Any info on 83' Honda XL600 likes, dis-likes dat-likes etc...
 

I am looking at an 83' XL600, just want something to play around in the dirt/trails with, bike seems to be in fair condition, with new tires, chain, fenders....Guy wants $500, I am going to look at it this week...Just wanted to know if anyones has had one, riden one, could tell me good/bad etc...

Thanks..

R

Good bike, kind of old, lots of torque, VERY heavy! That's about all I remember about them.

I can't dig up an specs on the darn thing...by heavy, what would you say it's weight was? I would want to use it to teach the boys on as well...

Don't really remeber a true weight but it was VERY heavy. How old are they,(your boys)? I'm not too sure it would be a good teaching bike something a little more nimble would be better, maybe an XR instead of an XL.

12 and 15....I really just want it for myself, so if it helps justify blowing the money right now, then I will say that I am going to use it to teach the boys...lol...

I am also looking for something a little small for them to share...


Come on you can guess the weight can't you...??

Found it....

Model: XL600
Years Made: 1983 - 1988
Style: Dual-Sport
Engine Type:
600cc Single Seat:
mm/26.6"
Weight: 375lb
HP: 40
Torque: 40
Top Speed: 105mph
MPG: 55

There ya go, like I said VERY heavy for a dirt bike but gobs of torque!

Well we are Torque junkies right? lol...

I tried to find out what one might sell for, can't find any for sale...
cycletrader...no go....

any other sites to look at for sale?????? www.

Heavy and can be hard to start. IMO, there's no way I'd put a 12 yo on one and only a very experienced 15yo. NO WAY to learn on.

Also, there's no way it has a 26 inch seat height either! LOL That's like at a rebel 250 level. I could only one foot an 86 model and I'm 5'10".

Yeah I seem to remeber using a stone wall to get on the one I rode when I was 14. not that I wouldn't have to now!! :lol: As far as places to check out maybe this place, http://www.advrider.com/ or someother dualsport forums.

Doesn't look all that tall...

Here is what he says about it:

"Tank like with big power!!! XL600 I belive its an 83. Runs good starts right up. I've ridden trails and the track at TNT with it. Your not gonna beat McGrath but for some trail riding it will work fine for only $500 bucks!
The fenders, seat cover, tires and chain are new. The shift lever is a little stripped maybe a little JB or quick weld would fix it right up"

And pic

Yeah, that one isn't on the showroom like the 86 was.

BTW, I'd pay REAL close attention to that last line about the shifter. Possible big bucks to fix that.

yeah, I asked him about it, and that was his reply...the JB weld thing...My thoughts are for $500 I wouldn't try to replace it, just do a quick fix and move on...but then again I have never done that type of fix before...would I be getting in over my head??

Thanks for sending me to another forum, with which to spend more useless time wonder the pages and getting absolutly nothing accomplished...that one is really cool...

I have thought about selling the Hawk and getting a dual sport (new, or slightly used) with all of the great riding potential up here...and don't have to worry about cages in the woods...hmm...nah can't sell the ole girl yet...gotta wait til they go up in value..when will that be??

Hey what are friends for?? :lol: Yeah lots of great riding of all kinds up there for sure!

If the splines on the shift lever are stripped, no big deal; get a new lever. If the splines on the shift shaft are stripped, big deal. If the latter on a $500 bike, I'd probably just drill it and run a bolt through it all and nut it all down. Then pray I never hit anything substantial with it! LOL

If the splines are still there, I'd try building them back up with a file before the JB or drilling route. Anyone got a better method?

That about covers everything I've tried Doug.

vise grips on the shaft?
stick it in third and hope the clutch holds up?
can you tell I was a poor teenager when last I played with a clapped-out dirtbike?

Have you seen, "Little Miss Sunshine"? :-)

LOL Bird..

Doug, that is kind of what I was thinking depending on what I find...drill her out, and bolt or pin...otherwise guess I would have to crack the case to replace the shaft...dunno...


Also, he pm'd me and said the shift lever splines are rounded off, so I would take it to mean the shift lever not the shaft...but again, won't know til I see it....

That movie Freaking Rocks....I busted a gut watching that....

Umm, no. I assume this is a pop culture reference? I really should try to keep informed...

The Van man, the van...LOL...cracks me up just thinking about it....And that Damn horn, oh my God...Rent the movie, it is worth it...I would buy it just for the horn.....

Duh! I'll just ask my 25 year old daughter, the movie addict ! Jeez !

I did buy it via Pay-per-view and recorded it while viewing which beats the hell out of renting.

blockbuster online, $17.99 per month endless movies...I usually can watch about 15 or so each month for that price...then I can just burn them on the er um..I mean send them back like nothing happened, or ever would as that is against the law and stuff...

See!! See!! he's all smart and technowhatever!! bet he's even got one of them sellyoulaw fones, too!!

maybe I am smart...daughter moved back home...canceled my blockbuster online...use hers !

Yeah, that's a great price if you do watch a lot. I'm lucky to "rent" one or two a month so it wouldn't be cost effective for me.

I dunno about back in '83, but nowadays the shaft is steel and the lever is Al. I would hope that Honda had good engineering back then as well and made the lever of a softer material to prevent such a thing.