Older 600 thumpers XT's, XL's, DR's

[Wrigsby1]

I have an 11GS and we may be moving to France later this year. If we stay for a bit then having the GS may be a prob and I might have to sell or store in the UK. Re-registering pre2003 bikes in France seems like a serious PIA...

Anyway.... on eBay France there are tons of thumpers such as XT's, XL's and DR6's which look OK and are pretty cheap and obviously French registered. I am in the middle of a thumper fascination and these are a decent size for tooling around.

Which is the best old buy?? XT's can have probs and Honda's usually have a good rep but I know little about XL6's or DR600/600 Djebel/650's.

Any advice appreciated...

 

[MikeS]

I have had my 01 DR650 for 7 years now and have no plans to sell it. It was a French import. I take it to the Alps every summer in my van.

I like them so much I bought a spare one but my mate insisted I sell it too him so I am back to just one for now.

The DR650 has now been for sale unchanged for 14 years in the US, Suzuki has tried to stop making it but people keep buying them.

Deffinatley worth a look.

The best (light & smooth) version is the 1996 onwards.

It was only sold in the UK in 1996 and 1997 I think but was available for longer in mainland Europe.

If you do consider one beware of 1998 and 1999 models as they have a drive gear problem.

If you want more details just ask.

Mike

 

[D6]

xl/xr variants, twin carbed if poss, but they are gettin old now...
had em all,but imo the honda wins for everything, but ride as many makes as you can before you buy,,

the mz one aint that bad either,

 

[Wrigsby1]

Thanks for the replies so far.... I like the look of the DR's even though i haven't owned a Suzuk since the early 90's. The French have a good market for these trailies espec Dakar stylies and Super Motard modded ones... much bigger than the UK. There are quite a few DR6 Djebel style ones and lots of XT Teneres and XL's.

I rode a few in the 90's but was a sports bike bloke then so they were not fast enough even though they were fun. Stopped pretending now though so they are more sense and don't mind doing my own work so they are easy to look after.

S'funny 'cos some of the bike prices make you fall over but these seem OK and they are often relatively standard. There is even some DR Big's about!

Might just leave one in the garage over there...

 

[metropolis2k]

I'm biased because I'm a complete Tenere nut but I know you can get some gorgeous examples of the original 34L Tenere in France for very little money. Parts are very easy to get a hold of (most of them are shared with the standard XT600) and they're very easy to work on.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Yip, I do like the Tenere and apart from the reported 5th gear prob which seems to be a potential show stopper, they get a great write up. With all the hassle with re-registering older bikes, a French reg big traile is very likely...

What is odd is the difference in price for used stuff across the makes and ages. I think i read that French bikes don't have a specific MOT type test so it may account for older bike prices for popular models. Some of the other stuff is pricey though...

They do/did like their big trailes though so there is a few more to pick from than over here

 

[Hustler]

Yip, I do like the Tenere and apart from the reported 5th gear prob which seems to be a potential show stopper, they get a great write up. With all the hassle with re-registering older bikes, a French reg big traile is very likely...

What is odd is the difference in price for used stuff across the makes and ages. I think i read that French bikes don't have a specific MOT type test so it may account for older bike prices for popular models. Some of the other stuff is pricey though...

They do/did like their big trailes though so there is a few more to pick from than over here

Having just returned from 3 years in la belle France I can vouch for the fact that re-registering UK bikes over there can be a big pita.
There is no MOT on bikes in France but secondhand bikes are expensive, as is insurance.
But there is no road tax on bikes.
Belle chance.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Having just returned from 3 years in la belle France I can vouch for the fact that re-registering UK bikes over there can be a big pita.
There is no MOT on bikes in France but secondhand bikes are expensive, as is insurance.
But there is no road tax on bikes.
Belle chance.

Thanks....

Here is a selection of bikes from French eBay of the type I will look for....

All for under 1.5k Euro and as is usual anyway... buyer beware... sold as seen etc

There is a couple of pages of DR6/650's alone and even some DR Big's! You just have to weed out the popular SuperMotard's...

Gotta say the XL with the big tank looks fun

I guess the 11GS may stay in a UK garage somewhere if we move ...

