XR650L/Dommie Engine life

**wbagwell** · #1 27th July 2001

Hey Guys,
I've got 13,000 miles (21,000 kilometers) on my XR650L and I've had no trouble with it so far. I'm wondering what others have experienced with their XRLs and Dommies - what were the first parts of the engines to break or malfunction on you and at what mileage? How long have you gone with rings, transmission, timing chains, etc?

Thanks,
Wright

------------------
Wright Bagwell
http://www.geocities.com/wwbagwell/

**andygray** · #2 28th July 2001

XR 600 1991
About 40000km up to now
One new set of clutch plates and springs, and a melted camshaft/cam followers from running the oil too hot (I think). 3 rear wheel bearings,chain side, and 2 oil seals on the clutch arm/magneto cover.
And thats it apart from the usual mudguards, levers,headlamp from crash damage etc.
Forgot about the broken (100 dollar) kickstarter.

**Charles Traverse** · #3 14th March 2002

I got 46000 km on my 1996 xr650l and no problems. But I need to change the cluch plates and cam chain,and cam chain ajustiers. Change your oil&filter all the time. And clean the oil strainer(inside the motor) and magnetic oil plug when replaceing the cluch plates.
Plus donot drive like two stroke. What I mean don't wack the throtol. Ease it on.

**Graeme** · #4 17th March 2002

47000km on the clock of my 1999 Dommie (30000km to date on this trip after 5 months)& she still pulls like a train. No dramas whatsoever. Oil changes religously every 3000km & filters every 2/3 changes.

**Huan** · #5 19th March 2002

1988 Dominator
No Mechanical Probs yet but had Big problems with a faulty CDI unit that kept blowing coils replaced that and have had no other dramas now 19000mls on the clock

**ewebby** · #6 2nd April 2002

Have a 2000 XR650L and have had no problems. I would suggest reading up on AMS-Oil or RedLine and see for a fact that these oils are just designed better. Regular oils are not designed, just added to.
You can really learn a lot at www.amsoil.com or www.motoroilbible.com
I have read a lot and facts are facts, everything people say is just so minute to facts and research.

Take care buddy on that new BMW,

Kevin

**scoobie** · #7 3rd March 2003

Any more data from people with XR650L's?

**gozell** · #8 20th June 2003

Got 1997 NX650 and just replacing cam chain after 45000km or so (speedo broken).... But otherwise no worries...

**gozell** · #9 6th July 2003

Further to above it also needs a piston rebore... grrrhhh, most likely cause is dirty oil! Running for too long in extreme conditions, topping up instead of complete change etc etc... Ive learnt my lesson.

**highlander** · #10 27th July 2003

Hi:
I have a 1994 XR 650 L,and it reached about 60,000 kilometers,at about 40,000 i changed the cam chain,exept for this,all of engine is factory,I change the oil at every 2,000 Kms,and I have a K&P stainless steel washable oil filter and I clean it throughly at every oil change.But it is a rear tire eater,every tire runs only 3,000 Kms.When I changed the cam chain,I installed a manual decompressor,AC/CDI ignition from a XL 600 RM,kickstarter,and for all,compairing it from the bikes I had before,It's the best,powerful,lightweight,and very dependable.
jair.

**iswoolley** · #11 29th July 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by highlander:
and for all,compairing it from the bikes I had before,It's the best,powerful,lightweight,and very dependable.
jair.

Lightweight? What was your previous bike? A BMW? A GoldWing?

Iain

**pmtsg** · #12 4th August 2003

Hi,
I've got a Tenere at the moment but I'm thinking of jumping horse and getting an XR650L... newish, but can't actually find one at the moment. Anybody got any idea where there might be one for sale ?

cheers,

Simon

**highlander** · #13 6th August 2003

Iswwooley:
My previous bikes:
Brazilian made NX 350 Sahara'91,165 kg
NX 650,'89,170 kg,and the two had short travel suspensions,iron and pro-link linkage,rear drum brakes,and very expensible fairings.Of course,my first bike was a Harley Panhead with jeep tires,250 kg curb weight.The XR 650 R is more lighweight than the L,but if you fall to left side,$$$$$radiator.
jair

Oz · #14 13th September 2003

41000 miles and the valve seat dropped about 4mm and I have dicovered a crack in the piston sleeve. New seat machined in, new valve, new piston, new sleeve. Stuck on Vancouver Island for 3 weeks and a bill of 1400 canadian to boot. I used to think my lovely dommie was reliable. will need to do lots of miles on her now to get that trust back. good job i am bound for sth america then.
(i still think its a great bike and i suffered a freak breakdown)
SAFE TRAVELS

**apattrick** · #15 16th September 2003

Hi Simon,

Don't know about used ones but you can get new ones from www.kjmsuperbike.co.uk. Around 4200UKP I think.

Andy.

Quote:

Originally posted by pmtsg:
Hi,
I've got a Tenere at the moment but I'm thinking of jumping horse and getting an XR650L... newish, but can't actually find one at the moment. Anybody got any idea where there might be one for sale ?

cheers,

Simon