The XR650L hasn't changed at all since 1993, apart from graphics.

The mileage might not be genuine anyway. Only way is to listen to the motor and check the running gear.

They don't get a lot cheaper than that. They are also on the rare side in the UK, although there has been a slow but steady flow for a few years.

A caring green-laner for an owner is no bad thing.

Make sure it's cold when you arrive. You want to hear a cold start. Any top or bottom-endy noises should clear as soon as it's warm.

Might also want a rebuild before a long trip anyway. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

did you get my email, Daniel?
there's a lot to be done to prep any bike and unless you want both the fun and the aggro, you'd do better to buy a prepped one. I enjoy the challenge, but it took months and a lot of testing to get the suspension geometry, spring rates and damping right. I also set up Mark Crook's and he keeps raving about the handling where others have ended up with horrible results eg too stiff and too little damping at the front. also, you're unlikely to get any more 45 litre tanks which means you either have to fabricate or make do with 23 litre main and cans in the luggage.
A bog-stock bike for £2k is no bargain compared with a fully prepped bike for £4k.

Agreed - I've spent far more than £2K on prepping mine.

Hi there

I've been doing some serious thinking, and I reckon that a motorbike just isn't the way to go... I'm looking for the best way of getting thru Africa.. I never said this but I'm a pure traveller, not a biker and it suddenly struck me that for £3k I could either prep some old nail of a bike and have it break down in Nigeria or similar or buy a Landcruiser and forget all my worries of what I can and can't take along.

I'd probably spend about the same amount on fuel considering it'll burn diesel rather than petrol, and when it comes to breakdown the landcruiser would be less problematic in terms of local knowledge and spare parts.

I've been in the things from Bolivia to Pakistan and I love them. I went in a 1960's model in Egypt and the thing still went thru soft sand.

My only worry is it being more nick-able, plus it doesn't have that same sense of freedom that a motorbike would. But on the other hand it won't hurt when all the goats / dogs / children come running under the wheels.

I'm still not convinved though... I take it you want £4k for the bike then, Rich.. I didn't get your email - sorry. My address is zeus underscore xy at hotmail.com

Cheers

Dan

[This message has been edited by danielsprague (edited 10 April 2004).]

[This message has been edited by danielsprague (edited 11 April 2004).]

that looks like the email address I got from your profile. by the way, it might be best to write it "zeus" at "hotmail" so spam bots can't pick it up and hit your account. in the email, I told you more about the bike and included (but optional accessories) and suggested you make me a sensible offer if you feel £4k is too much.

there's no "right" way to travel. bus, foot, bike, car ... they all have merits and drawbacks. its not for me to persuade you of one or another and I know I'd like to do a 4WD trip, but I'll leave it a few years till I need the creature comforts

if you/anyone else wants to talk more about the XRL, feel free to email me: rich_rtw at hotmail.com

good luck

Rich -

Email me an html page about your bike and I'll host it and give you the address to distribute at your will, which could be something like:

www.PM-04.com/Rich.html

If you want any pics etc up, send those too. Not sure if this will be useful, but hey, I have the space and it's a nice fast server...
PS > By the way people, I've seen the bike in question, and it's a goody.

PPS > I would never want to travel on anything but a bike. Just couldn't take the barriers that imposes.

Hi

Thanks for the tip Rich..

I personally think the best way to travel is without doubt on the buses with the local people. BUT it's always frustrating to have a perfect beach or cool glacier or lonely waterfall out of reach because buses don't go there and the local taxi driver charges a fare twice the value of his vehicle to get there...

But like I said, I'm not swayed yet either way... I'm looking into what I might need to prep a landcruiser and what it would cost.

You're bike looks fantastic and I've no doubt it'll be up to the job, it just seems almost cheating to buy a fully prepped bike, although I could take it apart and put it back on to get an idea of how it all fits together etc.

Cheers

Dan

[This message has been edited by danielsprague (edited 11 April 2004).]

Dan,
I know almost nothing about bikes. I started my trip with no know-how what so ever. From California to Ecuador I have dropped, crashed, abused, neglected and executed just about every other bike crime known to man. My XR650L has been absolute gold. I can't say enough about it. I havenever taken a motorcycle trip before but this has been, without doubt, the greatest journey I have ever been on. It's all down to the endurance and reliability of the bike. It has forgiven me all my abuses and given me time to find my feet with it.

Obviously the choice is up to you but I just had to put a word in for the bike. Good luck.

Trys.

You're not cheating, you're making the best use of the experiences of others, learning from their mistakes.

It's no different to asking for the advice of people on this site - learning from others mistakes, avoiding those time & money wasting mistakes that can set your journey back.

If you decide to go the 4X4 route, you should repeat the process you've just undergone here in determining what bike's correct for you. Try looking at the relevant threads on this site.

The whole idea of these sites is to be able ask questions & gain knowledge quickly & easily, thus benefitting from the experiences of others.

Steve



[This message has been edited by Steve Pickford (edited 13 April 2004).]