The Honda XR600R was one of the most successful dirt bikes of all time, an air-cooled beast built from 1985 to 2000 — a wildly successful machine in both the desert and the woods. Out west, it would win the Baja 1000 five times, while woods racer Scott Summers won five GNCC titles, four National Hare Scrambles Championships, 69 individual national races, and earned three ISDE gold medals on the “Big Red Pig” — the dirt-only beast would come to be known.
“The Honda XR600R is almost the definition of an off-road bike; the machine most likely to have its silhouette on a trail sign. That part isn’t surprising, but the bike’s racing resume is.” —Dirt Bike
Enter the good folks at Enduroshop.de, who sought to transform the dirt-only BRP into a street-legal scrambler:
“Our interpretation of a small and agile bike inspired by the off-road bikes of the early 70s. Less weight, excellent suspension, strong brakes, sharp handling, and an engine with a lot of low end power causes a lot of fun when riding it!”
Builder “Nuckes74” is a long-time motocross racer who wanted to a bike for the streets of his hometown, inspired by the off-road machines of the 60s and 70s:
“I’ve been doing motocross for more than 20 years and I was always riding these types of bikes. So I’m fixed to this kind of bike — I can’t deal with cafe racers or similar… So the idea was to create a bike in the style of this era, but with modern suspension and modern brakes, low weight, good handling, and a durable and trouble-free engine. I would like to use it on the small streets surrounding my hometown. (For harder offroad use i have other bikes.)”
The project took about two years to complete, and includes a whole wealth of upgrades outlined below. The result is
“My expectations came true more or less: excellent handling and a short geared engine, riding it is pure fun. It always makes me smile. And when the streets are small and bumpy you can deal with larger bikes.”
“XLsinore” XR600 Scrambler: Build Sheet
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Just the kind of bike I like the best. Is it hard to start? Thumpers can be temperamental at times and the rider can get winded trying to light their fire (in some respects a lot like a woman) it is all in how you approach it and the tecnec you use.
If it’s set up properly, it should be easy to start. And, if you got game, women are also easy to start!
That is perfect! A motorcycle restomod. And, a plus for putting some nice looking fenders on it. A lot of builders are making ugly shit, with no fenders. This build has a really nice balanced look to it. I’ll bet, it’s a blast to ride! I want one!
On this bike and all others shown here.
WTF is with the lack of chain guards on these builds?
All that means to me is that these bikes were built to show, not to ride.
I haven’t beenwithout a motorcycle since 1966. I hav been “Adventure touring” since 1972 (mixed pavement and gravel travel), and have have some very nice vintage bikes. Two tank shift Indians in my garage. All chain drive bikes have always had their chain guards.
Why?
Because I actually ride my bikes.
Can somebody explain this trend to me?
Tom in Salem.
Not having a chain guard does not make a bike unridable.
WTF is your problem.
MJ, having no front brake does not make a bike unridable, too,
WTF is my problem? That’s a bit rude.
Asking a simple question. Is that present a problem with you?
When I see an otherwise beautiful build, I view ommiting the chain guard as a failure in overall function. Chain guards are not ugly.
I guess it goes to my own personal question regarding customs.
Would I ride this? Was this bike made to ride, or to show?
I am a fan of function.
Tom in Salem
WTF is wrong with your eyes? If you to take a close look, you will see a discreet chain guard fitted, shielding the chain from debris off the rear wheel. Anything more than this is surplus to requirements, and functionally worthless.
Nice, easily breakable bar end indicators on an offroad bike….lol
So the idea was to create a bike in the style of this era, but with modern suspension and modern brakes, low weight, good handling, and a durable and trouble-free engine. I would like to use it on the small streets surrounding my hometown. (For harder offroad use i have other bikes.)”
Thomas Krise sounds like a whiny Democrat!
The Xlsinore is a beautiful build! I have a Supermoto xr600r dual sport xr600r I would love to make one into one of these.
Love this bike. Love that XL paint job. The retro-scrambler market seems an obvious, but un-tapped market niche for the struggling manufacturers. So many of us got our start on 1970’s enduros. It would be so easy for Honda to do something like this with the current, XR650l. Lower the seat heights and add twin shocks. Suzuki and Yamaha could easily join the party with TS and DTs styles in period colors.
Super nice build…love the historical XL graphics coordinated with modern components. I like the performance feel, including the lack of chain guard (which, BTW, no current factory off-road/MXers include).