1984 Honda XL600R
Summary:
A beast of a trail bike, the biggest and last of the kickers before electric start
Faults:
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.
General Comments:
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.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th August, 2008
5th Sep 2008, 16:38
I agree the 1983 XR600R is the best of the beasts. I have had 4 XL350R's and a XR250R, and I will tell you a 1983 600R will take you to hell and back, so hang on, and yes once you get it going, it will take whatever you can throw at it...
5th Apr 2011, 23:48
I agree, it's nothing your average rider could start or let alone ride, I love this bike, and will not steer away from Honda anything for life!!!
15th Apr 2011, 19:05
Yes, the 1983 is dandy. Nothing beats the look & style of the 1985 XL600 for me!
29th Apr 2011, 18:57
XL600r is a great bike, pure power, not for a novice, love my XL6.
9th May 2011, 16:29
Just sold my 97 Pan & got me a 84 XL600R with 20k on the clock. The last guy had it for 20 years, SS front pipes & laser pro-duro can, which had been shortened by 5". He had another baffle plate welded in, which had choked the performance. Two hours later with the baffle plate removed, she is now breathing with a lovely deep bark, plug chop revealed a light tan colour, white with baffle in. I love this bike, and will be buried with it.
30th Aug 2008, 07:50
You couldn`t have explained the XL600R better my friend. I too have the hereditary XL600R shin bone syndrome. I have never been kicked so hard in my life, and to top it off, my knee hit the handlebars, so I was rolling around in agony.
I hadn't even got on it yet, but once you master starting it my eyes were opened, certainly a big boy's toy.
For the faint hearted of you, start by jumping on a bull and hanging on for your life. When you stop falling off, you're ready for the XL600R.