At 72 years old I'm still riding my 1983 XL600R, Kick only. It's a beast! I raced XR600's all through the late 80's up until the early 2000's in Enduro's and Hare Scrambles. Hard to kill a good Honda.
Thank god you weren’t seriously injured my heart sank when the second truck came around the corner and I knew he was coming. You handled that accident a thousand times better then I believe I would have. You deserve a lot of respect for keeping a level head! Wow!!
Thanks. One of my clients recently crashed on my BMW XChallenge (another awesome competitor to the XR I haven't reviewed yet) so I'll be posting that video as well as the review shortly.
Thanks for watching. My top 5 for sure but not exactly the top dog. Please stay tuned for a review releasing in October of that particular bike. I've reviewed every adv thumper on the used market. Feel free to run through the lost, but the bike reviewed in October is a rare BMW. Looking forward to getting your opinion about it once the review is up. I appreciate the support. Cheers. Nik
I've got a '23 with about $5k additional invested. Namely I have the Acerbis tank, full exhaust, seat concepts foam and cover, and Lectron carb. Totally transformed the machine, and is the best adventure bike I've ever had.
@@CenCaBORL_Explorers On mostly pavement it'll get 35 mpg reliability, and hard off-roading will still get 30-32. The Acerbis tank will get me 180 to 200 miles comfortably.
Great review! This is the first time I’ve seen one of your videos and I’ll definitely be watching more. I must say you’ve made me feel even more certain that I’m riding the most suitable bike for me. I’m 6’2” so I don’t have the hight issue but the previous owner must have had that issue because he installed a XR’s only lowering link that I’m not sure if I wanna replace with the original because I like how it handles now with it. My first bike was a 2011 KLR650 that I put a lot of miles on over a verity of terrain in the 8 year I had it but my first time riding the XR650L I knew I was riding the wrong bike that entire time. It feels a lot more powerful, easier to maneuver, better throttle response and altogether just way more enjoyable. Much like the KLR the XR community is huge and so knowledgeable with tried and true wisdom through and through. Almost any modifications on the XR seem to be more significant then would otherwise be on the COWLR. Ha I just thought of that one lol. Again great video thanks!!
Welcome to the channel. I've reviewed every other competitor to these two bikes including the newest KLR. I'm currently riding the KTM 690 Enduro r and thats a monster machine. Run through the playlist to see if you like any other bike in this awesome class, and thanks for the support. Cheers Nik
@@pegasusmotorcycletours I look forward to your review on the KTM 690 for sure. I really wanted to get that bike over the KLR but the price was double and was just too expensive at the time for me. It’ll be interesting to see how it compares to the XR650L.
Suspension upgrades are definitely a must if you are a heavier rider like me. I put probably 500-600 between the front and rear suspension. It’s worth every penny in my opinion. Race tech gold valves and heavy springs.
I've had the gold valves in my KTM. I'm not a big guy but it seems Hondas is in particular are understand from the factory. I ride the CRF250L rally now and it feels so soft, the suspension is basically a placeholder.
I spent 8 years riding all kinds of ADV and Enduro bikes around Borrego there. That bike accident reminds me of {one part, LOL...dont need to get into CA's biggest problems} of why I left. Those idiots were not sorry, its the typical SoCal Bro with disregard to anyone else whether it be dangerous, destructive or annoying they dont care and wont change until it personally affects them. Iv had a truck almost run me off the cliffs on Otay Mtn and a surfer swim and get snagged on my fishing lure....then want to fight thinking I was in the wrong. Im a big dude from the Midwest, had all my patience of trying to not break idiots necks out there. I can hear some accent in your voice, my best friends out there were all from Europe and had so much appreciation/respect for the good parts of CA. Good people!
Thanks for watching and participating in the conversation. Definitely drivers in San Diego are some of the worst I've seen anywhere in the states. God forbid it rains a little, total confusion ensues. I'm from Detroit, originally from the former Yugoslavia, and we're used to driving in the snow in poor weather conditions. To drive in Europe just requires more skill. These kids come up in their trucks to fly through the dirt roads and sometimes bikers suffer the consequences. Great having you in the channel.
You can trim an inch and a half off the seat foam height and still have one of the most comfortable stock seats ever. As an owner of the DR650 and BMW F650gs the XR650L engine vibrates much more than the other two. One of the best and cheapest mods you can do is to cut and reweld the foot pegs down in and back. The stock handle bar is one of the worst for being to low. . Multiple fixes there. Adding an oil cooler should improve longevity. There are other frame strengthing kits out there that don't add the weight the Tusk does. Doing the 2nd and 5th gear mod made mine my favorite dual sport.
Thank you for this list of mods. Prospective buyers will also be very happy to read about them. The seat does look too thick so that would be a very easy mod. The others require more specialized skills. And I'll have to look into the gear mod you mentioned.
I have a 2021 xr650l that I converted to a Supermoto. I bought it coz of its so called reliability. It’s lost compression under warranty and been sitting in the shop 4 months now. I miss riding. You can see my xr650l Supermoto on my channel. Great honest review of the bike.
Sorry to hear that. Mist be super frustrating. Please.keep me.posted.as.tp the fixing process under warranty. How wild that that could happen to a new bike. Old timers swear by the 80s xr600. Thanks for watching. I'll be sure to check your channel out.
I bought a 2005 xr650l new and put 37,000 miles on it, mostly desert before having to sell it over health issues. Only thing that broke was the solder joints on the computer, never left me stranded but had to kick the battery box to get it going a few times before replacing it and never having another problem
@@brasstard7.627 my 2021 xr650l been in the shop since July and still in the shop. Still no answer from Honda if they are honoring the warranty and fixing my bike. Piston is all chewed up
I got a 1 inch Lowering kit for my 2023 XR650L & it's Perfect Now 👍 & Cool Video Also & I had to get an adjustable kickstand, Alsooo With the 1" Lower Kit I got from Amazon, 🙋
Thanks for watching. Greetings from Eastern Sierras, I'm guiding a tour and one of the clients is on his Xr650l. Stay tuned for that highlight reel. The bike did great. Cheers. Nik
When I bought my XR650L I was driving it home and thinking dang this thing does not drive very well, maybe the tires are flat. Looking around later I noticed that she had a lowering arm on her. I took that off and now this motorcycle is really amazing.
