Oh no, another new member...

[thesurferfightsalone]

Yes, I am new. As this is my first post, I feel obliged to write something that screams "novice motorcyclist" in the most obnoxious of ways. Here it goes...

I like the idea of a supermoto or dual sport bike, because it seems to cater to my background in downhill mountain biking, but also is road worthy enough to get me to work and around town. As I am not TOTALLY new to being on a motorcycle, the 650XR's look like a good bet. Now for the lame questions.

1.) 650R or 650L? I have ridden (and have the option of buying) a 650L, but it seems most supermoto conversions seem to be on the R model. I assume it performs better, but could someone explain in better deatil? I know the L comes street legal. Maybe make a suggestion?

2.) Chances are that I will buy a bike without supermoto bits on it. Any recommendations on sites or brands to look for wheels, brakes, and the other goodies needed? Please keep in mind that I am in college and have a very limited supply of cash.

3.) Is there anything else I should know?

For the record, I am 20 years old, live in CT, and go to school at UConn. Thanks for the help!

[martinfan30]

Yes, I am new. As this is my first post, I feel obliged to write something that screams "novice motorcyclist" in the most obnoxious of ways. Here it goes...

I like the idea of a supermoto or dual sport bike, because it seems to cater to my background in downhill mountain biking, but also is road worthy enough to get me to work and around town. As I am not TOTALLY new to being on a motorcycle, the 650XR's look like a good bet. Now for the lame questions.

1.) 650R or 650L? I have ridden (and have the option of buying) a 650L, but it seems most supermoto conversions seem to be on the R model. I assume it performs better, but could someone explain in better deatil? I know the L comes street legal. Maybe make a suggestion?

2.) Chances are that I will buy a bike without supermoto bits on it. Any recommendations on sites or brands to look for wheels, brakes, and the other goodies needed? Please keep in mind that I am in college and have a very limited supply of cash.

3.) Is there anything else I should know?

For the record, I am 20 years old, live in CT, and go to school at UConn. Thanks for the help!

welcome bro! i own the L and love it. i do60%street, 40% dirt. its good at both but not great at either. the R is more dirt than street and the seat may be an issue on long rides. i have ridden all day on mine no prob. ive seen some very nice L SM bikes.. some states may be harder than others to plate an R alos. L is plated stock. you will prob. get a million more responses so take it all in!!?

[hill5150]

Your 20 years old don't worry about the seat, buy an "R".

[MXkid714]

welcome to TT ?

[Beyond The Pale]

The R being water cooled has a lot more power potential.

[Huffa 2]

WELCOME !!

If you very limited in cash, the MOST sensible thing to do would be to get the get the L, be done with it and be happy! ?

The NEXT sensible thing would be to buy a R that IS street legal already and # 3 sensible is to buy a R that is street legal and already done up in SM trim.

Let the other guy take the beating $$ wise and do all the work. Yea, it's fun to do it yourself but on a budget your MUCH better off with one already done up the way you want.

What is your budget and you do realize the R is kick, L electric start.

The R is certainly more aggressive in power, stiffer suspension,water cooled and lower gearing but the L is more comfy and has the ES. You'd have lots of fun on either machine though, really.

[XR680RR]

Someone is going to say it sooner or later:

They are not even close to the same bike!!!!!!

Xl650L is a street bike that can be ridden on the dirt. Some have spent the time and money (and are great riders) to make the XL650L into a XR650L and ride it on trails and in the dirt more then just fire roads. This bike is not a bike to be jumping, going off serious drop off's. Steel frame, air cooled, electric start, and is very heavy at 356 pounds ready to ride.

36 Rear wheel Horsepower to the ground.

The XR650R is a great desert bike and is real good at both fire roads and some more serious trails but, some spend the money to make it do real dirt riding and desert racing. There are some out there that do some good size air. There are some that have video of clearing 70' of ground. 60' table tops and 4'+ drop off's. I have seen a XR650R going off a five foot cliff. lots have spent the money to make then street leagal but, this is becoming harder to do with the newer bikes. Aluminum frame, water cooled, better suspension with different forks then the XL650L, 309 pounds ready to ride.

44 Rear wheel Horsepower to the ground.

Both bikes suspension suck for most OVER 180 POUNDS. They both need lots of little things to make it ridable for more, taller bars move foward, skid plate, grips, steering dampner, it never stops for most.

Good site for the XR650L:

http://www.4strokes.com/forums/default.asp?CAT_ID=17

For the XR650R

http://www.xr650r.us/

http://xr650r.borynack.com/

[pianoexcellence]

I have an XR 650l

Would I go back and buy an R if I had a chance?

I DUNNO.....

I would love to have an R cause of the power, and ride quality

But I love the economy of the L. It sounds dumb, but I actually feel like I can throw the thing around because of the weak power...

How good of a rider are you? I am recreational and for me, the "l" is the best choice. If you are good, and can "throw around more power" then do not even look at the "l" unless you have plating problems with the R.

My 2 cents.

