Talk me out of a Honda XR600R

[kdick91]

The other day, while looking bikes as I often do, I came across the Honda XR600R which I first was not attracted to. The exhaust made me think it was a two cylinder and the '600' made me think it was fat. But when I looked further, I found out its actually a single cylinder and weighs less than a TW!!! So naturally, I hit Craigslist. It's looking like I could get one after selling the TW and come out with a little money on top. It looks like the Honda guys think it's reliable, albeit not as much as a TW, but I suppose that's okay. The think that's really selling me though is being able to cruise to trails at altitude and carry me and my fiancee over some of the passes here in CO. I'm at a crossroads and need input! What would y'all do?!

[admiral]

My friend has one, so my only info comes from his comments. Lots of power, can be plated to be legal here in Idaho, but needs electrical conversion of sorts for turn signals etc., possible stator??

Tall and his only has a kick start and is hard starting when hot/warm. He added a desert gas tank for extra range cause his doesn't get good gas mileage.

[Point37]

from what i hear over on supermotojunkie they are great bikes...i just have a hard time going too far back with technology...i would be looking at the xr650L/R but in the end it all comes down to money...i doubt they are lighter than the TW though

[tcepilot]

My dads xl600 has a lot of power but is much heavier than the tw.

[kdick91]

I was just going off the Wikipedia weight of 272lbs dry. I missed the dry part. I guess wet would put it over the TW, but marginally. It still wouldn't crest 300lbs. The big difference is the height. The XR600 has all that weight much higher, requiring more force if you have to lift it.

[Point37]

i think the xr it's something like 295-300 wet...yea the way a bike carries the weight makes a big difference too...tw200 dry 260lbs...my husqvarna sm510r dry 260.1lbs...i find my husky much heavier due to the higher center of gravity

edit: they do look nice done up though...
http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/4074565306.html

[retmotor]

Keep the TW, sell the Trans Am and use that money to get another motorcycle.

[kdick91]

Keep the TW, sell the Trans Am and use that money to get another motorcycle.

Dang, you really think I can get a grand for my T/A?! :P

[mekdad]

I have riden both in the same day on the same trails. The XR600 was heavy and forces you to ride faster up and down steep trails, do to taller gearing. I had more control and sability on TW and could go plenty slow on the steep loose sand and gravel we were riding. the guy I was riding with is now looking for a TW.

[retmotor]

Dang, you really think I can get a grand for my T/A?! :P

I'd think so. But then what are you going to do for an avatar?