I apologize ahead of time, this is probably an over asked question. I have many bikes including a CRF250X. I am planning to do a pleasure tour of the Pacific coast and want the right bike. I am not going to deal with the CRF valves again and want E start. Which bike? No overpricied KTMs please. I will buy used.

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get your head done(correctly), and you will never have valve issues again.

forget the 650L. if you want a 650 get a 650R.

MMotohead said:

I just bought a new 09 ktm xcf for $5800. If you figure the cost of a used bike plus the parts to bring it back to like new condition plus the fact that most bike dealers of all brands are willing to deal I think you will find that buying a new bike, especially a left over 09, really makes sense. Especially with a four stroke.

Lots of good deals to be had on brand new '07, '08 and '09 models from all manufacturers. Now is as good a time as any to buy new. On the flip side, I've also seen a lot of quality used bikes for sale. Check out www.otdmotorsports.com for new bikes, Craiglist for used. BTW: valve problems are a thing of the past on '07 and newer 450x's.

And don't waste your money on a 650L. You'd be better off buying this:

If your just looking for a comfy cruiser (dirt roads, 2 track, pavement, strapping packs on) and don't plan on any serious bushwackin', I think the L is fine and not much is ever gonna go wrong on it. Plenty of decent deals to be had. Ask BBM, he's probably run his many times on his trips down the penninsula and does more than 2 track and I know Jimmy Lewis has even taken one on the Nichols rock trail. They can actually do more than just pavement.

As for the WR, it's a great bike, but not terribly comfortable for a "pleasure ride". Much more fun in the tight stuff and no fun on the highway, but then again I like the stock gearing for the low 1st rather than gearing it up for top end.

If the kick start/e-start issue was not a deal breaker for you, the 650R is the way to go, the choice of many Baja pirates.

I saw one with bars and stabe for $3000 on Craigers, a clean one.
I seen some plated 03 and olders going for 4ish.

Big Red Pigs are going cheap and you can find them. Hell, SNR practically lost his "ARRR" in a short-sale a year or so back.

But if you want a e-start, 450x will be primo

Excellent thread- My personal choice for "Pleasure tours of the west coast" ( and possibly B to V depending on how nov. 20th goes)

If you are even thinking of accessing areas that need a street legal bike, get the L unless you can get a plated R in your area. Here in California, its a real touchy issue trying to buy a plated bike conversion. At work we have a couple DRZ's Nice bikes, and need some uncorking, but after an hour or so on the damn think my arse hurts like hell. Plan to do a lot of standing on the bike. The L is much more comfortable to ride. Not sure how the seat is on the 650R, it should be fairly plush, but not like the L. The DRZ's and many of these lighter more agile dual sports have narrow seats and they ride up the crack and just plain hurt. The XR's seats are a bit wider so they don't hurt as bad after riding for an hour or more. Stand or sit, its your choice

I'm a Yami guy and would opt for the WR over the X. They are great bikes and can be setup great for Baja. But you can't go wrong with a 650R, those are great bikes, big and comfortable, but not easy to ride in single track, but it can be done. WC Racing's Token Bean can throw one around like it's a 250...

Go Blue man! :ride:

MMotohead - do you mean a Pacific Coast pleasure ride in Baja or CA?
Like someone mentioned, plating might be an issue if you do a WR.
Since you asked about wr450 or 650L, I've had both, liked both, loved the L at times. Both only ridden in Baja, all types of terrain.
The WR ended up with tranny issues around 300 hours. I know a tour company who's experienced the same with their WRs. License plate is a roll of the dice.
The L only needs a little before it's an awesome off-road cruiser. I only needed to get the bars farther forward and taller and Precision Concepts made the suspension perfect. A sweet cruiser also capable of gnarly single track if you don't fight it. I miss that bike.... And I'm hoping Corky is enjoying it!

Tim,
I still have the XR650L.
Done a few over kill mods and have been very happy with the bike.
You did the best mod by installing 1st & 2nd gear from XR600.
I am selling the bike as it is to heavy for this 70 yr old fart to pick up.
Don't want to hurt my back again.


Corky:ride::bonk::ride:

corky said:

Corky, I think you just got tired of mud/rocks flying off the front of that sumo front fender and pelting you on rides.

You've given new meaning to riding Red. Damn.

Bike would be for Baja Pacific side. I already have track bikes and a CRF250X so this 650L would be for Baja and maybe for a video store run at home. I think I would be able to tolorate a heavy 650 in single track for awhile. Mainly in the desert, a comfy seat, headlights, reliability, gas mileage, and a motor capable of running on mexican gas- the 650L might be hard to beat. There are probably deals out there for a used one to boot.

MMotohead said:

Here is a Baja ready XR650L right here on Thumper Talk:

http://www.thumperta...uct=56702&cat=2

I will even deliver it to you at the Baja 1K!!!!

corky:ride::bonk::ride:

Ok Corky, why weren't you selling this bike a couple of years ago!!! I paid about $3200 for mine and its an 01. I know there is no real difference and mine did come with a nice skid plate, rear rack, tow ropes, and a front fender gear bag (lost it thought) and only had 750 miles on it! So and it was immaculent. I have since changed the tires, Clarke desert tank, and full Big Gun Exhaust, and Mikuni 42mm pumper carb.