Comments: 1-15, 16-17
None since overhaul.
I bought this motorcycle in a neglected condition and made an overhaul. Main problems were worn out brakes and chassis bearings.
I found all the parts from factors with the exception of the brake disc, which I obtained from David Silver at a reasonable price, together with a rather expensive master cylinder.
Hey, this bike is 20 years old and considering the abuse it must have suffered, it's still going strong and is a hoot to ride. It just goes to show how well this machine was built, that Honda parts are still available for it, and yes they are a little expensive, but I don't think I will be needing many.
Thanks for the review. I am looking to restore a bike myself. Any tips would be really useful.
ellttkt@aol.com
Hi, I bought a 600, which was imported from Italy. After a long time off bikes, I have found it a very good bike; not too fast as it gets a bit hairy over 70mph, and very good on petrol - I get 70mpg and my daughter loves it too.
Kev from Nottingham.
I have a 1964 XL600R with 12000 miles on it.
I just recently hit some oil, which threw me off, smashing the dash and front clocks, and side panels.
I was in hospital for 4 weeks and really missed riding it.
If anyone has any parts they would like to sell, or know of any that I could put my hands, please contact me on.
Satelites30@hotmail.com
Cheers
Matt Knight
United Kingdom
Get plenty of training into your right leg - starting can be a problem, but a great tip is to remove the resistor from the plug cap and replace with a piece of bolt. A two minute job and gives a much better spark, and makes starting a lot easier!
I have an 1983 Honda XL600R that was given to me. It had carb. problems so I pulled the carbs. to rebuild them. Now that I am putting the bike back together, I forgot how the throttle cables were ran. Does any one know where I can find a parts breakdown on-line, or a service manual to purchase? Let me know at my email anarchyn00dlez@gmail.com.
Thank you very much for your time.
I take it the cables are still on the bike?
If so, carefully inspect the length of the cables. The longer one goes on the rearmost throttle.
I own a 1987 model and enjoy riding it all year round. But people keep telling me that the 86 model was the last model to come overseas to be sold at dealerships. They say the 87 XL600 is strictly a Japan bike unless you order it from a dealership in Japan. Do you know if this is true?
I have a 1986 Honda XL600R and it's a blast to ride. I also have a YZ 125, but I still feel the 600 is a better ride.
I work with the US Army in Iraq.
I need transportation around the base. I bought a 1985 XL600R sight unseen and had it delivered to my home. My wife dis-mantled it and put it in 11 boxes and sent it to me here via US mail.
It had 37,000 miles and the engine had previously been worked on and mis-assembled. The kickstart idler gear had been installed backwards and it had chewed up the back of the clutch basket. The cam chain tensioner had been mis-assembled and had shoved aside the rubber camchain tensioner ramp, so the tensioner was sawing directly on the back of the timing chain and was ruined.
After correctly assembling the idler gear and fabricating a manual timing chain tensioner, it runs great and even though the piston is showing a TON of wear, there is so little compression that I do not have to use a compression release to kick it over.
It runs fine and I have put 4500 miles on it just doing my job here. If a new thumper lasts this long (24 years) it would be a good deal.
I had a 86 model XL 600R for 3 years and found it unbreakable. I put 55,000 km`s per year on it. I rode it mostly on the freeway sitting on a constant 120 km/h. Top speed achieved was 180 km/h. I also rode it from Sydney to Melbourne... once. It saw plenty of off road riding as well and although it weighed a hefty 180 kg`s, the great torque made it feel more like 120. if I could find another one in good condition, I would buy it instantly.
I have a 87 XL600R. I love my baby.
Busy spending some on it right now, new piston, con-rod and bearings. Will be good for another 22 years. Just can't beat em.
Hi just in the process of buying an 86 XL 600. Are parts still easily available for these bikes? Thank you.
I have had my 83 for about a year now and love it. I bought mine for $200 and wasn't running, newish carbs and air filter box, piston and rings and head worked on and it runs perfect. One kick, starts hot or cold and crazy torque and power for a 600. Get parts from cyclepartswarehouse.com as they are cheapest and you will love this bike.
Only negative is the suspension, they bottom hard if you like to get air, but that can be fixed with and XR600 shock (older models with remote reservoir) and some 83-89 CR500 forks. This bike, no matter the year, is worth whatever you pay for it, the new 650's are a joke. I had a new (later 2000's) XL650R try to race me the other day and he must have been pissed as he got completely left behind by a stock 83 XL600.
They won't be around forever, get one while you can.
I bought a used 86 XL 600R in 1988 and still have it today. I love it! The only thing I wish I could change about it is, it's very difficult to start if I haven't started it in awhile. It rides great on and off road. Still looks great!!! Very well built!!! Will NEVER sell it!!!
I have an XL 600r Paris Dakar. It's very good bike and easy to maintain, but I need a fuel tank. The one I have is corroded. In Zanzibar we don't get the parts, please help.