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[Barron]

Originally Posted by Sierra Thumper

I have a Big Gun slip-on on my xrl, just wondering how much noticeable benefit I'll get from adding an aftermarket header to go with it? I really don't want to lose any of the awesome torque I have now, but wouldn't mind a little more power for higher speed highway cruising at my 5000 to 8000+ft of elevation. In my experience with othe bikes, you almost always lose some low end to gain up top with aftermarket exhausts. Just wondering how the xrl is affected, and if its worth doing?
Thanks in advance for any feedback given

I've got FMF powerbomb header and the Q4 exhaust. When I put the OEM exhaust and header back on it runs rough, mainly cause I need to rejet, but the reason I need to rejet is because of the restricted flow...

I'm happy with my FMF stuff and I'm going to put it back on the first chance I get (which is why I didn't bother changing my jets

I never did a dyno but swapping from aftermarket to OEM was VERY noticeable to me in the power, response and tone of the bike.


-Barron

[bwalsh]

Originally Posted by Lonestar2112

I did Rox rizers. They are the only ones that I will use. The Barnes cables are spendy. It cost me $40/cable. Those prices seem reasonable. I bought my bcables 8 months ago and MP said that they were going to make the choke cable a standard....I gues they are a bit slow.

I miss typed. Barnett. http://www.barnettclutches.com/ They are local to me. If you order it will be a special order. Yes they do cables also.

Yeah, I have no problem with those prices. Just posted them for others to see.
I'm just trying to go as tall as possible without having to change the cables too. I can live with a smaller lift. I could probably live with the 1" lift I have now if it didn't hit the tank. I don't do much serious off road but I do like to be able to stand up now and then.


Thanks for the replies/help Bob!

[AZ TOM]

Not sure why all the fuss over longer cables when raising bars but here is mine with stock cables.

[bwalsh]

Originally Posted by Ben99r1

If you check on rswracing.com you will find 1 1/8 replacement bar risers. I just priced them because I was looking for a replacement. They are $52 that includes shipping. If you use the stock rise handlebars the stock thorthol cables will work. But you will need the plus 3 inch motion pro clutch cable.If you go with atv bars or kawasaki high bend bars you will need the longer thorthol cables also. Found you a link. http://rswracing.com/barmounts.htm

Thanks for the link.
Now I see why I couldn't find these listed separately on their site. I always went straight to the XRL page.
I may just swap the triple clamps out as I'm also thinking about swapping new springs for the old ones and putting new stiffer ones on the 08. It would be the cheaper route and could be done all at once.

What size are you looking for? I may have a 3" x 7/8" up for sale...

Thanks Ben!

[bwalsh]

Originally Posted by AZ TOM

Not sure why all the fuss over longer cables when raising bars but here is mine with stock cables.

Do those bar risers hit the tank? They look like they come off the clamp just like mine(except for your added height).

[techforlife]

Originally Posted by sc-razor

shut your mouth!

Thanks for playin..



B

[AZ TOM]

Originally Posted by bwalsh

Do those bar risers hit the tank? They look like they come off the clamp just like mine(except for your added height).

The bottom of the clamps can mount two ways & in the rearward position they would hit the tank.

[bwalsh]

Originally Posted by AZ TOM

The bottom of the clamps can mount two ways & in the rearward position they would hit the tank.

It must be an optical delusion. It looks like it sits just like mine does.

I just ordered the 3" x 1 1/8" riser from RSW Racing.
It will add 3/4" of height to my setup now.
Another thing I forgot to mention(remembered it while out measuring) and some folks may not think about... the measurement for a riser on a RSW triple clamp is from the top of the clamp to the center of the bar. A stock triple clamp already has the bar 1 1/4" above the top of the clamp, or thereabouts. In other words it doesn't give you 3" more height than you currently have.
Any clamp on after market riser such as the Rox I mentioned earlier I assume is most likely measured from the 1 1/4", mark, up, correct? Center of stock bar height to center of new bar height.
If that is correct a 3" rox riser will sit 4 1/4" above the top of the clamp, or close to it.

[Idaho_XR]

Originally Posted by absoluteclint

Well the XRL club just added one member over the weekend! I've been trying to trade/sell my fourwheeler for quite a while now and finally made a deal over the weekend for an even swap on a 2002 XR650L! Bike is strong and running well. I'll try to get a pic soon.

I now need to know some of your opinions on a few mods I hope to take care of soon. The only mod thus far has been the removal of about 20 ugly-ass stickers! I know alot of this has probably already been discussed on here... Maybe you could direct me to the pages/links so I don't have to sort through thousands of posts. I know procycle.com is a great site... any others?

#1 - Rear turn signals. One of them is missing... this a priority mod so I can get it tagged. What are the aftermarket options in this department? Hoping to have a little more streamlined/tighter look than the factory blinkers.
#2 - Tires. The tires on it now are in good shape but are street tires. I'm hoping for something that's 60%dirt / 40%street that doesn't break the bank.
#3 - Rack. Which rear rack are you all most happy with? My intentions are nothing more than soft luggage and maybe a fuel cell... Later on I might want to acquire soft saddle bags.
#4 - Gas Tank - Don't need the safari size. Is Clarke 4.7 the only/best option?

