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  #1  
Old 31 Dec 2008
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Question for XR 650 R owners!!!

Two questions:
1. rough mpg based on normal riding ( ie. not thrashing the tits off it all the time ).
2. Acerbis or IMS tank?

I know question 1 is probably difficult to answer accurately, but it will determine the answer to question 2.

Thanks!!!
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  #2  
Old 31 Dec 2008
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You've kind of answered the first question yourself - so many variables can affect mpg - gearing, terrain, altitude, speed etc.

However, to give you an idea - I use the Acerbis 24 litre tank (much better looking than the IMS) and get around 250 miles out of it on trail/touring type riding. So based on UK gallons, you're looking around 45-50 mpg for general riding...

And if that's not already answered question no.2, go for the Acerbis - the IMS looks shonky with the OE rad shrouds... the Acerbis is much neater looking, and also helps protect the radiators being a single unit... x


xxx
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  #3  
Old 31 Dec 2008
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Thanks Jmo, I would have had money it would be you that came up with the answer!!!
Seems the Acerbis is the way to go, just want to find a uk based supplier now.
While on the subject, do you know if the spring in the OE shock can be changed, or is it a replacement shock jobbie.
Ta again, and happy new year to all!!!
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  #4  
Old 31 Dec 2008
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Any UK dealer ought to be able to order the 650R tank for you - last time I looked the rrp was around £260.

Online I see DemonMX.co.uk for example list it (it will be to order I imagine) and you can also go to XRStuff.co.uk and see if John can get a better price?

That said, I bought mine from the Thumpertalk shop in the US - the price is dollars for pounds, and even though the exchange rate isn't as good as last year, it currently works out at around £150 ($247)... you'll probably get hit with import duty (around £50 - enjoy that retirement, Gordon...) but that is still a significant saving and you'll get the tank in about 10 days from the USA...

As for the rear shock, I'm sure a number of companies make alternative springs for it, likewise the forks... personally I've not found I needed to change them as I like the way it comes stock (although I did replace the fork oil with lighter 2.5wt which is the recommendation on the tinterweb) - it worked fine for my weight/capability at both trail/tour and rallye speeds...

Again a good resource for info on the 650R is either the Thumpertalk forum, or the Pig Pen (The Pig Pen)...

Hope that helps!

xxx
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  #5  
Old 1 Jan 2009
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Or Honda Trail Bike Forums
Speak to Mudwiz
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  #6  
Old 2 Jan 2009
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i have the 27ltr ims tank on my pig. only done a month away on it but it was fine, no probs at all. got it as it was the biggest available at a reasonable?!? price. requires a lot of plumbing as it uses a vacuum pump to draw from the bottom of the rad shrouds.the rad shrouds by the way are part of the tank, you dont use the originals at all. the tank looks bloody huge compared to the original and from a looks point of views takes some getting used to. i did manage to get the plumbing neat although when you remove the tank you need to blank the fuel feeds and it gets messy if you aint quick. vacuum pump has proved reliable but it hasnt had a good long trip yet. the quality of finish isnt too bad either although the acerbis has a deeper coulour to it and is better finished as jmo said. it cost about 330 quid from xrstuff. talk to them as they do lots for the pig.
cheers
oz
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  #7  
Old 3 Jan 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oz View Post
requires a lot of plumbing as it uses a vacuum pump to draw from the bottom of the rad shrouds.the rad shrouds by the way are part of the tank, you dont use the originals at all.
Ah, I didn't realise they did a bigger capacity one, with built-in shrouds too...

An option I guess, but the Acerbis still would be my recommendation (hell, if you really need large capacity, you could also pair it up with their underseat tank too?!)

xxx

Last edited by JMo (& piglet); 3 Jan 2009 at 03:59.
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  #8  
Old 3 Jan 2009
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Acerbis 6 Gallon Tank.

