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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 18 Feb 2004
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Honda XLV 750 R
Now this is new to me, I must admit. Searching for a second-hand XRV750 Africa Twin I stumbled upon this one, a XLV750R, made in 1984. You guys are the ones to know, I reckon: It is a bike clamied to be produced to beat BMW in early 80's Paris-Dakar. It is shaft-driven, has 3 valves per cylinder, and the twin engine produces a healthy 61 bhp @ 7000 rpm. This is a new aquaintance to me.

Question is: Is it any good? Yes it's old, but the guy who's selling claim he has had it from new, taking really good care of it (it certainly has the looks of good caretaking) and it has only some 36000 km's on the odo. Considering the price he is asking it might just be a bargain I'm looking at here.

Anyone who can help with some additional information and/or experience reports? I couldn't find any by searching the hub - but then again I might be spelling it all wrong...

Really looking forward to your replies!

Take care out there

Indu
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  #2  
Old 18 Feb 2004
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Google it - there are a few pages out there!
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My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!

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  #3  
Old 18 Feb 2004
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Thanks POB. I actually did a search, but I can't find any reviews that puts it in a RTW setting. At least not a more recent review. How about spares availability for this old, rare bike - which is still a Honda? There is this guy in Switzerland who has three of them, which may be a hint, of course, but still I'm in need of more - how shall I put it? - reliable info (which one usually gets at the HUB).

Anyway: If you have any hands-on info, I'll be grateful.

Indu.
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  #4  
Old 20 Feb 2004
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First the preennial question, what are you going to use it for?

If you're thinking of RTW or trans-continental then I'd recomend against it. This is purely based on parts availability. The shaft drive and 3 valve engine were never produced in anything like the quantities that the Africa Twin is/was. So if your bevel gear goes in Katmandu, it's not a matter of when you can get your hands on a part, it's if you can get your hands on a part.

If you're thinking of it for the odd day trip, and to have something different to all the other 'adventure' bikers out there...go for it.

Hope that helps.

'02 Africa Twin
'00 XR400
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  #5  
Old 21 Feb 2004
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Try searching for strings on the Africa Twin site: www.atic.org Lot's of info on the A.T. and I remember this topic coming up a few times. While in Germany I met a couple of guys that had this bike and they mentioned how parts are few and far between. Hope this helps.
rdt
@#775
98 RD07
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  #6  
Old 21 Feb 2004
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My cousin's got one she uses for all-year commuting. On paper it should have made a GS-killer. It's even got hydraulic valve lifters, so engine maintenance should be limited to changing oil, filter and plugs.

I remember her husband telling me that it had an ignition problem once. Turned out to be the sender unit in the motor. The engine needs to be removed to access this, as you can't remove the sidecover any other way. He's quite an experienced hobby mechanic, but between the two of them they didn't manage to get the engine out of the frame; it just wouldn't fit through! In the end they just tilted the motor enough to be able to remove the cover. I think the clutch lives under the same cover!

The engine should be almost identical to the old VT750C of same vintage, but I have no idea of differences.

They both said they don't like the chassis and that parts are a problem.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

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Old 21 Feb 2004
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Thank you all. I tried to find spare parts suppliers, but they certainly are few and far between. No, I think I'll stick to my original idea of getting myself an Africa Twin and burn some hard earnt Norwegian Kroner at Touratech - but it would be really cool to have this rare bird in my garage, though.

Next time, maybe.

Take care
Indu
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  #8  
Old 25 Jul 2016
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xlv750r
HI .
Hope you are well. id like to know if you still have the xlv 750 r.
Jan
janmarjee@gmail.com please if you still have it make contact with me.
Jan
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  #9  
Old 1 Aug 2016
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The XLV 750 (also known as RD01) was a nice experiment in the days when Honda was audacious. Sadly, it didn't prove very reliable. It sure is a nice collector bike to have, but I wouldn't tag it as "reliable" for long range. Keep away.

Also, it is not the bike that was designed to compete against BMW in the Paris-Dakar. It was the NXR750 that became the civilian XRV650, which indeed was used in the Paris-Dakar under the Marathon class. 50 of them in the first year.

The XRV650 and the XRV750 are very reliable. Both bikes share the same weakness : Voltage regulator. So, just change it for a Mosfet unit.

PS-I just finished a 20,000km tour on a 1996 RD07a and except for oil changes (and a burnt voltage regulator), the bike required no service. Definitely the bike for a RTW escapade.

XLV 750 (RD01)



NXR 750 works bike.





NXR 750 on the left. Stock XRV 650 (RD03) on the right


XRV 650 Marathon



Regular RD03 (XRV 650)



My RD07a on the left and RD03 on the right.

Last edited by Massive Lee; 4 Aug 2016 at 19:32.
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  #10  
Old 19 Sep 2016
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A really old thread, but I thought I'd have my say. I used to lust after these bikes ever since one swept past me in Tokyo when I was onboard my Africa Twin RD04 in 1992, but I've never ridden one. What a handsome machine, though. I always wished Honda had perfected this bike; fitted it with a nicer swingarm and rear disc brake and a gearbox that didn't go wrong. As I understand it, this was the real problem with the bike.

I am trying to get a psychological crime published at the moment. Set in Japan in 1990 (the first of an early 90s Tokyo trilogy), the main protagonist rides a Honda XLV 750. If I can't ever ride one, Pete Bond can.
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