Yes when riders mess with the geometry in a.cheap way it makes the bike behave other than designed. Glad you found the bike and review worth while. Cheers. Nik
if you only lower the rear it will be like a chopper... wrong rake... so if you lower the rear you need to raise the fork tubes on the front... was that the case ? or ?
Very good review of the Honda XR 650L. I own this bike and if I had a complaint, it would be that it is to tall. I ride street to get to the dirt, so I put on a windscreen and It's fantastic. Single, double, sand and rocks I love this bike and can't say a bad word about it.
Thank you so much for watching and for participating in the conversation. If I were planning to do around the world trip tomorrow, this would probably be the bike with a few mods to make it capable more miles in a more comfortable way. Right now I'm enjoying my KTM 790 adventure so please stay tuned for that review.
Hey bro thanks for your honest real world reality based review , appreciate you and for sharing. You know there is a simple way to lower seat height... the rest as you covered is spot on. I own 92 XR600R street legal, which has no battery, it is bulletproof and proven in almost every situation, cheers.
Thank you both for watching and for taking time to participate in the conversation. I too am curious about how to easily lower the seats because I do not know that secret. As for the 600r, I see them every now and then street legal for sale, and have been curious, I just try not to own anything under the 2000s for the sake of resale since I have a full garage and limited time to ride them all. But thank you very much for that suggestion. If I see a clean stock one I'll snatch it just for the intrinsic value of the bike which I understand has a huge following.
Gene went through a few of them. I'm hosting his presentation tomorrow in person and live on CZcams so check that put. He just returned after 2.5 years around Latin America.
Bring back the good ol 1987 XL600. Lower seat height and ran just as good as these newer 650's. Very capable off road and on the pavement. Dry weight of 320 pounds.
And they never thought it necessary to update for the modern time?! No matter, still a fantastic ride. I just picked up the famed CRF250 REALLY so please stay tuned for that review. Thanks for watching.
@@pegasusmotorcycletours I never understood that either given their parts catalogue, I've seen so many 2000's crf front end swaps and more than a few variations on the rear shock swap. I guess they figured if it isn't broke don't fix it
i lowered mine a 2 1/2" & it made a world of difference(lowering link plus cut the seat foam down).Some say not to because it "changes the geometry". For me it still handles great.If you're a pro or high-level comp rider,then ok,keep the height.
True, 2 inches off from the foot is not gonna be detrimental if it makes the bike so much more accessible to shorter riders. I'd take this choice for an arou.d the world trip
Glad you weren't injured or killed by that dude in the truck, you were clearly well within your side of the road. Geezus. Regardless, sad if you sold the XRL, because you know they sell lowering links for the rear to be able to lower the bike well over 2"....that would've been perfect, and of course, going with more of a 70/30 tire setup to keep the knobs, but give you a quieter, more stable on road experience.... and of course, an oil cooler 😅
Big Red Pig aka the honda 650l ;-) im sure you know all ready but thumper talk has awesome info on our girls . hope you get to do some chasing today . i just got off of our girl for a quick stroll with one of the kids on the drz. enjoy the rest of the weekend
Thanks for watching. Eastern Sierra has a tendency to be very windy though on the 395. This would be a challenge on such days. I'm making a tour of Easter sierras so please stay tuned and thanks for watching. Nik
@@pegasusmotorcycletours haven't had too much wind this year, so far... It's a great time of year to ride here, fall colors are going off, if you come up from the south? Check out BENTON CROSSING ROAD to Hwy 120 to Lee Vinning. My favorite.. It's like going through different states.... Then you must stop at the mobel gas station on tioga pass Hwy 120 in Lee Vinning. The food is the best... Guarantee you'll love it. Maybe I'll have my new FJR by the time you come up here ? Would like to ride with you, ?
I've always had a love for the big Honda single. But I need a bike to cross country between 1500 and 9k miles. I've done the bike ktm adventure bikes. The Honda AT. Now I have a Ducati Desert Sled. It's pretty awesome but the love for Honda is deep.
Great looking bike you got there with the sled. Lots of new entrants into the field. It's an exciting time when even Benelli is in on it. What do you make of the smaller Africa twin coming out? I called it in advance when I reviewed my NC, saying it's a perfect adv platform. I look forward to getting to know it.
Great bikes. I have been a lover / owner of bikes like this since the early 80s. Right now I have a 890 Adventure R and got to say, unless the goal is single track or deep sand, a bike like the 890R is better, stock, in pretty much most ways. And I don't consider bikes like the XR650L or DR650 much for single track or deep sand either. Too bad they don't update these dinosaurs. It would be pretty hard to pass up a (much more expensive) 690 Enduro for the old XLR, as cool as it is.
I hear you. I too am a owner of the 690 Enduro r and obviously a much more capable bike but that comes with its own costs. I've found KTMs more difficult to upkeep. I recently released a review of my 625 SXC. Loved that bike. Definitely more capable in every way. But the XR was a pleasant surprise. Stay tuned for my review of the 690 and the BMW x challenge. Thanks for watching and for the support.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to complement. I'm glad to hear you found the video valuable. Right now I'm riding the Honda CRF250L Rally so please.stay tuned for that review. Cheers. Nik
If you run across a 2003 aprilia falco in your neck of the woods its probably mine that was stolen last year, red/grey with carbon pipes no back fender, in the meantime i am still waiting on a XR 650 L that i put on order in may 2022, thanks for all the info on the 650
I'll definitely keep an eye out. Thanks for sharing. If it was stolen from this area chances are it either crossed the border or made it cross country though. Congrats on the Honda and I hope it gives you many great adventures. Feel free to reach out if you'd like trip planing or private tour services. Cheers Nik
I've absolutely been aiming to buy one and see what all the fuss is about. It's a lot of cash though for a little bike that weighs the same as a KTM 690 with more than 3 times the power. That's what I'm riding now. For whatever reason the hondas can't be found for less thank 6 grandson the used market. Take a look at my review of the KTM sxc625, it's another bike with less weight and more power, kick and electric start, and a foot of travel and clearance. I will also be releasing a review of my BMW 650 XChallenge - with similar specs. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for watching and participating in the conversation. I just saw the new AT and skipped buying a 2017 1000 a few hours ago after seeing the 750. I definitely will own that bike. In the meantime I've received weed tue Dr and every other thumper adv in the competition in case you are comparing.
