Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Suzuki Tech
xf650 for overlanding xf650 for overlanding
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Suzuki Tech Suzuki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Suzuki riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By MGNZ

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Mar 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 30
xf650 for overlanding
Wondered if anyone had used one for overlanding? Comments god or bad? Same engine as DR650? Any recomended mods?
__________________
I don't have to travel fast but I do need to travel cheap
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Mar 2014
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Use "XF 650 Suzuki Freewind" to search. Bike no longer produced but is still used in parts of the world as Police bike ... and Suzuki will support with parts for at least another 10 years or so. Great bike. DO IT! Quite a few 2nd hand ones for sale in Germany. Lots of info in Euro forums.

USA never got the Freewind, so I never rode one. Very interesting bike. Basically same engine as DR650 with a few key differences. I believe it as dual carbs, more power, more elec. output.
Here are some Police bikes in Ecuador:


Review here:
Suzuki XF650 Freewind (1997-2002) Motorbike Review | MCN
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Mar 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 30
Yep just bought one- with low miles on it. I read that a lot of people think the dr650 engine is better than the KLR?. In the MCN review somebody says they used one for a 25000 mile trans- Amazon trip- with very little issues - just wondering if anyone else had used one for a big trip, and what mods they may have made, or thought they should have made?
Did a search on here didn't find much. Have joined the Freewind owners facebook page as well.
__________________
I don't have to travel fast but I do need to travel cheap
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Mar 2014
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Good Choice!
I've never seen much discussion of the Freewind here on the HUBB. But you may find some threads over on ADV Rider ... the search function there sucks so just try Google. Freewind ADV Rider ... or something like that. I remember it being mentioned a few times on the BIG DR650 thread: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135295
(90,000 posts, 16 million views, biggest thread on ALL of ADV Rider)

But searching it is impossible ... Google tends to work better. Must be some forums in Germany? It was popular there.

If the Freewind is anything like the DR650 then you've got an ideal travel bike. Strong and tough. My DR has over 55,000 miles now. Perfect. No issues. It's been all over Western USA, Mexico, even into Cent. America.

Perhaps some of the after market items that fit the DR650 will work on the Freewind. Be sure to check out this site for DR650 parts:

Parts + Accessories + Performance = ProCycle
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Mar 2014
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
It's also a fairly common bike here in New Zealand, so second hand parts are available.
The owners I've talked to like them

Cheers

Nigel in NZ
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Sep 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1
Freewind, Police Bike
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Use "XF 650 Suzuki Freewind" to search. Bike no longer produced but is still used in parts of the world as Police bike ... and Suzuki will support with parts for at least another 10 years or so. Great bike. DO IT! Quite a few 2nd hand ones for sale in Germany. Lots of info in Euro forums.

USA never got the Freewind, so I never rode one. Very interesting bike. Basically same engine as DR650 with a few key differences. I believe it as dual carbs, more power, more elec. output.
Here are some Police bikes in Ecuador:


Review here:
Suzuki XF650 Freewind (1997-2002) Motorbike Review | MCN
Yes, XF650 is still used as a Police Bike, and the ones in the photo are not from Ecuador, are from COLOMBIA.

Those have been used for 10 years as Police bikes in open roads and cities with a very high rate of reliability, is even used for touring with engine protectors, worklights, heat grips and side bags, very reliable bike.

In police department the use them every day, every time, so those are repaired about every 70.000kms with new piston rings, and new cylinders every 150.000kms also DR650 used for special ops groups.

Now they are using Kawasaki KLR650 and Suzuki Vstrom DL650, and DL650ABS-A with great results in Vstrom, some officers say, the Kawa is not lasting as the suzuki ones, but is still great bike.

Anyways, if you are planning go a long way with your XF, that's a great choice.

Greetings from South America.

PD: I just joined to verify photo info.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Apr 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 2
Probably a little late for a reply but however I used a Freewind from south to North Africa in 2009 -2010. The bike was exceptional. Weak point is the rear shock. Blew it out twice in northern Kenya. I had a dr650 seal head, ueed atf oil and used that. It lasted a day, man it was rough. Replaced the seal in addis,re valves it and all was good quite an easy job. It's Just rolled over 95000 kms and pulled the engine apart yesterday to do the base gasket also found the cam and rockers are quite warn. The piston and barrel are still in spec so I will re ring it get the cam and rockers serviced and away we go. All in all a budget bike that can be used For extended travel
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Apr 2016
g6snl's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Home in Essex GB
Posts: 564
I'm getting more excited about mine all the time. Picked up a very cheap one on ebay last year. (2015) Had to fix a few very minor things - but will do the shock before it goes on a long haul. It seems as though it will go on to the places I can't go with the 650 Vstrom, so looking forward to that. It's a keeper for me for sure. Bigger tank would be good have to look at that.
__________________
Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 30 Apr 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 2
Take a all balls DR 650 seal head. This can also be taken apart on the road with some basic tools. and a generic seal knocked in. Bearing in mind it was 40 -45 degrees c and it was dam rough when I buggered mine. I would put the Xf in terms of suspension and off road capabilities some where between the dr and Vstrom. I cranked the rear Spring preload up A LOT and from memory put some 10 mm spacers on top of the front springs (under the bolt) to get the front end a little firmer.
On the fuel tank I would not bother to much, the standard from memory is around 18.5 litres. on that trip I vaguely remember getting close to 400 ks once until bone dry. Being very gentle on the throttle though. I had a 10 litre one strapped to the bike as well.
Picture of the bike set up. Was in wadi rum in Jordan
Attached Thumbnails
xf650 for overlanding-image.jpeg  

Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:50.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top