TRX850 or XS850

First topic message reminder :

Which one is the better project bike as a stable partner for the Bandit?

or

Both are currently for sale on Bikepoint. I'm inclined to go for the XS850 but it is over Adelaide way so there are logistic issues. It would look good with the original pipes restored and the tank and sidecover labels back on.

Ewok1958 wrote:Went for a 50km spin on her this morning. Definitely different to the Bandit! The twin rumble is nice. It is quite light so it is easy to manouvre. I thought it felt too highly geared (not quite running in the sweet spot at 100 in 5th or 80 in 4th) - not sure if it has been changed but I'll up the back sprocket by a couple of teeth.

Ewok I think you'll find it's standard gearing. They were tall geared out of the crate. You do change a lot more with twins they don't roll on like a turbine as the Bandit does.

2wheelsagain wrote:Very nice but does it have a left hand side?
I'd put a few more km on it before playing with gearing.
Maybe you're expecting Bandit 1250 like instant torque which spoils us all when comparing other bikes.

Well the rear is a 39 tooth (which is standard). Have to take a cover off to confirm the front. LHS pic:

Just as nice and clean on the left hand side too

Took the TRX to work and back yesterday, and again thought "this isn't geared right - well not for Australian speed limits anyway". So I changed the 39 tooth rear for a 41 tooth rear this morning and went for a test ride. Wow - heaps better! Its sitting nicely just over 3,000rpm at 60kmph in 3rd and just over 3,500rpm in 4th at 80kmph. Similar story at 100 in 5th. Previously 60 and 80 were both difficult, ie at 60, 2nd felt too low, 3rd was too high, same story at 80 in 4th. So around town, it was hard to ride. Not now - problem gone!

Ewok1958 wrote:Took the TRX to work and back yesterday, and again thought "this isn't geared right - well not for Australian speed limits anyway". So I changed the 39 tooth rear for a 41 tooth rear this morning and went for a test ride. Wow - heaps better! Its sitting nicely just over 3,000rpm at 60kmph in 3rd and just over 3,500rpm in 4th at 80kmph. Similar story at 100 in 5th. Previously 60 and 80 were both difficult, ie at 60, 2nd felt too low, 3rd was too high, same story at 80 in 4th. So around town, it was hard to ride. Not now - problem gone!

What an easy fix. I remember thinking the same when I borrowed my mates TRX, road speed and gearing weren't very compatible.I also remember that it handled beautifully on the road. Glad your enjoying it mate.

Hoe far out is the speedo now?

Good question Chris - I didn't actually measure it with the GPS before the mod so I'll do that sometime this week. But I added about 200rpm to the tacho at the indicated speed.

Ewok1958 wrote:Good question Chris - I didn't actually measure it with the GPS before the mod so I'll do that sometime this week. But I added about 200rpm to the tacho at the indicated speed.

The FZ is only out by a couple of km's. Hopefully the TRX was built the same

TRX 850 Sport...

The reshaped fairing takes it out of the 90's and gives it a more modern look. Nice paint job.

Lets not mention the R6 front and back end.
As a bike its ok. As a TRX it doesn't work for me.

but Ewoks trx shows exactly what it is, a classic bike ! the other looks very nice but what is it a 2013 TRX ?


By the way ewok another bike show is on this weekend at Pambula "Motofest 2013" i'm not riding there, due to i have to video the whole show for the day but last year was very cool

I agree - the Pambula Motofest weekend was better than the Pambula bike show. Not sure if I'll be able to make it but there is a chance.

I cant get there but wish I could.

[quote="Ross."]TRX 850 Sport...





I like the look of the underslung exhaust

2wheelsagain wrote:Hoe far out is the speedo now?

I took it for a spin with the GPS bluetacked to the steering head. With the larger rear sprocket, the speedo is only about 2kmph out at 100 and 3kmph out at 120. With the standard gearing there must be bugger all error - it might even under-read.

At the risk of bring yawl to death. Might have to fess up sooner or later - I've now bought an XS850 . Haven't taken delivery yet - just awaiting an invoice so I can pay Look Motorcycles down in Huntingdale (Melbourne for the non-Mexicans). It's not restored but it looks original and also looks to be in good nick, so a bit of a speculative buy. As the thread probably gives away, I've wanted one for a while. I'll do a full report once I get it.

PS: No plans to sell the Bandit or TRX so, please, no offers!

You're gunna need a bigga shed

paul wrote:You're gunna need a bigga shed

That is actually a real possibility. And a 2-bike trailer to get them both to the regional shows.

It does look well looked after.
So I don't get to ride it to ACT

2wheelsagain wrote:It does look well looked after.
So I don't get to ride it to ACT

Mate - if you're game to do that I'm happy. The catch would be how to do that for less than the cost of a bike transporter ($295). If you can work that out, I'll give you the loot and you can keep the change!

Ewok1958 wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:It does look well looked after.
So I don't get to ride it to ACT

Mate - if you're game to do that I'm happy. The catch would be how to do that for less than the cost of a bike transporter ($295). If you can work that out, I'll give you the loot and you can keep the change!

Well $300 is probably a good deal Dave. How long till you see the steed?

Good question Chris. Assuming I get an invoice tomorrow, it'll take 3 working days for the direct deposit to go through (so the bank gets the money for 2 days), then it will need to be transported. So not likely until the week after next I suspect.

Good question Chris. Assuming I get an invoice tomorrow, it'll take 3 working days for the direct deposit to go through (so the bank gets the money for 2 days), then it will need to be transported. So not likely until the week after next I suspect.

I suppose you want a top gear make over on this one too