Is the xr600r the red-headed step-child?

[exaresix]

I have long been a great fan of the xr600r, especially for riding the old mine roads in Arizona. Tons of torque, and air-cooled. Yet, of all the XRs, I see relatively few posts on this bike. Much more on the XLs and the xr650 and xr400. To me, the xr600 is one of the least appreciated bikes in the field. I've been to Baja three times. Twice on an xr600 and once on an xr400. (I own both models). The 600 was tons more fun for this kind of riding. What is the consensus — has the xr650 simply made the xr600 obsolete?

[Old_Man_Time]

I have long been a great fan of the xr600r, especially for riding the old mine roads in Arizona. Tons of torque, and air-cooled. Yet, of all the XRs, I see relatively few posts on this bike. Much more on the XLs and the xr650 and xr400. To me, the xr600 is one of the least appreciated bikes in the field. I've been to Baja three times. Twice on an xr600 and once on an xr400. (I own both models). The 600 was tons more fun for this kind of riding. What is the consensus — has the xr650 simply made the xr600 obsolete?

I owned a XR600 and it was an ok bike but the XR650R overshadowed it and I traded it for my first XR650R. The 650R did everything the 600 did and better. Never the less the XR600 was a great bike. Im kinda of a Honda fan even though I own 2 Kawasakis and 1 KTM. I hope honda comes out on top in the end with their new breed CRF line and overcomes the long run dependability issues. All the bike manufacturers are having to deal with long term reliability issues. I think in the end we the consumer will get light fast long lasting bikes. We just need to wait a couple more years. It is slowly starting to happen with each new generation of bikes.

[don87xr600]

I own 2 xr600's. For fun I like to go to the Honda shop and order parts, the 16 year old parts girl tells me they don't sell parts for bikes over ten years old. So I have to explain to her it was pretty much the same bike through 2000 and you do sell parts for my bike. She checks and 3 days later I get my parts! I laugh every time.

[roadcam]

yup, thats the beauty of owning a bike with a history of proven design, and interchangeability ...

[bork]

I too was worried about parts untill Rob Barnum said the 650 uses the same transmission.

[TimBrp]

XR600's rule. My buddy has a 1994 or 96, can't remember....that just plain goes. I would not hesitate to take that bike anywhere mileage was.

[AHRMA17L]

I have long been a great fan of the xr600r, especially for riding the old mine roads in Arizona. Tons of torque, and air-cooled. Yet, of all the XRs, I see relatively few posts on this bike. Much more on the XLs and the xr650 and xr400. To me, the xr600 is one of the least appreciated bikes in the field. I've been to Baja three times. Twice on an xr600 and once on an xr400. (I own both models). The 600 was tons more fun for this kind of riding. What is the consensus — has the xr650 simply made the xr600 obsolete?

While the 650R is obviously four steps ahead of the XR600R from a technology standpoint (I don't think the 600 even has a boxed swingarm pivot), 2006 will be the 6th model year that the 600 has not been in production, and I think that is what has made it and "obsolete" bike. I know a few people here in the Northwest who will ride nothing other than the XR600R and the bikes are getting very hard to find used in good condition. The 600 is simply falling further and further from view.

I would not worry about parts. Honda has traditionally been one of the better Japanese manufacturers about spare parts.

Instead of a red-headed stepchild the 600 is more like the relative that you don't hear much about since they moved away, but everyone like to talk to them when they show up for family gatherings.

The red-headed stepchild of the thumperworld would be the KLX650R of which no one wants, and is reflected in the selling prices of near $1000. You almost can't give the FrankenKaw away.

[oldturtle]

I rode a 93 XR600R until I bought my 01 650R. Now I ride an XR400 and XR650R. I believe if you get a chance to ride a well set up 650R you will answer your own question. Yes the 650R is substantially better and will put the 600R in the crapper. I also happen to believe that the XR400 is substantially better than the 600R. So it is not just the 650R that is causing demise of 600R in popularity, it is also realization that for many types of riding the 400 is also better.

