Desertexperience: disadvantages of XR650L/R - Horizons Unlimited

**cornepol** · #1 12 May 2004

Hi there,

Looking for the perfect desert bike that can carry hard luggage, 400 km reach, light weight, easy to maintain, aftermarket products (bigger tank, engine guard, panniers) that are easily available, etc.

Any one any experiences with the XR650L or R in the desert. I'm especially interested in disadvantages.

Any links to aftermarkter product sellers?

Thanx,
Corné

**POB/London** · #2 12 May 2004

Email / search for postings from Rich Lees. He has both, and he uses 'em! I think Karim Hussein has also travelled and Rallye-prepped an "R". I have an "L". Brilliant bike.

**Stephano** · #3 12 May 2004

Disadvantages:
kickstart & a bit heavy if you drop it in sand.

Links:
XRs Only
Very helpful & knowledgeable.
Baja Designs
Look at their XR650 project bike section.

**RichLees** · #4 16 May 2004

I'm not sure there is a perfect bike, but my money is ploughed into each of the Honda 650s cos they are good starting points. you can load a prepped XRL or you can run very light on an XRR. how do you plan to approach it? 400km is not far in Algeria.

I wrote http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000185.html over a year ago before going to Africa on the XR650L. Ernie and I did some more work between Algeria and the main African run and the bike handles brilliantly off road. Mark Crook is riding one which I set up the same as mine and he raves about the suspension, too.

an XR650L will never handle as "well" as an XR650R. nor will it have the power. Ernie's busy with the welding on the XRR and I'll be testing it properly in Australian and African deserts later this year.

feel free to mail me if you want to chat further