Road legal XRs?

[pervert]

How many of you ride road legal Honda XR's?

I've come to the realisation after trying out a fair few 'road style' bikes that I don't like them much...if at all...I want to go back to what I know and get another dirt bike...only one I can ride to work.

My mate has a KTM525, and as much as I love that...the maintenance/parts on that thing is nothing but $$$ so I want a trusty XR.

I would probably go for the XR400, or even 600...

Could people knowledgable on these bikes when used on-road please discuss so you can sway my decision.

Also, how do they handle longish trips (i.e. 300 + kms in a day)?

Cheers.

[merv]

I had 80's vintage XR's and they were bullet proof.

I returned to the clan with a new XR250L I bought in January and expect it to last as well as the old ones.

I've posted plenty of pics of recent rides with it. It happily cruises at above the legal limit on tarseal or gravel and turns in 25km/litre or better. How could I complain about that.

I am small of stature so have never had an XR bigger than a 250 so can't comment on the 400, 600 or 650 but would expect typical Honda they would not let you down.

300kms rides in a day were fine even on the old XR200 I had and typical adventure rides are of about that length so no sweat really.

Zukin did some big days on his XR250 riding to Coromandel recently so search out his story.

[Smokin]

When I buy another chook chaser the XR650R will be right at the top of the list, 160kph on standard gearing should make it a fine bike for the odd long haul as well. The DRZ400 looks like a good bike too.

[Ghost Lemur]

IIRC Spudchucker got himself an XR600. Think Motoracer's brother has one too (that MR has been known to ride).

From what I've read they're pretty industructable.

Another option is the DR650, far queue has one. Or the Transalper, of which there are half a dozen owners on here.

The dualsport category is certainly alive and well.

Personally I went with a 97 CRM250ar, although I was also looking at the Yamaha DT230.

Have you been on Advrider.com? They have a great forum, tons of advice and good people (including a few from here).

[sAsLEX]

IIRC Spudchucker got himself an XR600. Think Motoracer's brother has one too (that MR has been known to ride).



Yeah and he gets along at a pace that would put most sprot bikers with their fancy pilot power road attack sticky rubber to shame, mind you Motu can get some fair lean and pace on knobbies on the road as well....... jack of all trades that sort of bike

[merv]

Yeah and he gets along at a pace that would put most sprot bikers with their fancy pilot power road attack sticky rubber to shame, mind you Motu can get some fair lean and pace on knobbies on the road as well....... jack of all trades that sort of bike

Spud would never go over 100km/hr on his XR650R though its against the law surely.

[Coyote]

My mate has a KTM525, and as much as I love that...the maintenance/parts on that thing is nothing but $$$ so I want a trusty XR.

Just how expensive is it to run his 525? I'm interested in a high/highish performance motard for general riding on the road and racing. It may be out of my reach money-wise

[sAsLEX]

Spud would never go over 100km/hr on his XR650R though its against the law surely.

Was talking about MR. I am sure Spud wouldn't practice what he did not preach......

[JimO]

back in the old days (70s) most trailbikes were road legal

[merv]

back in the old days (70s) most trailbikes were road legal

Seeing I'm a 60's 70's child we still have all our dirt bikes road legal.

[pervert]

Thanks guys, 160km on standard gearing sounds nice...with a few small changes I'm sure 200km would be possible...I want something with a good top end, but also quick enough off the lights.

Well...to be really honest I just want something road legal that I can bust stoppies and wheelies on all day (off road of course, haha)...and I just don't get the same satisfaction riding a sport bike...:dodge:



Just how expensive is it to run his 525? I'm interested in a high/highish performance motard for general riding on the road and racing. It may be out of my reach money-wise

It's pricey aye...everytime he takes a decent dive on it (he rides offroad only, so that happens a bit) it costs him near on $1000 to replace a few bits. Even an oil change is an intensive multi-filter experience. But fuck does it go! You can easily power wheelie right through to 5th gear, and then almost in 6th as well.

[HRT]

Should have asked a month ago, James sold his XR250 to the boss a short while ago for a pretty reasonable price. Boss just sold it a week or 2 ago as he didn't really use it.

[pervert]

Should have asked a month ago, James sold his XR250 to the boss a short while ago for a pretty reasonable price. Boss just sold it a week or 2 ago as he didn't really use it.

Haha, fuck it. I kinda want to go bigger if I can...but we'll see how it pans out...

How do you like the avatar HRT? :yes:

[HRT]

I think you're a clown :) And I think I need to take mine out to your farm to hurt myself on one day

[pervert]

No problem, we need to go back to the BMX track as well...but I've left my bike at trailer at the farm this time so it might have to wait...

