I rode XR650L's from 1994 till 2019. I had a 1994 model, and then a 2006 model. They took me from ocean to ocean and all points in between, both off road and on road. I'm starting to really regret letting the last one go to a buddy. I've ridden avidly for over 50 years, and have owned scores of bikes of all kinds (I own 5 right now), but the XR650L is my favorite of all time.
I had a 2003 DR650 which I loved and my brother had a XR650L which I have ridden. Can someone with a lot of miles tell me about the heat from the engine. I understand that is an issue on the stock XR. Can this be effectively remedied and is then the XR650 engine able to go big miles without rebuilds? The DR although less dirt worthy than the XR does have oil cooling and like the XR it has remained almost unchanged other than a few minor fixes along the way since 1997. Thanks.
@@telcobilly I also have buddies with DR650's and have ridden LOTS of them, off-road and on. I rode a 2006 DR650 on a 5-day leg of the TAT through Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It had an FMF full exhaust and carburetor mods, and was an absolute hoot to ride. It was maybe the fastest non-water-cooled 650cc dual sport I've ever ridden. The DRs run cooler and are generally faster than XRL's. They also seem to be a bit more "refined". I also suspect they will live longer with the cooler temps and electroplated cylinder. (In all those miles on XRL's, I was forced to have two complete, EXPENSIVE rebuilds.) The only complaint about the DR is the soft suspension, which actually works better in my opinion on anything but really serious and fast off-road duty with lots of big bumps and considerable air time. DR's are fine on any off-road at sane speeds however. DR's, being softer suspended and lower slung, are absolute speed weapons on gravel and forest roads (when compared to the other Japanese 650cc dual sports). The XRL can be modified with an oil cooler, and there are several ways to do it. The easiest and perhaps best way at this time is the complete kit available through Sutton Cycle Works (google it). This would no doubt add life to the XRL, as temps do get out of hand on them, especially with "wingless", aftermarket tanks at highway speeds. With all that said, I love XR650L's, but I am currently in the market for a nice used DR650SE. ...Oh ya, I also broke a sub frame on one of my XRL's while packing it down on a cross-country, off-road adventure. That isn't supposed to happen on DR's.
@@rikardb5855 Never heard about E3, E4, E5 norms ? Depending on the construction year and the emissions of the bike you are in a certain E-x class and you can be refused the acces to some cities/regios. New motorbikes that do not have at least E5 certification are no longer imported and can't be registred.
I had one in the early 90s and sold it that was a bad idea I missed that bike until 3 days ago and found a 2024 and bought it, I’ll keep this one forever, such a great bike no computer or and of that other stuff a motorcycle doesn’t need just a plain Jane pig love it
I had a 03 XR650L and I installed a Dynojet kit and replaced the stock exhaust and air filter for better flow. To say it woke the bike up would be a understatement. It was night and day as far as power , Performance and rideability . Ran so much cooler and much snappier with a significant amount of added power from Idle to wide open. It made it feel way more agile.
For all those who are calling this a "dinosaur" or an "antique", etc. and wondering why they'd keep making a carburetored bike: word on the street is, environmental restrictions have come with a "grandfather clause" in the U.S. and other places, meaning that if the manufacturer continues to make the same model, then they can keep selling it even if it doesn't meet current standards. It's why the KLR650 wasn't updated for decades until this year. If they change it significantly, then they have to do enough re-design to get the bike into compliance. If this bike could lose 30 pounds and gain a gallon of fuel tank capacity at the same time, then they'd really have something, but then as I said above, it'd have to be a significantly new bike.
Lamentável saber que, mesmo após tantos anos de sucesso e satisfação dos respectivos proprietários, o que se traduz em solidez de imagem para a fabricante, como responsável de um produto forte e confiável, é duro chegar ao longo de todos esses anos e ver que "no Brasil, a Honda nem pensa em surpreender seus clientes com um produto de tanto sucesso como esse". Talvez seja uma questão de um melhor gerenciamento, o duro que fica feio para a marca.
