i have been wanting to buy a dual sport bike for a while now. I currently ride a cbr 600 sportbike, but have grown up riding dirtbikes my whole life. I want something i can ride on the street comfortably, including riding on the freeway . i have ridden honda dirtbikes and streetbikes for a long time and love them. My question is, would the xr 650l be too bulky to ride on trails with? I need something that will ride on the freeway comfortably, but would also like to do some trail riding as well. Is there other bikes i should considerbuying instead or is this a decent choice for what i would like. also, i have seen the xr 650r with plates on it would that be better or is the L a better choice? Any hel;p would be much appreciated

Freeways are going to take a bigger thumper. I have a DR650 and love it. My ridding is made up of a little of everything. mostly gravel roads, adventure style ridding. I have done some trail work on it and it did ok. I think the XR650l is about the same with the dirtability being a tad better in stock form. I have reworked my suspention and did some other mods to were it fits me almost perfect.
There are alot of choises. do your resurch and pick the bike witch best fits you, then fine tune it to what you want.What ever you get you will make it yours and it will be fun as hell to ride.

XR400 is best if you can only have one bike. otherwise the xr650r is lighter and faster than the xr650l, but not as good for touring (weak subframe, no buddy pegs, water cooled). XR600R is a great bike... lighter than the L but with all the giddy up and simple air cooled.

I have a xr650l and an xr250r both plated. best of both worlds IMO. both are heavily modded.
If I could only have one bike it would be a toss up over the XR400 or XR600R. probably the 400... enough power, but light enough.

the xr650l is capable in the woods, but is a real workout from the weight. it is an amazing adv bike though, tough as nails

heres a vid on my fender of my xr650l

ok sounds great i think i will go with the 650l. when buying a bike like this, and the bike is priced way higher than blue book, but has some accessories like a desert tank and aftermarket exhaust, how much extra should i expect to pay. Also about how many miles on the bike should i look for? thanks

Only way you believe what an XRL will do is to buy one or watch me ride one, it'll go down or up any trail (for those that actually need a trail).

Dave

The Honda XR650L is a good bike ... but not perfect. None are in this class. You didn't say how tall you are ... the XR650L is a very tall bike ... have you sat on one? It's as tall as a full on MotoCross bikes. Out of the box the XR-L is better than the DR650 or KLR off road ... all in stock for stock. The DR is a better freeway bike and very good on the street.

If you want to do more off road in more technical conditions, I'd be patient and wait for a nice XR650R. The big drawback for most guys is the kick start only.
But what a great bike. Plenty plated CA ones around. See Craig's List in the Bay Area. I see them every week in the $3000 area. With the right gearing the XR-R will do OK on freeways. But even so will be revving a bit high and a bit vibey at 75 mph. (typical LA freeway speed). The DR650 can cruise all day smoothly and comfortably at 75 to 80 mph.

If you get the XR650L you will need to do a few mods. I would be patient and wait for a good deal. Not many are sold so fewer to be had. I would not pay for extras on the bike unless it's a very low mileage virgin bike . If you can get two sets of wheels for your "L" then you can easily swap for either street or dirt riding. Easy and beats changing tires every week.

There is tons of good info from owners and experts on TT about the XR-L. I don't know much about them, I bought a brand new on in around 1994 and sold it after only a year. It was too tall and heavy for me and the sub frame bent easily after just a 10 day Baja ride carrying only a 10 lb. bag on the rear rack. A friend on the same bike had the battery box break off the bike. (It's located under the left side panel) there are fixes to reinforce this. A Shorai battery would be top of my shopping list. ( a new small, lightweight, lithium-Iron battery from Japan) It weighs a third of what a conventional lead-acid battery weighs and is half the size.

Also, that Honda radial valve motor runs quite hot and has no oil cooler. So keep an eye on oil level ... those motors are very sensitive to oil ... Keep It Full!!

Ride as many bikes as you can. Have fun. The biggest surprise will be the discovery of just how quick you can cover tight, knarly, beat up paved roads on a Dual sport with the right tires. Santa Monica Mountains (where I grew up) is a great dual sport hooligan area. Lots of fun ... and fewer tickets than a sport bike!
Ride safe!

650's ARE big on single track riding, but nice in the desert, ok on the freeway.

Smaller bikes are great offroad but WILL wear out quicker on the freeway, and are nervous going fast.....

Keep your Honda and buy a 250-350 DS, you may be much happier, IMHO...

There is no perfect bike, and not one bike does all. Remember that, I've owned over 30 bikes and nothing works perfect for all situations, sorry but I hate compromises..............

I have a drz 400s and a dr 650se. both are great bikes. I ride mostly gravel roads, forest service roads and trails. for the way I ride the 650 does great. I also have a dr 350se that I have modded lightly and actually prefer it, with it's 6 speeds over the drz400s.

i found an 06 xr 650l today and i talked him down to 3800 it has aftermarket parts on it and only 900 miles. Is this a good deal?

here is the craigslist

http://losangeles.cr...2850945917.html

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Basically a new bike starting to get broke in.

I am now officially an owner of a 2006 xr650l and am loving it! Thanks for all the help you guys gaveme.

Let the fun BEGIN.