I did like my tusk racks. The instal of the carriers was tricky to align all the holes. But check out my playlist and you'll find a video where I got hit by a truck in the cases on this bike and caught it all on camera. Got lucky it didn't catch my leg.
I know this is old, im just starting to look at this, i cant find the acerbis gas tank on their website, did you put in a different bike for fitment to make sure it works?
I don't remember honestly, its been too long. They should have it since honda still sells this model new. I have a video tutorial of the instal however on a drz400.
I recently sold my 250 rally and was not impressed. The suspension is basically a placeholder. With running and a good amount in a suspension upgrade, the 300 actually felt surprisingly good, and did fine at 65mph, but I think the XR is still a more capable bike for the money.
Great review 👍. Brings me back couple xx years 🤣 Indeed the original tires are a pain for the motor Melody and the rider's ears. Any advice on other type of modern dual sport tires possible without loosing too much grip on dirt paths ?? Thanks and big ✌️ from Europe (visiting)
Thanks for watching. The most popular seem to be the heidenaius Tk60s I believe. Expensive though. A budget tire is the Shinko 805. Midrange look into Metzler's. Continental K60 comes to mind as well
LOOK!! For anyone who's going to own, keep, and up grade an "XR650L", ... THE FIRST THING ... is to get rid of the wet spaghetti forks, their shit, not to mention the hang down well beyond the front axel. I have owned my '08 650L since the Honda shop put it together for me in '08. I would NOT ... repeat ... WOULD NOT ... have kept this GREAT, HIGH RELIABILITY, LOW MAINTANCE bike with the crappy front forks, I would have sold it by the second year, they are THAT BAD!! LUCKLY!!!! I had a dead '02 Husaberg 501 and took the ENTIRE front end, handle-bars to front wheel, triple clamps, and 48mm upside-down WP forks. Changed the steering stem in the bottom triple clamp, bolted it all on to the XR. Since then, 16 years and 70k BRUTAL miles later, the bike handles like a dream, EVEN on pavement it's 300% better, much more so in slow nasty single track, or rough high speed Baja style dirt roads. The only weak point, I've had to re-weld the sub-frame 3 times because of vibration cracks and breakage. YOU want to LOVE this bike? GET RID OF THE FORKS!! It's WELL worth the cost!!
When I saw your bike i thought that maybe someday I own that... but maybe in my dream.cause my job is to sell a fish in the market to feed my family.thats why I telling my self to own that kind of bike only in my dream.that the kind of bike is my dreambike,many years come and past only in dream that I have that. Sorry man I only dream that.
Great review ! Why didn't that guy stay to the right just a little , defininly an amature . Hope he paid for your repairs . I have a nice dependable DRZ 400s . But I plan on doing more long interstate highway trips to get to the mountains . 2-3 hours interstate one way . Is it worth upgrading to the XR 650L ? Much difference between the two ?
Thank you for watching. Yes I got my luggage paid for. He seemed like he learned a lesson too. As for the interstate idea, I would definitely suede towards the Honda instead of the 400 DRZ. It will be a better more enjoyable bike for that kind of touring. I've reviewed every 650 thumper they use ADV market for your comparison so you can take a look if you are looking at other motorcycles as well like the dr650. I'd say performance wise the bike that most is akin to the 400 DRZ is the KTM 690. Similar weights and amazing performance both on and off road.
I've reviewed the Himalayan and everything from the suspension to the wiring to the welds is disappointing. A great looking bike though. Thank you for watching.
@@pegasusmotorcycletours That bad? Bummer, I really love XR's and my dream bike as a teenager was an XR500R. Unfortunately, I'm 5'5" so getting a nice adventure bike and getting laid is a struggle. 🤣😂 The Himalayan looked manageable to me, albeit somewhat underpowered.
@@paulh7798 it's just a poorly performing bike. Heavy too. Feel free to check it the review. Otherwise the lowest seat height in an adv thinker is in a bmw f650gs, another bike I've reviewed here.
I noticed your handguards you have them installed without them hitting the brake levers. I can’t install my Acerbis handguards that look exactly like yours without them harassing the brake levers. How did you install your handguards on the 650l. Thanx if you can help
get a lowering link.. weight is too high on the back... need lower on bike .. xr more setup for soft bags as opposed to hard panniers.. i have used the highland x2..
i dont ride that much street hiway to worry about road noise.. from knobbies.. lowering link can lower seat hieght to 35" no brainer.. change the dog bone..
windscreen can be added as well.. i bought my first xr650L in 95, traded it for a cr500.. cause i needed a moto bike.. now 20+ yrs later im back but with a purpose. Put the xr on a diet, set it up for distance rides. i made about 20 mods to the xr to get her to be as light and as nimble as possible.. i have yet to test the sum of the mods.. but soon.. lower was number one!
Yeah it looked that way, but when I slowed the video down, I see that since he locked up his brakes without ABS, his truck front end just slid down the slope of the road into my side. I think if he had ABS it might have pulled the front end back the other way a little at least.
I am on the fence which bike to buy, Honda XR650L or Suzuki DR650S and I was wondering what you think. I am willing to spend some money to upgrade either one (suspension, rejetting, exhaust, seat, oil cooler, subframe support etc). I want a bike that will be the best dual sport bike for me. I want to be able to take it both off road, and on the freeway, maybe take my wife with me as well. I am new to riding dirt bikes/dual sports. I come from owning choppers/harleys. I want a bike that I will enjoy even years down the road after I get better at off road riding.
Hi. I've also reviewed the Dr vs klr. Please take a look at that review because it will answer a lot of your questions. It is also this channels most popular video. Good luck and happy hunting. Btw, I've reviewed every other competitor to this bike. The XR is lighter and more dirt oriented. If your e new to dirt, it might be more than you need. But stock they both come similarly equipped, so you'll need the basic road upgrades like a bigger tank and windscreen and seat.
@@pegasusmotorcycletours that is the first video I saw on your channel. I still cannot decide between the two. I forgot to mention I am almost 6ft tall (about 5' 11") so I am wondering if I am tall enough for the Honda. What do you think? Also, even though I am new to dirt and Honda might be more than I need now, but will it be more few years down the line? I don't want to get bored of the Suzuki in few years when I am off road. The worry I have about Honda is how it will handle on the freeway and if I can ride it 75MPH without issues for extended amount of time. Another thing: are you a Serb? I am one. I've been here in the States for 16 years.
