XRL owners sign in.

[ONandOFF]

Originally Posted by HellSickle

Keep the engine stock. Invest in properly sprung & valved USD forks, an Ohlins shock, and you'll be way faster. ...

Originally Posted by Wattner

Man I disagree.... ...try Megacycles or Webcams ...The bigger the piston and higher the compression, ...the Mikuni and Keihin pumpers are the way to go. ...have them add stainless valves with high performance springs, a port and polish...

I'm so confused!
How much difference is really made in all these mods... what percentage is real and what percentage is psychological? And how much money does all these things add up to? How much time away from riding and other endeavours needs investing?

The bottom line, it seems, if you read into all this, is you got the wrong bike. Mine's got the simple, easy mods and only slightly outperforms my friend's bone stock. I can't figure out where it makes sense to draw the line when it comes to making the XRL more dirt-worthy. I have no complaints about the suspension on mine, but I'd sure like more top-end maniacal pull! I don't know if there's any way to get that with this engine design, and rev. limiter.

One thing I now know that makes a REAL difference - hop on a CRF450X! You could do everything imagineable to an XRL and never touch one of these. They are so "planted", slide predictably, hop around with finesse & precision, and the power just keeps rolling on! We could argue that the XRL is so reliable and maintenance free, a good argument, except that all the labor and money intensive modifications have at least negated the time and money the CRF would require for maintenance. So, other than something to do, a project to learn on and feel accomplished about, I fail to yet see it all accomplishing what we could accomplish by getting a CRF instead. Sorry about all the questioning, but I've been thinking a lot about this every since riding my friend roadglider's new plated CRF.

[Wattner]

Originally Posted by Onederer

The XR650L is a dual sport bike and ment to be taken off-road. It has more than enough power for off-road sittuations.

Want something to pull your arms out of socket with a twist of the wrist, get a Vmax and be done with it.

Suspension means everything off road. The unmodified XRL suspension is harsh on really rough stuff and blows through travel on hard hits. Riding it fast on really rough terrain gives a feeling of little control. On fire roads and gravel roads it is ok, but that is it.

I ride unsuspended ATCs also, and can tell you that no suspension means the tires are seldom in contact with the ground as they are constantly bounced into the air. That is the whole point of suspension, to keep the tires in contact with the ground while going over rough terrain. No contact with the ground, no control.

Blowing money on engine mods should always be on the bottom of the list.

Well, we all have our opinions... The "L" with all of the suspension in the world, while having power is WAY down.... Attempting to hop over obstacles, blast through whoops, etc. is no fun at all with the stock power. Riding is not racing, being the fastest does not matter, but having power on tap is a must with the way I ride, anyway. At the end of a long run, you will be much more fatigued without the power to loft over obstacles. The OP stated he is adding a cam, piston, etc., so that is the basis of the comments.

Try riding a pumped up "L" sometime and you will see what I am talking about...

The great thing about these bikes is the relative ease in which to get more power

[Wattner]

Originally Posted by ONandOFF

I'm so confused!
How much difference is really made in all these mods... what percentage is real and what percentage is psychological? And how much money does all these things add up to? How much time away from riding and other endeavours needs investing?

The bottom line, it seems, if you read into all this, is you got the wrong bike. Mine's got the simple, easy mods and only slightly outperforms my friend's bone stock. I can't figure out where it makes sense to draw the line when it comes to making the XRL more dirt-worthy. I have no complaints about the suspension on mine, but I'd sure like more top-end maniacal pull! I don't know if there's any way to get that with this engine design, and rev. limiter.

One thing I now know that makes a REAL difference - hop on a CRF450X! You could do everything imagineable to an XRL and never touch one of these. They are so "planted", slide predictably, hop around with finesse & precision, and the power just keeps rolling on! We could argue that the XRL is so reliable and maintenance free, a good argument, except that all the labor and money intensive modifications have at least negated the time and money the CRF would require for maintenance. So, other than something to do, a project to learn on and feel accomplished about, I fail to yet see it all accomplishing what we could accomplish by getting a CRF instead. Sorry about all the questioning, but I've been thinking a lot about this every since riding my friend roadglider's new plated CRF.

Valid points for sure! However, my riding at this stage of my life is long distance and not racing. The 450, while a great bike, has had reliability issues and is not comfortable for really long distances.

I like to have fun while getting to the offroad, and then once getting there having a capable bike is just as important. Unfortunately, for some reason, I have not found a bike that does it all. If I was racing desert, a 450 would be a good mount, but this is the "L" forum where the dual sport crowd perches, if you will.

With all of that being said, KTM has stepped up to the plate and brought the EXC's, with XR reliability and great suspension, 6 gears, etc, etc...

Man, there are so many options compared to ten years ago, this can go on forever. What is right for one simply cannot be right for others, so the debate continues! I love it!

