My XR ThusFAR

[zeRax]

so i've done bugger all kms on my XR250L so far but fair bit of its trail riding,
i know i like seeing pictures of all peoples bikes, and i took a couple pics, so you can see how ive scratched it up Already,


i really need a rack thou, wont have made one before the 5th either for DB1k so i guess ill backpack it, we'll see how well backpack sits with bungee'z

[zeRax]

mainly i just wanted to say "hey look!, sexy arrow exhaust! Oh Yea~~"

should probably say a bit more about it, im pretty happy with it, bar every thing u can buy for xr250r's in the way of tanks/racks , all are different and incompatible to bolt straight up, so thats a big downer,

speed wise it is good, gets up to speed well quick enough and will do 120-138 or so quite happily with me on it thou a good headwind will drop it down.

looks great, suspension feels great, and i truely can just go trail riding straight off the road without problems,

[blackballs]

looking good

[merv]

Good to see you enjoying your bike. I still love my L its a good road/trail alternative to putting road kms on my WR. Last little Xmas warm up we did with no trail work involved was as per this post http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...11&postcount=9

If you've done a fair bit of trail riding how are you keeping your boots from rubbing the sidecases on the engine as your bike looks mint compared to mine?

Also is that the standard headlight on yours coz its different than mine which I bought Jan 06?

[NordieBoy]

Are the USD's standard?

That looks like a bike to have for some fun at the x-countries and laid-back trail rides.

[marks]

Good to see you enjoying your bike. I still love my L its a good road/trail alternative to putting road kms on my WR. Last little Xmas warm up we did with no trail work involved was as per this post http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...11&postcount=9

Hi Merv

Do I get the feeling that cobwebs are the biggest problem you are experiencing with the WR?

The Honda L seems a viable do every thing bike - is it a better all rounder than the DR650 for one up?

cheers

Mark

[merv]

Are the USD's standard?

Yep they are. Nice plush ride too. Prob not as long travel as the XR250R's of old.

The electric start is nice too and on the road doing at least 250km to a tank aint bad either.

If it wasn't for the price (like I paid $9,000 for mine) the dirt bikes are a good beginners option too because you can drop them without smashing too many things and the speed isn't bad for a 250.

[merv]

Hi Merv

Do I get the feeling that cobwebs are the biggest problem you are experiencing with the WR?

The Honda L seems a viable do every thing bike - is it a better all rounder than the DR650 for one up?

cheers

Mark

I don't mind the cobwebs I save the WR for more dirt oriented rides - saves the engine rebuilds. When I pulled the Honda out yesterday it had cobwebs on the front forks - yikes say those that ride all the time to me the part timer.

The XR I find is a smoother ride than the DR650SE we have as in the engine on the Honda doesn't vibrate like the Suzuki. I don't mind the Suzuki all the same but on the scale it is more road than dirt than the XR is which is more road than dirt than the WR is.

When my Bro' is n town, like when you rode with us in October, Mrs lets him ride the Suzuki and I ride the 250 coz I've always been a quicker rider and can punt the 250 along nicely road or gravel anyway and on mainly road it is far more comfortable than the WR. If I rode more often I might learn to ride too fast eh!

Come Capital Coast Adventure time though I'll have the WR out because it is just so much fun on rides like that with a bit more trail to ride.

[NordieBoy]

Yep they are. Nice plush ride too. Prob not as long travel as the XR250R's of old.

Longer travel than my XR250 though

The electric start is nice too and on the road doing at least 250km to a tank aint bad either.

If it wasn't for the price (like I paid $9,000 for mine) the dirt bikes are a good beginners option too because you can drop them without smashing too many things and the speed isn't bad for a 250.

I'm almost tempted to get a little CRF230 but a 250 would be able to haul my >90kg's around a little easier.

[merv]

I'm almost tempted to get a little CRF230 but a 250 would be able to haul my >90kg's around a little easier.

CRF is a whole bunch cheaper and probably sort of more sporty but I never liked that they have a rod operated drum back brake and they weren't road legal, but if I believe Motomart a road legal version is due.

The 250L is an interesting bike - easy to ride fast on road and gravel but it doesn't feel like the old XR's because it has the vacuum carb so sort of winds up like a turbine and doesn't give you that instant zap on throttle like the old ones did. I'm impressed it will pull my 70ish kg to an indicated 140 on the road and that is with a lower compression and smaller header pipes than the XR250R.

The only mods I've done to mine being a short arse is soften off the back end so it sits lower and I've fitted an adjustable reach front brake lever. To ride fast on gravel you've got to have finger tip control on the brakes which you don't get if you're stretching too far to the brake lever, you tend to pull it on too hard.

[zeRax]

If you've done a fair bit of trail riding how are you keeping your boots from rubbing the sidecases on the engine as your bike looks mint compared to mine?

Also is that the standard headlight on yours coz its different than mine which I bought Jan 06?

maybe i feet weird, headlight is stock, weird that its different ? mines registered as an 07 but im sure none exist, its an 06, maybe later manufacture? bought in feb or march 07? memory is shit :P, i think 06 is the last true xr250l as we know it

USD fronts are standard again on xr250L , from about 04 or something at a guess ??? could be wrong.

merv could i please get pics of your rack close up with mounting and stuff in detail, im gonna have to make one up

[GaZBur]

...
The XR I find is a smoother ride than the DR650SE we have as in the engine on the Honda doesn't vibrate like the Suzuki. I don't mind the Suzuki all the same but on the scale it is more road than dirt than the XR is which is more road than dirt than the WR is..

?? I have a 2006 DR650 and it doesnt vibrate at all?? I only recently notice a very slite vibe in the pegs after changing to a smaller 14tooth front sproket.
I agree that the DR is no shakes as a trail type mount and a good 250 is much better for the dirt.

Re the stretchies instead of a rack - i found a small luggage net with 6 hooks at the $2 shop a year ago that holds my bag on the back of the bike real well. Check out the $2 shop to see if they are still there as I recommend that but their stretchies are crap and not even worth the $2.