 

[Timolgra]

Loved my DR650. Rode it around Morocco, general trail riding and a couple of rallys.
I fitted progressive fork springs, re sprung and valved the rear shock, Acerbis tank, etc etc.
It was great fun

 

[metropolis2k]

Yip, I do like the Tenere and apart from the reported 5th gear prob which seems to be a potential show stopper

Yeah that can be an issue with earlier ones (although I still prefer the earlier ones) but it can easily be checked and if necessary replaced.

Lovely selection you've posted there. The XL with the big tank looks like my pick of the bunch too!

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Loved my DR650. Rode it around Morocco, general trail riding and a couple of rallys.
I fitted progressive fork springs, re sprung and valved the rear shock, Acerbis tank, etc etc.
It was great fun

Sorry to hijack the thread, but Tim, is there a big trail bike of any kind you haven't owned?

And Wrigsby1, for that kind of money I'd say all of them looked good.

 

[FERRET]

Have a look on Ebay, RICHEYROO of this parish is advertising his xt yam at the moment, £3250 buy it now with two spare bikes and loads of spares, he has had loads done to the engine and it looks superb

 

[Timolgra]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but Tim, is there a big trail bike of any kind you haven't owned?

Loads unfortunately

This Belgarda TT600R was one of the best looking big trailies I've owned but kick start only and a small fuel tank was an issue. I didn't like the newer blue, electric start models.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Great replies....

One of the main bits is that it has to be French registered and probably a bit of a cheaper run around.... even though the 07 650 GSX-country looks tempting on the for sale section....

I have a great 11GS and it is modded to suit me but is pre 2003 which means it seems that you have to jump though ever changing hoops depending which way regional French beaurocracy is blowing on the day It seems that the price of changes and conformity tests + paperwork are not worth it.

Post 2003 bikes are not as bad as they conform to updated Europe wide type approval... (I think?)

Still, lots of big trailies in France and they compare well with prices in the UK. Some bikes like BM's, like cars can seem a bit expensive. S'pose if you buy French and sell French then it makes on odds...

 

[Puffin]

Hallo Wrigsby, so your abandoning Shetland The "Dim" Boys will find you wherever you go
DR650 are exceptional allrounders I had one and i wish i never sold it 600 Teneres are good, im a big Yam offroader fan and have had two. The early ones are starting to become collectable so prices are rising and will probably end up like the XT500. Overpriced, all restored and hardly a Dirty used one to be seen The DR was better for Green Laning, Better allround. You should also have a look at the XTZ750 Tenere, not so brilliant offroad but a real Mile muncher on the Tarmac
I guess at the end of the day it will come down to, whatever you can find a good example of, at a good price. You can allways change it, if you dont get along




Puffin (or perhaps that should be Tammy norie )

 

[peepingtom]

what puffin said

I think i can say ive had virtually all large trail bikes from 80's and 90's and while most people over here never really got the idea that they were such brilliant fun bikes the french and italians definatly did. when i toured around europe at the time there were so many trail bikes its no wonder your finding them in the classifieds now
One of my favourite bikes was the DR600 dakar which i had 3 of and used to ride in the trail bike class in enduros. they really are brilliant and very strong, at the time they were the most sucessfull privateer machine in the dakar rally.
plus the frogs got the Djebel model which just looked that bit cooler than our model. the only thing i didnt like was the no electric start. and when your 2 up with luggage in the middle of paris at the front of the traffic lights on a hot day in leathers....... its enough to put you of kick starts forever
best handling was/is the aprilia tuareg , fantasic bike but not much fun to work on or getting parts for now .
i found the xlm600 under powered but love the styling, big tank and tubless wheels i think theyre pretty reliable too.
loads of xt600 models to pick from i like all of them its just finding a really good example as lots will have been well thrash by now
proberly not to many klr600/650 tengi's about. they werent as popular as the others and have terrible seats but very strong motors , never caught on here , only in usa canada and oz i believe.

whatever model you decide onget the best one you can find /afford would be
my advise( if thats not obvious )
DR 600 Djebel

 

[tractor4play]

single

i would agree with most of the posts.i have a xl600lm,3aj 600 tenere and a single carb xr 600 at the minute.i have had yam tt 600 and nx dominators in the past and i like them all although i do prefer the dual start tenere and xl600lm from the mid eighties.i would say condition and history of the bike is more of an issue than which model.some of the reasons for liking the tenere and lm=superb eighties build quality,no plastic very crashable,great tank range,dual start,comfort and decent off road.you could include the dr here but i have never owned a 600 so its not fair for me to coment.goodluck bud.