1983 Honda XL600R review from United Kingdom

The magneto coil had to be rewound because it failed at 10,000 miles and gave erratic starting and cut outs.

The clutch had to be renewed after 18,000 miles.

The cylinder head gasket blew and was replaced at 17,000 miles.

The front disk was worn out and replaced at 19,000 miles.

The front caliper pistons had to be overhauled at 19,000 miles / 24 years old at time.

New rear tyres every 5,000 miles, and front every 8,000 miles.

Needs a new seat cover as the original is perished.

The Honda 600cc big single is bullet proof and will never let you down. It doesn't even need a battery to get started, and once running all electrics work, except the indicators which need the battery.

It's great fun to ride with loads of low down torque to tug you up to speed in every gear with just a small twist on the throttle. It can be revved hard and punished without complaint. Or ridden slowly around town at low rpm. It does the lot.

On the motorway it will do 90mph if one is prone. But upright with those big bars and sit up and beg position, it's comfortable up to 75mph and no more. It is a trail bike after all!

She's a beast to start and one needs to learn the technique. Just the effort involved in kicking her over will bring you out in a sweat if you don't get it right first time. I always maintain that it will never get stolen because nobody can start the thing because either they are too weedy or they don't know her characteristics. This is a man's bike to start. The timid or very small out there, be aware she will hurt you and hurt you bad if you get it wrong. One needs to be the master when kicking this baby into life.

Once tamed, she is adorable.