Riding to Mongolia/Russia. Which would you pick ??
 

If a UK-Mongolian along the silk road trip was on the cards, which out of these trusty steeds would you ride ?

XR650L or NX650 ?

For me it would come down to condition and readiness, if they are both up together whichever one I prefer riding.

They're both close to ready. Nothing I couldn't do in a free week.

That's a total case of thinking with the heart... Which is a very very good reason.

I'm 50:50 with that way of thinking. I get all technical and geeky too.

XR650L - Tuned Engine, big suspension, noisy exhaust, narrow seat..

NX650L - Same (un-tuned) engine, lower, more sedate , solid chassis.

It's a kind of case of off road performance vs comfort. doh

?
 

amigo,

you have answered your own question ....

XR650L - Tuned Engine, big suspension, noisy exhaust, narrow seat..

NX650L - Same (un-tuned) engine, lower, more sedate , solid chassis.

... take the NX and go ...

cu on the road
mika

I'd go for the lightest, which according to my google searches is the XR.

But I'd like to quieten the exhaust a little and also make sure that narrow seat does not mean uncomfortable seat.

Go with the NX Ted. The XR seat will cut you in half by the time you've got to the end of your road, you'll be deaf by Dover from the exhaust and the tuned engine will go bang the first time it has to work for a living in sand.

Take whatever you want and borrow the other one to me because I want to come with you ;)

They're both in a similar weight league, but I'd tend towards the XRL: You'll be able to get off the beaten track more. So: Take the one with the best (quality/strength/reliability/repairability) suspension. Buying/making a seat comfortable/an exhaust quieter is easy.(From someone who's done it, who set off on one bike and ended up on a different bike, because bike A wasn't up to that specific job).

Doesn't the XRL have the same motor as the NX-Dominator?

Which ever one you choose there will be a time you wished you were on the other one . Go with the bike that you look back at after a good ride and smile (or hug in my case!) I would fit soft motor and sheep to XRL and take that .

haha I like it...

Yes.. Same motors entirely. NX has a slightly longer gearbox but hardly noticeable.

MY XRL has a Dynojet kit and FMF system. It also had vastly superior suspension.


I'm actually tempted with the Dommie. It's lower and more comfortable and probably more reliable due to it's standard state of tune. (also more economical with smaller jets).. And I COULD upgrade the suspension at a cost of £500. It will still never be as good off road as the XR650L though.

The weight saved on the XRL is because it has such a pathetic subframe which I'd have to brace anyway and make it the same weight..

I might have to flip a coin at this rate.

Swap motors and go on the XRL. Good and reliable suspension is very important. Trust me on this one.:innocent:

You at Danny's next weekend?

Sure am... See you there. bier

Seat will cause the most uncomfort. You need a very comfortable seat.

Get an air hawk for the seat or spend some pennies having the seat reworked somewhere cheap once you head East...

Yup.. Just bought one. It's sitting on top of the XRL.

I'm going to try it out this weekend. Not really tried them before. A bit like sitting on Jelly it seems.

I'd like to hear how that Airhawk works out for you. Which model did you get?

Been considering one myself, as my stock TT600 seat is killing me! My tailbone aches and I experience perenium numbness after around 100 kms.

I inquired about a custom seat, but at 410 euros I think I'll pass. I just can't afford that kind work.

I bought the cheaper version they now make. Airhawk 2 I think they call it. I got the medium cruiser size. I don't know if that's the best size. I just guessed at it really.

I've looked at the Airhawk DS, but like the others in the "premium" range, it ain't cheap! I've considered the cheaper Airhawk 2..only difference I could Google me to was that the premiums are repairable and with more heavy-duty construction.

I used an airhawk on the back of my (rigid) bike for a passenger on
a 4000 mile mountain tour to Zagreb . fantastic bit of kit. my friend couldn't have done the trip without it. The trick is to use as little air as possible.

I wouldn't of bought the expensive one. For that price you can have your seat rebuilt.

I think I bought mine brand new off ebay for about £70. For that price, it's worth a punt.

Indeed the trick is not to overfill it with air. It does feel weird to start with. I don't use it in the conventional direction, I lay it horizontal to the seat, sheepskin on top, then a bungee..

I use it in the tent for sleeping on, although so minging, it does underneath the airmattress at the pillow end.

When the road turns tough, I push the airhawk out of the way, i'd rather have a sore arse on a rocky track for a few hours, than a strained back from dropping the bike, The DRZ seat I suppose was built like it is for a reason!