Given the choice and considering the height would you prefer the BMW G650GS Sertao over this XR ? I realise the weight difference but just as an overall preference ? Thanks and maybe consider having a rhino taking the lead on those roads ! :)
I would simply due to low center of gravity, and honestly the looks and amenities of the bmw. Resale value as well. I've reviewed my Sertao in case you are comparing the two.
I have a dedicated off road bike and a r1200 GSA. I'm looking for something to fill the gap between those two for dual sport and adventure riding trips. The GS is definitely capable but I'm looking for a cheaper dual sport that can be dropped and not cost $1000 to fix with a bias toward off road performance. DRZ400s vs XR650L? I'm 6'1.
Thanks for the question. Difficult to say. The drz is lighter and more dirt capable, but has less in the form of adv touring amenities. The XR is more of a touring oriented bike, but all plenty capable in the dirt. Both are tall at about 37 inches, no problem for you. The XR will do 65mph all day no problem, the drz starts to strain audibly if not actually at 55. I think you might have to try both, bit if luggage and other adv upgrades are your needs, you might have more luck with the XR. I did a full review of the drz as well fyi. Cheers. Nik
Yes, I have a separate video specifically showing that accident. If you're interested you could see it in my playlist. I learned a valuable lesson that day and got very lucky. All caught on camera
The clutch was fried. Once we got towed to the asphalt, ww adjusted the cable at the clutch and showed it to cold down. That have us another hour use at 35mph maximum, and it would have likely made it home like that had the road been flat, but it couldn't quite climb a very large mountain pass. Another truck stopped to assist that night. People can be great.
Both those guys driving were idiots! Can't believe they didn't even try to avoid you then the one that hit you just said 'yo'. You had to basically remind him that he almost killed you. Very normal I guess in California but wow!
No doubts, mistakes made on both sides, but we as bikers always have to ride defensively and when I dwell on that day, I feel like I neglected my own safety to enjoy the speeds of those sexy dirt curves. Every state has dumb drivers but definitely in San Diego drivers are very frustratingly inexperienced simply due to the lack of inclement weather here. They have no opportunities to train for it.
Lowering links always offer a solution but it affects the rode geometry. Obviously it would be altered from that what the engineers envisioned. Who says the 3 extra inches of travel and ground clearance would not be appreciated. But yes, in my case for tall bikes it's an option, bit I prefer to just fight it out instead of bringing the bike down to my level.
Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this review please check out the playlist where you'll find nearly every other competitor of this bike. The one on the making is of my KTM 690 Enduro R. That is the keeper as I have since trader this XR for the super tenere. The owner of the Yamaha had precisely the same question as you did so he switched to the lighter bike.
At 72 years old I'm still riding my 1983 XL600R, Kick only. It's a beast! I raced XR600's all through the late 80's up until the early 2000's in Enduro's and Hare Scrambles. Hard to kill a good Honda.
Great to hear it. Thanks for sharing. I'm a huge Hond fan, have three in the garage right now.
Awesome!
Thank god you weren’t seriously injured my heart sank when the second truck came around the corner and I knew he was coming. You handled that accident a thousand times better then I believe I would have. You deserve a lot of respect for keeping a level head! Wow!!
Thanks. One of my clients recently crashed on my BMW XChallenge (another awesome competitor to the XR I haven't reviewed yet) so I'll be posting that video as well as the review shortly.
Honda still makes it because it works, it works well and it's affordable.
No doubt. Repeating the benefits of a well built machine for decades now. Thanks for watching.
I wish they sold these in Brazil, i'd pay more than i should for an XR, there is something about these carbed thumpers that just gets me.
BEST 650 out there Been riding XRs since the eighties . Just came across the channel .
Thanks for watching. My top 5 for sure but not exactly the top dog. Please stay tuned for a review releasing in October of that particular bike. I've reviewed every adv thumper on the used market. Feel free to run through the lost, but the bike reviewed in October is a rare BMW. Looking forward to getting your opinion about it once the review is up. I appreciate the support. Cheers. Nik
About time you speak of the greatest dual sport ever made bullet proof!
About damn time. Thanks for watching.
I've got a '23 with about $5k additional invested. Namely I have the Acerbis tank, full exhaust, seat concepts foam and cover, and Lectron carb. Totally transformed the machine, and is the best adventure bike I've ever had.
Thanks for those tips. Owners tend to love them.
mileage with the lectron?
@@CenCaBORL_Explorers On mostly pavement it'll get 35 mpg reliability, and hard off-roading will still get 30-32. The Acerbis tank will get me 180 to 200 miles comfortably.
Great review! This is the first time I’ve seen one of your videos and I’ll definitely be watching more. I must say you’ve made me feel even more certain that I’m riding the most suitable bike for me. I’m 6’2” so I don’t have the hight issue but the previous owner must have had that issue because he installed a XR’s only lowering link that I’m not sure if I wanna replace with the original because I like how it handles now with it.
My first bike was a 2011 KLR650 that I put a lot of miles on over a verity of terrain in the 8 year I had it but my first time riding the XR650L I knew I was riding the wrong bike that entire time. It feels a lot more powerful, easier to maneuver, better throttle response and altogether just way more enjoyable. Much like the KLR the XR community is huge and so knowledgeable with tried and true wisdom through and through. Almost any modifications on the XR seem to be more significant then would otherwise be on the COWLR. Ha I just thought of that one lol. Again great video thanks!!
Welcome to the channel. I've reviewed every other competitor to these two bikes including the newest KLR. I'm currently riding the KTM 690 Enduro r and thats a monster machine. Run through the playlist to see if you like any other bike in this awesome class, and thanks for the support. Cheers
Nik
@@pegasusmotorcycletours I look forward to your review on the KTM 690 for sure. I really wanted to get that bike over the KLR but the price was double and was just too expensive at the time for me. It’ll be interesting to see how it compares to the XR650L.
Another typically superior Pegasus review. Thank you for creating and sharing it. Happy trails, my friend.
Glad to hear from you again. I hope it was helpful. Thanks for watching and for the support. As always.
Suspension upgrades are definitely a must if you are a heavier rider like me. I put probably 500-600 between the front and rear suspension. It’s worth every penny in my opinion. Race tech gold valves and heavy springs.
I've had the gold valves in my KTM. I'm not a big guy but it seems Hondas is in particular are understand from the factory. I ride the CRF250L rally now and it feels so soft, the suspension is basically a placeholder.
