![Reply](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/buttons/reply.gif) |
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
15 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Qatar
Posts: 15
|
|
Amount of Maintenance CRF450 vs XR650R or XR600R
Hi People,
I've owned had XR600s and XR650Rs forever while living in developing countries (Egypt, Libya, Mali) and love them for their reliability and mechanical simplicity. I just bought a 2008 CRF450x, ran great for 6 months. Now has issues, valves, pistons and or carburetor. The guy I bought it from did a few modifications: piston, jetting , cam and exhaust. This bike is so different from those I have experienced. I'm in Qatar at the moment and going to move to West Africa where parts and service will be unattainable. My questions:
Should I go back to an all stock set-up?
Do CRFs require more maintenance than XRs?
Are they more finicky?
Thanks, Steve
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
15 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 114
|
|
Yes they are much more high maintainance they hold a very small amount of oil,which is working twice as hard or more,the valve life isn't great,not as bad as the 250s but still can be alarmingly short.
Probably the worse aspect can be the crank life,I've seen several 250s have big end fail within 60 hours from new and I've done a few 450s that have not done a huge amount before needing a con rod kit,usually a large amount of metallic debris stuck to the ignition pulse coil in left hand side of motor is a give away.
I rode a 450 Honda for supermoto a bit this year and I've just moved it on before I end up into 600 quid or so of engine bits on the thing,it went fine,sounded fine,valves were fine...but into another season and it would likely to have needed attention.
From my experience the yamaha is probably the most reliable of the bunch,but I think for a something your not going to compete on I'd have a drz or xr.
The drz will do fairly big mileage if looked after without problems and is still quite a capable bike off road.
|
![Old](https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/images/statusicon/post_old.gif)
28 Dec 2012
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Truro Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 251
|
|
what about a CRF250L for adventure touring?
I am planning another Africa tour in September and plan on finding a bike in South Africa rather than go through the considerable expense and hassle of shipping my bike over (93 R100GS). I have seen some of the write-ups on the new Honda CRF250L dual purpose bike and looking into the pre-feasibility of one of those. It is a CBR tweaked for less civilized use and the reviews have been most promising. The gas tank is small but they are amazing gas mizers reportedly. Not much after-market stuff yet but there are apparently seats and back racks and more stuff coming. Not sure how it would measure up to a 20,000 km. trip. Any thoughts out there?
Larry
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
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...
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.](/stuff/ripcord/ripcord-logo-250.jpg)
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!](/stuff/grahamfield/graham-field-2021-280.jpg)
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!
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.
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.
|
|
|