XR650L vs KLR650

[oneshot]

quick question for anyone that has experience w/ the xr650l nd the klr650...

i m trying to decide between the xr650L and the r model made street legal...i have just about decided that i would get the L, because of the elect start, and the fact that it's already legal, and that would save me a lot of $.....problem is that i am afraid i will be dissappointed w/ the preformance of the L model....

i have ridden a klr650, and although it's a great bike, to me, it's under powered, is really hard to ride off rode because of the weight, and is just not the bike for me. (no offense to klr riders, i think your bike is cool ? )

can someone tell me what to expect of the xr650l when compared to the klr? is the xr650l any better than the klr off-road? how about on pavement?

[Beyond The Pale]

The 650L will do much much better off road than a KLR. However, the 650L engine isn't a race engine. Then Honda corks up the intake and exhaust, so in stock form I doubt it beating a KLR in a drag race. The 650R engine being water cooled, has much more power potential. If you want more juice than the KLR you should be thinking 650R. The 650R has better suspension and weighs 278 dry vs the 325 or so weight of the 650L

Both the 650L and 650R can benefit from opening up the intake, the exhaust, and putting in the proper jetting. It's called uncorking, because you remove the "corks" that Honda out in. If I remember, there are reports here of 25% improvements on the R.

[Old_Man_Time]

If you can still plate the R in your state it would be the way to go. If you don't want the hastle of making the R dual sport then the XRL wins hands down as more off road worthy over the KLR.

The KLR is the better of the two on the road because it is just a road bike.

I have seen the KLR ridden in tight woods trails but not very often. It is even more of a tank than the XRL.

[Huffa 2]

Refer to this link for more L-R help. I think the L will do fine once uncorked .

These guys changed my mind from R to L and the info might do the same for you. ?

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405934

[FJT]

Unless you have some sort of disability or psychosis which keeps you from kickstarting the XR650R, get the R.

The difference in performance and ease of riding between the R and L is night and day.

You are giving up a lot of horsepower with the L, packing about 50 extra lbs. on your suspension, and for no good reason of which I'm aware. ?

I use my R as a daily rider to school, and hoon in the canyons on weekends. It's racking up the miles nicely, all I do is change oil, tires, and check valves each season.

It's a blast.

Regards,

FJT

[Huffa 2]

The difference in performance and ease of riding between the R and L is night and day. ?

Night and day ? Are you comparing them both stock, both uncorked or what?

Sometimes the MORE weight a bike has it is better for highway cruising so I think your ease of riding surely must be referring to the trails but then I read a few like the L model quite a bit becaus of the shorter wheelbase, makes it a little easier to turn in tight trails even though it is heavier.

I'd have to say R if percentage is more trails, open desert or what ever and L if you going to be mostly just road cruising from the info I am gathering on here.

[pigryder]

Unless you have some sort of disability or psychosis which keeps you from kickstarting the XR650R, get the R.

The difference in performance and ease of riding between the R and L is night and day.

You are giving up a lot of horsepower with the L, packing about 50 extra lbs. on your suspension, and for no good reason of which I'm aware. ?

I use my R as a daily rider to school, and hoon in the canyons on weekends. It's racking up the miles nicely, all I do is change oil, tires, and check valves each season.

It's a blast.

Regards,

FJT

I have both and theyre not that much different

[Huffa 2]

I have both and theyre not that much different ?

HMMM, so might it be a good idea for Honda to scrap the air cooled job and produce a "true" XRL H2oer?

Maybe not though, a lot I imagine still like the simplicity of the air cool L.

Either way it's fine with me.

[Motorrider]

I have not owned an "R", but do know that it was basically the inception of my dream bike after having owned and raced two XR600's. Honda once gave me an hour long phone survey of what I would do to change the 600, and about two years later, wahlaa! Anyway, I have had my 650L for almost a year now, and am very happy with it. It does mostly everything I want it to. I have done almost all of the suggested mods, including a White Bros. E2 pipe recently. I'm still trying to dial in the whole jetting thing, but it's getting there! These days, (especially in Cal.) I don't expect anything to run well or have max. performance right out of the box! The only real disappointment I will say, is the stock tires, they are pretty much worthless off-road! I think it's a great bike, and get comments on it everywhere I go with it! I would definately shop around though, because good deals are to be had, the "L" is not big seller, so most dealers will work with you! I got my "L" for $6,000 out the door! Good luck!

[desert4seat]

I have both and theyre not that much different

Wow, you own both and you think that there is no difference between the 2 bikes?

That’s very suprising!

I own both as well, and they are 2 VERY different bikes. I LOVE both bikes, and I’ve spent many hours on each…both heavily modded, and in near stock form. Here’s my evaluation:

Lets see,

…where to begin?

