Update on the saddlebags- I realized there’s an additional d-ring on the bottom of each bag that we overlooked. If you run the strap through that before putting it around the foot peg mount, it’s much easier for the bags to stay poofed out at full capacity while still being secured tightly!
They are cheap versions of Nelsen Rigg bags, both saddlebags and tank bag. The NR bags have instructions sewn inside. The NR saddlebags have expanders. They're also cheaper if you look around!
The XR150 has been available in third world countries for years. People rely on motorcycles for their primary transportation. A lot of the roads here in the Philippines are bad so motorcycles take a punishing in the hot tropical climate. If these bikes were junk, the word would be out. Yes, there are things you have to improve to enhance durability. Some rust protection under the swingarm is advised. They actually sell a stainless swingarm here. A can of black spray paint and a scotch bright pad will keep the frame in good shape. Upgrade the handlebars, install tapered roller steering neck bearings when the clunk comes, convert to DC and install LEDs (I did) It has a stout frame. The engine is tough too. Honda just switched from the pushrod 155cc engine in the TMX tricycle model to the 150cc OHC engine in the TMX Supremo. That's about the most severe duty you can subject a bike to. Hauling a heavy sidecar loaded with people in stop & go traffic in the tropical heat. Did Honda cut some corners to get the price down? Sure, even HD does that. Can you inexpensively upgrade the bike? Absolutely! A CT 125 has all of the upgrades, but it's $4k. For me, the XR150L is the best bike for the money. I doubt I have $200 in all of my long list of upgrades. I just watched a video where someone swapped to 18"/20" wheels and a 15T front sprocket for about $150 labor included. I look at this bike as a blank canvas for endless customization at a bargain basement price. It's like a Asian HD for tricking out options..
Quad Lock Phone Mount is a must. Tank bag is a go. Hand guards, skid plate, and saddle bags are a no go. For me. Thank you for making this content. Very educational.
@@Rezenator10 because technically to be a skid plate you need to be able to use it to skid over stuff. Like a downed tree on a trail. I doubt being plastic it would hold up that well to off road use and abuse.
@@dinospumoni8860 Plastic skid plates are just as good as metal ones if not better. I use a plastic skid plate on my husqvarna fe350 and it works great going over logs.
@@dinospumoni8860 My skid plate was more expensive then a lot of metal skid plates if not the same price. It was the same material that kayaks use. Do you even have a real dirt bike? Not talking some economy dual sport like a xr150l or crf250l.
I bought the first two XR 150 L’s that came into my local dealership. Both are white. I put on CYCRA hand guards/wrap around bark busters with CYCRA handle bar mounts. Very solid.
Tourqe head screws (star) are better to not strip the heads. BMW uses them all over the s1000rr. And they do hold up better to higher torque. This bike is a world market bike and stays cheap for the sale in other countries .
Fastening the handguard is the first place I think of to use high-torque screws... 😁 (I do like torx screws, but my choice would be the same driver as used elsewhere on the bike.)
I've been replacing stock hardware with stainless hex head screws. Everything on the handlebars is swapped over. I stripped out the Philips screws on the clutch side trying to swap handlebars. Now I'm going through the screws on the bodywork/frame..
The more I look into this bike, the more I see cheap parts that will likely not hold up well over time. I know this was done to keep the bike inexpensive, but it is worth considering. I still like this unit and for the price, it could be a lot of fun. My plan is to pick one up and ride with my son's on their TW200s, all of us trading back and forth, and we can see just how much abuse it can handle. For the price of the tank and saddle bags, I might be inclined to buy the Tusk bags that are similarly priced, or spend a bit more and go with what I KNOW is the best option... the Giant Loop products. The skid plate looks like it will deflect rocks nicely, but I agree that it is not going to give the same protection that an aluminum skidder by Ricochet or Procycle would give in a proper fall. Thanks for the reviews... these are very well done and give great info for a new to OUR market bike.
I also have the TW. As far as riding on the street, the 150 is superior. It handles tons better, and the gearing is wider. The 150 shifts tons smoother. But over all the TW is superior in build and quality. But I love both.
