@cavan93 Hardly any maintenance...just usual oil, clean air filter, tires occasionally. And you can get it street plated, at least in the states. Mine is.
16 years later, I have a 2001 XR650R. Its a beast. I sold my 2007 YZ450F and wanted another one. The 650R can get away from you . It is NOT for inexperienced riders. I love mine.
Hard call, it really depends on what the dealerships are like where you live and what model is most popular in your country / area. If one is much more common than the other it might be better to go with the popular choice if only because parts and know-how will be available. Personally, I would go with the TTR-230 but that has more to do with the reasoning I gave above. Both are tough, reliable bikes that are a good step up before the bigger stuff.
@jeff deathrage Just picked up a really clean 07 for $4500 a few weeks ago. I searched for months and saw a lot of beat up ones guys were asking 6 grand for. Have some patience. They're out there.
@@alexrudner5548 I just bought it over the summer. Had zero problems with it but I do regular maintenance. The bike is a beast. Used to have an xr600r and that bike never let me down. I'm sure this one won't either.
The CR500 is better in every way as far as Im concerned. This bike got its ass kicked in baja by 500 2 strokes. Kx500, but the Cr500 Would beat it too.
@@sciencemilitia1853 every way? I want somethin I can ride to work, not gonna happen with a cr. I do still want a 500, and I don't doubt they are better dirtbikes. But a 650r seems like a fun practical purchase for the moment. I don't know, depends on which I find first when I have cash in hand. One thing I know, it'll be red. Metaphorically, I guess is the right word, it'll actually be black and red if I get plastic I want.
@@salvadordollyparton666 Oh hell yeah man the XR650R makes the best dualsport of any bike I can think of. I have an XR600R (way better than an XR650L) that is dualsported with every chassis and engine upgrade in the book. Its pretty sweet. I only ride my 2 stroke off road. The XR650R with an FCR carb and KYB SSS USD forks swapped onto it would be the best daily rider dualsport I can think of. The CR500 would actually be a pretty decent dualsport but not quite a daily rider. Would be very off road oriented. Id daily ride a cr500 dualsport tho. Gear it up. It will take it. Those 500 2ts are durable as fuck
@@sciencemilitia1853 lol. The XR650R was made to beat the KX500 at Baja…..and it did. It won the Baja 1000 like 8 years in a row or something……. So yes the XR650r can keep up with 500cc two strokes. The XR600R got its ass kicked by the two strokes in the 90s because it’s a low power ancient air cooled bike with a steel frame. Still a sick bike….but it’s not even close to an XR650R.
"im not into water sports" lololol i knwo the feeling i was riding around an unfamiliar area down here in the everglades on my XR650 and i took a hill and coming down was a nice pond, ended up hydroing over it (thank god because it was about 5 feet deep) and managed to very much give my self a shower
This bike is amazing. My best friend has a CRF450X. MY 650R is geared for 87mph his 450X is geared for about 75. I can take him on the wholeshot everytime in soft sand with a worn out knobby! It's pretty much head for head on gravel road until he's in 5th . Then i pull him hard.
@@H3avyHaul3r like as an adventure bike do they fair well? The manual says to check the valves every 1000km which is pretty often if used for adventure use. Just looking for a replacement for my dr650 :D
0xsergy i understand now, after checking mine i figure the standard specs are for the bikes intended purpose which is flatout across a desert, i look at them every 3000km or so and and have only had to adjust them a few times over the 15k+ (now a total of 24k as the 3rd owner) i put in my adventure version....but like every motor wear will catch up in the end, stories of motors doing well over 80K of similar type of riding....as long as you don’t ring its neck off like a crf, shes as relaible as any traditional thumper...but better lol
@@H3avyHaul3r fair enough, that's kind of what I figured. did the clearances change a lot in those 3000 kms if you remember the numbers? thanks for the replies man.
