What about those unsightly "air dams"

[Bibleman]

Hi guys! Well, I just put a deposit on a 07 650L. This is about my 20th bike - everything from 70s on up to 1800s, both two and four strokes. I had an XL600 back in the 80s or early 90s (can't remember!) and really enjoyed it. Just happened to mosey into the Honda shop and there she was! Had to get it and relive the memories.

I'm curious about those air deflectors next to the tank that divert the air to the engine. I don't remember the older models having them and I think I'd prefer the appearance without them. However, I know these bikes tend to run hot to begin with and I don't want to cause a problem:prof: . Any thoughts/info??

[drtlvr]

ebay them you might get lucky and sell them. you could do a oil cooler set up they work great

[Bibleman]

Oh, now that sounds like an interesting idea. But would it be OK without either of them? Who sells oil cooler set-ups for the big XR?

[drtlvr]

if you do a search not to many people have problems with over heating,you can get a oil cooler off a xr 400 or xr250 and with some simple mods bolt it on do a search on this site for oil cooler

[Bibleman]

OK - and thanks for the tip.

[bcone]

Switch tanks to a bigger tank which is shaped to direct air over the motor. Lots of people have gone with the IMS or Acerbis tanks.

[CTXr650L]

re-jet your carb to get it running right (they are amazingly lean from the factory,see: "daves mods") and the bike will run cooler too. have fun with your bike, the big pig is a joy to own and ride ?

[Bibleman]

I'm all set to do the recommended mods that I've read about here and the intake/jetting/pipe are at the top of my list. I didn't realize that the aftermarket tanks have a kind of built-in air diverter so I'll take a look at it.

BTW, back in the day, I used to wheelie my XT500 from 2nd gear (not too easy to get the wheel up in 2nd) and shift into third, then fourth while it was up. Now that I'm pushing 48 years old, I wonder if I should give it a try:bonk:

[drtlvr]

I'll bet you can still do it but if you crash I know it will take you alot longer to heal, some times I think back to when I was in my teens and wonder (was I really that good or did I just go for it and hope for the best) now I do most of my daring riding tricks on a, I hope know one is reading this, A DS650 ATV.

good luck

drtlvr:naughty:

[goblin127]

Best mods for the bike to start with are Daves mods and the larger tank and smogg removal. If you do go with a pipe watch out there is some real junk out there.

[Motosprtman]

Hi guys! Well, I just put a deposit on a 07 650L. This is about my 20th bike - everything from 70s on up to 1800s, both two and four strokes. I had an XL600 back in the 80s or early 90s (can't remember!) and really enjoyed it. Just happened to mosey into the Honda shop and there she was! Had to get it and relive the memories.

I'm curious about those air deflectors next to the tank that divert the air to the engine. I don't remember the older models having them and I think I'd prefer the appearance without them. However, I know these bikes tend to run hot to begin with and I don't want to cause a problem:prof: . Any thoughts/info??

I took off the wings and it has not any difference in running termp of course I live in a cool climate to begin (Pacific Northwest) with and that I think of course helps alot. I rejetted and did the mods bike runs at about 200 on the Baja Designs dipstick. As far as lofting your front end your on your own - although I am 52 and love to twist the grip for the occassional power wheelie, just because I can. As we grow older I am not sure if I am faster / smoother now than I was when I was 18 - but the bikes back then had none of the long travel suspension, better handling power and torque that we enjoy today right off the showroom floor. That being said the bikes cover alot of our mistakes and makes us - well me anyway - feel like I am riding better than ever.

[Bibleman]

OK, but if I get hurt - you know who I'm going to blame:p

[drtlvr]

heres a xr 250 oil cooler set up on my bike very simple

[Motosprtman]

OK, but if I get hurt - you know who I'm going to blame:p

No problem! ? remember as the old saying goes "we don't stop riding when we get older - we get older because we stop riding. " due to stupity on my part in this last year alone I have fractured my right wrist and had a class III separated shoulder, and as soon as I was able, I rode again. The separated shoulder was simply bad luck, falling off onto a hidden stunp in the brush, the wrist injurywas incurred crossing over a slimey log at a 45 degree angle and in wet conditions and I was in a PO mood and riding too hard... moral of the story is - it's never the bike that hurts you - it's you. Both crashes were on my XR250R.

[goblin127]

The air deflectors don't mean much at all with the exception of high speed if at all.

[suicidalbunnis8me]

i have an 06 650 L i just started on and asked the same Q's. Was just wondering if there's any big differences between our bikes.

[XR650L_Dave]

The air deflectors are a must with the stock jetting, stock tank, and stock front fender.

Its jetted lean, and has a huge front fender. 35-45 mph is where the wings help the most.

Rejet, and that's enough to say the wings aren't really needed.

But... if you crawl through a lot of new-england muck, the wings are a big help in maxxing out what little wind the engine is getting.

Dave

[goblin127]

Those wings arn't going to do anything at a crawl. In order for those wings to generate wind deflection down onto the engine you need to have some speed to make that happen.

[XR650L_Dave]

Those wings arn't going to do anything at a crawl. In order for those wings to generate wind deflection down onto the engine you need to have some speed to make that happen.

I'm just going by what the dipstick temp is on similar rides, and on the same ride where, um, well, lets just say not both wings made it home. Not wholly unscientific data collection, and somewhat empirical in nature.

If you're going slow, there's not much airflow, but at low speeds a small increase in airflow can make a big difference. You also have to look at how the wings make a low-pressure area just behind 'em.

Every little bit helps with that front fender. Also, you have to remember I'm 225 with the stock front springs, so the fender is more directly in front of the engine than it might be for some folks.

I'd put good money behind saying that at the speeds I mean (mid-1st gear to low 2nd) with the way my bike is set up, they're important.

Dave

[Denn10]

If your looking to sell those tank shrouds let me know mine are pretty messed up from the guy i bought the bike off of and id die to get a brand new set of them. I dont offroad alot with my L so PM me or whatever and maybe we can make a deal