This coming weekend, I am getting the chance to ride my 625SXC and a buddies DRZ back to back on a number of surfaces. Pavement, dirt roads and singletrack. That should answer a lot of questions I have and hopefully it will be a day of fun! :D

Whoops! Sorry mate! You would not believe what some of the DR650 guys spend at Pro Cycle. $$$$ THOUSANDS! $$$$ doh

Hey, if you really need parts I'd keep an eye on the US XR-L forums. (Thumper Talk, ADV Rider, et al)

I'd bet there are guys parting out (breaking) XR's or just selling off bits and pieces. Might take a while, but I'm thinking you could find just about everything. Only issue is shipping costs. Might be worth it if parts are cheap enough?

Tens of thousands of XR-L's have been sold here nationwide since 1992. Bike has never changed, so like the DR650, lots of parts out there.

bier

Yeah I hear you. I was even considering flying out with two empty suitcases and filling them full of goodies. There is a small xr650l following in Europe which would love some local supply.

Ultimately, after having tried all the bikes in question, I always come back to my KTM and love it even more. I will run the bike on my upcoming TAT trip after making a couple simple upgrades to it and see how it shakes out reliability wise, but the more I dig into the bike, the more I realize how simple to work on it is. If I couldn't take it, for whatever reason, I would choose the DRZ. Time will tell if I made a wise choice, but till then I am staying orange.

You gotta ride what you love at the end of the day !!

Preparation is key to success. Find out its weaknesses and sort them before you go or have the means to fix them on the road.

I knew the Drz was known for bad stators. I had a spare one packed up in a jiffy bag at home ready to be posted out if required. Pissing about looking for spares on eBay from an internet cafe in the arse end of nowhere is no fun at all..

Hi so out of these three bikes, which would make the best one for a RTW trip, and why?

XR650R
XR650L
650 Dominator

Thanks in advance.

Clearly, no hard & fast answer. Many things factor in. Really your choice based on:
1. your needs (or perceived needs), likes, must haves
2. skill, background as a rider
3. skill, experience as a mechanic
4. Where you are, bikes available where you are?
5. Budget?

Ridden any of the 3 bikes?

The L and Dominator are similar, (same basic air cooled motor). The R is a totally different beast. Liquid cooled, 10 year newer design. It's the R model that is the multi time Baja 1000 winner.

But could make a good travel bike if set up well. But remember, it was designed as a race bike from the start, was never street legal (in USA anyway).

Both the R and L are very TALL bikes. Domi a bit lower, IIRC. If you're a shorty like me ... consider that.

Thanks for the info. I realised the R was a newer bike. Has an Aluminium frame instead of Steel. Didnt know it was WC against air. The R is street legal in the UK and luckily I have no problems with bike height, Im 6'1". Or I should sat I get cramped on small bikes.
So the R would make a better travel bike if set up?
TIA

I have an XR650L and an NX650 Dominator.

I also used to have a 650R in Enduro AND supermoto format.

XR650R is a good bike but it's more of a racer. A big racer, but a racer all the same. I wouldn't use it as a travel bike. Too vibey, too thirsty, kick start only etc.

The XR650L is a fantastic travel bike but only if you're going to be needing it's off-road capabilities. I bought mine to do a trip to Mongolia on. I think it's out there with the DRZ400 as one of the best long distance enduro bikes. On paper, it's not really any more powerful than the DRZ400 but you can feel it in it's midrange. Easier to tour on.

The Dommie has the same engine as the 650L. It also has a heavier, stronger framer and a good subframe already. It's the softer, lower, more street version of the 650L (the 650L needs bracing for luggage).

The suspension on the Dommie is UTTER TERD though. You will have to invest £500 on revamping it at least.

If your trip was 50:50 dirt I'd take the 650L and strengthen the frame and get a new seat.

If your trip is 70:30 Road/Dirt or just easy trails then I'd take the Dommie with improved suspension.

Ted

Thanks Ted. I guess out of those 3 bikes then its looking like the Domi. Would the suspension from the XL fit?

Nope.....

However, from my research ; the forks from an XR600R fit the front and the rear shock from an XR250R and an XL600 fit's the rear. That's just what I read though. I've never seen or tried it. (I might though)

Lot's of people make new shocks for the Dommie. £300 for a Hagon. You can have the original shock re-conditioned with a stiffer spring for about £150-£200. Firefox racing offer this service via mail order.

Progressive springs are also available for the front forks. £100 from Hagon.

I'm sorting out my suspension in teh next few weeks, so if you're in no rush, you can learn from my mistakes ;)


With the Dommie, your problem will be finding one in good condition with low mileage. They stopped making them in 2001. Take your time finding one. They're quite common on Ebay.

If you're buying an old, high mileage one for a long, extended trip then I'd be looking at maybe giving it some new piston rings and valve stem seals. Along with all the usual wear items. Old bikes can quickly drain cash if you're not careful.

Not a hard job on these simple air cooled engined bikes if you're that way inclined.


The best thing is that you should be able to buy a half decent dommie and reburb it and have it ready to travel on for less than £2000. £2500 if you really want to pimp it out.

Ted

Thanks Ted, very informative and useful.

At the moment its looking like a Domi if I cant get hold of a Xchallenge.

If it's an X-challenge you're looking for, the XR650L is probably a lot closer to that than the Dommie.

If you can find one.... :cool4:

I'm not fully decided what I want. I want to see how far East I can get, Vladivostoc or Magadan would be the targets. So just trying to decide the best bike for me to do that. (Its a harder decision than I first thought).

I am 5' 8'' and 120 lbs. I am also 74 and fit. The bike I'm looking for is the crf230l for the reasons stated.
I've rode scramblers mx and I now ride a Honda cbr500 and have since it's inception.
I live in the Kooteny Bc where the riding is unparalleled both on and off road. I lived and worked in the Baja and know what it's like to pick up a bike more than I would like.
I am heading to SA next fall knowing that the little Honda will get me anywhere.
What kind of hurry can I be in when my whole object is to live with other folks without fear of theft or strife.
I just happen to like the little roads