OMG! So stoked when i saw this. Thanks for this one!
Glad to hear the excitement. I hope it was helpful. Thanks for watching and for the support.
Got one. Simple and pretty much bomb proof. It's a compromise, but a bloody good one.
Congrats. No doubt. Tall bike bit so satisfying. Cheers. Nik
I spent 8 years riding all kinds of ADV and Enduro bikes around Borrego there. That bike accident reminds me of {one part, LOL...dont need to get into CA's biggest problems} of why I left. Those idiots were not sorry, its the typical SoCal Bro with disregard to anyone else whether it be dangerous, destructive or annoying they dont care and wont change until it personally affects them. Iv had a truck almost run me off the cliffs on Otay Mtn and a surfer swim and get snagged on my fishing lure....then want to fight thinking I was in the wrong. Im a big dude from the Midwest, had all my patience of trying to not break idiots necks out there. I can hear some accent in your voice, my best friends out there were all from Europe and had so much appreciation/respect for the good parts of CA. Good people!
Thanks for watching and participating in the conversation. Definitely drivers in San Diego are some of the worst I've seen anywhere in the states. God forbid it rains a little, total confusion ensues. I'm from Detroit, originally from the former Yugoslavia, and we're used to driving in the snow in poor weather conditions. To drive in Europe just requires more skill. These kids come up in their trucks to fly through the dirt roads and sometimes bikers suffer the consequences. Great having you in the channel.
just got a 2002 xr650l with 11k miles for 2400 lol it’s a great bike
Great deal. Good on you. Enjoy it.
You can trim an inch and a half off the seat foam height and still have one of the most comfortable stock seats ever. As an owner of the DR650 and BMW F650gs the XR650L engine vibrates much more than the other two. One of the best and cheapest mods you can do is to cut and reweld the foot pegs down in and back. The stock handle bar is one of the worst for being to low. . Multiple fixes there. Adding an oil cooler should improve longevity. There are other frame strengthing kits out there that don't add the weight the Tusk does. Doing the 2nd and 5th gear mod made mine my favorite dual sport.
Thank you for this list of mods. Prospective buyers will also be very happy to read about them. The seat does look too thick so that would be a very easy mod. The others require more specialized skills. And I'll have to look into the gear mod you mentioned.
I have a 2021 xr650l that I converted to a Supermoto. I bought it coz of its so called reliability. It’s lost compression under warranty and been sitting in the shop 4 months now. I miss riding. You can see my xr650l Supermoto on my channel. Great honest review of the bike.
Sorry to hear that. Mist be super frustrating. Please.keep me.posted.as.tp the fixing process under warranty. How wild that that could happen to a new bike. Old timers swear by the 80s xr600. Thanks for watching. I'll be sure to check your channel out.
I bought a 2005 xr650l new and put 37,000 miles on it, mostly desert before having to sell it over health issues. Only thing that broke was the solder joints on the computer, never left me stranded but had to kick the battery box to get it going a few times before replacing it and never having another problem
@@brasstard7.627 my 2021 xr650l been in the shop since July and still in the shop. Still no answer from Honda if they are honoring the warranty and fixing my bike. Piston is all chewed up
@@pegasusmotorcycletoursmy bike is out of the shop finally the crew did a great job.
I got a 1 inch Lowering kit for my 2023 XR650L & it's Perfect Now 👍 & Cool Video Also & I had to get an adjustable kickstand, Alsooo With the 1" Lower Kit I got from Amazon, 🙋
Great tips. Thanks for that.
Excellent review, thanks for taking the time to really review your machines in depth. Always enjoy watching your videos, keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching. Greetings from Eastern Sierras, I'm guiding a tour and one of the clients is on his Xr650l. Stay tuned for that highlight reel. The bike did great. Cheers. Nik
When I bought my XR650L I was driving it home and thinking dang this thing does not drive very well, maybe the tires are flat.
Looking around later I noticed that she had a lowering arm on her. I took that off and now this motorcycle is really amazing.
Yes when riders mess with the geometry in a.cheap way it makes the bike behave other than designed. Glad you found the bike and review worth while. Cheers. Nik
if you only lower the rear it will be like a chopper... wrong rake... so if you lower the rear you need to raise the fork tubes on the front... was that the case ? or ?
buying a lowering kit is a must, I own a 2005 XR650L with lowering kit...
I wonder if it sacrificed the off-road capability?
Very good review of the Honda XR 650L. I own this bike and if I had a complaint, it would be that it is to tall. I ride street to get to the dirt, so I put on a windscreen and It's fantastic. Single, double, sand and rocks I love this bike and can't say a bad word about it.
Thank you so much for watching and for participating in the conversation. If I were planning to do around the world trip tomorrow, this would probably be the bike with a few mods to make it capable more miles in a more comfortable way. Right now I'm enjoying my KTM 790 adventure so please stay tuned for that review.
I run a Seat Concepts 1" lower seat..it's really good...
Hey bro thanks for your honest real world reality based review , appreciate you and for sharing. You know there is a simple way to lower seat height... the rest as you covered is spot on. I own 92 XR600R street legal, which has no battery, it is bulletproof and proven in almost every situation, cheers.
You’re not going to share this easy way to lower seat height?
Thank you both for watching and for taking time to participate in the conversation. I too am curious about how to easily lower the seats because I do not know that secret. As for the 600r, I see them every now and then street legal for sale, and have been curious, I just try not to own anything under the 2000s for the sake of resale since I have a full garage and limited time to ride them all. But thank you very much for that suggestion. If I see a clean stock one I'll snatch it just for the intrinsic value of the bike which I understand has a huge following.
It’s HIGH I sat on one like a week ago at a shop and I was shocked how tall it was.
39 inches! Folks say lowering the bike doesn't take away from it's off-road capabilities.
I've heard that the clutch on an XR650 is immortal.
Gene went through a few of them. I'm hosting his presentation tomorrow in person and live on CZcams so check that put. He just returned after 2.5 years around Latin America.
Bring back the good ol 1987 XL600. Lower seat height and ran just as good as these newer 650's. Very capable off road and on the pavement. Dry weight of 320 pounds.
I don't have much experience with either of these and will keep an eye out. All talk is about the new transalp. How exciting!
I'm riding a KTM 690 Enduro r and loving it. Thanks for watching.
The reason the forks poke down so far past the axle is in the old days this was the only way to get a lot of suspension travel.