The Kawi is MUCH wider…not too comfortable in a standing position (aggressive offroading) , but MUCH more comfortable in the sitting position (especially on long rides). The Kawi has a smaller rear wheel…better for the hwy, but the 18” on the XR along with the longer travel suspension is MUCH better for the dirt. They both are heavy, but the Kawi noticeably heavier, and is a tank on the front tire – good for the road, but bad in the sand…a fork brace works wonders for both bikes. I’ve found more dirt oriented aftermarket upgrades for the xr, and more street oriented upgrades for the Kawi…(go figure).

The motor on the Kawi is better! I LOVE the power and power delivery, HOWEVER, the xr is much lighter which makes it faster (both heavily modded and in stock form). The ideal bike would have an XRL body and a KLR motor (IMO). …The stock Kawi motor needs a chain tension adjuster mod thing or the motor will go away, and the L needs no mod (motor comes bulletproof from the factory…at least until around 30,000mi).

The Kawi motor is also a water cooler…great power and compression…but it only has 1 radiator! Not that it has ever happened to me! But it might be an important difference to some.

Bottom line?

Both great bikes! Both proven! And both very affordable!

KLR’s are good in the dirt and great on the street, and XRL’s are great in the dirt and good on the street!

hope this helps!

?

[ghoti]

Wow, you own both and you think that there is no difference between the 2 bikes?

That’s very suprising!

I own both as well, and they are 2 VERY different bikes. I LOVE both bikes, and I’ve spent many hours on each…both heavily modded, and in near stock form. Here’s my evaluation:

Lets see,

…where to begin?

The Kawi is MUCH wider…not too comfortable in a standing position (aggressive offroading) , but MUCH more comfortable in the sitting position (especially on long rides). The Kawi has a smaller rear wheel…better for the hwy, but the 18” on the XR along with the longer travel suspension is MUCH better for the dirt. They both are heavy, but the Kawi noticeably heavier, and is a tank on the front tire – good for the road, but bad in the sand…a fork brace works wonders for both bikes. I’ve found more dirt oriented aftermarket upgrades for the xr, and more street oriented upgrades for the Kawi…(go figure).

The motor on the Kawi is better! I LOVE the power and power delivery, HOWEVER, the xr is much lighter which makes it faster (both heavily modded and in stock form). The ideal bike would have an XRL body and a KLR motor (IMO). …The stock Kawi motor needs a chain tension adjuster mod thing or the motor will go away, and the L needs no mod (motor comes bulletproof from the factory…at least until around 30,000mi).

The Kawi motor is also a water cooler…great power and compression…but it only has 1 radiator! Not that it has ever happened to me! But it might be an important difference to some.

Bottom line?

Both great bikes! Both proven! And both very affordable!

KLR’s are good in the dirt and great on the street, and XRL’s are great in the dirt and good on the street!

hope this helps!

?

Take it easy D4S, he was talking about the XR's not being that different.

[desert4seat]

Take it easy D4S, he was talking about the XR's not being that different.

LOL

?

I guess thats what you get when you speed read...LOL!!

[XR650L_Dave]

Take it easy D4S, he was talking about the XR's not being that different.

I'm surprised the R guys haven't given him a raft of crap for saying that!

D

[oneshot]

well, i found a sweet deal on a not-very-used '05 650 "R"....supposed to pick it up on friday...my plan is to get a baja kit and make it street legal......

i have a set of supermoto 17s for my klx. i am thinking i just might get some xr hubs, and lace them onto my rims for track days....bet that xr would be a cool supermoto bike....

[captb]

Less weight more power R for me.

[dukeryder]

The L and KLR are so close in power there's not much comparo, the KLR has the big fuel tank stock, but the stock foot pegs are no good for offroad. The Honda also has a nicer fit 'n' finish than the KLR IMO.

I think you'll love that R. I wish I had one for the power/performance but the simplicity of the L is nice as well as the E-start, already plated etc.

[FJT]

I'm surprised the R guys haven't given him a raft of crap for saying that!

D

Some comments don't even dignify a response... ?

FJT

[Birdmove]

The thing is-in my state-Washington-you can't take a dirt bike and make it street legal anymore.So for me, who wants a "dual-sport" bike, the R is not an option at all.I ride a KLR650 right now.

Jon in Puyallup, Wa.

[oneshot]

here it is:

http://www.pbase.com/oneshot5806/xr650r

i'm supposed to pick it up either friday or sunday.......i'm stoked, bigtime.....

[wheelnut46]

here it is:

http://www.pbase.com/oneshot5806/xr650r

i'm supposed to pick it up either friday or sunday.......i'm stoked, bigtime.....

Looks new - Congratulations.