XR650R - Hmmmmmm

[ExpatinIstanbul]

So it looks like the GS will be on its way soon, for various reasons. I'd love to keep it but it's not getting used and probably won't be for a while and is just too much money to be sitting around.

So I'm looking for something else. Smaller, punchier, capable of getting to the office on, a bit of light weekend touring (250km max there and back), and some off-road duty (admittedly by a total numpty).

And this caught my eye: Looks good.
It's the most I'd want to spend....bear in mind that bikes are much more expensive in Turkey, and this seems a bit of a bargain. But is it going to be too much for dirt use (tracks mostly, nothing technical) and will it be a total pain on camping weekends?

This one's got a 17l tank, but had no other mods at all other than indicators added to get it through Turkey's MOT system, so it's original.

Am I bonkers to think it'll be generally usable, while realising it's no tourer?

 

[Hew]

They really are a special bike.
Kick start and only 5 gears being the only problem.

Once jetted right and using the right technique kickstarting will not be a problem.


If you are only planning on using it for very mild trail riding you should be able to gear the bike up for a good cruising speed on tarmac.

I bought mine when I sold my GS(lack of use) as a dual sport bike but to be honest found it so good on trails that I ended up using it as a trail bike.

The engine is lovely and smooth. I found the 17 liter tank made the bike top heavy on tight trails so run it with the standard 10 litre tank most of the time.

In different parts of the world the XR is sold without the rear part of the subframe used to fit indicators. If you intend to carry luggage you will need to buy/ get a frame made. The Loop type luggage is popular with trail bikes and may be ok without a frame.

Other than that change the oil and filter oil the chain and that should be it.

Have a look at some of the sites in the states there is loads of info on them.
Look at this clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u3IaRRwq_E

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Looks good

 

[tractor4play]

xr

So it looks like the GS will be on its way soon, for various reasons. I'd love to keep it but it's not getting used and probably won't be for a while and is just too much money to be sitting around.

So I'm looking for something else. Smaller, punchier, capable of getting to the office on, a bit of light weekend touring (250km max there and back), and some off-road duty (admittedly by a total numpty).

And this caught my eye: Looks good.
It's the most I'd want to spend....bear in mind that bikes are much more expensive in Turkey, and this seems a bit of a bargain. But is it going to be too much for dirt use (tracks mostly, nothing technical) and will it be a total pain on camping weekends?

This one's got a 17l tank, but had no other mods at all other than indicators added to get it through Turkey's MOT system, so it's original.

Am I bonkers to think it'll be generally usable, while realising it's no tourer?

cracking bit of kit and very powerful when set up correctly.expect a few offs on the dirt if your a numpty.i honestly can not think of another bike that comes close to it unless you want to do 500 mile servicing,no road manners,no tank range and very sore arse=ktm etc.great choice in my opinion.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Got bought by someone else before I could get the cash together. I'm looking for another, or something similar.

 

[Weekday Rider]

Nothing is similar,I have one and love it. Potential 110mph from a dirt bike! The only bike that wins the Baja.Easy to start with a kick and cheap to maintain.Show me another bike like that and it will have Honda XR650R on it's log book. Oh! I have another great bikefor sale on another thread.XR400R.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Get a dominator if that is your sort of bike.

Perfect occasional off-roader with the very excellent electric foot.