XR 600 as a dual-sport?

[CRM]

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?

[marks]

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?

the cheaper the bike that you can be happy with - the happier you will be...

[Oscar]

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?

Great choice.
Grunty, simple and reliable as a brick.
There are plenty of after market bits for it including long range tanks (lots in Aussie).

[warewolf]

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

Electric start?

But don't let that hold you back, sounds like a good choice!

[NordieBoy]

Go for it!
Better suspension than the DR/KLR and better dirt manners.
And if the price is right...

Got an Acerbis long range tank here for one

[Peril]

Was looking for one before I bought the XT,but sadly either couldn't find one road legal or for a decent price or in Christchurch.
I'd say do it,buy a bigger tank for adventure riding and keep the original one for trail riding.

[Schapelle]

I love my XR600, I need to get it registered so I can ride it basically anywhere. If the cops here catch you in national parks without road rego they take your bike.
Mine's a 91 model with about 12000km on it, had an easy life I think.

The long range tanks (6 gallon) are available from ebay in the USA, about 250 bucks US. They look weird though and make the bike more top heavy when they are full of fuel.

[NordieBoy]

The long range tanks (6 gallon) are available from ebay in the USA, about 250 bucks US. They look weird though and make the bike more top heavy when they are full of fuel.

And when they're half full the weight is even lower than a full stock tank.

[CRM]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like it's all on. I'm looking for some spare wheels so I can put knobs and larger sprocket for quick change to dirt riding. There's a guy breaking down a 91 XR600 wanting to sell the wheels. Anybody know if a) they will fit on 93 (from my research it looks as if there were no major changes between 91 and 93) and b) what do you reckon is a fair price? They look a bit rough needing new bearings and new tyres. Are these the sort of things you can pick up at motorcycle wreckers easily or are they getting rare?
Thanks

Also it's had a ventura rack apparently but now just got the upright posts for one to go in. Are these fairly generic or do you need to get the specific one for the bike?

[NordieBoy]

Ventura racks are generic. All you need to know is the width of the mounts.
New bearings are $20 each.

[Motu]

But make sure you get genuine motorcycle wheel bearings,if you get the cheaper wheelbarrow wheel bearings it will make your motorcycle go much slower.....

[NordieBoy]

But make sure you get genuine motorcycle wheel bearings,if you get the cheaper wheelbarrow wheel bearings it will make your motorcycle go much slower.....

But you'll be able to carry a bigger load.

[CRM]

But make sure you get genuine motorcycle wheel bearings,if you get the cheaper wheelbarrow wheel bearings it will make your motorcycle go much slower.....

So if i put motorcycle bearings on my wheelbarrow it should be good for adventure rides? Hey wouldn't need to buy a rack then

[CRM]

Looking for some spare wheels for my 93 XR 600. Anybody got some lying around they want to sell me?

There's a guy on TM with some 91 parts but apparently the pre-93's had a smaller front axle.

As an alternative what about some road wheels to motard? Anything that would go straight on? I'm a n00b to motard conversions - would be cool but hard to match the disks I would imagine.

I'm basically after quick change 10 minute change for road/dirt. Any thoughts?

[NordieBoy]

Good buying even if it is a (spit) honda.

Just put some MT-21's on it and ride.