It's a "variable of variables" as indicated in the post below.


Individual bikes vary in their oil consumption, quite apart from particular manufacturers/models.

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Dave

My XT hasn't seemed to have used any in over 2300 miles. But I assume different bikes of the same model will vary

Wayne

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

I've owned most of the current 650 class dual sport bikes and most will use some oil when ridden hard or at fast highway speeds (70 to 80 mph). Worn out bikes or bikes with problems can use A LOT of oil, but even a perfect bike can use oil.

Short list includes XL600R, KLR650 (2), XR400,XR650L, KTM640, KTM Duke ll, Suzuki DR650 (3). The only one that did NOT burn some oil is my current 2006 DR650. Now, at 65,000 miles it's finally started to use a bit of oil when ridden hard. (a few ounces in a 1000 miles) Even running 75 mph all day in super HOT weather ... it would not use ANY oil! (until recently)

I don't know XT's well as Yamaha stopped importing this model to USA in 1995, but LOTS of guys owned them before that. Good bike far as I know.

The Honda seemed most sensitive to running low on oil, where as the KLR650 could be run hard until oil level was at bottom mark and never be any worse for wear. KLR's, even new model, are notorious for oil use. Many owners go to a big bore kit to get past this fault. With the KLR, you add a bit of oil nearly everyday if riding fast/hard.

Honda? Not so forgiving as the KLR. I pitted a cam on my XL and friends had to replace entire top ends on XR-L. Good news is very few were left stranded, but run that XR650L too low on oil and it will expire.

The Suzuki DR650 has an oil cooler and uses a Nikisil type liner. On the HUGE DR650 boards we rarely see oil burners, even up to 75K miles on some. (mine went to 65K before oil use started), still runs perfect if a bit noisy.

The TTR and TTRE has a huge following in Germany, Italy and Greece with plenty of knowledge and parts.

Ive had my bike for 1½ years now, and im slowly sorting it out to fit my needs. Its pretty good as it is, but itll be much better with a Renazco seat and with a different fairing with 2 x LEDS and some wind protection.

David151, the XT600E may be unsuitable for kick start installation. As I understand it the internal gear ratios are different from the TTR600 and the older XT's. The kickstart mechanism can be installed (some cases require some machining) but as I understand it, kick starting the bike is hard. I am not an expert, just pointing out that maybe you should double check if you want to get the XT600E.

My 2000 XT600E has done 15 km in deep sand, flat out, high rpm in first gear. It did not overheat or suffer any damage. The air temp was not high but the airflow was very low, obviously. If the XT600E had a tendency to overheat it would have done that then. As you probably know the XT600E is strongly built with a massive subframe.

Cant really comment on the XR, but my FMX650 has the same engine as the XR650L. It has considerable more power than the XT600E, if that matters to you. I have yet to overheat it, but then I have it correctly jetted (it comes way lean from the facory). Of course it is a roadbike and is never tortured at low speed, the airflow is always there.

I had a TT600RE, and would consider it a poor choice for a long trip unless heavily modified. It was not comfortable onroad, especially on bumpy roads. The seat is too narrow, the suspension is very harsh/cheap. The TTR600 has a better suspension, but the same seat..

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Yamaha XT600E '01, Honda XR400 '03, Yamaha XT550 '83

I have not read the entire post but… Having owned both (well, XTs in the Tenere version), I would get the one in the best condition and with the best equipment for the best price with the least amount of travelling. For me the big improvement on the Honda was the CR-derived suspension – much better than anything I ever had on my XTs and a major upgrade cost saved.

As some have suggested, the whole kickstart thing is irrelevant these days, just as starter cranks are with cars. Just buy a new battery and remember to switch the bike off (somewhere on the HUBB is a video of me failing to bump my L for a bet). A starter motor spins the crank much quicker and more consistently than you can kick on a hot afternoon in the Nubian desert.

One problem with the XR-L is it's tall seat (Domi motor in 'CR' frame = sub-optimal fit), but if you're also tall then the suspension makes up for it.

