New Dual Sport Bike Advise Please

[AceThumperPilot]

I ride a Honda XR650L that I bought new and has over 36,000 miles on it. I always heard they were Bullit Proof but mine is not. I am ready for a new ride. I ride alot of dirt roads and like to ride 1 long trip a year. Just got back from KS to Canada on dirt roads. But my bike broke in Canada. Any Advise?? Thanks Ace Thumper Pilot

[Woody_393]

What sort of advise are you looking for? What to get? I'm guessing it needs to be street legal?

If you don't like the XR's, my next suggestion would probably be a KTM. Have you looked at their line up of big street legal thumpers? They are quite nice, and I know they are built to last as well.

[b-bike393]

Right now I'm riding the kawasaki KLR-650. I've had it for two years and so far, it's been flawless. To date it has 11,000 miles with no problems at all.

My riding / hunting partner "HAD" the honda XR-650L. He traded the honda in this May for an 09 KLR.

Sweet ride on the pavement, gravel, dirt roads and trails.
Not the best on mud. But having said that, the mud I was on was with a new set of Kenda 80/20's (80% street, 20% dirt).

[VAL]

WOW it is rare to hear an XR with reliability problems. What was the problem with the bike?

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by AceThumperPilot

I ride a Honda XR650L that I bought new and has over 36,000 miles on it. I always heard they were Bullit Proof but mine is not. I am ready for a new ride. I ride alot of dirt roads and like to ride 1 long trip a year. Just got back from KS to Canada on dirt roads. But my bike broke in Canada. Any Advise?? Thanks Ace Thumper Pilot

Um 36000 miles! and your not happy with the performance Theres nothing in the KTM fleet at the momement that i would touch, not like there 640 anyway. if you want simple old world technology get the DR 650, i have one, but i'd doubt there any more reliable than a Honda 650, 36000, miles ha ha that's funny!

[Mainjet2001]

Originally Posted by AceThumperPilot

I ride a Honda XR650L that I bought new and has over 36,000 miles on it. I always heard they were Bullit Proof but mine is not. I am ready for a new ride. I ride alot of dirt roads and like to ride 1 long trip a year. Just got back from KS to Canada on dirt roads. But my bike broke in Canada. Any Advise?? Thanks Ace Thumper Pilot

So....what broke?

[AceThumperPilot]

Burnt exhaust valves and they said it will cost $1000.00 to do a new pistion and rings and valve job. Does that sound high or about right???

[kschilk]

Originally Posted by AceThumperPilot

Burnt exhaust valves and they said it will cost $1000.00 to do a new pistion and rings and valve job. Does that sound high or about right???

I'd say waaaaaaaaaaaay high!!!

[AceThumperPilot]

Thanks, What should I pay for a Valve and pistion and rings????

[kschilk]

Well, you're probably lookin' at less than $400 in parts. Labor should be well under $300, even at the highest priced shops.

[AceThumperPilot]

Thanks, I am bringing her home today as I thought that was a little high. I will call around and check some other shops in the area. May have to haul 60 miles but might be worth it.

[VAL]

Once you get her fixed, be religious about checking your valve clearances. I am not sure with the XR650L but I know the XR650R can be a bit tricky with the decomp assist. I check mine every 1000 miles along with new oil and filter.
Other than the burnt valves, what happened with the bike over those 36000 miles?

[AceThumperPilot]

Well I have had a cam chain installed and a new clutch. The clutch came at approx. 3,000. I got into some Kansas clay and it took me 1 1/2 hours to go 1 mile. And I wasted my clutch to say the least. The cam chain was just done about 1500 miles ago. Lots of Tires and Chains and alot of oil changes. I use Ams-Oil and change it every 1500 miles. I have checked the valves twice. I would say 80% of those miles are dirt roads and trails. A few highway miles also. My favorite tires are Michelin Desert front and rear, a little expensive but they will run flat I have had to do that before.

[VAL]

I would say the bike has served you well if that is all you have had to deal with and only checking your valves twice. I wonder why your cam chain gave you problems and then I wonder if there is any conection with the new cam chain and the burnt valves.

[tirebiter]

Originally Posted by AceThumperPilot

I have checked the valves twice.

Lemme see.. 30K plus miles, checked the valves twice, oil every 1,500 miles?
Dude, it ain't a car- consider yourself lucky you got the miles out of it you did.
My guess is Honda Corp. had nothing to do with your misfortune, I'd blame it on owner error.
It's obvious you ain't illiterate, use the internet and educate yourself on your bike's maintenance needs- might be useful in the long run..

[VAL]

Originally Posted by tirebiter

Lemme see.. 30K plus miles, checked the valves twice, oil every 1,500 miles?
Dude, it ain't a car- consider yourself lucky you got the miles out of it you did.
My guess is Honda Corp. had nothing to do with your misfortune, I'd blame it on owner error.
It's obvious you ain't illiterate, use the internet and educate yourself on your bike's maintenance needs- might be useful in the long run..

My friend, this is a website for helping and sharing. There is no need to bag on anyone. (Unless you are smack talking about how your going to clean every ones clock come the next GMB) I think that Ace did great with his bike and speaking from experience, even though I checked my valves every 1K miles, I probably only had to adjust them 4 times in 41K miles. You have to remember, these are the long stroke four bangers, not the rev it to the moon CFRs that require constant monitoring.

[AceThumperPilot]

Yes I am learning alot. I did take Llamrei in for tune ups at the shop, I don't know if they did them or not. But next time I will be keeping up on that. I think everything else I do is OK??? Just a expensive lesson but one I will not forget. I am hoping Llamrei will be good for another 36,000 miles. I know I was upset when I got home from my trip on a trailer but now understand maybe that I was at fault. I hope to learn more on this site. Thanks for all the input

[Mainjet2001]

Llamrei........????......

[tirebiter]

Here's a good thread that should keep ya busy for awhile..
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Val, I've been riding XR's & XL's since the 70's. Thought I let you know that my rudeness is far surpassed by my stupidity..
BTW, Where do you get off callin' me friend??

[AceThumperPilot]

Llamrei is my Honda XR650L. Llamrei was King Arthur's trusty steed and I am into that stuff so that is what I call my bike. I did bring Llamrei home last night just have to get to work on her now. Tirebiter thanks for the input on ADVrider. I have met some guys and went on a couple of rides from that site. Just don't get much on the Honda XR page for some reason. Hope to tear her down this sunday.