And they never thought it necessary to update for the modern time?! No matter, still a fantastic ride. I just picked up the famed CRF250 REALLY so please stay tuned for that review. Thanks for watching.
@@pegasusmotorcycletours I never understood that either given their parts catalogue, I've seen so many 2000's crf front end swaps and more than a few variations on the rear shock swap. I guess they figured if it isn't broke don't fix it
Perfectly done bro love your xr bro perfect mods done it
Glad to hear the excitement. I hope it was helpful. Thanks for watching and for the support.
my son was ripping around on my 650 and he is 5 foot 5. It all comes down to skill.
That's inpressive, but the bike when in motion is not an issue. It's trying to put the kickstand up when one can't reschedule the ground.
I’d put soft luggage on it. Tusk is good for me. I have a BMW R 1200 GSA now, and I’m getting too old (70) to handle it. This may be my next bike.
Thanks for watching. I've reviewed every competitor to this bike so feel free to browse the playlist if you are comparing. Happy hunting. Nik
Really enjoyed this review. Thank you.
Glad to have you. Cheers
Love languages so cool intro bro.
Boa revisão. Sempre gostei do XR650l.
Muy probablemente será mi próxima moto.
Obrigado 🤠
Obrigado voce. Ate a próxima.
i lowered mine a 2 1/2" & it made a world of difference(lowering link plus cut the seat foam down).Some say not to because it "changes the geometry". For me it still handles great.If you're a pro or high-level comp rider,then ok,keep the height.
True, 2 inches off from the foot is not gonna be detrimental if it makes the bike so much more accessible to shorter riders. I'd take this choice for an arou.d the world trip
Glad you weren't injured or killed by that dude in the truck, you were clearly well within your side of the road. Geezus.
Regardless, sad if you sold the XRL, because you know they sell lowering links for the rear to be able to lower the bike well over 2"....that would've been perfect, and of course, going with more of a 70/30 tire setup to keep the knobs, but give you a quieter, more stable on road experience.... and of course, an oil cooler 😅
Thanks for watching and the tips. Another commentator mentioned putting a husberg front end which made the bike amazing.
we love our brp !!! hope you had a great day and #livetoride
Thank for watching and participating in the conversation. But sorry, what is a brp?
Big Red Pig aka the honda 650l ;-) im sure you know all ready but thumper talk has awesome info on our girls . hope you get to do some chasing today . i just got off of our girl for a quick stroll with one of the kids on the drz. enjoy the rest of the weekend
Great bike, I ride it on Hwy & Dirt in the Eastern Sierra.. Will do 75mph on Hwy ... Top speed on dirt 80mph
Thanks for watching. Eastern Sierra has a tendency to be very windy though on the 395. This would be a challenge on such days. I'm making a tour of Easter sierras so please stay tuned and thanks for watching. Nik
@@pegasusmotorcycletours haven't had too much wind this year, so far... It's a great time of year to ride here, fall colors are going off, if you come up from the south? Check out BENTON CROSSING ROAD to Hwy 120 to Lee Vinning. My favorite.. It's like going through different states.... Then you must stop at the mobel gas station on tioga pass Hwy 120 in Lee Vinning. The food is the best... Guarantee you'll love it. Maybe I'll have my new FJR by the time you come up here ? Would like to ride with you, ?
I've always had a love for the big Honda single. But I need a bike to cross country between 1500 and 9k miles. I've done the bike ktm adventure bikes. The Honda AT. Now I have a Ducati Desert Sled. It's pretty awesome but the love for Honda is deep.
Great looking bike you got there with the sled. Lots of new entrants into the field. It's an exciting time when even Benelli is in on it. What do you make of the smaller Africa twin coming out? I called it in advance when I reviewed my NC, saying it's a perfect adv platform. I look forward to getting to know it.
why cant you do it on this bike?
@kellybeaver3890 I've done the big single (DR650) and I'm not comfortable riding it at 75mph for long periods on the highway. The only reason.
The xr650R are becoming collectors items.
Oh yes. The 650r definitely is. I'm looking for one.
Great bikes. I have been a lover / owner of bikes like this since the early 80s. Right now I have a 890 Adventure R and got to say, unless the goal is single track or deep sand, a bike like the 890R is better, stock, in pretty much most ways. And I don't consider bikes like the XR650L or DR650 much for single track or deep sand either. Too bad they don't update these dinosaurs. It would be pretty hard to pass up a (much more expensive) 690 Enduro for the old XLR, as cool as it is.
I hear you. I too am a owner of the 690 Enduro r and obviously a much more capable bike but that comes with its own costs. I've found KTMs more difficult to upkeep. I recently released a review of my 625 SXC. Loved that bike. Definitely more capable in every way. But the XR was a pleasant surprise. Stay tuned for my review of the 690 and the BMW x challenge. Thanks for watching and for the support.
Hmm! Nice one, I met Jim in Medellin Colombia :D
Thanks for watching.
I guess there’s no way I’m going to wait and buy a new X-ray 650 if there’s not that much difference, I would just like to have a new one
I'd save the few grand and buy used from someone that never took it off road.
Good Evening. I have not enough words to thank 🏆🏍👷♂️🌎🥇YOU. THANKS A MILLION. KEEP UP THE GREEEATTT WORK.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to complement. I'm glad to hear you found the video valuable. Right now I'm riding the Honda CRF250L Rally so please.stay tuned for that review. Cheers. Nik
If you run across a 2003 aprilia falco in your neck of the woods its probably mine that was stolen last year, red/grey with carbon pipes no back fender, in the meantime i am still waiting on a XR 650 L that i put on order in may 2022, thanks for all the info on the 650
I'll definitely keep an eye out. Thanks for sharing. If it was stolen from this area chances are it either crossed the border or made it cross country though. Congrats on the Honda and I hope it gives you many great adventures. Feel free to reach out if you'd like trip planing or private tour services. Cheers
Nik
Would love to see you do the Honda 300 Rally
I've absolutely been aiming to buy one and see what all the fuss is about. It's a lot of cash though for a little bike that weighs the same as a KTM 690 with more than 3 times the power. That's what I'm riding now. For whatever reason the hondas can't be found for less thank 6 grandson the used market. Take a look at my review of the KTM sxc625, it's another bike with less weight and more power, kick and electric start, and a foot of travel and clearance. I will also be releasing a review of my BMW 650 XChallenge - with similar specs. Thanks for watching.