[Bibleman]

I too went back and forth over the "R" v "L" decision and ended up with the "L". I'm happy with my decision and I think that it would have more than enough performance for someone who is new to bikes. I've been riding for 38 years and this is my 20th bike and the fun factor is way up there. Also, the R costs more up front, then you have to add in the DS kit to make it street legal IF you can do it at all in your state. Go buy the L and ride it home with no worries:ride:

[martinfan30]

then get an R and use both for different riding. if you can plate the R, go with it. i still question my choice with the L occassionally, but i do love the bike. the main reason is i beleive i can put more weight on it for adventure rides and be more (PU@#$%!) comfortable on the hiway for a few hundred miles at a time.

[xrphil]

I'll tell you what. I love my "L", but if I could do it over, I don't know which one I would get. I ride 25 miles eveyday each way to work. For that, the "L" is great. When I go on the trails w/ friends, I wish I had an "R"............................................................................................................................So, I say, get em' both!!

[Huffa 2]

The difference $$ wise between a L and street legal R is NOT that much.

I'll bet you can find a nice street legal R for 25-3000 for sure.

If your going to be mainly on the road and have lots of short stop here/stop there jaunts and it's going to double as as a errand machine the L wins for sure.

For me it does anyway.

[thesurferfightsalone]

Thanks for all the replies! Seeing as my range is $2500-3000 with a little extra for spares and upgrades, I think I'm going to go with the L, rather than go through the hassle of trying to plate an R (that is, unless a fantastic deal comes along for one). Even if I find the L a little bland, there's no rule that says I can't get a new bike in a little while . We'll see how it plays out. Thanks for the help! Hope to see some of you out there soon!

[XR650L_Dave]

Someone is going to say it sooner or later:

They are not even close to the same bike!!!!!!

Xl650L is a street bike that can be ridden on the dirt. Some have spent the time and money (and are great riders) to make the XL650L into a XR650L and ride it on trails and in the dirt more then just fire roads. This bike is not a bike to be jumping, going off serious drop off's. Steel frame, air cooled, electric start, and is very heavy at 356 pounds ready to ride.

36 Rear wheel Horsepower to the ground.

The XR650R is a great desert bike and is real good at both fire roads and some more serious trails but, some spend the money to make it do real dirt riding and desert racing. There are some out there that do some good size air. There are some that have video of clearing 70' of ground. 60' table tops and 4'+ drop off's. I have seen a XR650R going off a five foot cliff. lots have spent the money to make then street leagal but, this is becoming harder to do with the newer bikes. Aluminum frame, water cooled, better suspension with different forks then the XL650L, 309 pounds ready to ride.

44 Rear wheel Horsepower to the ground.

Both bikes suspension suck for most OVER 180 POUNDS. They both need lots of little things to make it ridable for more, taller bars move foward, skid plate, grips, steering dampner, it never stops for most.

Good site for the XR650L:

http://www.4strokes.com/forums/default.asp?CAT_ID=17

For the XR650R

http://www.xr650r.us/

http://xr650r.borynack.com/

I will quibble and say that the XR650L is a detuned XR600R with street stuff added on, because that's what it really is. yes, it needs a few tweaks to exhibit its potential, but we're talking about tires, an air filter, 2 jets, and a drill bit to do the 'conversion'.

There was a time when there were XL's and XR's, and the XL's had different frames and such, but the XRL is based on the 600R. Same frame with extra tabs welded on for the street carp.

Anyone wants to mis-interpret this post as saying "nuh-uhh, man, the XRL is just as fast/powerful/etc etc" go ahead, and have yerself a nice little flamewar.

Just clarifying a little lineage, is all.

Dave

[martinfan30]

Thanks for all the replies! Seeing as my range is $2500-3000 with a little extra for spares and upgrades, I think I'm going to go with the L, rather than go through the hassle of trying to plate an R (that is, unless a fantastic deal comes along for one). Even if I find the L a little bland, there's no rule that says I can't get a new bike in a little while . We'll see how it plays out. Thanks for the help! Hope to see some of you out there soon!

you will be happy with it.

[martinfan30]

I will quibble and say that the XR650L is a detuned XR600R with street stuff added on, because that's what it really is. yes, it needs a few tweaks to exhibit its potential, but we're talking about tires, an air filter, 2 jets, and a drill bit to do the 'conversion'.

There was a time when there were XL's and XR's, and the XL's had different frames and such, but the XRL is based on the 600R. Same frame with extra tabs welded on for the street carp.

Anyone wants to mis-interpret this post as saying "nuh-uhh, man, the XRL is just as fast/powerful/etc etc" go ahead, and have yerself a nice little flamewar.

Just clarifying a little lineage, is all.

Dave

the shot heard around the world????

[XR650L_Dave]

the shot heard around the world????

No, that was:

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253131

Dave

[Huffa 2]

So where are your shopping for one thesurferfightsalone ?

[martinfan30]

No, that was:

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253131

Dave

holy S#$@ dave! way to go!! my jaw dropped when i saw 52 pages of posts! nice!

[Huffa 2]

holy S#$@ dave! way to go!! my jaw dropped when i saw 52 pages of posts! nice!

Me too, that will take me a week to read.