1985 HONDA XL600R (Dakar)

[Petehems]

Hi guys new to this site and planning my first tour, Hoping to join my buddies on a ride from uk to portugal next year, Trouble is low budget and no bike...yet, Currently looking at a Honda xl600r (Paris Daker) With about 27,000 miles on clock, bike looks very clean (in fact gorgeous) but im worried that this kind of bike might be to old for a trip like this....any tips thoughts etc welcome.

[xr200]

This was a good bike in it's day, the trouble you will have is slow cruising speed on european motorways but good for bumpy, broken roads, gravel etc.
comfort is good and tank range is excellent if you have the 28 litre tank.
The only real mechanical issue seams to be the cylinder head is made from very soft alloy and can wear badly or even crack and also any screw threads that have not been treated with real care will strip.
I have owned 2 of these and both had head problems that required intensive work.
I still have my XL600LMF and enjoy riding it around country lanes but not on fast main roads.
I hope that helps.

[Petehems]

Yeah thanks mate that helps a lot, Im not actually planning to use to many major Motorways Just A and B Roads, But I figured it might not have much grunt, Prehaps I will look for something else with a bit more bite, really love these bikes might get one in future for use nearer to home, but for now will look for something with a little more youth and bite, .......Just not sure what, I rode a KLR round greece once and didnt rate it at all also very uncomfortable anyway back to the ads page. thanks mate.

[StevenD]

on a budget your best of getting a road cruiser like a cb500, gsx600, that kind of bullet proof bikes.

[Petehems]

Thanks mate but been there done that with the cruisers, there's plenty out there got an XT600 to view and a couple of KLRs and one DR650 .....at the end of the day i guess its the journey that counts and the challenge of the old machine getting me there and back.....just didnt want to plague my buddies with a "problem" bike, thanks for your help, I'll keep you posted.

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Petehems

Thanks mate but been there done that with the cruisers, there's plenty out there got an XT600 to view and a couple of KLRs and one DR650 .....at the end of the day i guess its the journey that counts and the challenge of the old machine getting me there and back.....just didnt want to plague my buddies with a "problem" bike, thanks for your help, I'll keep you posted.

Pete,
Have you read into the threads in here about the Suzuki DR650 that you mention?; well worth a read IMO - here's one for a start:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s-bmw-gs-26997

[orrin]

I love my bike!
I am doing a london/South Africa trip in november. For the long straight roads i plan to swap the front sprocket for a 16 tooth and the soft sand a 14 tooth. The 15 tooth gives me 140km/h at 4500 rpm.
It has the 28l tank which will save you a few £££ in mods.
mine is both kick and electric start and touch wood has always been a first time starter!
But at the end of the day I think it is a gamble on a budget. But then i still have a chance of fixing it if it stops. I would hate to try fix a new Beamer or KTM???
If you head down the XL road, I could share some limited knowledge
Orrin

[xr200]

Hi again,
Orrin I think you mis understood me. The XL you have, which incidently is the same as mine, is a good choice for you as you will spend most of your journey on African roads and need simplicity and ease of maintainance.
But I can think of more suitable bikes for European touring on well maintained tarmac.
One to consider is the Yamaha TDM850 it's great, it's comfy, fast and if you have a restrained right hand good on fuel. They are also pretty cheap, I know of one that has done 72000 miles with only a replacement cam chain and still pulls like train.

[Petehems]

Wow guys didnt expect so much feedback or advice, Ok love the DR's always have, just havin trouble gettin my hands on a 650, in fact one of the bikes doin the portugal run is a dr800. Truth is I prefer riding the dual sports style bikes, So if I found a good enough one on my budget then i would probably get it, Dr sounds tough as nails. I think everything said about the xl is true and it would probably do fine just maybe a little slower (which is ok) like i said not planning to use Motorways, but still not ready to take the chance on it. TDM, you know what I have seen quite a few of these for very little money, are they that good? They are kinda different, might just have a little look, wouldn't i be stuck to just the black stuff on one of those ? would they be ok on gravel/mountain roads in portugal etc. Anyway look guys really appriciate all this help and advice thanks, keep your opinons coming. Pete

[Petehems]

OK guys still looking any views on the dominator ? never ridden one know nothing about them ? seems to be a few around cheap.

[Walkabout]

Pete,
There has been quite a bit written about the Domi in here (not owned one myself). If you stick the word into the search function, you will get this:-

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...earchid=528976


Good luck with all the reading!

[Petehems]

Thanks dave. this bike search thing is supposed to be part of the fun........isnt it !. Thanks again