Good all around bike. I put 600 miles on one in Ecuador this year and it does everything well. A little dated but that's part of what makes it attractive vs. the super techy bikes.
The analogue aspect of the speedo and tach where offered, is 1000 x's better than digital, you don't have to divert your attention from the road/trail as much, to see the numbers, you can get a 'handle' on where you're at with both gauges somewhat peripherally, and or at a quicker glance. An updated layout would be in order perhaps, but staying away from digital. I do like the overall look of the bike, nice classic styling, of course the newer designs are very nice too.
I had a friend of mine who bought one new in 1994 when we graduated highschool I always wanted one after he let me take it for a ride I've had several street bikes since then but never a duel sport in 2020 I bought a brand new 2019 model
33 years huh? I’m going to guess all the R&D is paid for, all the tooling is paid for, so why does the price go up every year? They are developing new bikes funded on the backs of XR650l buyers. Same story with the Yamaha TW200. Built since 1987, few and minor changes over the years. Enough to piss you off.
I had a 2005 XR650L for 7yrs and that thing was damn near indestructible short of draining the oil and replacing it with water (and even then it would probably run 10x longer than expected) it was the most reliable bike I've ever had (until now). Only thing I did to it was performing "Dave's Mods" (basically rejetting the carb and drilling some extra holes in the stock exhaust) and replaced the bars and crank case cover due to bending and smashing a hole into respectively. I think brand new in 2005 I paid ~$6000.00. I'd still have it today if the ex-wife hadn't sold it out from under me. Today riding a 2020 KTM 690 Enduro R and man, it's a different world. That being said, you're paying a premium for it but I've got no complaints w/it thus far.
"The Best" There's a reason DR650's are used for round the world trips, and an XR650L isnt. The old air cooled design over heats, it doesnt have wide range gearing, its tall and hard to get off and on. It vibrates too much,it doesnt like the hiway much at all. Old, old design that Honda continues to put out.....................load this L model up for camping, the rear subframe WILL break off. The battery will fall out the side and hang there.
Nice bike yes I own a 2018. However why Honda decides to throw a 10lb hemroild like battery on the rear fender is beyond me. I literally couldn't sleep over it, got up in the middle of the night and pulled that ridiculous battery off and ordered a lithium ion to be installed under the seat. That battery ruins the whole bike to be honest, it handles so much better when you do the battery mod
Except when they got very hot , & get cracks between the spark plug threads & the valve seats , build it back up with alloy weld , machine it back & start again. definitely needed large oil coolers.
I just run rotella t6 15-40 synthetic and change the oil every 1000mi I got 10000 mi on the bike and the oil still looks clean when I drain it I thought about putting a oil cooler on it but decided against it as it could turn into a failure point and decided to run synthetic oil as it can handle higher oil temperature before it starts to break down
@@lelanburns6182 back and forth to work and around the mountains where I live oil coolers are great but if you get a stick or rock threw it you got to try to bypass it on the trail and hope you have oil to refill the engine
ปีที่แล้ว
Where is this sold? I don't think this one is available in Sweden. I think it should have ABS brakes and have the carburator replaced but it would also destroy much of the idea of having a simple bike. Would like to see this one available in Sweden.
The suspension looks ample enough for light offroad. I bet with aftermarket suspenders, strip unnecessary weight, and some knobs, a pro Mx'er could race it in the beginner/novice class, and win. I haven't kept up on Bikes for quite awhile, but I remember when the XR and XL were two seperate catagory bikes. XR being offroad only, and XL dual sport.
It would be nice to see some simple updates like LED lighting, and fuel injection. A simple digital display like on the 300L would be nice too but I would rather have the 1st two things listed more.
