To celebrate the 30th birthday of the XT500, a few Dutchmen come up with the "Heroes Legend". A rally for everyone from Paris to Dakar. Each team consists of exactly one XT500, one 4×4 and three riders. The organizers were able to recruit Paris-Dakar legend Hubert Auriol as race director. Hubert had won the rally three times and acted as Rally Director from 1995 to 2004. With him at the helm, the Heros Legend became a professionally organized event.
For the KEDO team, there was no question that they had to take part in this XT500-only event.
Tom made his Land Rover available, KEDO prepared an XT500 and the KEDO-RALLYE-TEAM with Lutz and Marco was born.
The three of them took turns rotating in the saddle of the XT and the cockpit of the Landy.
Building the KEDO Rallye XT was of course a matter for the boss. Lutz used all his knowledge and that of the KEDO workshop. Countless details were addressed in order to generate the greatest possible reliability. The plan worked. Much of the experience gained from building the first KEDO Rallye XT has flowed into the successors, the three machines Tom Lutz and Marco are still building today.