Honda XL 600R

I bought my XL600R brand new in 1985, and it runs like the day when it got around 500 miles on it. that is when the super trap went on and the carbs got a little adjustment. It used to pop and stall while at red lights then it wouldn't start back up. It works perfect now. It has 60,667 miles on it, has a couple oil leaks, it is on the second clutch and ignition box under the gas tank. all those miles aren't highway miles. I remember going to Ca. from phoenix and not on the highway. Done that and back more than a few times. Almost lost it in Silverado canyon, if it weren't for this little bush it got hung up on it would of been good by Honda. And I didn't recommend my friends to get one. Two of my buddies just went and got one. They liked mine so much. I really don't have any gripes about it. I always hear about how hard it is to start. That is a good thing, long as you know how. Makes it harder to steal.

Honda XL 600Rs are by far the best motorcycle ever made, in any class, not mention dirtbikes...

this thing was designed by the best engineers of the century, and was built to cross the desert in the baja 1000. with dual carbs, dual exhaust, dual intake valves, dual exhaust valves, a 2.1 quart dry sump oiling system int he frame, so if you spring a leak you can run it for a while, ( there can never be a big leak, its a bullet proof motor) and its just balls to the wall. itll wheely whenever you want it to, any gear, any rpm. it can climb any hill, it can simply go anywhere and do anything. when the world ends, this will be the bst mode of transportation.

I should mention that I only just rode this bike (a friend let me borrow it) today, for about three hours. However, I definitely put it through its paces, as I have about 17 thousand miles of experience riding dual sports on the street and in the dirt, and have ridden many different bikes (friends always let me try their bikes :D ) ! I got it up to a max speed of 90 mph indicated(about 84 actual). Second gear wheelies from 10 to 30+ mph are very easy. The bike just GOES! I loved the grunt this bike has to offer. Good low end and an awesome mid-range, but the power doesn't drop off at the top! I also took the bike up some really big, steep, gnarly hills in second and third gear, and it never once even thought about bogging down at all, even at damn near idling engine speed! What a fun bike, I really like it!

If Honda were to produce a 1983 replica xl 600 r now it would out sell all dual sports but. They won't do it as they have lost their way and are adrift.

P.S. I own onw will never sell it.

I have an 86' with the slick gold rims and swing-arm (love it or hate it). The bike isn't flashy and won ' t win much parking lot cred but its ok. In traffic you can, in any gear, grab the throttle and count on some late 20th century hustle. The giant 100mm bore and the ohc radial valve head have a flat torque curve and smooth, high end power. It ' s tricky not to just leave it in third permanently. Not so much money for a really ridable bike.

Overall these bikes can be great fun and as new produced max power of 43bhp at 6000rpm. Will happily sit at 80mph but more than that for anytime won`t do the engine any favours (remember these bike aren`t far off 20yr old now).

They`re fine for a bit of green laning but for more serious offroading then they`re too heavy.

I own two of these, a 1983 paris dakar and a 1986 rmf and enjoy both as the bit secondhand or new are cheap and there`s loads being imported into the UK now from Italy.

Only one last thing, the locking fuel caps fitted to some later bikes you can`t get for love nor money. Honda produced the last one in 1996 and as of 2002 honda worldwide don`t have any and there`s no one else making them.

If you can find one in good shape buy it or you'll never know the fun of owning the best dual sport ever made!

I love my Honda XL 600R. It's pushing around 60 horsepower and 55 foot pounds of torque. It tops out at 105 mph. I love this thing to death. I never have to shift down when I climb hills, it has loads of power. I can be doing 55 and pin the throttle and the front wheel just lifts off the ground. Best bike, in my opinion.