Long haul XR650L?

[Jayzonk]

Just wondering if anyone has done a longer trip on a 650L - planning to go from Ontario right out to BC. Could it actually be an enjoyable trip if I:

1) got a taller windscreen

2) got rid of the death wings

3) Got some good cloth saddlebags and a rear fender mount?

4) Got a Corbin seat (or other)

Would this work? What are the other dual sport bike options?

I'd like to do the trip on a GS, but it seems like an awful lot of cash for a marginally better trip. No?

[Bodhisattva]

A gs will give more then a marginally better trip (on road).

From what i have read, an L can be made into a good trip bike, but there are better choices.....do it!!!

[justicedone]

I have ridden a good 10-12 hrs straight without whining (too bad) have fun and enjoy the ride..its good to be alive man

if it gets boring do wheelies

[Maniak]

If you dont expect to do any major off roading I would use the GS.

[woodsrat]

My "Woods Wing," equipped with Givi bags and road tires, takes me everywhere I want to go. I hate the interstate so it works for me.

[roadcam]

just my own bad exerience, but the CORBIN Dual-Sport seat is a piece of crap ... had to return it twice because of shoddy construction, and it still doesn't fit right ... plus, it has a severe downward slope to keep you right up against the tank, which is not too good for straight-up riding ... worst $250 I ever spent ... just put a sheepskin on the stock seat, you will be much better off ...

[edssco]

Good for you ,do it Man!

What kind of gas tank to you have?

How many miles are you talking about ?

I would like to take a 400-500 round trip

this summer .

I got a small tent and some saddle bags on ebay.

The stock seat will be OK for me ,I figure ride about 1hr, rest some

keep going etc.no hurry 65-70- mpm on freway

Good Luck to you Jayzonk

Ed

[Motosprtman]

The XR650L in stock trim is capable of the trip with ease. Your personal comfort and creatures features are up to you.

[radvocaat]

Where in BC are you headed? Drop me a line when you arrive, we have some great riding here!!

I've done some long trips on my L, and the sheep skin, or equivalent, is a great idea. I used a small foamy covered in nylon that i found at a thrift store by accident.

A Friend put me onto a good idea too: I bolted a 16" long piece of 1" aluminum stock on my moose skid plate ,on the top-just under the top oil drain ,and cut a 45 angle on each end and mounted my stock foot pegs (I put some IMS pegs on) . With a quick two bolts, I have cruise'n pegs!

Now I realize this seems crazy for a dirt bike, but on that long ride I was able to stretch out a bit more, which is nice for a 6'4" dude with bad knees!

Should work great for riding across the prairies(ouch)

Also you sleeping bag etc works great as a back rest when mounted on the bach portion of your seat!

[wheelnut46]

A Friend put me onto a good idea too: I bolted a 16" long piece of 1" aluminum stock on my moose skid plate ,on the top-just under the top oil drain ,and cut a 45 angle on each end and mounted my stock foot pegs (I put some IMS pegs on) . With a quick two bolts, I have cruise'n pegs!

Now I realize this seems crazy for a dirt bike, but on that long ride I was able to stretch out a bit more, which is nice for a 6'4" dude with bad knees!

Should work great for riding across the prairies(ouch)

Like this?

http://happy-trail.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=107&categoryid=12&startpage=1

[rokklym]

If its a long trip, run 50/50 or more stret oriented tires. Trail wings would be great for a long distance trip..good road manners, good on gravel and light off roading is doable.

Like Roadcam, I'm not overly impressed with the Corbin. Looks like a million bucks but is slippery so whenever you hit the brakes you slam into the tank and your boys can only take so much of that. Plus, they don't fit..they just dont. I do like the width of the rear of the seat though, but its too hard of foam. When I put my sheepskin on the corbin, its pretty nice though.

Windscreens can be hit or miss. I'm kinda scared to spend the money since the wrong one will create some terrible buffeting thats 100X worse than the wind you get without a screen.

Saddlebags...You better make something to keep them and the plastic off the pipe, seriously!! The wieght in the bag, plus the pressure of the wind going 70 really pushes the bags into the bike and you WILL melt them..don't ask me how I know. Saddle bags are a good idea on the XRL though. THe XRL's are very tall and when you add luggage to the back, they get even tippier. plus, its a pain to get on and off the bike with alot strapped to the seat / rack.

Should be a very capable bike for your trip!

[Jayzonk]

The trip should be about 3000 miles each way. I'm going from London to Penticton.

I think the cruiser pegs are a must for that length of ride, and I really like that setup in the picture.

As for the saddlebags, Happy Trails makes a pretty substantial rack for mounting, but I'd like to hear from someone who has used them, as the bags may still get pressed to the tail pipe, as mentioned. Any one used the Happy Trails rack?

[Jayzonk]

By the way, does anyone get a slight fishtail in the rear wheel when the bike is doing about 75mph? I've never noticed it before today. It was a little windier than normal, and I'm wondering if that was the cause of it.

[XRnToon]

The "slight fishtail" may be caused by a rear tire that is not properly balanced. The highway pegs look like a good idea. Check out the Maxxis 50/50 tires, I just removed a worn out set from my 650L. They worked good ont pavement, but not good enough , for me, in the dirt - excessive rear wheel spin and the front never liked to stick in the corners.

If you happen to be riding through Saskatoon, PM me.

Best of luck and have fun.

Jeff

[Ferdinand]

I have the Happy Trails rack on one of my xr's, its rock solid (should be for price) and fairly simple to mount, have to mount turn signals to rack, not difficult just takes some time.

Also as far as seats I highly recommend getting a buttbuffer insert installed in the stock seat. It's a polymer type gel that replaces some foam in the seat. The seat is recovered with stock cover or other cover if desired. Its about half the price of corbin for a large insert and works great. You don't have to worry about fit issues because its the stock seat. Best money I spent besides a larger tank.

Check site by same name (buttbuffer) it explains whole process and lists dealers. Since you are not in States, might be more difficult, but It's worth checking out.

[radvocaat]

Like this?

http://happy-trail.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=107&categoryid=12&startpage=1

Yes, exactly, maybe that's where he got the idea.

I was kinda surprised when I thought no one had done something similar.

[Jayzonk]

That ButtBuffer is neat. Reminds me of cushions my grandmother use to have hanging around the couch! Kidding. It looks pretty comfortable. I'm sure they're good with adding the padding underneath, but I'm a little leary of that, but probably not for a good reason. I think I'd have to go with the top tie-down.

.....gotta get the acid purple to go with that racy Honda red, eh?....

[Ferdinand]

The only problem with the pad on top (at least for me) is it makes the seat that much higher, I'm 5.9 so I can't afford any more distance from the ground.

As far as install in the seat goes, the guy who did mine did an excellent job, you would never know the seat as being different from stock until you sit on it.

[Motosprtman]

I was out riding my 650L on the street last night (evening - it stays daylight for a long time up here in the PNW) and got to thinkin...this motor sure seems to like to cruise along at 60ish - effortlessly. But then again it should, it is after all the NX-650 motor and prior to that the GB motor...

Almost makes me want to take it to work tommorow (102 mile round trip) so that I can avoid the long weekend wait for a ferry back to whidbey island in the afternoon after work (bikes go on first and off first). But running the Dunlop 606's on it I am afraid they are not well suited for extended highway riding (freeway), although I probably have 80 street miles on em now and they show virtually no wear at all!

[Jayzonk]

I don't think it'd hurt to try it once. I've got the original tires on mine, and use them for pavement all of the time. I haven't had a problem, but I do suspect that I'd go for a really nice long slide if I locked them up.