XR650L to buy or not??

[SteveW828]

I am considering buying a dual sport bike. I use to ride motocross but got out of it for a while. I want a good bike I can take a street ride over to the woods for a little fun on the week ends. I am 6'1" 250 with gear.

I like the 650L except it seems heavy. I especially like the air cooled engine after knocking off a few radiators in my day.

Some folks reccomend the DRZ400/KLX400 and I would appreciate comments form those of you who have ridden both.

I also thought about buying a XR400 and putting a dual sprt kit on it. It seems to be a hassle in florida to register an off road bike for road use. If anyone has experience with this I would appreciate comments as well.

Thanks much.

SW

[Chorbelt]

What year? I wouldn't but a new one (then again, I wouldn't buy a new anything - let someone else take the devaluation), but if you're getting a good deal on a used one, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Yeah, it's heavy, but it's also an XR600 @ heart, so there are a lot of mods, and it's as reliable as a brick. I've done a lot to mine, and even when it's time to get a new dirtbike, I'll keep the L for bombing around town - it definitely makes a good city bike. Wheelie stop-light to stoplight!!

[spirit]

The ability to zip around town & then hit the trail is great! Be really careful about getting a bike with the intention of making it street legal. I have done the street legal thing in Montana & California with no problem, and I had a XR600 street legal in Miami(but was changed over from another state) However here in Alaska, I just did the Baja Designs kit, and D.O.T. tires so my bike is up to federal standards but state d.m.v. here would not do plates on my bike, I went up the line to the supposed head honcho, and wanted a reason why. Was told that off road motorcycles have differient shocks, and therefore cannot be driven on the street. Total ignorance in making laws that affect people here. No problem though, just get it inspected and lisc. somewhere else & wa-la! Now I can drive it on the street in Alaska! I have all ready aced the radiator on my XR650r. A 650L would be a very nice Fla. bike!

[RunAnywhere]

SW,

An L is perfect for what you are talking about. I'm close to your size and have no problems handling the bike. It is heavy. The only time it is too heavy is in real tight single track--which I constantly wind up in--or after picking her up 4 or 5 times in a row.

Two of my riding buddies have drzs. They can be a really nice bike. I think they require a bit more than most people are willing to invest as far as mods go, but the one guy has a couple grand in the engine, and after that work, I would trade in a heartbeat. In other words, they're pretty impotent as a stocker. Then again, the L is far from the monster it can become with a few mods.

As far as the klr goes, you get what you pay for. I've another buddy that rides a klr650 and its a heavy underpowered chunk.

Yet another buddy has the xr400. It's a great bike, but he's also shelled out a wad of cash to get it there. My only complaint about the 400 is it seems to run out of poop too quick.

What about a wr450 with the ds kit?

Good luck,

Ryan

[SteveW828]

I looked at the wr400 as an option. I am told by some it is a real hassle to re title a dual sported off road bike here in Florida. I am thinking I will just buy a dual sport and be ready to roll on day one!

Thanks again.

[jstevens]

I'd buy my XR650L all over again, since i've had the bike I had nothing but fun on the wide open and tight stuff. I'm 6' 245 lbs and it's sprung just right for my weight. While other bikes are made for the 190 pound guy.

One the for sure at 328lbs, the bike is hard to pick up after a spill, but doable don't let that sway your decision. If you get the xr650L the first thing you have to do is get an aftermarket pipe and the dyno jet kit for it. It's a world of difference, if not you will not have the full uncorked power at you finger tips.

The only other bike that has caught my eye since, is the KTM 625, it appears to me to be street legal but I couldn't really find alot of info on it. Like reviews and stuff, The web sites I did see were in Austran ?

I can't wait for this stupid weather and snow to go away.

I feel like I live in Michigan or North Dakota or something. I whould have never thought that Washington D.C. / Maryland whould have 2 feet of snow on the ground.

Good luck with your new ride!

[57MPH]

i had an xr600L for many years :Dand thought it was too heavy too...rear tire would spin but the front end seemed heavy...have a xr400 now and it is more like a MX in its front wheel lifting capabilitys...its a bit higher in seat height and a bit lighter...sounds like you got the height for it ?...maybe you would want to do some minor motor mods :confused:but i'm 5'11 & 175 and its got plenty of fun power ...its a blast :Dto go "fake" mxing with the bike...just don't try :(to keep up with the real mx bikes though i like it alot :D

[cheffin]

I own a '07 650l and I love it im 6' 2" 160lbs ive done the poker run through 55 miles of trails in colorado twice (riding from my house in the city to the foothils) Ive jumped good size 30-50 foot gaps. my bike is all stock (for now) i just odered the baja designs smog kit. Plenty of power great handling lift its heavy but I just wheel that beast!!! The only problems I have had is bottoming out over some of the larger jumps (factory suspension settings)

[jonr3]

Check out this recent thread:

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=670269

[Rascal420]

I have an XR650L, My son has a DRZ400.

I've taken a butt load of unnecessary junk off of my bike and lightened the load by over 35lbs. My son, to this day swears that my bike is lighter than his. I don't think it is lighter, but it's pretty darn close. ?

