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26 Feb 2009
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Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: California
Posts: 881
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PatHorne
JennyMo
Who's to say that the they are not both women.
While the DRZ400 is a great bike its weight and height can be a hand full and would also need to be lowered. Thus giving the same propblems as you pointed out on the XR. The DRZ has no strearing lock and only takes 1.8L of oil against the 1.7 of the XR...
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They could indeed both be women, but the hight issue only seems to be a problem for Tamlanes girl friend, not Tamlane themself?
I agree the DRZ would need to be lowered too, but there are kits widely available for this (not sure about one for the 650R). It comes with a electric start and decent sized battery fitted and is still lighter than the 650R comes as standard.
I believe the DRZ400S version (the road legal trail version) does have a steering lock fitted in the steering tube, and although it does have a small oil capacity as you say, the service intervals between oil changes are 4000 miles, not 600-1000 miles as the 650R handbook suggests.
I'm not telling anyone what to buy, just pointing out the short comings of the 650R as a long distance travel bike, and recommmending they look at an alternative, which as you agree, is a proven and reliable machine...
xxx
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4 Mar 2009
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet)
They could indeed both be women, but the hight issue only seems to be a problem for Tamlanes girl friend, not Tamlane themself?
I agree the DRZ would need to be lowered too, but there are kits widely available for this (not sure about one for the 650R). It comes with a electric start and decent sized battery fitted and is still lighter than the 650R comes as standard.
I believe the DRZ400S version (the road legal trail version) does have a steering lock fitted in the steering tube, and although it does have a small oil capacity as you say, the service intervals between oil changes are 4000 miles, not 600-1000 miles as the 650R handbook suggests.
I'm not telling anyone what to buy, just pointing out the short comings of the 650R as a long distance travel bike, and recommmending they look at an alternative, which as you agree, is a proven and reliable machine...
xxx
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Im with you !!
Having owned an XR650R as an enduro and a supermoto, I would not recommend it for a RTW trip.
DRZ400S for a rough trip or XT600E for more reliabilty would be a far better choice.
The XR can be an utter bitch to start with the kick, and its very uncomfortable at all on the road too and theres not much out there commercially to prep it for overlanding. Weak alloy subframe needs bracing for luggage and it needs more maintenance than most too.
Its not light either and is very tall. I spent a serious amount of money prepping one for South America and after doing all the sensible mods, it still made no sense so I used an XT600E instead and i'm sure I made the right choice.
Fantastic for the desert and a great fun bike, but for RTW...hmmm no !!
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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