@sejlefrew yeah its a 5 speed, and one hell of a bike..my bro just bought one and i took it for a ride..gotta say,it made me want one as soon as i sat on it
without a doubt the best 650 class thumper. just add E start, a big tank, a plusher seat and the suspension set up for my weight and 50lbs of gear. able to ride RTW while taking breaks to screw with WR450s, KTM 300s and CRF-Xs says KLR owner who hates 99% of Hondas and Honda fanboys
Yuk, no that's just an air cooled xr600r with dual sport bits and even worse suspension. Fine for getting groceries but no way in hell would it be competitive in any enduro or hare scramble.
xr650r is a nice and simple bike.i like too a crf 450x or r but that is more racing bike and has quickly service.Anyway honda made good bikes for all categories.
Well, not exactly... The XR650R has a pretty unbeatable record of wins at the Baja 1000 and scores of other desert races. The 230F is a nice enough bike but it certainly doesn't put down near the power the big XR does. Open terrain and fast fire roads and that XR650R will EAT a 230F....
I had 1 for a couple years and don't miss it the least. Fast fire roads and open desert it is prob the best bike ever built for. Tight trails and slow cruising it's about the worst well maybe a klr650 is worse. Ha
@meow6669 No seriously it can. A brand new 450 can outrun a 650 with proper conditions. Although it's just barely. If it wasn't for the enviormentalists, we could end this argument with a CR500.
15 years later. TH-cam algorithm - have you seen this xr650 review. No regrets, still worth watching.
Wow a review got in TH-cam before this 650r was discontinued!
This is vintage
Just bought one today!
After missing it for 15 years!
Very good review. Good riding and sound! Thank you for not using shitty music. Ride on!
#BRINGBACKHONDAXR650R
I closed out my riding career on an '86 XR600 and loved every minute with it. Never rode the 650 but I know It would be just a blast to ride!
sweet riding dude
i got my crf230 when i was 13..i'm 14 now and i still love it
Nice riding!
sweet riding i just got a xr 80r
that bike sounds great
that truly is a beautiful bike
Absolute beast, one of the best Honda bike
Loved it!
"handful in tight stuff" is right! this thing is for going fast and straight.
@cavan93 Hardly any maintenance...just usual oil, clean air filter, tires occasionally. And you can get it street plated, at least in the states. Mine is.
Man them guys ride good
BEAST
16 years later, I have a 2001 XR650R. Its a beast. I sold my 2007 YZ450F and wanted another one. The 650R can get away from you . It is NOT for inexperienced riders. I love mine.
XR650R rules!
Amazing riders make Honda "little toy"I wish these guys could teach me!!!
oohh men...nice riding..
Dang, that's a grunty looking machine. That'd be a nice one to add to the garage.
Hard call, it really depends on what the dealerships are like where you live and what model is most popular in your country / area. If one is much more common than the other it might be better to go with the popular choice if only because parts and know-how will be available. Personally, I would go with the TTR-230 but that has more to do with the reasoning I gave above. Both are tough, reliable bikes that are a good step up before the bigger stuff.
@killercupcake19 I love it...don't have to work out anymore, courteous of the 650R
Just bought one.... love it love it love it!
@jeff deathrage Just picked up a really clean 07 for $4500 a few weeks ago. I searched for months and saw a lot of beat up ones guys were asking 6 grand for. Have some patience. They're out there.
@@chargerfan2 hi, do you still keep xr650r
How is it after years past. Many problem happened or not.thank you.
@@alexrudner5548 I just bought it over the summer. Had zero problems with it but I do regular maintenance. The bike is a beast. Used to have an xr600r and that bike never let me down. I'm sure this one won't either.
@@chargerfan2 thank you have great time
what kind of mods is on this bike??? Thanks
What type of exhaust is on there??
that bike is insane.
That just changed my mind, the 500 smoker will have to wait. This is the bike I need.
