I just sold my '81 XR500R which was a great old bike. I have limited means so now I'm looking at an 87 and an 88 XR600. I can't seem to find any aftermarket exhausts for the 88-90 but every other type of part is plentiful. I think the single carb and 18" rear wheel would give the 88 an advantage, but maybe some of you have had both or know both bikes well and can give me a little more info. Thanks.:worthy:

I think they got disk brakes in '90 or '91. I think the '87 and '88s had weak transmissions. If you absolutely had to get one of the ones you are looking at, by all means go with the '88. I had a supertrapp on my '84. That's all I know for aftermarket exhausts.

The guy with the 87 says he had the top end done. Then he says the cam chain rattles a little. Does this sound like the tensioner or maybe a whole new cam chain? I think this could be a deal breaker. I don't want to dump hundreds into right away just to get it running right.:worthy:

I would walk away. I think you have to split the cases to change that chain. Then as long as you're in there...chaCHING! The 17 inch rear wheel bites also. You get a choice of like three tires.

...not to mention the dual carbs that never work right.

Walk away from it ... what sounded like cam chain rattle on my XL500 turned out to be piston slap.

Cheers

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... sorry - didn't realize this was my first post :blush: ... been lurking for quite a while now!!!

the 87/88 XL/XR's are IMHO bulletproof. I am not sure about splittin the cases for a cam chain. I think all you have to do is remove the flywheel. If your looking to save some money (thousands) over a new bike, then considering the price of a top end job, it's still cheaper. Even if you send the head off for rework, and a bore on the jug, new piston and rings. FMF makes a after market slip on exhaust for them and dynojet makes a kit for the carbs. I know becuase I have installed the FMF powercore IV pipe for an XR600R on my 87 XL600R and the dynojet kit too, My XL600R easily whips my 2005 XR650L, Don't be discouraged if it is the bike you want to ride, go for it and make it yours.

The cases do not have to be split to replace the cam chain. The head cover, clutch cover, clutch basket, and crank gear have to come off. As for the rattling, it could be as simple as a failing cam chain tensioner or chain guides or as serious as piston slap, upper rod knock, or a wasted top end.

Of the two choices, it sounds like the '88 is less questionable than the '87.

joneill4 said:

They work better than a single carb when they are properly maintained and adjusted. They are just more sensitive to dirt and neglect.

I've read that on the 85-87s the chain guide wasn't tempered hot enough and was prone to failure. Anyone know about this? Also, I've been online searching for aftermarket exhausts for the 88 and nobody seems to make one for the 88-90 models, but they do for every other model. I know the 88-90 have the same head as the nx650. Also no luck searching under the nx650.

the 88+ is the same as all the 90 and up to 98 I think. I have read here on tt.

I would try to get in to the 90's, better rear shock and rear disk brake.

dual carbs work great when working right. I had a xr600 86 with dual carbs fastest xr I have ever had.

I will get the one in best condition; the two are quite old by now and just one year makes no difference.
I have had the 1987 ( for 10 years!! ) and now I have the 85 ( never sell this one)
Great bikes if you take care of them they never let you down. I did and do lots of solo in the middle of nowhere rides and allways make it back without probs home
Twin carbs: no problem at all ; just set them properly and dont play too much with them. ( if they are not broken dont fix them!!!) I Think all RFVC motors 600 / 650 are almost the some.
Good luck and regards Flavio

Ditto about the dual carbs... not hard to fix, not hard to set right, and they make more power than the single.
as stated above, look at all the other reasons to choose, not because of the carb config... bad forks or blown rear wheel hub can cost more to fix than carb problem.

i have 84 xl 600r dual carbs and you just got to read the book and jet to the plug(plug test.) They are easy to take out and maintenence. run a fuel filter and i would not use a metal tank. my 87 xr 600r will be the same with dual carbs. The xrs do hace tranny probs because there arent any rubber dampners in the rear wheel . honda did this to save weight... they are not supposed to go an the asphalt . EVER. sticker on frame cautions this.
I rebuilt my xl cost me about a grand in parts so now i have a 2000 dollar bike thats worth 1000 but i know i will alway have it cause no one will give me what i have into it. :) dont worry once you get her dialed in shes good to go.

I have an 88, and let me share a bit about the differences. The 88 and up lost 10 pounds over the 87 and older. The rear shock and forks are practically identical (87 compared to 88) so no bonus there but as you have stated the 18" rear tire is on the 88 which gives a bigger selection of off-road tires. The 88 does have a dual exhaust header and 2 into 1 muffler which is unique to the 88-90 XR600 only but the standard stock or any aftermarket header for the 91-2000 XR600 will fit as long as you are replacing both the header and exhaust at the same time. The single carb is great for guys like me who think carbs are a little black magic. I rebuilt my tranny when I got it but I haven't seen any proof that the 88 or 87 for that matter is any more prone to breaking than other years of the XR600 (other than the fact they have more years/miles on them).

In 91+ the XR600 got a "better" piggy back resevoir shock and it will bolt up to the 88 frame if you buy one like I have, but the piggy back won't bolt up to the 87 frame due to the dual carbs. The 91 also got cartridge forks which can swap over to the older XR600's and the same axle diameter is used but in 92 the axle diameter was bumped from 15mm to 17 mm. The only "bad" thing the 88 has is no rear disk brake, but I've never had a problem locking it up and the drum setup is lighter weight than a disk setup.

Good luck, if its a decent price I'd jump all over that old steed because there is very little different on it as compared to the newer XR600's except for the date of manufacture.:thumbsup:

17" rears get a lower seat height which isn't all bad. Drum rear brakes don't get bent on rocks. Rumor has it that early trans have weak 3rd gear while later models have weak 2nd. 88/89 have single adjuster damper rod forks. Dual carbs are hard to work on but have greater hp and once they're jetted right they work as well or better than the singles. Dual pipe exhaust can be replaced with single if needed. Any XR is potentially a great bike, just pick the best of the 2 and have fun.

Well guys , I really appreciate all the input. Tomorrow I go to pick up my "new" '88 XR600 and couldn't be more excited. I lucked out and happened to find a Supertrapp new in box for this bike. I can't wait to get it going. Thanks guys!!!!