XR650L

[boboneleg]

You lookin at something to replace the TA then Bob for some off road excursions

You know me too well Phil

[boboneleg]

Been thinking of one of these myself for a long time Bob but just cost too much for me also been thinking of a ttr600 but i do like the honda badge

TT-R would be my second choice Fred, they need a bit of fettling to get just right but that's half the fun.

[Cabby]

Bob. I think Mudwiz had one....was that the Big Red Pig....No? (I must change these drugs.)

Ask him.

It was a tall bike though.....covered in mud until he paid some female squaddies to clean it.

[Jakey]

Mudwiz had an xr650r.
There very different

[exrm193]

I've just got one from Flea Bay to replace my KTM 690. No where near the power of the KTM, but soooooooo much more comfortable. The plan is to get it sorted and ship it over to do the Trans American Trail. It needs a few things, but they are soooooooo much more affordable

[phil w]

You know me too well Phil

Are you selling the Alp then?? May be on my way back to Honda ownership

[Johnnyboxer]

I've just got one from Flea Bay to replace my KTM 690. No where near the power of the KTM, but soooooooo much more comfortable. The plan is to get it sorted and ship it over to do the Trans American Trail. It needs a few things, but they are soooooooo much more affordable

That's interesting KTM690>XR650L is a bit different and must be a whole sea change
So why did you get rid of the 690? Reliability? Weight? Uncomfy?
I'm thinking of a XR650L and selling my XChallenge - the motor is storming @ 53hp, in a 146kg fuelled chassis and will smoke 100mph+ on knobblies and the chassis is good, but the Airshock is pants and the seat is worse than 4x2 for comfort - sorting those 2 issues would cost about £800 alone
Everything else is good (oh fuel capacity addition is $$$$$)
So................how good is a XR650L?
I realise the bike is long in the tooth, but as a long distance travel middleweight, it can't be that bad

[exrm193]

The 690 was awesome BUT....mega uncomfortable, crap tank range, crap steering lock and just a bit too complicated in my opinion. Fuel injection etc etc. Plus spares, servicing was steep, so running the thing was expensive. I have a few bits coming over from the Septics side of the pond inc a 5.8 gallon tank for £191 delivered...A bigger tank for the 690 is over £700 here!!!!!!! no brainer really.
The Honda power seems fine for my needs. I hardly used the 690 in full power mode because it was wild. Especially in the wet!!
So far, I'm well happy with the Honda.

[Johnnyboxer]

The 690 was awesome BUT....mega uncomfortable, crap tank range, crap steering lock and just a bit too complicated in my opinion. Fuel injection etc etc. Plus spares, servicing was steep, so running the thing was expensive. I have a few bits coming over from the Septics side of the pond inc a 5.8 gallon tank for £191 delivered...A bigger tank for the 690 is over £700 here!!!!!!! no brainer really.
The Honda power seems fine for my needs. I hardly used the 690 in full power mode because it was wild. Especially in the wet!!
So far, I'm well happy with the Honda.

Interesting thoughts and very similar to the XChallenge, storming motor and good chassis - fuel consumption, north of 70mpg but pretty revvy for a thumper, mega uncomfy and 110 mile tank and lots of dealer only stuff

I've found a XR650L which I'm going to try next week and see how it is, if I like it I'll buy it

I'll try it for a few months and 'mothball' the XChallenge to see how I get on with the Honda and whichever suits me best I'll keep and sell the other

[Johnnyboxer]

Interesting thoughts and very similar to the XChallenge, storming motor and good chassis - fuel consumption, north of 70mpg but pretty revvy for a thumper, mega uncomfy and 110 mile tank and lots of dealer only stuff

I've found a XR650L which I'm going to try next week and see how it is, if I like it I'll buy it

I'll try it for a few months and 'mothball' the XChallenge to see how I get on with the Honda and whichever suits me best I'll keep and sell the other

Well I went to see it & decided it wasn't for me for the following reasons

Very heavy

Pretty wide, made worse by Acerbis tank

When I rode it, it was nowhere as accomplished as the the Xchallenge

If anyone is interested - I can pass on the details

2003, 12500 miles
Acerbis tank, Corbin seat, FMF pipe, screen, Metal Mule panniers etc