My Recently Acquired, 2005 Honda XR650L

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Snow's getting low Spud! Glad you and Porky are having such a good time. Have you looked into electric gear? I installed the outlets on The Dirt Rat for my vest and gloves.

I haven't yet researched the electric vests, Doc. However, I'm sure the XR650L generates enough electricity to support them. When the cold weather descends upon Idaho, all the mountain trails are closed, and even the paved roads outside town become icy. Therefore, after the cold arrives, I just bundle up, and ride around town at 35 mph.

Watching the weather reports, I knew last Thursday was going to be my last, decent day to ride this year. Therefore, I took Porky on a 150-mile ride to the Blackfoot Reservoir, and back.



I posted a thread containing more photos from this trip in the Ride Reports Forum.

http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...=110713#110713

Spud

[Weldangrind]

That's just how an XR should look.

Have you received your stainless header yet? I'd recommend polishing it before installation, because it makes clean-up so much easier.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

That's just how an XR should look.

Have you received your stainless header yet? I'd recommend polishing it before installation, because it makes clean-up so much easier.

Indeed, all "pigs" love the mud, and Porky, the BRP, is no exception.



I'm afraid I have disappointing news regarding the XR600R exhaust header I acquired; it is not made of stainless steel. :roll: I have subsequently discovered only the 88-90, XR600R exhaust headers were constructed from stainless steel, and they employ a muffler different from my XR650L. :? Therefore, my only option is to purchase an aftermarket, stainless steel exhaust header.

Although it is expensive, I think I'm going to buy an FMF, Hi-Flo exhaust header for Porky. I really like the appearance, and the ease of maintenance associated with a stainless steel exhaust header. Below is a link to the best deal I have found; prepare yourself for "sticker shock". :roll:

http://www.oemcycle.com/Item/product/3028/PU/FMF-H405H

Spud

[Weldangrind]

That price isn't as bad as I figured. The exhaust header on your bike looks just like mine. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the XR400 pipe is the very same size as the XR650L, even though there is 250cc difference. Maybe some further research will point you to an OEM stainless header.

My XR250R is a '96, and they were the same throughout 2004, and they shared many parts with the same year XR400. They all had stainless headers.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

That price isn't as bad as I figured. The exhaust header on your bike looks just like mine. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the XR400 pipe is the very same size as the XR650L, even though there is 250cc difference. Maybe some further research will point you to an OEM stainless header.

My XR250R is a '96, and they were the same throughout 2004, and they shared many parts with the same year XR400. They all had stainless headers.

I think the following thread summarizes the reasons the XR400R/XR250R headers are probably different from the XR600R/XR650L headers, W&G. What do you think?

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=926734

Spud

[Weldangrind]

Like he said, it was only a guess. The only way to know for sure is to measure them. I could measure the OD of the header pipes at the head, as well as the center to center distance, but my bike is only a 250. Knowing Honda's small block Chevy approach to bike building, I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the XR400 pipes are way oversized for the application, and that they are the same diameter as an XR650L.

It would be quicker and easier to just buy the aftermarket pipe.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Like he said, it was only a guess. The only way to know for sure is to measure them. I could measure the OD of the header pipes at the head, as well as the center to center distance, but my bike is only a 250. Knowing Honda's small block Chevy approach to bike building, I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the XR400 pipes are way oversized for the application, and that they are the same diameter as an XR650L.

It would be quicker and easier to just buy the aftermarket pipe.

Thank you for the kind offer, Brother Derryk! Please do measure your XR250R exhaust header as you described. The O.D. of my XR600R header pipes is 1.5 inches (38mm) across the pipe flange, and the center-to-center distance between the two pipes is 3-5/8 inches (92mm). The distance between the outside edges of both header pipes if 5-1/8 inches (130mm).

Spud

[FastDoc]

I love the BRP playing in the mud, Spud. Do you have a powerwasher? 8)

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I love the BRP playing in the mud, Spud. Do you have a powerwasher? 8)

No, I clean both my bikes with a garden hose, and the water pressure available at my house. I needed to wash Porky when the temperature was 38 degrees Fahrenheit; the daily high temperatures since then have been below freezing. :( I hate winter! :evil:

Spud

[FastDoc]

+ infinity on the winter thoughts, Spud. I'm lucky to have hot and cold water to a spigot in my garage. I hook that up to the powerwasher and I can clean anything. I also have a big diesel powered heater in the garage that works well.

[deputygene]

Hey Spud, glad your liking your BRP! Like mine too. My wife and I are still prepping our bikes for a run at the TAT, hopefully next year. Heres a couple pics of our bikes. I went with the Acerbus 5.8 gallon tank and Borego rack.
Outer Banks, getting ready to board the fairy
[img][/img]
Top of Morrow Mountain
[img]
XR with camping gear

[img]
stream crossing
[/img]
we have added GPS, Garmin 60cx for me, 60 csx for hers
[img]
We have been on several trips camping out. We are still learning and acquiring the gear we need.
[img]
We are running Kenda K270 tires on both bikes, I have put on 3000 miles on mine now with about 1/3 tread left. Ultra heavy duty tubes in both bikes.
I have a tailpipe from XR's only to install. The saddlebags are tourmaster ebay finds. Working ok so far.[/img]
[img]
[/img]

[deputygene]

Oh yeah, we added one addition to our bike stable.
[img]
a 75' XS 650. It will go with my 73 when I get the 73 running for a retro ride. The 75 sounds great, it has been lowere 1 inch which gives it a rough ride.[/img]

[Weldangrind]

Nice machines Gene!

I encourage you to start a new thread for them and share your adventures with us. We love photos!

[FastDoc]

Wow I love those pics! Seems that an XR650 in the right hands is an excellent adventure tourer!

I also like the old XS. I have a restored 1981 XS400. I like that old bike!

[SpudRider]

Thanks for letting me know about your BRP, Gene! Your XR650L, and your DR650SE motorcycles both look great.

How do you like the Acerbis, 5.8-gallon fuel tank? Did you have any fitment issues getting it mounted? I really like the dual fuel petcocks on the Acerbis gas tank. I also think soft luggage is the way to go when outfitting the XR650L for touring. Please tell me more about your saddle bags, and, if possible, give me a web link to a vendor.

Are you getting good traction in the dirt with the Kenda K270 tires? I really like the Kenda, TrakMaster rear tire I have mounted on my BRP; however, I am only going to get about 1,500 miles wear from it. I am considering mounting a Maxxis Desert IT as the next rear tire. The Dunlop D606 is also supposed to last longer, and offer decent traction in the dirt. Thanks for posting the great photos! The XR650L is a wonderful motorcycle; I really enjoy mine.

Spud