Lastly... Any common/inexpensive ways to lighten 'er up?

I'm sure there'll be more mods but this should get me started. THANKS... Looking forward to riding!!

Welcome!!
#1-Not sure on this one. I am also looking into options on new signals, but I am cheap and waiting until I break my existing ones.
#2-Shinko has some good tires available that meet your percentage requirements, i.e. shinko 244 and 700. These are cheap and relatively decent on the street and dirt.
#3-As Barron suggested, Manracks makes some good custom stuff. I bought his heavy duty rack adapted for a rotopax mount. I think I could mount up his saddle bag frames later if I wanted, but I am not sure.
#4-If you go with an aftermarket tank (Clarke, IMS, Acerbis), you might want to think about installing an oil cooler, as you will have to clip your wings.

[Idaho_XR]

Originally Posted by bwalsh

My 04 needs some work which will entail tearing it apart and I assume it will take awhile to get it back on the road(based on my slow ass). So, I had been looking for something different to buy and ride while the 04 was in pieces. I came home with this a few weeks back...



Hey, It's different! It's an 08 with 2,717 miles.

.

Nice bike! I hear 08 was the best year for XRL's. The BNG made the bike lighter, faster and more reliable!

[Sierra Thumper]

Originally Posted by Barron

I've got FMF powerbomb header and the Q4 exhaust. When I put the OEM exhaust and header back on it runs rough, mainly cause I need to rejet, but the reason I need to rejet is because of the restricted flow...

I'm happy with my FMF stuff and I'm going to put it back on the first chance I get (which is why I didn't bother changing my jets

I never did a dyno but swapping from aftermarket to OEM was VERY noticeable to me in the power, response and tone of the bike.


-Barron

Thanks, just the kind of info I'm looking for

Originally Posted by fritzcoinc

I have the White Bros. E3 system, header and muffler. The low end does not seem to be affected by this combination.
If highway cruse seems sluggish, you may be jetted too rich for your altitude. For 5000 to 8000 feet you should be at 48 pilot and 145 to 147 main. Check with a dealer at your altitude.

Its good to hear you're not sacrificing low end for more top.
Honestly my bike runs spectacular up here at 5000ft, better than it ought to really. Its got tons of torque, instant throttle snap, and still revs up nice and quick......it has all the power I can handle in the dirt, and is still very snappy on the road with stock gearing. Honestly after years of riding high hp big-bore sport bikes, and being away from dual sporting for 15 years, I think maybe I'm just expecting more than a 650cc single can give me at higher road speeds.

I'm used to instant and brutal throttle response at any highway speeds on my sportbikes, I just have to adjust to the fact that aint gonna happen with my dual sport.

But thats okay because in the dirt where it counts, it gives me more than I know what to safely do with So I'm happy

Out of curiousity tho, if I stuck a Big Gun header on to match the silencer, how much of a seat of the pants difference would I feel?
I've been away from singles (especially 4-strokes) for so long, I'm a little lost on how they react to mods...........its been a long time

[bomber1965]

Originally Posted by Barron

I never did a dyno but swapping from aftermarket to OEM was VERY noticeable to me in the power, response and tone of the bike.


-Barron

[absoluteclint]

Originally Posted by Idaho_XR

Welcome!!
#1-Not sure on this one. I am also looking into options on new signals, but I am cheap and waiting until I break my existing ones.
#2-Shinko has some good tires available that meet your percentage requirements, i.e. shinko 244 and 700. These are cheap and relatively decent on the street and dirt.
#3-As Barron suggested, Manracks makes some good custom stuff. I bought his heavy duty rack adapted for a rotopax mount. I think I could mount up his saddle bag frames later if I wanted, but I am not sure.
#4-If you go with an aftermarket tank (Clarke, IMS, Acerbis), you might want to think about installing an oil cooler, as you will have to clip your wings.

Thanks man... I may go ahead and order these turn signals. They're a little more compact... and really cheap!! Anybody have an opinion on these before I purchase them... yay or nay?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...rn-Signal.aspx

[mcma111]

Originally Posted by absoluteclint

Thanks man... I may go ahead and order these turn signals. They're a little more compact... and really cheap!! Anybody have an opinion on these before I purchase them... yay or nay?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...rn-Signal.aspx

These turn signals are crap. I had some on the front of my XR600. Tucked in nice and tight on the headlight shroud where they would be out of harms way but the first time you bump into them they snap off. On top of that they use some goof ball, small ass, impossible to find light bulb.

Do it right the first time and spend a few bucks on some better lights. It will save you in the long run.

[fritzcoinc]

Originally Posted by mcma111

These turn signals are crap. I had some on the front of my XR600. Tucked in nice and tight on the headlight shroud where they would be out of harms way but the first time you bump into them they snap off. On top of that they use some goof ball, small ass, impossible to find light bulb.

Do it right the first time and spend a few bucks on some better lights. It will save you in the long run.

+1 and you just can not beat the visibility of the OEM lights. Their big and bright.