[huntmaster]

I really enjoyed my XR600 but that was then and this is now. The bike hasn't been made in six years and it's not fair to compare it to todays bikes, just as you can't compare a 79 XR500 to that last 600s. It was a great machine that compared well to any of it's counterparts of the day in performance... and beat them all for durability, reliability and cost. No doubt we will say the same about the 650R when the CRF600X debuts!

[creeky]

I still like the XR600R due to its' rock-like reliability for long distance rides and riding comfort. I rode a '96 XR628, WP forks, WP Superadjuster shock, Edelbrock carb for some time, never had a breakdown or major mechanical problem, wish I had never sold it.

[rmhrc630]

I still like the XR600R due to its' rock-like reliability for long distance rides and riding comfort. I rode a '96 XR628, WP forks, WP Superadjuster shock, Edelbrock carb for some time, never had a breakdown or major mechanical problem, wish I had never sold it.

That would have been a beast of a bike yeah???

USDs and whitepower rear shock??

I'm not sure you can still buy such a shock can you ?

[cubera]

XR600 is a GREAT stylin' bike. If that's what you like and feel good on then go for it!

[creeky]

That would have been a beast of a bike yeah???

USDs and whitepower rear shock??

I'm not sure you can still buy such a shock can you ?

It was definitely a runner, and more importantly, handled waaayy better than a stock 600. I do believe that the WP Superadjuster shock is history.

[exaresix]

OK, so the xr600 is not quite a xr650, but it is air-cooled, which is a very nice thing. I have both the xr600 and xr400, and while I would agree that the 400 is easier to throw around in the tight stuff, and is a very 'practical' bike, the riding experience on it is just plain boring. The 600 is a torque monster, and I generally choose that bike for off-road riding.

[mtrhd101]

I've had lots of saddle time on a 600R, 400R and now own a 650R.. The 400 is a great trail bike.. The 650 is a great dual sport/fire road bike and does anything and everything the 600 did only much better.. Better power, handling/suspension everything.. As far as reliability goes other than changing some water hoses every few years it's just as solid as the 600 was.. The ONLY thing the 600 had that was better than the 650 is the seat.. period...

[exaresix]

I've had lots of saddle time on a 600R, 400R and now own a 650R.. The 400 is a great trail bike.. The 650 is a great dual sport/fire road bike and does anything and everything the 600 did only much better.. Better power, handling/suspension everything.. As far as reliability goes other than changing some water hoses every few years it's just as solid as the 600 was.. The ONLY thing the 600 had that was better than the 650 is the seat.. period...

Sounds like you have the experience with all to know. Here in AZ, if you get caught on a warm day on a long uphill gnarly stretch, some of the water-cooled bikes will start boiling their coolant. The ones I've seen do it are all Kaw's. I haven't ridden with the xr650 guys enough to know if that happens to these bikes.

[XR_Dude]

I also own an XR 600R. I think the fact that the 600 has not been made since '01 is all the more reason to write / read about in this forum. Many stories of rides and mods on the good old 600. That is why I think the 600 should have it's own forum, it has a loyal following. The guys that ride the 650 or any of the new thumpers, will always ride the latest greatest bikes with the newest technology (not that there's anything wrong with that), but there are a lot of people out there that enjoy riding and maintaining the 600.

[Hare]

Hands down, one thing the XR600 does better than the 650 is wheelie. It one of the best wheelie bikes period.

Actually I perfer it for the dual sport/supermotard type of riding. I think it is very stable at speed and that also helps through nasty rocky section, it always want to go straight. It just one of those bikes that WORKS. Great Motor, great brakes, ok front suspension and a great rear, too heavy but a decent compromise compared to the others at the time.

I love my KTMs as a woods weapon but will always have an XR600 in the shed, It is getting hard to find a freshy fresh one and theres nothing like a fresh, tight XR600, talk about fun. Even totally rebuilt they just aren't the same as new. I've been lucky enough to devirginize several.

[jwm6]

The XR 600R is the best bike ever built.

[MotoGoalie]

I'll never sell my 600. When it blows up. I'll fix it.