I have a 2011 XR125 model, the 150 has about 2 horsepower more which is almost unnoticeable, mine has 85000kms on it now, accept for normal maintenance it still runs perfectly, had to replace the clutch on 50k, cost me not even $50 to do, they are incredibly strong bikes
The bike is still new. I only have 200 miles. I have a new KLX300 as well. I haven’t rode the KLX since I bought this bike. I absolutely love riding the 150. It shifts good, ok power, and handles excellent. Now this is on the street. I haven’t taken it off road, and expect differently. The true test will be how the bike is long term, as it gets several thousand miles, and some age. If it holds up, I’d say it is the best bang for your buck you can get. I’m hoping for the best. If it meets my expectations, I’ll be getting another as this one ages.
After seeing all the OEM accessories, you have helped me make up my mind that I'll put all aftermarket high quality stuff on it when/if I get one. Still trying to decide. Just got a CB500X so I don't really need another new one right now, but maybe this fall?
This Honda bag looks just like the Nelson Rigg tank bag I run on my CB500X. I'd expect any bags you get for your CB500X would fit the XR150L just as easily.
I left my collection of Quadlocks in the US unfortunately. I bought them for my HD. Going to have to grab one for the XR when I go back. I took your advice and peeled off the tank stickers..looks much better.
awesome vid ...long term biker , bought one yesterday....wondered about the mods... you covered every question I wanted and. you did it super encompassing best, and worst,... bravo ... I respect you.... ok find us the good shit......... please
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I'd leave the Engine guard on there. I think it's not only about big things like rocks, but gravel and small stuff flying off the wheel. That will blaster the front of the engine. (I've had that happen to my bikes)
Phillips heads are designed to strip so that you don't over tighten them. You probably don't want hand guard screws to strip, so using hex, or in this case torx screws, makes way more sense. With mechanical stuff you're mostly dealing with bolts, but when there's a screw, it's always nice to see hex or torx.
I think you will be thanking all the gods when those Honda-branded hand guards are blocking your hands from being pelted with raindrops the size of marbles. They look nice. If the decals are really bugging you, you could heat them up a little with a blow dryer (on low setting) and peel them off and reapply them. Good luck to ya’ .
Thank you very much for the info on the new-to-U.S. xr150l! You are my go-to source for all info XR as you are way ahead of the learning curve. I hope someone takes your advice and manufactures the exhaust tip mounting bracket to make the spark arrestor delete/swap a five-minute exchange that doesn't require destroying the arrestor as I do love the sound without it but want the stealth/fire safety factor should I have plans to "accidentally" find myself exploring where I may have missed a posted sign or two. I am going to skip the handguards and bags and look for better options. Ditto for the skid plate. I hope someone offers a better and stronger alternative soon. Thanks again Mate!
I put the skid plate on too. My frame on the front where that bracket mounts wasn’t level. Like one tube was slightly more forward than the other. Got it mounted. What a pain. Just for those who don’t know, those handgaurds won’t work on after market cross bar type bars. There isn’t enough flat mounting surface. Ask me how I found out lol. Eventually I will put a set of 1 1/8 bars on with aftermarket handgaurds. Those Honda guards are just for looks. One hit and those will be done. BTW, in the dirt bike world Cycra brand is top notch. I run Cycra full wrap arounds on my dirt bikes.
Thanks Aaron, everyone should check to see if the frame is even at that location,a sign of poor workmanship, maybe other areas are not up to the high standards Honda is known for.
@@zLigHt44 Yeah, I definitely was not happy. I had a 25% chance of pulling the bad one. The dealer had 4, none built. I got the first one. The bend isn’t horrible but enough the plate wasn’t level. It ended up mounting solid. It did blow a fuse at 60 miles, which inhibited it from starting. Replaced the fuse, all seems fine so far. Aside from that everything seems ok. 200 miles no other problems. I ride it to work every day it isn’t raining lol.
Yo, so happy you got a sponsorship with quadlock, been eyeing a new mount for my phone near my bed. I love their custom mount maker, need just a swivel up and down? boom, done. Need like a big flat adhesive mount with a long arm coming off the wall to hold something? Done. Quadlock is great, just wish they didn't take like 1 week+ to ship from Amazon, but hey, custom quadlock mounts are only from their website anyways.