In the meantime, I will take the "L" to ride street for a week or so, then go offroad for days, then ride back home. I have done it many times, and will continue to do so many more if I can

[helipilot650l]

Ok, I have a 99 XRL, with a 103mm Piston, Hot Cam, stainless Valves, Smog removed, XR's only Full exhaust, Stock carb Dave's MOD, Removed fender subframe, Acerbis Tail Light, Moose Bars, And ESP rear shock. I have desert raced, woods raced and chased my buddy on his DL1000 at over 110 mph. In the desert stiffer fork springs would be a big help. But the bike performs well. I also Ride a 2007 CRF450X. It been opened up and The XR675L will walk away from the 450x. I have riden with KTM525 and walked away from them also. I rode the LA BtoV with a guy on an XR650R and the two bikes performed well to gether. He had his opened up pretty well also. I have over 13000 miles on this motor after the I did all this work. She runs Great. As far as what to do first. Motor mods are the first thing I did. The Suspenion can be dialed in to work well with a little adjusting. I am a honda trainned tech and worked alot with the XR's. The XR650L has the same suspension that Johnny Campball and Scott Summers both Won many Races on. George At ESP suspension can set you up for a lot less headache than swaping over to u Inverted forkes. And Olines is a big was of money. I worked a BMW KTM Ducati and Triumph dealership and Olines Blow out all the time. Work or Progessive would be better. Stick with stock unless you think you are better then Scott or Johnny. I rode Scott Summer's bike and the suspension was great. I just biult a 650l for a Friend and he is very happy. Adjusted the suspension, full XR's Only exhaust, Dave's mod and Drilled the air box and removed the Snorkle. I used 3/4in uni-bit and Put four holes in the right side and four on top. That bike runs great. Also a friend of mine has the Mikuni pumper and it doesn't work very will in woops. I boggs over jumps. Try an XR600R or XR650R carb. Much cheaper. It took Johnny Campbell to over 100mph in the Baja 500 and 1000. Just trying to help save some guys a little green.

[HellSickle]

Originally Posted by Wattner

Well, we all have our opinions... The "L" with all of the suspension in the world, while having power is WAY down.... Attempting to hop over obstacles, blast through whoops, etc. is no fun at all with the stock power. Riding is not racing, being the fastest does not matter, but having power on tap is a must with the way I ride, anyway. At the end of a long run, you will be much more fatigued without the power to loft over obstacles. The OP stated he is adding a cam, piston, etc., so that is the basis of the comments.

Try riding a pumped up "L" sometime and you will see what I am talking about...

The great thing about these bikes is the relative ease in which to get more power

Need more power? Drop it down a gear.

Most of the engine mods get you a few more HP up high in the RPM. Very few use that power off-road.

I ride in a lot of very, very remote locations. For me, reliability is critical. Dragging a 400# pig like the XRL out of some slot canyon in Utah requires 5 very good friends.

[ONandOFF]

Originally Posted by helipilot650l

..,The XR675L will walk away from the 450x. ...

Interesting. Lotta good stuff there. So, once all the basic "opening up" mods are done, what's the next step, as economically possible, to take it to the next level?

[beechum1]

SO i go out last night to see where i'm going to mount the center stand to when I build it.... and I see that the rear lower motor mount is the perfect place. If it had a bolt in it. F.

[AZ TOM]

Originally Posted by helipilot650l

Ok, I have a 99 XRL, with a 103mm Piston, Hot Cam, stainless Valves, Smog removed, XR's only Full exhaust, Stock carb Dave's MOD, Removed fender subframe, Acerbis Tail Light, Moose Bars, And ESP rear shock. I have desert raced, woods raced and chased my buddy on his DL1000 at over 110 mph. In the desert stiffer fork springs would be a big help. But the bike performs well. I also Ride a 2007 CRF450X. It been opened up and The XR675L will walk away from the 450x. I have riden with KTM525 and walked away from them also. I rode the LA BtoV with a guy on an XR650R and the two bikes performed well to gether. He had his opened up pretty well also. I have over 13000 miles on this motor after the I did all this work. She runs Great. As far as what to do first. Motor mods are the first thing I did. The Suspenion can be dialed in to work well with a little adjusting. I am a honda trainned tech and worked alot with the XR's. The XR650L has the same suspension that Johnny Campball and Scott Summers both Won many Races on. George At ESP suspension can set you up for a lot less headache than swaping over to u Inverted forkes. And Olines is a big was of money. I worked a BMW KTM Ducati and Triumph dealership and Olines Blow out all the time. Work or Progessive would be better. Stick with stock unless you think you are better then Scott or Johnny. I rode Scott Summer's bike and the suspension was great. I just biult a 650l for a Friend and he is very happy. Adjusted the suspension, full XR's Only exhaust, Dave's mod and Drilled the air box and removed the Snorkle. I used 3/4in uni-bit and Put four holes in the right side and four on top. That bike runs great. Also a friend of mine has the Mikuni pumper and it doesn't work very will in woops. I boggs over jumps. Try an XR600R or XR650R carb. Much cheaper. It took Johnny Campbell to over 100mph in the Baja 500 and 1000. Just trying to help save some guys a little green.

Have always had many of the same thoughts & opinions, thanks for the reinforcement.