The CR500 is better in every way as far as Im concerned. This bike got its ass kicked in baja by 500 2 strokes. Kx500, but the Cr500 Would beat it too.
@@sciencemilitia1853 every way? I want somethin I can ride to work, not gonna happen with a cr. I do still want a 500, and I don't doubt they are better dirtbikes. But a 650r seems like a fun practical purchase for the moment. I don't know, depends on which I find first when I have cash in hand. One thing I know, it'll be red. Metaphorically, I guess is the right word, it'll actually be black and red if I get plastic I want.
@@salvadordollyparton666 Oh hell yeah man the XR650R makes the best dualsport of any bike I can think of. I have an XR600R (way better than an XR650L) that is dualsported with every chassis and engine upgrade in the book. Its pretty sweet. I only ride my 2 stroke off road. The XR650R with an FCR carb and KYB SSS USD forks swapped onto it would be the best daily rider dualsport I can think of. The CR500 would actually be a pretty decent dualsport but not quite a daily rider. Would be very off road oriented. Id daily ride a cr500 dualsport tho. Gear it up. It will take it. Those 500 2ts are durable as fuck
@@sciencemilitia1853 lol. The XR650R was made to beat the KX500 at Baja…..and it did. It won the Baja 1000 like 8 years in a row or something……. So yes the XR650r can keep up with 500cc two strokes.
The XR600R got its ass kicked by the two strokes in the 90s because it’s a low power ancient air cooled bike with a steel frame. Still a sick bike….but it’s not even close to an XR650R.
Does anyone know where in Southern Oregon these trails are? I live in the area and am looking for a good riding spot...
"im not into water sports" lololol i knwo the feeling i was riding around an unfamiliar area down here in the everglades on my XR650 and i took a hill and coming down was a nice pond, ended up hydroing over it (thank god because it was about 5 feet deep) and managed to very much give my self a shower
This bike is amazing. My best friend has a CRF450X. MY 650R is geared for 87mph his 450X is geared for about 75. I can take him on the wholeshot everytime in soft sand with a worn out knobby! It's pretty much head for head on gravel road until he's in 5th . Then i pull him hard.
they can be but its just a matter of learning how to use the power to your advantage
its so good i bought 2 (setup as adv & sm versions)...now i want a 3rd....bike is so good on open roads/terrain
How are the valve check intervals? The stock ones are awfully close together
0xsergy ?
@@H3avyHaul3r like as an adventure bike do they fair well? The manual says to check the valves every 1000km which is pretty often if used for adventure use. Just looking for a replacement for my dr650 :D
0xsergy i understand now, after checking mine i figure the standard specs are for the bikes intended purpose which is flatout across a desert, i look at them every 3000km or so and and have only had to adjust them a few times over the 15k+ (now a total of 24k as the 3rd owner) i put in my adventure version....but like every motor wear will catch up in the end, stories of motors doing well over 80K of similar type of riding....as long as you don’t ring its neck off like a crf, shes as relaible as any traditional thumper...but better lol
@@H3avyHaul3r fair enough, that's kind of what I figured. did the clearances change a lot in those 3000 kms if you remember the numbers? thanks for the replies man.
2020 still alive
I WANT THIS BIKE
im gettin my first dirt bike tmrw im 160lbs will a 170 be enough?
Awesome review, awesome bike...is the xr650r a 5speed as most trail bikes or is it a 6 speed?
It's 5 speed
Man that sounds MEAN !!
@sejlefrew yeah its a 5 speed, and one hell of a bike..my bro just bought one and i took it for a ride..gotta say,it made me want one as soon as i sat on it
When I think of a tractable 4 stroke dirt bike, this is it.
@brimstonehd yea it definetly will but i still like ridin my 230f
Красавчики.
without a doubt the best 650 class thumper. just add E start, a big tank, a plusher seat and the suspension set up for my weight and 50lbs of gear. able to ride RTW while taking breaks to screw with WR450s, KTM 300s and CRF-Xs
says KLR owner who hates 99% of Hondas and Honda fanboys
MM95 Honda makes one of those. It's the XR650L.