The 300l has a cheap junk display 😂 an led bulb would be nice if we could keep the glass lense which will not fade in the sun. Fuel injection means a computer bro is that really this bike? What we need is not junk motorcycle fuel amd then carbs are just fine
Be prepared to upgrade the countershaft sprocket soon after purchase.. The factory should have used the one that they used on the XR 650 r . Probably the most overlooked serious issue..
It's priced lower because no performance updates for over 30 yrs! Have rode the 94 and the o6 .no difference other than 06 has fresh motor. So good cheap bike, yes agreed
I rode XR650L's from 1994 till 2019. I had a 1994 model, and then a 2006 model. They took me from ocean to ocean and all points in between, both off road and on road. I'm starting to really regret letting the last one go to a buddy. I've ridden avidly for over 50 years, and have owned scores of bikes of all kinds (I own 5 right now), but the XR650L is my favorite of all time.
Ralph- You deserve a new 2023 XR650L.
@@Supernumerary That's exactly what I was thinking! I have only ridden about 70,000 miles on them to this point, and that just isn't enough.
You would look good on a fresh new white one!
I had a 2003 DR650 which I loved and my brother had a XR650L which I have ridden. Can someone with a lot of miles tell me about the heat from the engine. I understand that is an issue on the stock XR. Can this be effectively remedied and is then the XR650 engine able to go big miles without rebuilds? The DR although less dirt worthy than the XR does have oil cooling and like the XR it has remained almost unchanged other than a few minor fixes along the way since 1997. Thanks.
@@telcobilly I also have buddies with DR650's and have ridden LOTS of them, off-road and on. I rode a 2006 DR650 on a 5-day leg of the TAT through Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It had an FMF full exhaust and carburetor mods, and was an absolute hoot to ride. It was maybe the fastest non-water-cooled 650cc dual sport I've ever ridden. The DRs run cooler and are generally faster than XRL's. They also seem to be a bit more "refined". I also suspect they will live longer with the cooler temps and electroplated cylinder. (In all those miles on XRL's, I was forced to have two complete, EXPENSIVE rebuilds.) The only complaint about the DR is the soft suspension, which actually works better in my opinion on anything but really serious and fast off-road duty with lots of big bumps and considerable air time. DR's are fine on any off-road at sane speeds however. DR's, being softer suspended and lower slung, are absolute speed weapons on gravel and forest roads (when compared to the other Japanese 650cc dual sports).
The XRL can be modified with an oil cooler, and there are several ways to do it. The easiest and perhaps best way at this time is the complete kit available through Sutton Cycle Works (google it). This would no doubt add life to the XRL, as temps do get out of hand on them, especially with "wingless", aftermarket tanks at highway speeds.
With all that said, I love XR650L's, but I am currently in the market for a nice used DR650SE.
...Oh ya, I also broke a sub frame on one of my XRL's while packing it down on a cross-country, off-road adventure. That isn't supposed to happen on DR's.
One of the best trail bike ever ! Unfortunately we can't get it anymore in Europe because of our stupids rules and norms !
Is this for rules n norms? Iam from Sweden and never heard of
@@rikardb5855 Never heard about E3, E4, E5 norms ? Depending on the construction year and the emissions of the bike you are in a certain E-x class and you can be refused the acces to some cities/regios. New motorbikes that do not have at least E5 certification are no longer imported and can't be registred.
@@Donald-rg3gh tnx i never heard about so weird. MC just drives on "summer" so cant be negativ effekt on enviroment.
@@Donald-rg3gh And yet Europeans think Americans are the dumb ones lol.
@@MacLeRic Welcome to Europe and Belgium
Actually, they did honor it. I bought the 2022 XR650L, the description from Honda called it "the 30 year ultimate post apocalyptic daily commuter"
I agree with that statement! I have a ‘21 model. It’ll be my go to vehicle when shit goes bad.
My favorite bike ❤
Air cooled is one less thing to go wrong, I have
3 air cooled bikes none are super performance, but
I like the; 'one less thing to go wrong' aspect.
Its air cooled its also got no microchips because its carbed.