I looked on Thumpertalks online shop, but shipping costs weren't clear, so i left it for now. Got a couple of uk shops on the case, but if it is £ 330, i'll probably go down the US route.
Cheers for the help, I think 250 mile range is enough.
Regards.
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  #9  
Old 3 Jan 2009
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As I recall, shipping to the UK was about $50 (at the time £25, now around £30) - if you email them I'm sure they'll give you an exact figure, their customer service has always been great in my experience...

xxx
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  #10  
Old 6 Jan 2009
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Got one sorted!!!

Managed to locate one!!! XRStuff sorted one out for me, brand new, £ 250 !!!
Dont think i'll do better than that, so its paid for, should have it by the weekend.
Now to fit the bugger, along with my Trail Tech Vapour.
I need a bloody garage!!!
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  #11  
Old 6 Jan 2009
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Originally Posted by leevtr View Post
Managed to locate one!!! XRStuff sorted one out for me, brand new, £ 250 !!!
Dont think i'll do better than that, so its paid for, should have it by the weekend.
Now to fit the bugger, along with my Trail Tech Vapour.
I need a bloody garage!!!
Glad you're sorted - John is a great guy and I like to support him (hell, I bought the e-start kit for my 650R from him!)...

The tank is pretty easy to fit, a little fiddly to get the brackets that support the bottom of the tank to line up initially (it's best to fit them loose, fit the tank and line up/tighten all those bolts, then nip up the engine mount bolt through the frame - you'll see what I mean when you get it).

Also, as I recall, you need to use the original tank mounting brackets from the old tank for the upper mounts on the Acerbis, they're not missing from the kit x

The (twin) Acerbis fuel-taps don't feel quite as chunky as the original Honda one, but are fine in use - I would consider using slightly better quality fuel lines though, and watch the routing of the hose from the left hand tap so it doesn't kink or touch the cylinder block.

Have fun!

xxx
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  #12  
Old 8 Jan 2009
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Great Service!!!

Well done XRStuff!!! Only ordered the tank on Tuesday, and it arrived today ( Thursday ).
A question for JMo...... When riding, do you only have one fuel tap switched on, and use the other as a reserve?? That would make sense to me but it doesn't hurt to ask.
The instructions seem a little lacking in detail, but i'm sure it will all make sense when I get the tools out.
Wish me luck.
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  #13  
Old 8 Jan 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leevtr View Post
Well done XRStuff!!! Only ordered the tank on Tuesday, and it arrived today ( Thursday ).
A question for JMo...... When riding, do you only have one fuel tap switched on, and use the other as a reserve?? That would make sense to me but it doesn't hurt to ask.
The instructions seem a little lacking in detail, but i'm sure it will all make sense when I get the tools out.
Wish me luck.
Yep - they rock! (although I notice their website is down at the moment?)

As for fuel taps - yes, in effect you have three reserves, as it doesn't matter if you run with only one fuel tap open at a time - what I tend to do is run with them both open until it his reserve, then use each reserve as an individual (as in 'I better stop for petrol soon...' and 'sh!t, I really better stop for petrol soon, I only did 20 miles on that last one!') otherwise it can get a bit confusing...

Although the tank is a sizable 24 litres, the reserve is only about the same as a regular tank, ie. a couple of litres - so be aware...

xxx

ps. you'll also notice that the two fuel taps are not handed left and right, therefore reserve is forward on one side and backwards on the the other - again, something you'll have to remember to avoid a heart attack miles from anywhere! x
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  #14  
Old 9 Jan 2009
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In-Line fuel filters??

I bought some decent fuel line today, and whilst there i bought a couple of inline fuel filters. I was wondering whether you use them or not??
Promise I'll stop asking questions now
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  #15  
Old 9 Jan 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leevtr View Post
I bought some decent fuel line today, and whilst there i bought a couple of inline fuel filters. I was wondering whether you use them or not??
Promise I'll stop asking questions now

It won't hurt, but personally I've not bothered with them - fuel these days (even in Morocco) is pretty good and clean - there is always a dange of getting some crud in the tank when you fill (especially form a Jerrycan in the middle of a forest/desert), but to be honest I think fuel filters are really only necessary if you are going to be refilling from a rusty drum in the deepest boondocks...

(Also, you could just fit one, after the Y piece before the carb??)

Not silly questions - I'm always happy to help!

xxx
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