Yuk, no that's just an air cooled xr600r with dual sport bits and even worse suspension. Fine for getting groceries but no way in hell would it be competitive in any enduro or hare scramble.
Is this street legal. Plus what would u guys choose between the 650L or 650R
MM95
ok thanks
dude
hes good
Is this a street legal bike?
Well this bike really compete with a 2 stroke 500 in this style of racing? Like hare scrambles?
With piston and cam... and absolutely
man i only got a crf230 but im only 13..... but its a amazing bike to ride
xr650r is a nice and simple bike.i like too a crf 450x or r but that is more racing bike and has quickly service.Anyway honda made good bikes for all categories.
im getting a crf 230 for my next bike...
dad used to have 2 yamaha 650ccs and said if u barely give it gas it would pop up reall quickk
My XR650R is a supermoto!
i would buy this bike if i could reach it nice machine at a great price and reliable. one name says it all HONDA.
haha thats pretty tight bike!
to big for most of the trails i ride tho lol
got to say i love this bike but its a pain to lug it around on tight trails
Yeh! Love these bike but they are like a Top once they are going they dont like to lay over. You gotta man handle them.
fun
im really experienced with motorcycles
but im not big enough to throw around a 650r like he does at 1:15
that a huge bike and those guys make big red look small i bet those guys are fucking big
so thats a road bike to
you should at least get a 250 dude omg
jasny gwint....ale to jest potwór....moja dawna suzuki dr 650 r przy nim to ospały kucyk ;-)
yo i no that but i still think the 230f is a good trail bike
xr 650 is a simple and good bike for me. i like and crf450 but that is more racing and wont for you quickly service
why Honda doesn´t put a fucking electric start on this bike?!
Nevermind the inverted suspension, and the weight.
Will be the best seller.
Because it doesn't needs it ?
no comments in 3 years ... really!!!
@cavan93 nope you need to get the 650L to ride on the street
I'm putting a motor from one of these into a quad frame.
What a waste.
Can someone please tell me if the xr650r is street legal in ontario canada and if it needs alot of mainenace?
Thanks
@MattDawg6606
The R stands for riding or off road riding and the L means street legal.
i think the last one was 07
@wabashofutah looooooool
Enough.
Doesn't the XR650 actually make less power than the CRF 450? It just makes more torque.
must be pricey
enduro over motocross anyday
Well, not exactly... The XR650R has a pretty unbeatable record of wins at the Baja 1000 and scores of other desert races. The 230F is a nice enough bike but it certainly doesn't put down near the power the big XR does. Open terrain and fast fire roads and that XR650R will EAT a 230F....
i have a baja
i will take that pain of your hands if you want my yz450f
I had 1 for a couple years and don't miss it the least. Fast fire roads and open desert it is prob the best bike ever built for. Tight trails and slow cruising it's about the worst well maybe a klr650 is worse. Ha
@brimstonehd crf230f get eaten by cr85r...just sayin
HAHAHA
called an "enduro"
thats a biger version if a 230f
to bad the bike weighs so much
sacré bécanne cte xr650!! domage kilafonplu ,,snif!!
Chvg
Anyone wanna trade a CR250 for one? :P
@meow6669 No seriously it can. A brand new 450 can outrun a 650 with proper conditions. Although it's just barely. If it wasn't for the enviormentalists, we could end this argument with a CR500.
This is a sure example Of why if you don't have a wing you don't have a prayer I'm just saying
Wrong.
Honda pays Yamaha to keep the XT660 out the US 😁 lol
with the right gearing a 450F can outrun a xr650r
atvs are better
Ktm 690 enduro over the honda anyday
get a real bike , get a 250 or a 450
get a real bike, get a vespa
yourfacelookslikebut Haha, my dad used too have 2 of those lol