650 - DO'S & DON'TS

[dez4ever]

I'm looking for a little help from you experienced 650 owners. I've never owned a honda before and I'm getting ready to pickup a used 650 for some dual sport riding. Since I am not familar with this bike I was wondering if any of you could help me out with info.... if one year is better than others or any kind of differences from one year to the next...maybe what to look out for????

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Bob

[TimBrp]

650R or 650L?

[dez4ever]

What's the difference between the two...does the 650L come street legal?

[heliosstudios]

The XR650R is Race, and the 650L is Lit, or street legal. They're basically the same bike though. Also, what year is it?

[jlpskydive]

Not the same bike. R's are lighter, faster, better suspension for offraod, liquid cooled and not street leagal. With all that being said, I love!!!! my 650L

[dez4ever]

I've just started looking but I don't really want anything older than about 2000. It sounds like I would rather have a street legal 650R. Do they exist??

[Kritter]

R is aluminum frame as well...

The R can be dual sported, the L comes dual sported.

[Pig_N_CR5hundy]

There are quite a few xr650rs out there for sale that are dual sported. Get the R if you can, you won't be disapointed

[DwD]

not a problem to get the R version street legal in sweden. 2003 model was sold street legal,

i wouldnt buy the L version

L version ?

R version

[Dirt4me]

street legal 650R. Do they exist??

"used-to-could".... You're definatley looking at the used market here unless you have buying power outside of the Republik of Kalifornia. I bought an R last year and dual sported it. I love it wouldn't trade it for anything, especially when I learned the meaning of BRP! ?

[irondude]

If you go to www.cycletrader.com you will find about 60 used XR650R's--about 10 of them are street legal. Pick one in your neighborhood. Plan on shelling out about $4k-$4.5k--do a nationwide search for XR650R

Try to find one thats street legal, and has an edelbrock carb. As a new rider you will enjoy the ease of starting the bike with that carb.

The R and the L are different bikes. Weight, performance are supior on the R. The L does have one very nice feature-electric start.

[smashinz2002]

Dez4ever, I have a 2000 XR650R with a street legal kit on it which I would sell you, but you are in CA which is a long way from TX~! Anyway, things to look out for on the

650R, I would say make sure you look at the shock linkage and see if it's worn on the right hand side. Also check that all nuts and bolts are in place, such as the upper subframe nut which falls off if not loctited. Make sure they keep the air filter clean and make sure it's got the right amount of oil in it, and make sure they have kept the valves adjusted and the spokes are tight and the chain is not overtightened and so on!

Or better yet just buy mine and you'll be good to go! Haha

L.L.

'00 XR650R (uncorked/legal)

'04 KX500 (stock/illegal/insane)

[TORTURECHAMBERS]

Do:

Ride the bike with a positive mental attitude

Don't:

Listen to people saying the bike is a huge, heavy, fat, heavy, pile of crap. (The bike is NOT a pile of crap )

I rode this bike thru sh*t you can't even imagine... ?

[enduromaniac]

not a problem to get the R version street legal in sweden. 2003 model was sold street legal,

i wouldnt buy the L version

L version

R version ?

I would. And did. Not everyone wants to play speed racer. The L is a hell of a lot more comfortable, much better on pavement, and does have electric start:). ps...doesn't boil over either..

[enduromaniac]

pps..The L is better looking too. My buddy has a dual sported R. When we stop at gas stations or diners, everyone ogles my L. His R barely gets a second look.

[sm650r]

pps..The L is better looking too. My buddy has a dual sported R. When we stop at gas stations or diners, everyone ogles my L. His R barely gets a second look.

sorry but personally i think the l's are ugly,and i like kick starting my bike it makes things more interesting and people like to watch. i dont know but when ou have a motard everyone always looks at my bike firs compares to sport bike unless there is some hige end one somewhere or there is a crash

[TimBrp]

ps...doesn't boil over either..

"Right you are Ken"...the head just warps from heat...

[BRP27]

Go to this site http://www.xr650r.us/ There is a list of all the weak points and fixes. Keep in mind that the problems are not as bad as they may sound. There is a large owners group that loves these bikes and there is a ton on info on the web.

[JetPilot]

Yeah, just because it doesnt boil over doesnt mean its not overheating ! This guy must be a beleiver in "what you dont see cant hurt you" also hahaha. Liquid cooling = More stable temperatures and longer engine life. When the R starts to boil at least you KNOW to shut it down instead of cooking everything like would happen on the L. I would love electric start, but would take the lighter weight, liquid cooling, more power any day ! Besides, the 650R looks way better than the L ever did. (Unless you are trying to impress grandma). ?

[slip]

Hey, watch it there buster. ? I can't comment on the R, but the L is a blast.