Thanks for making dope music my guy!! It’s sooo nice having legit music now and not just Epidemic Sound/RU-vid Studio basic stuff. Keep up the good work brotha 🤘🏻
I appriciate your positive and honest attitude. I would of been very disappointed and struggled to hide my feeling. If you have the time and money, please consider making a video of upgrading the tires? Maybe the biggest, fattest tires you can find?
I’m actually very happy with the stock tires. Grip is outstanding on the road but haven’t put them to the test on a trail. Time will tell. Very interested to hear what options are available as sales increase.
Thanks for the info on those phone mounts. I just used your code and bought a mount for car, bike and moto. I typically hate all the promo moments and loved this one. I hope they work as well as they appear to. Again, thanks.
Was good to see the accessories. I have this bike on order. I had them order the skid plate. Hearing that it is plastic is disappointing giving it’s $99. Glad I ordered different hand guards. These would have been a disappointment given the points you raised. Love your videos. You’re doing a great job.
Great Vid again Burch! Personally I'm not a fan of any of the mods, put that money into gas, insurance, registration etc. The money you save should be enough to ride her for a year or two?
I just fell in love with that motorcycle!!!! I'm 67 yr old and looking for something that I can handle, and gets real good gas mileage. I do alot of trail camping with a 65 liter back pack. Thank you for showing me that bike 😊😊😊😊 Dennis from Delaware U.S.A
I think the hand guard stickers still have the shipping cover on the HONDA and the honda logo. If i remember correctly they ship these decals with a film on them so they dont get scratches from transit. I think it will make the black lettering show. Will be interested to hear what you find.
Ive been looking for a xr125 here in Europe, but Honda don´t sell it since 2013. Its great commuter bike, simple to maintain, reliable, good fuel mileage and have tons of cheap aftermarket parts.
Keep in mind this is a 150 not exactly a huge touring machine or expected to sell a ton of factory accessories. Bags and such are probably universal mount to many other models, hence all the extra webbing.
I put the Quad Lock setup on my 2017 Rebel 500. I had to find out how my Pixel 7 Pro would clear the windscreen. Through trial and error I installed the Quad Mount Pro, with the vibration damp and the wireless charging head. I have the charging head plugged into the USB to SAE connector to the battery to charge my devices. I use the Vemote Motorcycle USB Phone Charger but it only fits 7/8 bars instead of the 1 inch. So, I had to use a bunch of zip ties as spacers to make up for the difference and keep it from sliding. I wired it using the SAE adapter option and used the reverse polarity adapter. That way I can hot swap my 1 amp battery tender with the Vemote charger.
On the quad lock you don’t have to use the extender arm you can mount the vibration dampener right to the part that clamps to the bars if you want to center in on the handlebars.
That was the plan originally, but there’s not enough room between the bars and the steering stem nut or whatever it’s called. The way I have it is the closest it can get to center.
The plastic skid plate is just fine. My KTM 350excf uses an OEM plastic skid plate also. Aluminum skid plates suck! For one thing, they make the engine sound strange because of the vibration and when rocks bounce up and hit aluminum it also makes alot of noise. Stay with the plastic one. It's also lighter and plenty durable. I'm 58 and have been in this game for decades!
Hey Burch! Fyi: An OEM replacement seat for the xr150l can be ordered from a Honda dealer for around $125. My daughter loves our white xr150l, but at approx. 5'4" with a 30" inseam, the 33" xr150l seat height is a little tall. I just ordered an OEM replacement seat today and will take it to a local upholstery friend who will create a slimmed version that's at least two inches lower. She'll be able to flat foot, and the xr150l, purchased on June 2, her birthday, will be her first bike. I will have the original seat and the lowered one to sell with the bike or to raise the height back to 33. Thanks again for all your bike info! I agree with your appreciation of the xr150l. It's a lot of fun, and it's as new rider friendly as a bike can be!
@catherinegudvangen896 You are very welcome! It's very common for people to adjust motorcycle seat height by manipulating foam. I am lucky enough to have a trusted upholsterer near me in Rochester, NY that won't butcher it, as I might. Btw, I think the Honda Rebel, 300 or 500, remains the "Gold Standard" for shorter riders. In my daughter's case, I just wanted something capable for off rode.