[Onederer]

Originally Posted by Wattner

Well, we all have our opinions... The "L" with all of the suspension in the world, while having power is WAY down.... Attempting to hop over obstacles, blast through whoops, etc. is no fun at all with the stock power. Riding is not racing, being the fastest does not matter, but having power on tap is a must with the way I ride, anyway. At the end of a long run, you will be much more fatigued without the power to loft over obstacles.

That is full of contradictions.

Ride an unsuspended ATC at eyeball rattling speeds (maybe 20mph) on trails all day, and get back to me with the power prevents fatique thing.

[techforlife]

Originally Posted by beechum1

SO i go out last night to see where i'm going to mount the center stand to when I build it.... and I see that the rear lower motor mount is the perfect place. If it had a bolt in it. F.

Oh,,,,,that`s a weight dropping mod.......don`t put that back in..




B

[HeadTrauma]

Originally Posted by Onederer

That is full of contradictions.

Ride an unsuspended ATC at eyeball rattling speeds (maybe 20mph) on trails all day, and get back to me with the power prevents fatique thing.

How is it fair to compare a bouncy hardframe ATC to riding a 650L?

Power prevents fatigue when you know how to use it to prevent fatigue. Poor technique and and lots of power will just result in fatigue and injuries. Heck, I find it easier to drive cages that have lots of power vs. ones that don't.

[TourPros]

So I see some mention of Orange bikes and others that people think I should look into rather than do this much to an L. Well not to piss off to many Orange lovers but I have towed many of he up hills and out of the woods with my XR600R.

And more importantly I am doing this because I want to and this is the bike I want. I have had Honda's my whole life and while I strayed to Yamabog once and even had one Kawasucki back in he day I always come Back to Hondas Haul.

So I guess the over all goal for this build will be a full on Dual Sport L leaning to the sport side. A good amount of power while keeping the age old reliability of these air cooled beasts and yet the sport to to enjoy my region.

I do plan on keeping the forks and just have them sprung for my weight and so on (I dont see USD forks on the baja 1000 Hondas and hell I am not that good so). I will also have the rear shock done for my weight (Yes I am a FF @ 6ft 230lb). Beyond tthat I will be removing a lot of weight from the bike by going wih Zeta Hand Guards with he flush led blinkers (I have them on my XR6 as well and really like them), Led rear blinkers and tail/brake light with a mx fender. I will be removing the gauge cluster and going with a Trailtech system. However I will be adding some weigh with a bigger tank (not the 6 gallon but bigger than 4). And I will have the seat done by Fisher Saddle Bags. Stock bars will be replaced and I will be running obvious electronics like GPS, Grip Warmers and so on. Hell starting to think I should just build he extra engine and put i in my 600R LOL. Nah it is a fun bike the way it is.

Which lead me to the questions of who has done what and kept reliability but had noticeable improvement on power. And I for sure want to do the 2nd and 5th gear mods.

[helipilot650l]

Originally Posted by ONandOFF

Interesting. Lotta good stuff there. So, once all the basic "opening up" mods are done, what's the next step, as economically possible, to take it to the next level?

After making the big motor breathe and upping the compression. Then work on the suspension. The forks and shock are better then the motor! It a great motor just chocked up. I am 6'2" and 250lbs. The forks are two clicks from full stiff. the shock is about the same. It could be better. I biult one for a guy a while ago, with Progressive spring and 10wt oil. That thing rocked. George at ESP does a great Job also. He Did my shock. Also check Precision Concepts http://www.precisionconceptsracing.com/ they biuld all of team honda's desert race bikes. So to answer your question. The First thing I did was:
1. Smog pump removal and Skid plate
2. Clarke MFG 4.7 tank
3. XR's Only Full exhaust
4. Moose handle Bars and Pegs
5. Acerbis Tail Light and Removed tail light support. Big weight savings.
6. Big Bore Kit, Cam, Valves and Porting was the last thing I did to get more power.
Now as far as horse numbers go. I did not run her on the Dyno. But a buddy that has an XR650R did and his put out 53 horse. He is about 170lbs and I am arround 250. My bike will run right next to his up to about 90 then mine pulls a head. So I would guess she makes about 55 horse. Now The stock carb is holding her back a little. I doesn't like to open fast. Now I know alot of guys are going to cry BS on the horse power. But I have a Cycle magazine where White Brothers biult an XR650L with stock size high compression piston and cam and got over 52 horse. Johnny Campbells xr600 made over 60horse. So just do what you can as you can. Its a great bike lots of fun.

[helipilot650l]

1992: THE 'XR600R' - BAJA: Based on the production XR600R, this motorcycle completed the grueling 1,670 kilometers of desert racing along the Baja California Peninsula.
The 1992 XR600R-BAJA engine was a 676.7cc single cylinder air cooled OHC with radial valve head, producing 67PS at 7,500rpm.

[Wattner]

Originally Posted by Onederer

That is full of contradictions.

Ride an unsuspended ATC at eyeball rattling speeds (maybe 20mph) on trails all day, and get back to me with the power prevents fatique thing.

Ok, you win!