I still love mine after all these years. My go to bike when the Spring hits.
This bike, and the DR650, are the bug out vehicles of choice for the zombie apocalypse.
Will be looking to sell mine at high price to an anxious person once the enduro 390r comes out
@@Weltbummler23 Sounds like a good plan.
Time warp motorcycle. Back to the 80's!
if it aint broke...
Love the simplicity and honda reliability 👌
Love it , 💯🇺🇲 i had an XL 600
Awesome bike
XR The best!!!😍😜👍👌😉🙏😊
I had one in the early 90s and sold it that was a bad idea I missed that bike until 3 days ago and found a 2024 and bought it, I’ll keep this one forever, such a great bike no computer or and of that other stuff a motorcycle doesn’t need just a plain Jane pig love it
🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
I had a 03 XR650L and I installed a Dynojet kit and replaced the stock exhaust and air filter for better flow. To say it woke the bike up would be a understatement. It was night and day as far as power , Performance and rideability . Ran so much cooler and much snappier with a significant amount of added power from Idle to wide open. It made it feel way more agile.
Fantastic and Real trail !!!👍👍✌️
Probably the best all round bike Honda ever made go anywhere and reliable ❤
Same 90s bike
Wonderful
Stunning how little has changed from my 1983 XL600R. 40 years. Same parts (at least they look identical).
Agree. I own a 1985 XL600R LM. Bought in July 1985, in Tokyo. I'm from Brazil. Same parts ((at least they look identical)). Regards.
Do you think updating the body along CRF L lines would be a good thing or no? I had an 86' KLR600 but always liked the XR600.
@@marcelortfontenelle3081 LOL. I bought mine in July, 1984 and still have it. Looks like we will grow old with them :)
@@paulg3012 I like their style as they are. Classic. Kawi also kept their KLR much the same but changed the bodywork.
@@JimCastleberry Yeah I prefered the old 86' KLR600 to the present 650 style with the large fairing.
For all those who are calling this a "dinosaur" or an "antique", etc. and wondering why they'd keep making a carburetored bike: word on the street is, environmental restrictions have come with a "grandfather clause" in the U.S. and other places, meaning that if the manufacturer continues to make the same model, then they can keep selling it even if it doesn't meet current standards. It's why the KLR650 wasn't updated for decades until this year. If they change it significantly, then they have to do enough re-design to get the bike into compliance.
If this bike could lose 30 pounds and gain a gallon of fuel tank capacity at the same time, then they'd really have something, but then as I said above, it'd have to be a significantly new bike.
Very simple to strip weight and swap fuel tanks thanks to the vast aftermarket.
How aboht fuck the rules and make it the best apocolypse bike daily commuter humably possible no matter the rules
Lo simple es lo mejor sin complicaciones .
Simplemente te montas .
Y le das...
Adiós tecnología adiós problemas.a Disfrutarr
Lamentável saber que, mesmo após tantos anos de sucesso e satisfação dos respectivos proprietários, o que se traduz em solidez de imagem para a fabricante, como responsável de um produto forte e confiável, é duro chegar ao longo de todos esses anos e ver que "no Brasil, a Honda nem pensa em surpreender seus clientes com um produto de tanto sucesso como esse". Talvez seja uma questão de um melhor gerenciamento, o duro que fica feio para a marca.
Looks great.
Love it
Me encantan mucho sus videos 😮
Eu tinha uma xlx já era massa imagina essa aí q linda
Love it...got a 93 model once upon a time in Germany...it's like a time warp back in the 90s..;-)..would immediatly buy one...
Nice ❤
My 1st bike: XL500. Loved it till it got stolen………
Hot 👍🏼
I just get mine this weekend thx God amazing 👏 motorcycle. activo desde Allentown pennsylvania.
Good video
Had a 92 xr600. So regret selling it. Run a SLR650 now. It's a 97 model same engine I believe. But more road orientated. Wonderful
Wish they made a xr350L
O.M.G.Super.
