Saturday Winter (not the WNR)

**Flip** · 21st June 2010, 21:13

Not to be missed?

**kerryhare** · 21st June 2010, 21:17

Originally Posted by Flip

Not to be missed?

Thanks Flip. Have edited it now. That is what very little sleep does.

**Peeteey** · 21st June 2010, 21:33

Originally Posted by Peach

Am keen for next Saturday if the weather plays nice, depends where we go though, I might not be quite ready for a big ride just yet :S

Yay! Will be great to have you along.

This coming from someone who has only managed to make 1 Sat ride so far ...

Hee hee

**Peeteey** · 22nd June 2010, 12:40

Video of last Saturday is up ...
Bit crap but you get the idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypKh-9CerjA

**Peach** · 22nd June 2010, 14:07

Originally Posted by Peeteey

Video of last Saturday is up ...
Bit crap but you get the idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypKh-9CerjA

Video looks great, good job!

**leopardskin** · 22nd June 2010, 18:25

bad luck there ninja brother Bismarck

**KiwiPhoenix** · 22nd June 2010, 19:33

Any idea of what route you are wanting to do?? I may be in for this one!

**dangerous** · 22nd June 2010, 19:48

Originally Posted by KiwiPhoenix

Any idea of what route you are wanting to do?? I may be in for this one!

Dont mind me cos theres every chance I wont make it anyway, but hows this sound...

Option a) BK, Halswell, old TT rd, Litttle River, Hilltop... return to the TT pisser.
Option b) BK, Kiwi, Tedington, Gebbies, Little River, Hiltop... return to the TT pisser.

**cruza** · 23rd June 2010, 09:45

Originally Posted by dangerous

Dont mind me cos theres every chance I wont make it anyway, but hows this sound...

Option a) BK, Halswell, old TT rd, Litttle River, Hilltop... return to the TT pisser.
Option b) BK, Kiwi, Tedington, Gebbies, Little River, Hiltop... return to the TT pisser.

Looking this morning at the port hills covered in snow , me thinks there will be some more grit about by the end of the week . In central yesterday , glad I had a long day and got back to chch, .......everything is closed to snow today.

**dangerous** · 23rd June 2010, 19:43

Originally Posted by cruza

.......everything is closed to snow today.

fark me... parts of the world live like that all year round, yet nothing closes!!!

**Peeteey** · 23rd June 2010, 21:59

Hi kids, I need your advice ...

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 Gem on the back 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

As most of you know, 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.

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

Thanks for any help!

Pete

**maxf** · 23rd June 2010, 22:36

Peety - my 2c (partly as an ex-XL250 owner but that was donkeys' years ago)

- XL looks like the ignition has been forced
- XL does have the aftermarket exhaust - may be good or bad but do know the original on the XL I had rotted out fairly thoroughly at <70000 kms. Guessing will effect the XL tuning vs stock and so power vs XR?
- XL does have rear frame so you might be able to get a Ventura if the topbox isn't big enough. XR - not likely?
- XL has longer pillion seat, XR is focussed on rider. XL probably has more spray protection for the pillion too
- XR definitely has higher clearance, no surprise
- XR has no chain guard, would need one to safely use pillion pegs. XL has no front chain guard (over drive sprocket) - probably less unsafe
- XL has larger headlight, but dunno if that really matters (night riding? actual brightness?)
- thinking from wear on XR engine cases it's been well used (and loved, probably) but deserved the rebuild?

I'd probably go for the XL personally (and if trying to justify it with a potential pillion passenger too!) - you can take the roadie bits off but it's hard to reverse-engineer them on (eg extended leverage on XR rear subframe); the major underlying mechanics - ProLink, RFVC donk - are largely the same just tweaked in different directions. Only other comment - run synthetic if you can, the early model 250 RFVC engine I had was eating its camshaft mounts at 90k as they were direct in the head. Synthetic would give you some leeway for the heat loading as well as the shear effects of the gearbox, but I guess the final call is whether the clutch would be OK with it.

So when do we watch out for a new Phantom Menace?

**cruza** · 24th June 2010, 09:58

Hi peeteey

First I reckon you should not be a tight arse and spend some more coin, You like the dr650 of helens..........

Right out of the 2 on trademe . XL has battery, heavier flywheel , less power . getting old , probably better manners on the road. Few km's and owners so internals are a gamble. ...better off with a DR

XR. No battery , light flywheel , alot hotter in the power delivery. shit headlight, seat not comfy after a while. Engines are very strong and take abuse, which they are normally given.Has the later model engine that went right thru to 1999. 10 litre tank. dirt bike you can ride on road Be nice to see receipts for rebuild, speedo probably disconnected at some stage in its dirt bike life. Owned 2 (1993 & 1999) . lots of fun, bit loose on the road over 140ish. term them a
hoon bike.

**neels** · 24th June 2010, 11:01

Originally Posted by Peeteey

Stuff about trail bikes

The XL's are more road friendly than the XR's, smoother although less powerful engine, lower seat height etc. Probably a better bet if you plan on road riding as well as off road, and better with a pillion.

Unless you know someone that can check it out for you, something closer to home you can actually have a look at would probably be a better bet.

If you want to take a XL for a ride to see what you think of it you can borrow mine for a play, it's only a little 250 and not road legal, but it might help to give you an idea of how they behave.