The New Mexico Rider

New Member in Rio Rancho

Hey folks, I am a new member. Back, many years ago, I was a motocrosser and a desert dog. Went "on the road", with street bikes, for these many years, but found an old friend who also raced back then. He is still campaigning vintage motocross bikes in the Pacific NW. Anyway, he let me ride his KTM 520 (?) and it brought back the old memories. So.... I just bought a cherry '07 XR650l with some goodies from Acerbis, White Brothers and Renthal. Anyway, I have been watching your videos and enjoy them a lot. My questions are many.... as you could imagine, since my last full "dirt bike" was a '72 Husky 250WR. But, first, are there any rides a "new/old" rider could participate in? I am rusty, and the whoops, jumps and berms are a little slow, but it is starting to come back. Also, any hints on "tricking" out my 650 or places to ride would be appreciated (I have gone out to the end of Southern twice). This looks like a great group, so hopefully I can ride with some of you folks. My wife, Deany, and I are present members of the LOEBMW Riders Club. She rides a 1200GS, and was a motocrosser and desert rider (Pentons and Elsinores). She presently has no interest in re-visiting the dirt... other than dirt roads (Hwy 126, Hwy 428, etc) on her GS. Thanks

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by NMTrailboss on November 15, 2009 at 9:39pm: Kern
Welcome to the site. There should be plenty of dual sport and trailrides with this group to keep you entertained. Many places to ride in this beautiful state! I also have an older XR650L (47000+ miles now) as well as several other steeds. Have been working on and farkling Honda XR's for many years, so if you have any specific questions about your XR I would be glad to help if I can.

Curtis; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kern Borlin on November 15, 2009 at 9:58pm: Thanks Curtis. That was a fast reply, and I appreciate it. As you can tell from the post, I am an older guy (66) who still thinks he is 29.

Presently I have Avon Distancia tires on the bike (came with them). Plan to go to Dunlop 606s, unless you have a better idea. I noticed traction, with the Avons, is non-existent in the sand (but I knew that). I just wonder what they would be like on fire roads (?).

I plan to go out an play a little off Southern tomorrow, but will probably buy the Dunlops on Tuesday.

Also, I would like to lower the rear (kuba link) to give it a little more rake and trail for the desert. Any thoughts about that? I guess I should get a real engine guard and some fork guards too. Other ideas?

I am amazed with the torque that little thumper has.

Thanks again for your welcome.....

Kern; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by NMTrailboss on November 15, 2009 at 10:46pm: Either Dunlop D606's or Pirilli MT21's are probably your best choices for a DOT legal tire for sand and primarily off road use. I've used both with good results and they work surprisingly well on pavement too. Just don't get the mileage of more street oriented tires. It's always a compromise!

Do you need to lower the rear of the bike due to short inseam or are you trying to change the steering characteristics of the bike? The rear lowering link will lower the rear end and you can drop the front forks in the clamps a little over 1/2" to help balance front to rear. You may have to cut some out of the sidestand after these mods. to keep the bike leaning over enough.

Skid plate under engine is almost mandatory out here and I would recommend some type of hand guards as well to protect your hands as well as keep lever breakage to a minimum. Fork guards, chain guide support, rotor guards and frame guards can also be added to help protect individual components, but not as important as the first two IMO.

If you're planning on riding mostly close to RR (Southern, Rainbow, etc.) you also may want to try lower gearing like a 14 tooth countershaft sprocket to get more acceleration in the sand and help eliminate some of the 1st to 2nd gear gap that the 650L's have. You can always change back easily next season for longer highway running and dual sport rides.

Have fun tomorrow! I'll be playing on the trials bikes at San Ysidro.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by WildTurkey on November 20, 2009 at 7:51pm: Kern, welcome! There is definitely an AARP contingent, so have no fear, you'll fit in fine.

Cheers,
WT; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kern Borlin on November 20, 2009 at 8:47pm: Thanks for the welcome. And, the information about the ol' folks.

Went out to the sand dunes, at the end of southern, and found out just how heavy the XR really is. Buried it in a hill climb and felt all 340+ pounds of it as I picked it up and backed it down the hill.

However, it is still fun and I plan to keep it for awhile. Even though I am 5'11", that damn thing is really tough to mount and dismount.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by buggs on November 29, 2009 at 5:19pm: Welcome!!!!
Hope you can join us in future rides here, in the AARP community!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kern Borlin on November 29, 2009 at 9:14pm: Thanks Buggs, I look forward to it. Just crashed at the end of Southern, so waiting for Protective gear (protection suit) before I go crazy again. Nothing serious.... shoulder, elbow and hip bruises. But, hey, 3 out of 4 berm shots were pretty good. The last one really sucked. Got a lot of re-learning to do. Thanks for the welcome.; ▶ Reply to This