Things you've complained about, I like...
Interesting. It's a great bike overall and would likely be my pick for an around the world trip.
Too tall for me. So its the DR650SE or the new Transalp. Please review that when it comes out. Excellent work and safe travels
Thank you for watching and participating in the conversation. I just saw the new AT and skipped buying a 2017 1000 a few hours ago after seeing the 750. I definitely will own that bike. In the meantime I've received weed tue Dr and every other thumper adv in the competition in case you are comparing.
Thanks for watching. I am 5'8" or 172cm.
Tell me about it! I’m 5-6” and ride one. Love it!
Would you recommend it on highways long rides
With a windscreen and a larger tank and tires that aren't too knobby it does just fine.
were those tusk racks worth putting on . i bought one its so heavy i cant get myself to put it on.
I did like my tusk racks. The instal of the carriers was tricky to align all the holes. But check out my playlist and you'll find a video where I got hit by a truck in the cases on this bike and caught it all on camera. Got lucky it didn't catch my leg.
I know this is old, im just starting to look at this, i cant find the acerbis gas tank on their website, did you put in a different bike for fitment to make sure it works?
I don't remember honestly, its been too long. They should have it since honda still sells this model new. I have a video tutorial of the instal however on a drz400.
I'm wondering if the newer technology of the 300L is worth the sacrifice in power and better suspension of the 650
I recently sold my 250 rally and was not impressed. The suspension is basically a placeholder. With running and a good amount in a suspension upgrade, the 300 actually felt surprisingly good, and did fine at 65mph, but I think the XR is still a more capable bike for the money.
Great review 👍. Brings me back couple xx years 🤣
Indeed the original tires are a pain for the motor Melody and the rider's ears.
Any advice on other type of modern dual sport tires possible without loosing too much grip on dirt paths ??
Thanks and big ✌️ from Europe (visiting)
Thanks for watching. The most popular seem to be the heidenaius Tk60s I believe. Expensive though. A budget tire is the Shinko 805. Midrange look into Metzler's. Continental K60 comes to mind as well
How is it on the hyway does the motor scream at high speeds ?
Not at all. It's. A great performer al around at 70mph. All depends on the tires too. Bl
LOOK!! For anyone who's going to own, keep, and up grade an "XR650L", ... THE FIRST THING ... is to get rid of the wet spaghetti forks, their shit, not to mention the hang down well beyond the front axel. I have owned my '08 650L since the Honda shop put it together for me in '08. I would NOT ... repeat ... WOULD NOT ... have kept this GREAT, HIGH RELIABILITY, LOW MAINTANCE bike with the crappy front forks, I would have sold it by the second year, they are THAT BAD!!
LUCKLY!!!! I had a dead '02 Husaberg 501 and took the ENTIRE front end, handle-bars to front wheel, triple clamps, and 48mm upside-down WP forks. Changed the steering stem in the bottom triple clamp, bolted it all on to the XR. Since then, 16 years and 70k BRUTAL miles later, the bike handles like a dream, EVEN on pavement it's 300% better, much more so in slow nasty single track, or rough high speed Baja style dirt roads. The only weak point, I've had to re-weld the sub-frame 3 times because of vibration cracks and breakage.
YOU want to LOVE this bike? GET RID OF THE FORKS!! It's WELL worth the cost!!
Thanks do much for that tip. I reckon hisbergs are not easy to find but I'm sure other front ends would fit just as easily. Really appreciate you.
When I saw your bike i thought that maybe someday I own that... but maybe in my dream.cause my job is to sell a fish in the market to feed my family.thats why I telling my self to own that kind of bike only in my dream.that the kind of bike is my dreambike,many years come and past only in dream that I have that. Sorry man I only dream that.
Thanks for watching. Where are you from? Is this bike available there?
Great review ! Why didn't that guy stay to the right just a little , defininly an amature . Hope he paid for your repairs . I have a nice dependable DRZ 400s . But I plan on doing more long interstate highway trips to get to the mountains . 2-3 hours interstate one way . Is it worth upgrading to the XR 650L ? Much difference between the two ?
Thank you for watching. Yes I got my luggage paid for. He seemed like he learned a lesson too. As for the interstate idea, I would definitely suede towards the Honda instead of the 400 DRZ. It will be a better more enjoyable bike for that kind of touring. I've reviewed every 650 thumper they use ADV market for your comparison so you can take a look if you are looking at other motorcycles as well like the dr650. I'd say performance wise the bike that most is akin to the 400 DRZ is the KTM 690. Similar weights and amazing performance both on and off road.
I wonder if you can stick an XR650L motor into a Himalayan?🤔
I've reviewed the Himalayan and everything from the suspension to the wiring to the welds is disappointing. A great looking bike though. Thank you for watching.
@@pegasusmotorcycletours That bad?
Bummer, I really love XR's and my dream bike as a teenager was an XR500R. Unfortunately, I'm 5'5" so getting a nice adventure bike and getting laid is a struggle. 🤣😂
The Himalayan looked manageable to me, albeit somewhat underpowered.
@@paulh7798 it's just a poorly performing bike. Heavy too. Feel free to check it the review. Otherwise the lowest seat height in an adv thinker is in a bmw f650gs, another bike I've reviewed here.
I noticed your handguards you have them installed without them hitting the brake levers. I can’t install my Acerbis handguards that look exactly like yours without them harassing the brake levers. How did you install your handguards on the 650l. Thanx if you can help
I'm sorry, it's been so long. I don't have this bike anymore. I traded it for the Yamaha super tenere that's also reviewed on this channel.
get a lowering link.. weight is too high on the back... need lower on bike .. xr more setup for soft bags as opposed to hard panniers.. i have used the highland x2..
great video..
i dont ride that much street hiway to worry about road noise.. from knobbies.. lowering link can lower seat hieght to 35" no brainer.. change the dog bone..
windscreen can be added as well.. i bought my first xr650L in 95, traded it for a cr500.. cause i needed a moto bike.. now 20+ yrs later im back but with a purpose. Put the xr on a diet, set it up for distance rides. i made about 20 mods to the xr to get her to be as light and as nimble as possible.. i have yet to test the sum of the mods.. but soon.. lower was number one!
Thanks
I need to lower the for sure.
Just picked up a 2014 for 850! Looking forward to getting it running again and seeing what these bikes can do
Congrats and enjoy.
