XR650r owners' thread

[Cary]

Probably around 37-38 at the wheel.

Come on now, KTM owners prolly look at this thread, HP more like 60 horses stock.......right

[NordieBoy]

were these models pretty corked up from the factory? doesnt sound like a lot of peak power

The DR is about 43-44 at the crank and 35 odd at the rear wheel.

[dino3310]

were these models pretty corked up from the factory? doesnt sound like a lot of peak power

its not but on 128kg Dry and that magic carb the power is delivered way better than most stock singles of that era( and prolly now as well)

Come on now, KTM owners prolly look at this thread, HP more like 60 horses stock.......right

yeah but XR owners are straight up, we dont tug ourselves up in to thinking our rides are more than they are like certian orange owners

The DR is about 43-44 at the crank and 35 odd at the rear wheel.

mines got the 1mm o/s and de-corked so that might add a couple more.

[Taz]

yeah but XR owners are straight up, we dont tug ourselves up in to thinking our rides are more than they are like certian orange owners

My ktm is nothing more or less than what it is. Oh and it's 128kg wet

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

its not but on 128kg Dry and that magic carb the power is delivered way better than most stock singles of that era( and prolly now as well)

yeah but XR owners are straight up, we dont tug ourselves up in to thinking our rides are more than they are like certian orange owners


mines got the 1mm o/s and de-corked so that might add a couple more.

Do you know much about the xr650L model? Im looking for a new bike/project with aim of preparing it for an african trip in a couple of years. Of what Ive found out about the 650L is that it is heavier due to factory road legal gear, it is geared longer for raod use and has heavier flywheel. The engine is based on the Dominator of the late 80's, same cyclinder, low compression, milder cam than the 600r, so less powerful, but it does have e start (not that I mind kicking a bike).
The xr6oor has legend status with many owners considering it the best dirt bike or do everything bike ever made. Question, do I go for the 650L or 600R that is road legal or has been made road legal in the past. What is the best base bike?
Do you know or anyone else know if the 650L has crappier suspention than the 600R. unfortunately the bike that Im considering is about a 5 hour drive away so makes inspection difficult.

[NordieBoy]

mines got the 1mm o/s and de-corked so that might add a couple more.

Probably slightly less but more noise so it sounds more powerful.

[CRM]

Most forums I've read say that the 650L is overweight and underpowered and suggest staying away. They look a lot like the XR600r and are aircooled but have E start. Apparently it's the complexity of the E-start and everything that goes with that that adds the weight and turns it into a real Pig. So I would say that the 600r would definitely be a better base bike. I did Whangarei to Napier through Waikaremoana in a day on mine and had a blast, plus took it all around the South Island fully loaded so would be great for the African adventure as long as well prepped. I'd get another one before a 650L for sure. 650L is I think more like a DR650 - fine adventure bike but not really a dirt bike as well like the 600r is.

Do you know much about the xr650L model? Im looking for a new bike/project with aim of preparing it for an african trip in a couple of years. Of what Ive found out about the 650L is that it is heavier due to factory road legal gear, it is geared longer for raod use and has heavier flywheel. The engine is based on the Dominator of the late 80's, same cyclinder, low compression, milder cam than the 600r, so less powerful, but it does have e start (not that I mind kicking a bike).
The xr6oor has legend status with many owners considering it the best dirt bike or do everything bike ever made. Question, do I go for the 650L or 600R that is road legal or has been made road legal in the past. What is the best base bike?
Do you know or anyone else know if the 650L has crappier suspention than the 600R. unfortunately the bike that Im considering is about a 5 hour drive away so makes inspection difficult.

[dino3310]

XR650l is a great bike, the only downer is the carb but slap the 600 carb with the larger jets(1 option) and the power delivery is fantastic, easy to chop weight and that lecky leg can be a saviour in a tight spot.
But yeah the XR6 is better in the dirt.
Triboy swears by his XRL.

[dino3310]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-296953354.htm

[tri boy]

$9800 for a BRP
Makes my kitted up one quite a bargain.
Yo Dino, I have made up a rather spiffy low pressure fork pump, with a very accurate Fesco low psi gauge that was lying around at work.
Pop round, and I'll pump you up

[dino3310]

$9800 for a BRP
Makes my kitted up one quite a bargain.
Yo Dino, I have made up a rather spiffy low pressure fork pump, with a very accurate Fesco low psi gauge that was lying around at work.
Pop round, and I'll pump you up

oh behave big boy

[junkmanjoe]

Yo Dino, .Pop round, and I'll pump you up

Oh Dino i so got to reply to this one....
you hamilhole ladies keep it to your selfs..

JMJ

[Peeteey]

Hi folks, I'm looking for some sage advice and were told that you guys would be the right bunch to bother ...

I've been hooked again on off roaders, well, dual purpose anyhoo. I'm trying to make my mind up between two models, an '86 XL600R with 50,000 odd and a '91 XR600 with 30,000 odd on it but 3000k ago had a complete engine rebuild, top and bottom.

What I'd love to find out is if there are any major differences between the two models? I know the XR is supposed to be sportier and the XL more of a work horse but what about weight, reliability, parts etc?

The XR attracts me because of the rebuild, I've always wanted one and it's in the south island.
The XL attracts me because I may be able to get it a bit cheaper but it's in the north island so kinda negates that. It also has passenger pegs plus the fitting for a top box which would be good. I'd like to put the wife on the back sometimes and to have somewhere to put our crap so she doesn't have to wear a backpack.

The XR is obviously in better nick, rebuild etc plus there's some surface rust on the XL. The XR may need new tyres for a WOF, too knobly possibly, which bumps the price up.
The XL's Ks are getting up there. Is there any maintenance or problems that may arise from an old thumper with 50,000k's on the clock?

Here's the XR:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...86&permanent=0

Here's the XL:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=298549566

Is it my imagination or does the XL look like it has a bigger tank? That's a plus if it does ...
I know footpegs and topbox are do-able to either models so really I'd love to know:

Weight difference
Comfort difference
Reliability difference
Running costs Difference

I'm not a racer. That doesn't mean I wouldn't love the XR to bits but if there's a large comfort difference then it may be enough to sway the vote.

HelenOfTroy's DR650 felt just about right for me, not too heavy, not too big, plenty of beans with smooth delivery.

I want to keep it to a max of 600cc (so I don't have to pay Nick Smith more than need be, bastard), maybe down to 450-500ish if there was a great deal and I'd need to keep it under $3k as am a broke musician!
Being able to go 2-up would be a big plus, hence the interest in the XL, don't really like the idea of the XR's rear pegs ... especially with no chain guard for her petite ankles ...
Am not looking for a motox machine but one that can handle some fun off roading as well as the road ...

Thanks for any help!

Pete

p.s. unless any one of you fine people would have such a bike that you're thinking of selling and want it to go to a loving home ...

[Waihou Thumper]

You might want to change your links to Trade me, they are dead mate....

[centaurus]

I've just removed the rear suspension to my xr650r to replace the linkage bearings. Inspecting the swingarm bearings, I noticed that even though there is no play and the inner rubber seals look good, the inner bearing races do not rotate at all. Is this normal, or they are normal bearings and the inner race should rotate?

Thing is the swingarm bearings are not cheap so I wouldn't replace them unless they need to.