Not A Kawi, but...

[Nalayah]

Hopefully I may soon buy a 1986 Honda XL600R. Does anyone here have any personal experience with it? Does it have too much power for a new rider, or would it be ok? And, is there anything wrong with using street gear for trail riding?

[sebastian1000]

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...r%2084.htm

Honda XL600RM

As far as power goes....it looks to be ok. These specs show a 14 second quarter so it shouldn't be too intimidating. Seat height might be a bit tall....what kind of street gear are you talking about? My on road gloves are way beefier than my off-road gloves heh, and a helmet is a good thing to have regardless of it's style...it is better than nothing.
-S

[Nalayah]

For street gear, I have riding shoes, a helmet, gloves, and a riding jacket. Obviously the helmet's a good choice, but I'm not sure if my leather jacket would like it too much.

Thanks for the links and help. My cousin said that dual sports tend to be less powerful than their straight dirt or street equivalents, so that's reassuring.

[sebastian1000]

well, it isn't terribly powerful but there is more to it than just numbers....the power delivery is important also. However, I do think you will be just fine. As far as the leather goes, I would probably just get an off-road specific jacket to compliment the bike. Good luck and welcome to the forum. As always, we ask for pics when you get the bike!
-Seb

[LoudFastUgly]

The XL600 can be a real pig to start. Overall they are reliable, twin carb setup I believe on that year, can be a bit of a pain.

Other than that, get yourself some Prozac and have at it.

You meet the nicest people on a honda.

[Saleenguy]

So hopefully you bought it, they are awesome bikes.

How do you like it?

[pb641]

I would have recommended a mid-nineties Kaw 400 or Suz DR 350, somewhere in that range. I agree with the above posts. The 600 has some decent low end with fairly long legs through the gears. It is a 4 stroker. So, you won't have the immediate slam of a 2 stroke from the throttle. If it's a great deal, buy it and just take your time with the learning curve. From another thread, I would remind you to never hit the dirt alone. And Gear UP!

[badlandsbrett]

[i] have Had 2 XR600 and a XR650 r all Had Licenced plates If you are not a short guy then they are great. They do have good power but all the power is in your hands. The XR or XL does not have a hit or surge on the power band. My wife learned to ride on an XR400 (street legal) in just over a year she was hittling the trails and (the street) going on just about any trail the big boys went on. only she went at her pace. but there wasnt anything she didnt feel she couldnt do. She riode on the street with it as well. The Xr 600 is indestuctable, works ok on the dirt and if you strip some of the xtra weight off and put some dirt tires on it is really fun in the dirt and works quite well. the brakes are good and for a dual Sport bike they are great.

If you are looking to ride on the street and the dirt another great dual sport bike is a DR400 is is about 40 lbs lighter then xr and has great power and has a water cooled engine (my wife now has one of these as well and I ride it on ocasion as well.
The DR400 works better on the dirt right out of the box (Still needs tires)

My wife started riding in 1998, was 40 when she started is 5' 8 " tall and 135 lbs. she never rode a bike before she started on an 1987 XL250 rode that for 6 monthes and wanted more power she then stepped up to a 2001 XR 400 and we had plates put on it and after about 2 years she could ride just about any trail we come accross

Although the XR 400 is a ldifferant animal then the XL 600 it is not much differant in power and weight ratio in regards to a man on an XlL 600 and a woman on a XR 400.