Riding From Vancouver to Toronto on my XR-650R

[dualsportbiker]

Hi Guys,

I have an XR650R and I plan to ride from Vancouver to Toronto. Some of the issues I have are

1. Which gas tank to get, since my XR's awesomeness is limited to its stock capacity right now. How do I find out about gas stations and their distance form each other?

2. What is the best route/places to break - in order to get there in less than a weeks time.

3. Any other issues I should know about

I'll leave it at this and not make this post too long. I plan to start this trip on the 8th of June(07).


any and all suggestions are welcome... thanks

 

[The Pope]

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if anybody can get you info on gas stations it would be caa. might be worth the membership for a month. they have all sorts of info like that. you'd probably pay for it in hotel discounts alone

 

[malachi]

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good luck on not grenading the engine.....that engine is prone to failure if it's run at a steady speed for too long....it's designed for desert racing. Sounds like a fun trip though. A buddy of mine rode to Ottawa and back last summer on his KLR. Good luck:tup:

 

[dualsportbiker]

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grenading? what is that...

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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dualsportbiker wrote:

grenading? what is that...

It's what happens to a grenade after the pin is pulled!:shock:

 

[dualsportbiker]

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To grenade or not to grenade, and what the hell is it anyway?

 

[urbanlychallenged]

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First off...you will want at least a 4 gallon tank...i have a 650L that I have upped the tank on to a clarke 4 gal. I took my bike to san fran last year and found that I was getting round 240 km a tank...should be able to get to most fuel stops on that depending on your throttle hand. Second...you could also concider traveling the states...interstates are better for getting places quicker...speeds are faster...the route through canada is about 400 km longer...but is about 10 hours more to drive...I crossed both countries lots driving truck.

 

[sagot]

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Hard core!:hb:

-Way taller gearing! Like 17 tooth front 40 rear. (I'm not shure what XR650 come with) Keep the revs down!

-street tires(unless your doing back roads)

-Electric vest!!!

-I forget what it's called but there is a product that uses two 2L pop bottles in a sleave that fits over your seat that efectivly makes the dirt bike seat about 14' wide! You can keep water in them and some say fuel but I'm not shure about the latter.

 

[Guest]

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The Honda XR motor is so damn tough its crazy.

If you blew one up, I bet it was abuse, or improper maintenance.

I have owned a couple, and know many others that have them, and not 1 motor problem in the bunch.

 

[dualsportbiker]

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By statement, do you mean question... as in why I asked wht grenading is? Because I still dont know what it is, and I am quite confused. I understand the changing gearing thing. But not 'grenading'... intuitively it does not sound good, and no i did not drain oil and blow up anything.

 

[malachi]

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I have seen two XR650R's grenade (as in bit of metal breaking and/or seizing)because of the main (bottom)bearing seizing. Do a search on the internet and you will find stories. The L model is bullet proof, the R is a much better bike, BUT it wasn't designed as a streetbikefor extended road trips. I'm not saying it will happen but it could. I'm not trying to offend anyone:tup:

TheDRZ has issueswith the countershaft nut coming loose etc....does it meanmy will or that they all do, no. But it could happen. All bikes good and bad have problems.

 

[RocketMan]

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IMS 4.6 gallon tank will get you 250kms if bike is jetted and uncorked.Go with 15/45 jt steel sprockets.Start with fresh 20/50w eng oil and stock paper filter,then turf that filter at oil change halfwy cross country and use a stainless filter after that. Getsome tires more suited to blacktop.Also carry a countershaft seal part#91205-mbn-672 as these are known to go on 00-02 models. Good luck and dont worry about that grenade Bull&%$*.The only thing that will wear out is your ass and tires:hb:.

 

[Guest]

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dualsportbiker wrote:

By statement, do you mean question... as in why I asked wht grenading is? Because I still dont know what it is, and I am quite confused. I understand the changing gearing thing. But not 'grenading'... intuitively it does not sound good, and no i did not drain oil and blow up anything.

Sorry my mistake, I quoted you , not the guy who said it would grenade.

I have expierence, as do many friends with the R model, and the motors are tough as hell.

 

[skidmark43]

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RocketMan wrote:

IMS 4.6 gallon tank will get you 250kms if bike is jetted and uncorked.Go with 15/45 jt steel sprockets.Start with fresh 20/50w eng oil and stock paper filter,then turf that filter at oil change halfwy cross country and use a stainless filter after that. Getsome tires more suited to blacktop.Also carry a countershaft seal part#91205-mbn-672 as these are known to go on 00-02 models. Good luck and dont worry about that grenade Bull&%$*.The only thing that will wear out is your a** and tires:hb:.

Follow Rocketman's advice.

Also look in the yellow pages for a wheelchair / handicap supply store. They sell sheepskin pads for cheap... putting one between your ass & seat makes a real difference in comfort on long trips.

Trailwing tires came stock on a number of DRZ's etc. Garbage offroad but wear like iron on blacktop. You might be able to find some cheap. Also make sure you get the wheels properly balanced, and have fresh front brake pads & fluid.

Have fun!

 

[malachi]

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RocketMan wrote:

Good luck and dont worry about that grenade Bull&%$*.

Excuse me, what I said is not BS. I resent that. I would not post anything if I hadn't had experienced and seen it myself. The R engine is a RACE engine, if kept off road they're fine. The ones I've seen fail are the ones that have been dualsported and lugged around on the street....which is not what they were intended for. I stand by my statements.

As I said it probably won't happen, but seeing as TO is a long ways away...and back again I thought I'd bring light to it. I would do the same againno matter what the bike. Changing the oil a few times would be a great idea...look for bronze/copper looking filings in your oil. If your bike is an 00-02 check the clutch bushings, check the countershaft seal...andcheck your thermostat is working properly. These are other known issues. I'm done on this topic. I hope you have a great trip:tup:

 

[Guest]

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malachi wrote:

RocketMan wrote:

Good luck and dont worry about that grenade Bull&%$*.

Excuse me, what I said is not BS. I resent that. I would not post anything if I hadn't had experienced and seen it myself. The R engine is a RACE engine, if kept off road they're fine. The ones I've seen fail are the ones that have been dualsported and lugged around on the street....which is not what they were intended for. I stand by my statements.

As I said it probably won't happen, but seeing as TO is a long ways away...and back again I thought I'd bring light to it. I would do the same againno matter what the bike. Changing the oil a few times would be a great idea...look for bronze/copper looking filings in your oil. If your bike is an 00-02 check the clutch bushings, check the countershaft seal...andcheck your thermostat is working properly. These are other known issues. I'm done on this topic. I hope you have a great trip:tup:

Generally a race motor, used under light loads like just cruising, is OVER built for the job...not under built.

 

[dualsportbiker]

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Thanks guys, i did'nt mean to create controversy. I would think that a bike that can handle the Baja and all the sand and dust and the constant runnin of the engine could handle the road. But then again I know very very little about how motorcycles run. I just know how to enjoy em!!

I really appreciate all the suggestions... and will definitely look into each and every one of them... its all these suggestions that make this such a cool site to be a member of....

:f: