Hi, so I bought an old XL600R to find out if I liked the dual sport thing and I like it alot. I am looking to buy an XR650R to convert to a dual sport, but dont have one to test ride. Can anyone tell me how the power of the XL600R is to the XR650R? I know there will be a difference, but will it be a huge difference? I am hoping it will be. This XL600R wont even wheelie on the throttle in first gear, I have to chop it or clutch it up. It also doesnt rev very high, there is zero over rev. After coming off a YZ426, it is a bit disappointing power wise. Is the XR650R uncorked about as powerful as a YZ426?
Thanks for any incite you can give me.

I'm thinking you mean XL650 VS XR650. I owned a 94 XL650. It was pretty powerful, more street than dirt oriented. It did fine offroad, just not great. My buddy had a 650R. I used to ride it. The difference between a well set up XR 650 and an XL650 is wow. The 650 has power and torque for days. It'll keep pulling long after it rips your arms off. It's also mild mannered enough to do single track. It's just not as nimble as some of the smaller displacement bikes. They make great Dualsport bikes on the street too. The XR650 will wheelie in 1st......2nd.....and maybe third when nailing the throttle depending how you set it up.

I own an 03 XR650R, minimally converted for the street. My cousin used to ride a 96 XR600R (now a 629). So, I've riden them both. As far as power & speed, the XR650R blows away the old 600. The 650 is a bit lighter, and has more than a few extra ponies inside the liquid cooled engine.

The disadvantage is, the XR650R has a slightly different riding position, and may not be as comfortable to ride on the road.

Other than that, the 650R is a GREAT bike. I love the looks on peoples faces when a dirtbike passes them at 100MPH.

Hi, thanks for the replies. I actually have a 1985 XL600R(with dual carbs for some reason) with 7000 miles. It might partially be worn out as well and have very low power. I am pretty set on getting an XR650R. Thanks

I have an XR-650R and a WR-400F. You definitely won't be disappointed with the power on an XR-650R. While peak horsepower numbers are not too far apart from the XR to the WR-400/426, the XR has far more torque and will pull away from a WR. Due to the torque, the XR is also not as gear-selection sensitive especially when hill climbing. However, the WR is about 50 lbs. lighter and is better in tight single track.

I was looking for the same thing you are and bought a '00 XR650R which had already been made street legal. I have owned many DS bikes and let me tell you my first ride in the new bike (which had been uncorked with new exhaust) was like HOLY FREAKIN' SMACKIES! So much fun I felt like it couldn't possible be legal. Lots O power! Power wheelies through 3rd no problemo. Go buy one and enjoy.

What year did the 650R become liquid cooled?

2000 was the last year for the XR600R (air cooled) - 2000 was also the first year for the XR650R (liquid cooled). Those are the dirt only models. There's also the XR650L (still available) which is air cooled and street legal.

I had a 1987 XL600R (air cooled factory dualsport) with a fresh top end and XR carbs on it. It would easily wheelie in 1st or 2nd with throttle only. No electric start was it's biggest problem on the street, and it was OK for medium duty trail riding. Very fun on gravel roads...

The difference is like the difference between a P51 and a F14.

Yeah, my XL600R is a bit disappointing, I think maybe the carbs are fouled up. It seems to run well and pull well, but it takes about 20 kicks to start and just wont wheelie off the throttle. I replaced the clutch plates, steels and springs, and it still is a bit soft off the bottom. I am not a wheelie king, but I have ridden wheelies through 5th gear on a YZ125 many times, so Im not a muppet either. If I could just find an XRR around here I would be set.

I have a 1986 XL600R that has been bored to 618cc, has Hot Cams cams, has had a five angle valve job and has been rejetted. I have raced a couple of XR650Rs and dusted them. Though, they were stockers. If you buy one of those bikes and build it right nothing on the dirt can keep up, period.

hezekiahmunson said:

I bought a 600 brand new the first year they came out (1983).Put a SuperTrapp exhaust on it and re-jetted it. Rode it for 30,000 miles +.
It was a wheelie machine.
Sounds like your's isn't running right.

Your 600 must be sick,I have a 87 XL600R that I changed the rear sprocket to a smaller 40 tooth for freeway riding.
It will still bring the front end up in 1st and 2nd by just gassing it.
Have someone check out your bike to see whats up with it.
I am putting another 87 togeather but I am going to use an XR600R engine with the XL topend,larger bore...more power...... :thumbsup:
Don.