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  #1  
Old 19 May 2010
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Xr650l
For anybody contemplating a long trip on an XR650L; DON'T DO IT! Four months ago, I took off on an XR650L from Arizona to Ushuaia. These bikes were simply not made for long distance travel. They are uncomfortable, top heavy, slow, and I'm not so sure that they are as mechanically sound as many claim. I am currently stuck in Colombia rebuilding the entire top end due to a lubrication failure. I've been here two and a half months waiting for parts and could have been in Peru by now if I walked! On this same trip, my brother rode a KLR 650 with 40,000 miles and he didn't have any problems. Not only was the KLR more reliable but much more comfortable and could haul much more weight. The XRL is to top heavy to carry much weight. I wish I had taken a KLR and would gladly trade my XRL for one if I could.
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Old 19 May 2010
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oops
Hey sorry to hear that you've had greif!
I do know a few folks who'd say the complete opposite but any machine can have problems!
I had a KLR 650 once and you wouldn't catch me buying another! I now have an XR650L in the workshop! Go figure!
I find it super light after a BMW GS!
Baron Bolton on the hubb will tell you that his XRL did him proud on a recent UK-Magadan-Mexico trip.
What was the actual issue that caused the lubriction faliure?
I have heard that the external oil feed pipe on the xrl motor can sometimes be a little lacking in diameter!
What oil are you using? Is a cooler fitted? How is the level as it's a bugger to check on these?
I hope that you get it sorted mate.
Let us know your progress.
Best of luck.
Dave.
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  #3  
Old 19 May 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LastRide View Post
I am currently stuck in Colombia rebuilding the entire top end due to a lubrication failure.
This is not unusual for Honda-singles, I have been through it myself.
After the rebuild the top end will probably run like a dream for the rest of your trip, good luck!
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Old 19 May 2010
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Countless problem free journeys have been done on the 650L and countless more will be.

You were just unlucky. Was in maintained to the book ?? Fiddled with before you bought it ?? It's hard to tell.

If you bought it for a highway cruise, then you can only really blame yourself. It's an offroad bike.

I wouldn't criticise a Harley because it was too heavy for the Paris Dakar rally, only myself for buying the wrong bike for the job.

I'm guessing you did long days on the Pan American highway which is not what the bike is made for.
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Old 20 May 2010
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Let me chim here TED!
I agree with some comments here: slow....yes.You will get 120 km/h as cruiser speed no more!
Its not comfy.....yeahh man you hit the nail!
Its....this its that....of course.
Lubrication failure......i think you need to check oil allmost every day after highway use.Thats the secret on this engine.Its dry sump!!!!!!
KLR aren´t but they can destro a top end easy too.
I have a pig(650L) since 1994 with over 100.000 miles on it.
I call my pig "the fart". Why is that? because only the owner likes it!
Good luck on the road Last Ride!
Check oil more often
Karl
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  #6  
Old 7 Jun 2010
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Ok, I'm finally back on the road. What an experience, wouldn't wish that on anyone. You were right Alibaba, after repairs, the bike is running like a dream but Ushuaia is still a long ways away... My confidence is growing with each km but still a bit nervous. I check the oil religiously now, many times a day. We went through the lubrication system at the shop and everything was working to speck. I'm running 20-50 as synthetic is out of sight down here. Any other issues that I should know about?
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  #7  
Old 10 May 2012
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Great info Mike, I'm sure that it will help me for years to come with my 2012 XR650L.....

peace
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