The point is, there are a myriad of mods that you can do to the XR to make it faster and lighter. There is only so much you can do to the DRZ. And I have never once, in he 6 years and 20,000 miles that I've owned it....ever had a problem with the cooling system. Never a leak, never a broken radiator hose...nothing! ? ?

[clintp]

mind posting a list of the useless junk you removed? I want a lighter pig too...

[martinfan30]

Lighter replacement items:

• Plastic tank
  
• Aftermarket exhaust
  
• LED turn signals
  
• LED taillight assy.
  
• Relocate a CRF battery to air box
  
• Loose the elephant ears
  
• Lighter bars
  
• Remove sub-frame(if you carry any weight, don't do this mod!)
  

I'm sure i am forgetting something.?

[exrebel56]

Im 6-2, 205lbs and I own both bikes. Both are 02's with the XR4 totally stock and the XR650L heavily modified (mostly in weight savings) and a complete header/exhaust system/proper jetting. I have to say, with a nice set of 80/20 dot tires (I run kenda 760's) the 650 is more fun. The bike simply has more "balls" so to speak. I'm actually dead even with my buddies brand new crf450X and I'm right with him in the tight trails too! Also, over the woops is fun because the bike has the power to lift the front wheel easily and the suspension is very forgiving. I liken it to riding in a bigger boat in choppy water vs. a small boat that beats you up. However, both are a blast to ride. Good luck.

[Rascal420]

mind posting a list of the useless junk you removed? I want a lighter pig too...

Here's a list of the things I can think of off the top of my head, without opening up the junk boxes stashed away in the garage.

1) Removed smog equipment.

2) Remove stock rear turn signals and brackets, replace with LED marker lights.

3) Remove stock front turn signals and brackets, replace with custom made, lightweight aluminum brackets and lighter weight Baja Design turn signals.

4) Remove stock rear fender and tail light assembly, replace with lighter Maier fender and lighter Acerbis tail light.

5) Remove rear frame loop (see Martinfan's post for possible downside).

6) Remove stock gas tank and shrouds, replace with IMS plastic tank.

7) Remove buddy pegs.

8) Remove helmet lock (optional). I never used it so out it went, I shaved off another several ounces.

9) Relocate battery into airbox. This is about the single biggest weight saver there is.

10) Remove stock exhaust system and replace with aftermarket. I have a full FMF system. This is another big weight saver.

11) Remove stock skidplate (actually a tubular frame member). Replace with aftermarket. This one might be a wash, I don't think it saves any weight.

12) Remove stock mirrors and replace with single, lightweight Acerbis fold down.

13) Remove stock handlebars, replace with aftermarket (I use Pro Tapers). ?

If I think of anything else I've done, I'll write a follow up.

[motobikem1ke]

Read this article on removing weight...

I have done most of these mods, but keep in mind that centralized mass is often more important than overall weight. I agree the battery relocation is a GREAT idea. (Countless articles on here about how to do it)

Secondly, reduction of rotational mass is HUGE in the feel and the performance of a bike. Supposedly every pound of rotational mass reduction is equivalent to six pounds of overall weight reduction. In other words, if you can shave 4-5 pounds of weight with lighter more street-oriented tires, aftermarket EXCEL wheels or hubs, sprockets or rotors, this would be the equivalent of losing 25-30 pounds of overall weight.

[Kyron]

I own a '07 650l and I love it im 6' 2" 160lbs ive done the poker run through 55 miles of trails in colorado twice (riding from my house in the city to the foothils) Ive jumped good size 30-50 foot gaps. my bike is all stock (for now) i just odered the baja designs smog kit. Plenty of power great handling lift its heavy but I just wheel that beast!!! The only problems I have had is bottoming out over some of the larger jumps (factory suspension settings)

Why would you reply to a 5 1/2 yr old thread ?

[motobikem1ke]

Why would you reply to a 5 1/2 yr old thread ?

I guess if the XR650L is unchanged for 20 years, that means any and all threads, no matter how old, are still relevant, right?

[Rascal420]

Why would you reply to a 5 1/2 yr old thread ?

I didn't even know it was a 5 1/2 year old thread until I looked at the first post.

Anyway, it's a new thread now ?

[clintp]

Read this article on removing weight...

I have done most of these mods, but keep in mind that centralized mass is often more important than overall weight. I agree the battery relocation is a GREAT idea. (Countless articles on here about how to do it)

Secondly, reduction of rotational mass is HUGE in the feel and the performance of a bike. Supposedly every pound of rotational mass reduction is equivalent to six pounds of overall weight reduction. In other words, if you can shave 4-5 pounds of weight with lighter more street-oriented tires, aftermarket EXCEL wheels or hubs, sprockets or rotors, this would be the equivalent of losing 25-30 pounds of overall weight.

I kind of understand the rotational weight factor & all, but hubs might not make as big of a difference of say - tires.... tubes.... They're so small and compact that reducing tire weight would be better - am I wrong here? I ordered the tubliss system a few days ago for just this - they save ~3# per tire. But the 21" are out of stock until I think around august. & they're not charging me for either of them, nor are they shipping the 18" which is supposed to be in stock.

Plop