That driver turned into you
Yeah it looked that way, but when I slowed the video down, I see that since he locked up his brakes without ABS, his truck front end just slid down the slope of the road into my side. I think if he had ABS it might have pulled the front end back the other way a little at least.
I am on the fence which bike to buy, Honda XR650L or Suzuki DR650S and I was wondering what you think. I am willing to spend some money to upgrade either one (suspension, rejetting, exhaust, seat, oil cooler, subframe support etc). I want a bike that will be the best dual sport bike for me. I want to be able to take it both off road, and on the freeway, maybe take my wife with me as well. I am new to riding dirt bikes/dual sports. I come from owning choppers/harleys. I want a bike that I will enjoy even years down the road after I get better at off road riding.
Hi. I've also reviewed the Dr vs klr. Please take a look at that review because it will answer a lot of your questions. It is also this channels most popular video. Good luck and happy hunting. Btw, I've reviewed every other competitor to this bike. The XR is lighter and more dirt oriented. If your e new to dirt, it might be more than you need. But stock they both come similarly equipped, so you'll need the basic road upgrades like a bigger tank and windscreen and seat.
@@pegasusmotorcycletours that is the first video I saw on your channel. I still cannot decide between the two. I forgot to mention I am almost 6ft tall (about 5' 11") so I am wondering if I am tall enough for the Honda. What do you think? Also, even though I am new to dirt and Honda might be more than I need now, but will it be more few years down the line? I don't want to get bored of the Suzuki in few years when I am off road. The worry I have about Honda is how it will handle on the freeway and if I can ride it 75MPH without issues for extended amount of time. Another thing: are you a Serb? I am one. I've been here in the States for 16 years.
@Thanatos Agreed!
Is $4200 for a 2013 bassicly the same bike a desent deal? 4100 miles
Yes, absolutely.
Given the choice and considering the height would you prefer the BMW G650GS Sertao over this XR ? I realise the weight difference but just as an overall preference ? Thanks and maybe consider having a rhino taking the lead on those roads ! :)
I would simply due to low center of gravity, and honestly the looks and amenities of the bmw. Resale value as well. I've reviewed my Sertao in case you are comparing the two.
Comparing the Honda XR650L and the Gen 3 KLR650, which bike has more buzz feel at 75 mph?
The KLR is a more highway oriented vehicle. If you plan on riding mostly asphalt, go with the KLR.
Ps, I've also reviewed it on this channel.
Why buy a new xr650l? When you can get a slightly used one around 2500$ there exactly the same last 20yrs plus
That's true. I suppose only if you wish to keep forever or you are starting a long distance intl tour and want to make sure it's all set.
I have a dedicated off road bike and a r1200 GSA. I'm looking for something to fill the gap between those two for dual sport and adventure riding trips. The GS is definitely capable but I'm looking for a cheaper dual sport that can be dropped and not cost $1000 to fix with a bias toward off road performance. DRZ400s vs XR650L? I'm 6'1.
Thanks for the question. Difficult to say. The drz is lighter and more dirt capable, but has less in the form of adv touring amenities. The XR is more of a touring oriented bike, but all plenty capable in the dirt. Both are tall at about 37 inches, no problem for you. The XR will do 65mph all day no problem, the drz starts to strain audibly if not actually at 55. I think you might have to try both, bit if luggage and other adv upgrades are your needs, you might have more luck with the XR. I did a full review of the drz as well fyi. Cheers. Nik
@@pegasusmotorcycletours Thanks for the reply Nik.
You got ran over in the intro wtf? 😂
Yes, I have a separate video specifically showing that accident. If you're interested you could see it in my playlist. I learned a valuable lesson that day and got very lucky. All caught on camera
MotoZ tires are good tires. They're note quiet but they'll bite.
Definitely. I've learned to love.em. thanks for watching
Just wondering if you fried your clutch or cable broke . cant you use the gears in sink. to get out to safe place?
The clutch was fried. Once we got towed to the asphalt, ww adjusted the cable at the clutch and showed it to cold down. That have us another hour use at 35mph maximum, and it would have likely made it home like that had the road been flat, but it couldn't quite climb a very large mountain pass. Another truck stopped to assist that night. People can be great.
Is this in San Diego?
Yes it is. I offer private tours and training, route planning, purchase assistance etc. More info is on my website. Thanks for watching.
My temper would have got that guy punched in the mouth
I saw he was scared and in a little bit of a shock. Just a kid. Thanksfor watching.
Both those guys driving were idiots! Can't believe they didn't even try to avoid you then the one that hit you just said 'yo'. You had to basically remind him that he almost killed you. Very normal I guess in California but wow!
No doubts, mistakes made on both sides, but we as bikers always have to ride defensively and when I dwell on that day, I feel like I neglected my own safety to enjoy the speeds of those sexy dirt curves. Every state has dumb drivers but definitely in San Diego drivers are very frustratingly inexperienced simply due to the lack of inclement weather here. They have no opportunities to train for it.
Since you're 5 foot 8 inches, why don't you just lower the suspension, obviously you don't need 13 inches of clearance, 10" would be fine.
Lowering links always offer a solution but it affects the rode geometry. Obviously it would be altered from that what the engineers envisioned. Who says the 3 extra inches of travel and ground clearance would not be appreciated. But yes, in my case for tall bikes it's an option, bit I prefer to just fight it out instead of bringing the bike down to my level.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees
Glad to hear the excitement. I hope it was helpful. Thanks for watching and for the support.
@@pegasusmotorcycletours It was, thank you. I trust your reviews and you really take the bikes out there and show what they can do.
They are becoming collectors item's
They still sell it in the US. In white.
Can't watch a guy who crosses the yellow line on the street.
Sorry
Cheers. Nik
Great review!
Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this review please check out the playlist where you'll find nearly every other competitor of this bike. The one on the making is of my KTM 690 Enduro R. That is the keeper as I have since trader this XR for the super tenere. The owner of the Yamaha had precisely the same question as you did so he switched to the lighter bike.
Does it have rebound and compression adjustment on the shock or only rebound?
It has both. Check it out here. www.manualslib.com/manual/1879719/Honda-Xr650l-2019.html?page=85#manual
You can’t find them anywhere and IMO still too expensive.
So, flying off the racks ey? Who knew. People like.simple reliable , capable bikes. Like come after that.