XR500 (and similar) legends and lies thread

[fridayflash]

theres a few guys on here that have had them and swear by them, ive only ever ridden an sp370. my mate at highschool had a dr500 with long arse rear shocks and RM forks, a blue seat, white plastics and the small square enduro headlight with plastic grille strips over the lense and it looked and sounded so freakin cool!

[Muzz67]

When we started VMX 'racing' in Nelson, it was mostly on 4strokes and quite a few were on DR400's, They seemed to go ok, were troublefree but pretty heavy. An XR500 would waste them (no real surprise) but an angry XR250 would best them too.
they're probably still sitting in the garage, ready to go again!

[staq50]

yea sure, the SP and DR 370's were another popular ride of the times and yet not many seen now as well.....
Most of the XR's and DR's in Hastings at this time were street machines

Here's a couple of pics of my XR and my riding buddy Gavin Prentice's XR 500 on a trip to Hamilton one weekend

speaking of such, anyone recognise those plate numbers and bikes? have wondered many times if they have survived

[Pedrostt500]

A couple of TT 500s back in the day, and also a Xl 500s, and Dr 400, also I thought the DT 250 rated quiet well.

[fridayflash]

fuck thats such a cool pic man!!! you should put it on for pic of the week! those xr's in that time period just 'scream' coolness!

[Sensei]

Just to keep things real .... Pic's from 2day. XR500R-82 is a fuel injected hybrid that a local mate has spent a lot of time sorting but has finially at the end of a long journey getting it running & starting as it should ... Also mates 83XR500R with full ported head /cammed /big valves etc , plus my TT500 ... Weather was trying its hardest to crap on our ride but we were not stopping 2day as we were having to much fun ...Go the old school !!!

[10bikekid]

Nice, you just got to respect that.

[staq50]

YEAH Cool as,
well, I just did it....couldn't find AN XR500A at a good price so what did I do....I brought an '81' DR400
yup, an 81 DR 400......but, any single thumper is better than 'no' thumper .. right guys.......it's a dog, but watch this space.........pics soon..

[Muzz67]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-790038562.htm

[staq50]

already been sold.....

[fridayflash]

took the xl500 for a ride today, 400km's incl napier taupo road (wild n windy on the tops) into pohokura road/waipunga through to minginui/tewhaiti
then around waikaremoana and home to napier via putere/raupunga bike didnt miss a beat and sits nice and low so a good high speed gravel express bike




p.s the people in the background were jehovahs witness, they offered me sandwiches and hot tea which was very nice of them

[Muzz67]

took the xl500 for a ride today, 400km's incl napier taupo road (wild n windy on the tops) into pohokura road/waipunga through to minginui/tewhaiti
then around waikaremoana and home to napier via putere/raupunga bike didnt miss a beat and sits nice and low so a good high speed gravel express bike




p.s the people in the background were jehovahs witness, they offered me sandwiches and hot tea which was very nice of them

Awesome bike!!
Whats your range on a tank?
Is that rev counter standard?
How were the sandwiches?

[DR Girl]

Well done Ed It's a good days riding. What a reliable beast the XL500 is AWESOME !
Last MMMMM ( done on the Sunday) Bernard & I added the Putere/Raupanga gravel on. Twas great
Did you end up doing the ride on your own or were you the only one who had to go get gas at Ruatahuna LOL?

Post you ride on HB Rideouts also Ed.

[fridayflash]

Awesome bike!!
Whats your range on a tank?
Is that rev counter standard?
How were the sandwiches?

cheers muzz, yes rev counter is standard, bike is an '82 model...i know the 79/80 models have the speedo and idiot lights combo unit. im tempted to fit xr headlight, single speedo, seat, shocks,forks,rear guard and tool pouch as ive got all the bits on a xr250z ,,i just love the twin shock 500 look.
fuel economy is good so far..but i havent worke out my exact k/pl yet..its really only the second time ive rode the bike, but id guess its around 160kms to dry at the mo, i hope to get a bit more out of it than that, could drop the needle one clip as its marginally rich atm. the bag bungied on the back is holding 5L of go-go juice

p.s as a lapsed (collapsed) catholic i told those heathen JW's in no uncertain terms that i couldnt break bread with them,,,unless they had alter wine and irish stew..then i crossed myself and left them in a hail of gravel dust

[fridayflash]

Well done Ed It's a good days riding. What a reliable beast the XL500 is AWESOME !
Last MMMMM ( done on the Sunday) Bernard & I added the Putere/Raupanga gravel on. Twas great
Did you end up doing the ride on your own or were you the only one who had to go get gas at Ruatahuna?

Post you ride on HB Rideouts also Ed.

thanks robyn, was a perfect day out..a few others were out on the ride too, but left earlier than me so i did the reverse route of the way they went
...talk about four seasons in one day though!