Air cooled manual choke , basic and reliable less too go wrong too much on bikes and cars today
Waoo impresionante
I love the off road capabilities of the XR650L
I love my 2012 but I wish honda would have done I little more with the exhaust
I still have my 97. Only replaced tires, and wear items. Near indestructible. Need a milk crate to get on it. Good bike.
Good all around bike. I put 600 miles on one in Ecuador this year and it does everything well. A little dated but that's part of what makes it attractive vs. the super techy bikes.
The analogue aspect of the speedo and tach
where offered, is 1000 x's better than digital,
you don't have to divert your attention from
the road/trail as much, to see the numbers,
you can get a 'handle' on where
you're at with both gauges somewhat peripherally,
and or at a quicker glance. An updated layout
would be in order perhaps, but staying away from
digital. I do like the overall look of the bike,
nice classic styling, of course the newer designs
are very nice too.
Seeing ''Made in Japan'' in many places is quite an emotion.
This bike is a world of fun
I wish I had one Honda motor
Pick up my new one this week! 🇯🇵🏁
Spectacular bike! My favourite! Unfortunately in Italy it is no longer imported. I settled for the CRF300L
Same here
Why not buy a crf400rx and put smoke blinkers and a horn on it?
@@airadaimagery692 In Italy it is very expensive
Same here - Australia
Looks like my white Suzuki DR 650 Kool 👍😊
Incrível Honda manter o design antigo. Deve ser pq ela está vendo que motos retrô estão em alta em outras marcas como a Royal enfield!
Meu pai, que top!
I do believe the XR should be able to order, with the kickstarter ?
I had a friend of mine who bought one new in 1994 when we graduated highschool I always wanted one after he let me take it for a ride I've had several street bikes since then but never a duel sport in 2020 I bought a brand new 2019 model
XT550! my favorite!
I've fall in love with this beast 😍😍🔥💯🤘🤘🤘
Eu querou ja tiver uma moto muito boa vem para Brasil amor ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
いいなぁ。。。
Good bike for a beginner rider
33 years huh? I’m going to guess all the R&D is paid for, all the tooling is paid for, so why does the price go up every year? They are developing new bikes funded on the backs of XR650l buyers. Same story with the Yamaha TW200. Built since 1987, few and minor changes over the years. Enough to piss you off.
I'm sure you can find a used one for 1.5K to 3K that'll be a good bike.
The cost of raw material, maintaining equipment and property, electricity, shipping, etc. ect. goes up all the time bud.
I wonder if we'll see this model in Australia?
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I had a 2005 XR650L for 7yrs and that thing was damn near indestructible short of draining the oil and replacing it with water (and even then it would probably run 10x longer than expected) it was the most reliable bike I've ever had (until now). Only thing I did to it was performing "Dave's Mods" (basically rejetting the carb and drilling some extra holes in the stock exhaust) and replaced the bars and crank case cover due to bending and smashing a hole into respectively. I think brand new in 2005 I paid ~$6000.00. I'd still have it today if the ex-wife hadn't sold it out from under me. Today riding a 2020 KTM 690 Enduro R and man, it's a different world. That being said, you're paying a premium for it but I've got no complaints w/it thus far.
The only bike I want and can't get in EU... 😢
These things are so antiquated!!! Big, underpowered & heavy as hell.
Si volviera al mercado en Europa lo reventaría, seguro!
"The Best" There's a reason DR650's are used for round the world trips, and an XR650L isnt.
The old air cooled design over heats, it doesnt have wide range gearing, its tall and hard to get off and on. It vibrates too much,it doesnt like the hiway much at all. Old, old design that Honda continues to put out.....................load this L model up for camping, the rear subframe WILL break off. The battery will fall out the side and hang there.
Any dealers in Canada?
I had a 1987 XR 600R and a 1991 XR 600R, both were very fun. I bought the 1987 new and the 1991 slightly used.
