XR 600 as a dual-sport?

[talbertnz]

http://motocross.transworld.net/2008...-grudge-match/

xr 600 at work

[cooneyr]

http://motocross.transworld.net/2008...-grudge-match/

xr 600 at work

That's quite a cool vid though it is a XR650L (air cooled) not a XR600. Makes me wonder how a XR650R (water cooled) would go against the CRF450R

Cheers R

[CRM]

Here's the beautiful beast... Tell me what I need to turn her into an adventure bike.

List so far is a long range tank and some kind of rack. It's got posts welded on to take a ventura rack but I don't fancy a high bar for tricky stuff - what do you suggest for carrying a good load without carrying it too high and awkward?

Thanks guys...

[Peril]

The rear indicators look interesting
As for your rack,maybe get something made up that sits above the tool bag (so you can at least still carry tools in it) but clamps or bolts onto that rack that's there already.
I'm sure someone will clarify a bit better,but you may also need to beef up the rear subframe too if you're going to carry anything decent that far back.
Looks like you've got a good bike there,but I still prefer the big hunchback look of the mid 80s XRs though.
Make sure you come down for the dusty butt on it

[MXNUT]

and some kind of rack. It's got posts welded on to take a ventura rack but I don't fancy a high bar for tricky stuff - what do you suggest for carrying a good load without carrying it too high and awkward?

Thanks guys...

I would stick with the ventura, you would only need to purchase the high rack and that shoud be pretty cheap. I have found with mine that as long as you pack the heavy items down low it does not affect the handling too much.

Did the Whangamomana track recently with the pack full and it was ok.

[NordieBoy]

You need a tank on that

[CRM]

I would stick with the ventura, you would only need to purchase the high rack and that shoud be pretty cheap. I have found with mine that as long as you pack the heavy items down low it does not affect the handling too much.

Did the Whangamomana track recently with the pack full and it was ok.

Okay thanks for that - a high rack would certainly mean a bigger pack. Not sure where to get a rack from that's actually going to fit as it's not standard - the posts are welded on. Been trying to search online to find the actual dimensions but not easy to find - anyone knows an outlet that sells racks that i could email?

[CRM]

You need a tank on that

Yeah sure do - you wouldn't have a spare one would you? Nice big red one would be good so it really lives up to the BRP label (looking forward to those pics).

[MXNUT]

- anyone knows an outlet that sells racks that i could email?

Dold industries are the manufacturers of Ventura pack racks and are located here in Hamilton, check out their web site for contact details - www.ventura-bike.com

[CRM]

Dold industries are the manufacturers of Ventura pack racks and are located here in Hamilton, check out their web site for contact details - www.ventura-bike.com

Thanks for that - have flicked them off an email. What about packs? Any recommendations?

[NordieBoy]

What about packs? Any recommendations?

Well...
Considering it's a Ventura rack.
How about a Ventura pack.

[monchopper]

CRM
Have you had the new purchase out on the dirt yet? Give us an update when you do. You've got me curious about the 600.

I live in London and am returning home (chch) for 6 months and need a bike. I've currently got a 04 XR400 which I'm selling here soon and redirecting the funds into a bike in NZ.
I thought I will get another XR4 as I've stripped all the go faster goodies off mine here and shipped to NZ (Vortip baffle, Mikuni Pumper Carb, Hot CDI unit), but am keen on doing some adventure rides and although the XR4 is OK a few more horses wouldn't be bad for the longer stints on the road. So am very interested to you opinion of the XR6 on the dirt as compared to your old DRZ?

(WTF is going on with the prices people have on there bikes on trademe? Why don't people just put there bike on with no reserve and let the market decide how much it's worth, it seems alot of people on trademe haven't the idea about online marketplaces!!-rant over)

[CRM]

CRM
Have you had the new purchase out on the dirt yet? Give us an update when you do. You've got me curious about the 600.

I live in London and am returning home (chch) for 6 months and need a bike. I've currently got a 04 XR400 which I'm selling here soon and redirecting the funds into a bike in NZ.
I thought I will get another XR4 as I've stripped all the go faster goodies off mine here and shipped to NZ (Vortip baffle, Mikuni Pumper Carb, Hot CDI unit), but am keen on doing some adventure rides and although the XR4 is OK a few more horses wouldn't be bad for the longer stints on the road. So am very interested to you opinion of the XR6 on the dirt as compared to your old DRZ?

Not yet - just trying to suss out some tyres for it. Down to Pirelli MT-21, Michelin AC10, Kenda K760, Dunlop D908 or combination thereof...

Also need to get another chain - it came with spare sprockets but the ones on it are a new set for the road, so torn between buying just a new chain for the half worn dirt sprockets or a whole new set. Not wanting to break the bank all at once LOL.

Also trying to locate some spare wheels - lots in Aus but not in NZ - any idea if the XR400 wheels fit?

Will keep you posted on progress

[skidMark]

Still waiting for the Gas Gas to sell and thinking about what I'm gonna get...A mate of mine has a 93 XR600 he's not using and wants to sell - loaned it to me for the weekend and I actually really like it. It's light, simple, grunty as (huge lowdown power - has a WR450 pipe which I assume allows it to breathe better) plus it's smooth, huge fun to ride on the road (currently with road gearing) and (surprise ) easy to start.

So tell me why I would want a newer bike (DR650, KLE650, XR650) when this one is so much fun? It actually feels no heavier than my old DRZ400 but has heaps more grunt. This one actually could be a good dirt bike and be able to do adventure rides too with a rack etc.

What is actually that much better with the newer bikes that you can't get tidying up an old one like this?

Go for it, i made my katana a dual sport and has a blast, dual purpose tyres, pack rack heated grips.

went like hell on the road (673cc inline four) and gets bloodey sideways on the gravel.

[Bams]

I had a 93xr600 for a number of years for adventure riding and it was a great bike perfect for when your really doing adventure riding but rattle your ass of on a long trip on the tarseal lots of vibrations but go anywhere awesome.
The rear rack is a problem I had to weld up and mod an existing ventura rack system and had endless problems with braking welds on the ruff going but probably had alot to do with my bird shit welds and judging by your photo mine looks abit stonger than yours but the rear end frame handled it with no problems, I would put a full on tramping pack tent food pack a shit load of weight and it was only my welds that failed.
Trail riding bikes are a lot lighter now and if your been abit compeditive the xr600 got the grunt to be right up there but jesus the efforts hugh I still trail ride my xr but serously thinking of dropping to a 400 after riding a mates and the supension has improved with the newer bike I have noticed .
And if you ever have a funny knocking noise in the cam area throw away the auto decompression thingy, bike goes better, starts better the manuals all you need this messed me around for some time trying to work this noise out so watch out for this about 20000 kms