On any bike I think its important to know how hot the motor is, but these days all you might get is a red warning light. A simple temp sensor off the plug or in oil will work. Establish what's normal, refer to it regularly and back off or slow down when it looks like it's being exceeded. And with air-cooled, don't turn off when very hot - park it into a breeze and keep it running so the oil is still pumping.

I think oil consumption has a lot to do with how a bike was treated in its early days. Gentle running in, sympathetic cold starts, avoiding the red line and frequent changes with good oil must all help. Big, air-cooled single are more prone to oil loss than others due to the thermal expansion and contraction of the big piston (or something like that).

Never tried a DR650 but in Europe in the Saharan heyday, it was mostly Yams and Hondas and BMs. Then DRs and no Kawas. It could have been down to Dakar results at the time.

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

.... is the way to go. Same rolling chasis as the xr600 with a more tractable engine and road going niceties.
Did nearly 5,000 in North America on one and perfect for the job. A friend did the same on a DR 650 and followed me with green eyes for hundreds of miles in the dirt.
The only problem is getting a decent one now.

....... 700 miles in one day was the longest days..... not a problem with a Corbin seat and big acerbis tank

I've had a few XT600's. I now own a XR650L

The 650L is better in most ways apart from it's weak subframe. That's fixed with 30 mins welding or bolt on braces. Easy fix.

The XR650L suspension is worlds better than the cheap junk on the XT600E. But with that you have to get along with a very tall seat height. It's a real off-road capable bike. The XT is not...

The XR has DID Alloy rims where the XT has Chrome steel junk.

The 650 shares the same engine with the Dommie so spares are easy but it does have a shorter gear box. Not massively different though. I put a Dommie engine in mine as I had a spare.

The 650 also has that extra 50cc. And you can feel it. It can tour at 70 mph as the XT is a 60 mph machine.

As far as reliability goes, the Yamaha edges it if you get a later one with the truly indestructible 4PT engine. The Honda 650 is a very very good engine but it is sensitive to bad people who don't check it's oil. And yes, it can run a little hot but unless you're spinning the back wheel in sand dunes all day , it won't effect you. Put a cooler plug in it or fit an oil cooler.

If I had to choose one for a 'Forever' bike, it would be the XR650L by a long way.

A nice XR650L is Europe is VERY rare though. They appear on Ebay from time to time and mostly they have been abused to hell and need a lot of work.

I've had four of them as I restore and sell them.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Great comments on the XR650L Ted!
The Honda suspension is quite heavy duty, good 43mm forks ... but it's not exactly plush. Some riders have had front and back re-valved for plushness. Worth it if going off road. Original XR650L was set up as a sort of high speed Desert racer, not great on tight, slow, technical trails. So the suspension mods help if this is your planned use.

The bike is VERY TALL ... like KTM 640 tall ... mine was hard for me at 5'6". When you add big tank (Acerbis, IMS or Safari) it can feel top heavy for a short rider. Wide Pegs are a nice addition.

In Northern EU overheating not a problem, but as you say, in truly HOT conditions it can be an issue. IMO, the key is using really good synthetic oil.
An Oil Cooler would be on my list. Cranking in hard in deep sand, you MUST let it cool down once in a while. Also, some add extended cooling fins to help cooling.

High speed riding keep an eye on oil level ... will naturally drop a bit. No big deal. Check it at fuel stops. Don't over fill it ... many do this.

The oil checking routine on the Honda is weird, many get it wrong. Engine must be 100% hot to get an accurate reading. All XL's, XR's and the XR-L have this issue with the oil in frame set up.

One thing not mentioned is battery box and how it's hung off the left side panel of the bike. Most electronics here as well. In rough riding I've seen them BREAK OFF, and left hanging. Not good. Baja Designs used to make a kit to strengthen the box, no longer. So, figure a way to make it stronger.

Everything else is Honda quality, good electrics/charging, DID Alu wheels,
Nissin brakes.

Sorry guys I love my 34L xt600 Tenere as standard it has the 30L tank and a small oil cooler, the seat is shorter with extra padding for long days in the seat, the luggage space is bigger with having shorter seat, the hight is perfect for 5.6 and its three times cheaper than the xr650, the xt you can travel the world straight out of the tin with the xr650 you have to make mods that cost as much as a nice Tenere.