How much ?
Nice bike yes I own a 2018. However why Honda decides to throw a 10lb hemroild like battery on the rear fender is beyond me. I literally couldn't sleep over it, got up in the middle of the night and pulled that ridiculous battery off and ordered a lithium ion to be installed under the seat. That battery ruins the whole bike to be honest, it handles so much better when you do the battery mod
You did yours and rode it? I accept your word. Where are the electronics now?
Honda снова выпускает эту модель?
Please release here in the philippines,"
Is there in philippine market
can you buy it in the uk ?
Wow a rear wheel drive motorcycle! Amazing!
Lol
I actually saw a bike with rear & front wheel drive. Think it was a Husqvarna. It was kicking ass!
Send me one to the uk, I'll buy it.
Is it already available and in Wich country? Pricing ?
Win-win for everyone. Honda makes mountains of money on this model. Tooling has been paid for many times over.
🏍️🇯🇵👍👍🎥👍
Seat height: six feet.
THE motorcycle.
Original real trustworthy
Yamaha
bike
Уже сколько лет они его выпускают, а ещё была версия R, куда интереснее 👍
What colors does it come in?
U know Y because XR'S RULE.
👍
Is that bike availeble in EuroUnion?
Except when they got very hot , & get cracks between the spark plug threads & the valve seats , build it back up with alloy weld , machine it back & start again.
definitely needed large oil coolers.
I just run rotella t6 15-40 synthetic and change the oil every 1000mi I got 10000 mi on the bike and the oil still looks clean when I drain it I thought about putting a oil cooler on it but decided against it as it could turn into a failure point and decided to run synthetic oil as it can handle higher oil temperature before it starts to break down
Where are you riding that thing?
@@lelanburns6182 back and forth to work and around the mountains where I live oil coolers are great but if you get a stick or rock threw it you got to try to bypass it on the trail and hope you have oil to refill the engine
Where is this sold? I don't think this one is available in Sweden. I think it should have ABS brakes and have the carburator replaced but it would also destroy much of the idea of having a simple bike. Would like to see this one available in Sweden.
I think it's time for LEDs and slightly more modern shape . It would cost so little and it would spark more interest.
The suspension looks ample enough for light offroad. I bet with aftermarket suspenders, strip unnecessary weight, and some knobs, a pro Mx'er could race it in the beginner/novice class, and win.
I haven't kept up on Bikes for quite awhile, but I remember when the XR and XL were two seperate catagory bikes. XR being offroad only, and XL dual sport.
Yep. There were XR’s and XL’s in the eighties. Then in the nineties XR/L’s and XR/R’s
It would be nice to see some simple updates like LED lighting, and fuel injection. A simple digital display like on the 300L would be nice too but I would rather have the 1st two things listed more.
The 300l has a cheap junk display 😂 an led bulb would be nice if we could keep the glass lense which will not fade in the sun. Fuel injection means a computer bro is that really this bike? What we need is not junk motorcycle fuel amd then carbs are just fine
Love this bike, but bro. The bike never starts quick unless it's the middle of summer, just watch the movie "Place beyond the Planes"
Oversize 1 gallon gas tank..
Be prepared to upgrade the countershaft sprocket soon after purchase.. The factory should have used the one that they used on the XR 650 r . Probably the most overlooked serious issue..
nice bike shame about the jump cuts in the video sloppy
It's priced lower because no performance updates for over 30 yrs! Have rode the 94 and the o6 .no difference other than 06 has fresh motor. So good cheap bike, yes agreed
The square headlight has always been goofy looking. Great bike though.
ye ha, i wounder if you could get that going ok just for the dirt
New models seem to be available in the USA only. 😢
👍👍
Been there. Take an xr400r with a light kit every time.
Weelbase, wet weight, dry weight, seat height,
frame clearance, wheel travel front and rear?
Did he say it was not fuel injected?
Carb