[spudchucka]

Spud would never go over 100km/hr on his XR650R though its against the law surely.

I just beat the shit out of myself with the Auckland phone book after every ride to make up for any naughtiness that I may or may not have been party to.

My XR is great on the road but it'll be even better when I get around to motarding it, (hopefully next year).

[pervert]

My XR is great on the road but it'll be even better when I get around to motarding it, (hopefully next year).

Hell yes...that would be my idea too! :gob:

[truckit]

my mate rides his 525 everyday to work....hes a logger so he prob does 100k (off and on road per day)these things can do about 120k to a tank....and even better on trail rides

we both have motard rims for are ktms and run a 38 or 40 t rear....and we ride around most of you rossi on youre big jappas:yes: and when we get sick of the road we just throw the dirt wheels back on and even with tkc80 we can still ride around harleys on the takas:Punk:

the xrs are nice but a bit to big for me and i like the mx look

[pervert]

the xrs are nice but a bit to big for me and i like the mx look

I didn't think the XR's were bigger than the KTM's?

[Shells]

...but I still want to spend more money on it. Thank god I bought a WR450 recently as it's proving cheaper to just do MX on the weekends :2thumbsup

[Ghost Lemur]

Very, VERY nice Shells.

Can you give us a run down on work done, etc?

[pervert]

:rockon:
...but I still want to spend more money on it. Thank god I bought a WR450 recently as it's proving cheaper to just do MX on the weekends :2thumbsup

That's pretty badass, black plastics make any bike look so much better!!!

[truckit]

the xr are biger than the ktm and heavier....but you wont beat the xr for comfort:yes: good bikes thou...

i think the ktms are shorter than most in its class because of the smaller rear wheel (dirt spec)?

nice looking xr and yes black looks sharp and i hope you have a slipper bud ?

and where do you ride ?

[merv]

My XR is great on the road but it'll be even better when I get around to motarding it, (hopefully next year).

Are you running it on stock wheels and tyres at the mo'?

I thought the XR would be great if only it had electric start for us weaklings. Hence bought the DR650SE for Mrs merv.

[truckit]

yes merv i can 2nd that:yes: im a short arse too and yeah got to have the elec leg

[pervert]

Plenty of the XR's I have looked at have electric start though?

[Smokin]

Plenty of the XR's I have looked at have electric start though?

I thought it was only the XR650L that had electric start.

[merv]

If they finally put an electric start on the XR650R no bugger told me.

[pervert]

I'll double-check when I go back to the particular shop in the next few days, but I am almost sure it was an XR650R and had electric start...I guess there's a chance it could have been an L though.

[spudchucka]

Are you running it on stock wheels and tyres at the mo'?

I thought the XR would be great if only it had electric start for us weaklings. Hence bought the DR650SE for Mrs merv.

Stock wheels and tyres. The starting isn't too bad, it usually starts first or second kick.

[spudchucka]

...but I still want to spend more money on it. Thank god I bought a WR450 recently as it's proving cheaper to just do MX on the weekends :2thumbsup

Where did you go to get your wheels done? Did you lace up the rims onto standard hubs or did you get another complete set of wheels?

[moffee]

I ride a road legal 2002 xr650r. Was going to ditch it and order a 2016 1299 panigale but decided to leave the 40k in the house. Got till feb 8th 2016 to decide. Xr is fun.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Cosmik de Bris]

Stock wheels and tyres. The starting isn't too bad, it usually starts first or second kick.

What i this Kick you speak of???

[Temporary-Kiwi]

I've had mine for 10yrs, I've toured most of nz on it, I have rebuilt it 4 times, Its now a 695cc highly modded, it is capable of 190kph
mostly I use it for backroad blasting, gravel roadriding, and occasionally trailrides.
stock they last for approx 50k , but there weak point when modded is the little end of conrods, I'm presently using a Carrillo item.
I think the falcon rod is good for stock piston size, but I've eaten a couple of them with ov/sized pistons.. the stock carb is a gas guzzler, I've been using keihin fcr carbs , much improved fueling and milage.

[dinkarvid]

my mate rides his 525 everyday to work....hes a logger so he prob does 100k, these things can do about 120k to a tank....and even better on trail rides

[pritch]

Welcome. Seriously impressive thread dredge.

[clotspond]

Thanks guys, 160km on standard gearing sounds nice...with a few small changes I'm sure 200km would be possible...I want something with a good top end, but also quick enough off the lights.
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