@ogcatg Awesome! Perfect time of year! Great bike! Don't run out of gas like I did! I was having so much fun that I ran out at about 170 miles as I thought I had at least 250 before needing gas. The main tank is 1.9 gallons, and the reserve is .9. Plenty of range as long as you don't jump on without familiarizing yourself with the bike, like I did! 😁
I went to plastic skidplates on all my bikes ago. No issues. No harmonic sounds to deaden, so no foam needed, the bike slides over logs. I’ll never go back to aluminum.
I went with the Jet barkbusters and fitment was good, i got the 12v socket too and tank bag and saddle bags. Still cant figure the saddle bags out haha, i was thinking of ordering the ebay bashplate from Australia, because its aluminum
They make little usb converters to put on your trickle charger lead, they're so small you could just throw it in your pocket or stash it under the seat. Honestly, even the name brand ones are cheap enough you can keep one with each bike.
You got a couple things completely wrong in this video . 1. The “T” bits are Torx bits . They’re newer technology. Strip less than Allen bolts and are way better . Do yourself a favor and buy a nice set to have anduse . They are literally on everything now a days ( Coming as a 10 year professional technician ). 2. The plastic skid plate you bashed are way better than any metal skid plate you will have ; and I’ll tell you why . When you have metal skid plate it makes engine noise reflect off it and become overbearing . Metal skid plates also rattle like nothing else when at higher RPM’s . The plastic ones are much much better than metal ones and provide much more protection than I can guarantee you will ever put the bike through . The skid plate would glide over trees with ease . And another main thing with that skid plate it to protect frame paint from rocks bouncing up while riding . While also being able to slide over obstacles and not hurt bike . Look up Graham Jarvis or Billy Bolt . They both use plastic skid plates and ride harder than we ever will and that’s a fact . With all this being said . I still subscribed and liked the other tips especially the phone Mount .
Can't wait for me to buy a used one of these and use it as a dualsport/light adv. Road speed here average 60kph 80 on highways and 100kph in really long straight tollways
That tank bag looks identical to the Nelson Rigg bag that I have on my BMW. I'm not a fan of how the sun reflects off of the clear window on top into my eyes all of the time.
I SWEAR by Quadlock for my bicycle! So easy, so secure and the case is attractive yet subtle. The only issue is that I switched phones to a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 which doesn't have a case... maybe I'll just get the universal one and stick it on the back
Looking at the Saddle Bags, I knew how the video was going to end. You were going to take off and suddenly gasp as horrific snapping sounds commenced, the rear of the bike squatted and then dropped to the ground as the rear wheel fully detached from the bike and rolled away with the saddle bags spinning around it. The strappage is off the hook man.
I went and test rode a black one this weekend. Looks nice, but, absolutly no torque. No pickup speed. Seat is only for smallish peaple. And the cheap $2971 sticker came out to $$4200 out the door. I walked away.. and happy I did..
@LifeOfBirch have you looked into swapping the default instrument cluster with a digital one if so ide love to see a video I'm planning on doing it to mine
Youve pretty much sold me on getting an XR150L as a first bike and now I know to look elsewhere for a skidplate and hand gaurds. Tank bag seems like a good option, Not sure Im sold on saddlebags part of me would rather try to have something for mounting extra fuel cans.
that's aka Thai build look.. not sure if they have it in your country.. but there are stable designs and sturdy materials available here in the Philippines.. metal sheet skid plate, proper hand guard designs (bark busters).. and better bags.. :)
When you said that you applied the vibration dampner so it does not mess up your camera did you mean while you are filming or does the vibration mess up your camera in another manner?
I had 2 questions 1 what kind of MPG does it get real world I know they claim 130 plus w/e but they said that for the navi also and ofc it doesn't actually get that. Also does the spedo have a light on it so you can see how fast you are going at night it seems really dim is it hard to see when driving?
It does have a light in the Speedo. It’s not super bright but you can see the odometer at night. As for mileage, I’ve used half a tank in 60 miles. I hadn’t really watched the mileage before hand. I’m hoping it gets at least 100mpg.
thanks for doing this. really nice to see a handson with the honda bits. some of those look really really flimsy. I'm curious to see how such a cheap bike holds up over the miles. sub'd :)
