WOW! she's a beauty!
So what are the differences between your Domi and XR-L? Is Domi gearing higher or lower? Same elec. stator output?

I LOVE where you've put the battery! :thumbup1: Is that stock or did you fab that up? (Brilliant!)

I'm assuming same single Carb? (not dual carbs like old XLs's) Is air box stock?

How hard would it be to fit an oil cooler? Placement would be the trick, and protection. That bike looks READY to go.
Man, I wish mine was ... I'm way behind on maintenance and just can't get motivated to dig in.

That's a stock bike apart from the exhaust and headlights. Google the standard model.

Same carb as XRL.. Stock airbox. Easily uncorked but I haven't done that yet.

I'll post some pictures of my XRL tomorrow... It's a 1993. Fully restored to new.

Ted, I love that bike! Beautiful!:mchappy:

I wish they still sold the Dominator over the XRL in some ways, beautiful bikes. There is one or two for sale now on ADV and I was sorely tempted.

Here is a great oil cooler solution that an ADV member came up with and now sells.

Sutton Cycle Works Honda XR 650L Oil Cooler

Initially, I was 100% behind the XRL and I had spent a good year researching the bike and all it's quirks. I know that I will buy one at some point because I do like them. I have ridden a couple and while vibey, they aren't really that much worse than my KTM. It is easy to replace 2nd and 5th gear to replicate the better gearing of the Domi and I do know that the engines are otherwise identical.

I rode a DRZ today and have to say that I am really taken with that as well. I think it is a better bike in some respects than the XRL. I love the water cooling and the sub frame seems beefier. Going to try to arrange some more time on one to get a better idea how they are on and offroad.

Drz400s has a fantastic subframe. Strong enough for big softbags. Lots of pannier options out there too. I miss my Drz. I really regret selling mine.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

I only ever regret selling one of the bikes I have owned. I still miss it.

No, it was dead standard. Agree- if I bought one, I'd do the pipe, the carbs and maybe a bigbore kit.

Mollydog- interesting reading on the history etc. Over here we have Ballards racing. They 'almost' specialize in Honda. Geoff Ballard was a desert racer and did lot of development work on the XR's, including big fin heads (for extra cooling) etc. So for me, its very easy to keep/modify an XR.

I've found the oil level is very much dependent on the oil life/quality. You're right- it doesn't use a drop of oil, and the next thing there is no oil so you have to check it every time you refuel. But I've found it 'only' uses oil when the oil gets old. So better oil (synthetic etc) and more frequent changes = no oil use. But if you have to run it on low quality oil, you have to be meticulous in checking the oil.

And as for the valves- yes, they need adjustment from time to time, but it's a 15 minute job if you have the standard tank. With the long range, it's a bit more cause you have to remove the tank. But that said, I've never needed to do valve adjustment 'outside' of 10k service intervals.

And this is my 1994 XR650l.

Clearly a lot more dirt bike. Very tall and a thin subframe as standard.

However it has an engine from an early Dominator in it at the moment as I'm going to rebuild the other one with maybe a higher compression piston and camshaft.

Wow! I like that Ted! Have you worked on the suspension? What sort of range does the tank give you?

Stock 20 year old suspension and it still works pretty well. I've not really been anywhere on it yet after doing the referb. Its not really finished but it is 'On the road'... 23l tank should give 200-250 miles but with my jetting and exhaust, I'm yet to find out..

I had the seat rebuilt with some gel but it's still horrid. I need to get a Corbin imported..

Here is a magazine that have tested and compared both the Tenere and the Sertao....Bikes: BMW 650 Sertao VS Yamaha 660 Ténéré - Transmoto

The Sertao is so poorly made I think it was a joint effort with Fisher Price. It would fold in half if you rode off a kerb. It is small, light and economical though.

I do like the 660Z. Always have. It's just a shame they're so bloody heavy.

Yea, Ballard's is also well known here, especially in the XR/XR-L community. Lots of US riders order his skid plate and other stuff.

We had "XR's Only" and "Baja Designs" ... but Ballards was better, made better stuff. I think Baja Designs listed Ballard's products in their catalog. Top company!

My experience reflects this exactly. I ran low on oil in Baja and put in some crap Pemex oil, only thing available in small village. Not good. It really does need good oil. My bike needed a new top end after that trip. :thumbdown:

Spot on. I only mention it so folks won't think they can just forget the valve checks. You can't. In moderate use the valves stay put. Not so much after hard deep sand riding. beer

Have you considered getting the stock seat redone by a company like XPC or Seat Concepts? They both do awesome work and can build a seat more to your specs. Renazco as well, but he is a super long wait for work.

I love my Corbin ... but there are other, less expensive seats out there.
The Seat Concepts seat kits get very good reviews. Check it out:
Honda XR650L Parts - Accessories - Performance - ProCycle

Pro Cycle may end up costing you some money ... they've lots of toys for your bike ... but he mainly is a Suzuki DR650 guy. Very good overseas service, even the Aussies buy from him, as a made in Oz Safari tank (and most other items) from Pro Cycle is cheaper than buying it in Oz! Weird!


Well, you would know Ted since you're working on them NOW. Frankly, I'm surprised it's poorly built. It looks so stunningly beautiful (IMO) ... but I guess it really is the ultimate poser Cafe bike. Clearly intended for a ON ROAD ONLY
bike. Good review in the Aussie dirt bike mag ... good pics too!

And I agree ... both the Sertao and Tenere are really too heavy if any sort of even moderate off road is intended. Imagine what they're like once loaded up with all the gear? YIKES! No fun!
My DR650 is heavy when loaded up ... but BOTH the Sertao and Tenere' start out 60lbs. to 70lbsl heavier than my DR650. A big difference!

Now why did you go and have to show me that page. Like I don't already have enough problems trying to save and not spend haha ;)