2024 XR650L mods

[Tim Hardin]

Hello, I am new to this site, about to purchase a new 2024 XR650L.  I want to do major mods immediately.  Can anybody suggest IF there is someone with reference to the XR650L - - like the "GO TO" guy - - such as JEFF FREDETTE is to Kawasaki KDX bikes.  I hope to find the real "GURU" who already has the COMPLETE list - STEP BY STEP of all the MUST DO mods + suggest by name brand and parts names EXACTLY what is recommended to make this bike better suited for OFF ROAD riding in Dual Sport or Adventure riding events.  Thanks to all IN ADVANCE, and I look forward to your responses.   :o}

[ScottRNelson]

Full details of what to do to the carburetor and intake here:

https://www.jetsrus.com/FAQs/FAQ_jetting_repository_XR650L_daves_mod.html

You'll want to get a decent lower restriction exhaust as well.  I would suggest the FMF Q4.  I have the Powercore 4 on mine, but it's louder than I would like.

General wisdom here is that an MT21 front and D606 rear is the optimal street legal set of tires that works well in the dirt.  That's what I have on mine and it's better than anything else that I've tried.

No consensus on the best handlebar or larger fuel tank.  I like Cycra hand guards, but other options work.

Somewhere on here there was a thread about suspension adjustment, but good luck finding it.  Otherwise you might want to just dig through past discussions.

[DPete]

The countershaft sprocket is narrow and can wobble on the shaft causing premature spline wear. I changed to KK bike on my 23’ before I rode it. Put a Fritzco on my 15’ @250 miles. Bars are subjective, I like pro taper 1-1/8 CR high bend. Together with bar adapters are a good height for me. I changed the stock air filter to uni with carb jetting. Good luck and enjoy!

Edited March 8, 2024 by DPete

[ScottRNelson]

Oh yeah, don't forget the sprocket.  A cheaper alternative is to put on an XR650R sprocket.  You have to put it on "backwards", so you're out of alignment by about 2 mm (which I consider close enough to zero to not care about it).  You also have to grind the center a tiny bit to get it to fit in.  The photo below shows an XRR sprocket on the left and an XRL sprocket on the right.  You would grind the part at the top in the photo, and that side goes against the engine case.  The extra width greatly reduces spline wear.

[Mike Rinn]

Foot pegs upgrade recommend. If your budget allows, go with Pivot Pegz.

[ForDRTnST]

It's too bad you couldn't find someone with a bike that's already modded out and give it a test ride and compare the differences to stock?  Personally I think un-corking and putting a Pumper carb is all you really need for the motor mods, I have ridden Big bore and higher compression motor XRs and I don't really feel major gains for the money spent? But that's coming from somebody that weighs roughly 169lbs wet!

Edited March 8, 2024 by ForDRTnST
Edit

[ScottRNelson]

1 hour ago, ForDRTnST said:

... I have ridden [...] higher compression motor XRs and I don't really feel major gains for the money spent? But that's coming from somebody that weighs roughly 169lbs wet!

A higher compression piston was worth 6 more horsepower across the whole powerband on my XR650L.  I had to rebuild it anyway, after running it out of oil, but it is a significant performance improvement.

[kick]

I worked up a friends xr a few years ago. 
These parts woke it up nice. Honda should sell them this way.

41mm FCR carb from oem dirtbike parts. Full exhaust from Al Baker’s XR’s only. Air pump delete. One tooth smaller on the front sprocket and a uni air filter.  

[EarthCruzn]

On 3/7/2024 at 9:04 PM, Tim Hardin said:

Hello, I am new to this site, about to purchase a new 2024 XR650L.  I want to do major mods immediately.  Can anybody suggest IF there is someone with reference to the XR650L - - like the "GO TO" guy - - such as JEFF FREDETTE is to Kawasaki KDX bikes.  I hope to find the real "GURU" who already has the COMPLETE list - STEP BY STEP of all the MUST DO mods + suggest by name brand and parts names EXACTLY what is recommended to make this bike better suited for OFF ROAD riding in Dual Sport or Adventure riding events.  Thanks to all IN ADVANCE, and I look forward to your responses.   :o}

This site has most everthing you should need from sprockets - carb tuning - carbs - tires - exhaust and more

Xr's Only exhaust is just like the rest on flow,..... but its your money. Just say'in the tests have been done time and time again.

This site has a lot for the XR and the prices are fair,...... company is dependable and ships on time.

Ride Red! or White!

XR650L | ProCycle.us

https://procycle.us/model/honda/xr650l

Edited March 9, 2024 by EarthCruzn

[PMAUST]

5 hours ago, EarthCruzn said:

This site has most everthing you should need from sprockets - carb tuning - carbs - tires - exhaust and more

Xr's Only exhaust is just like the rest on flow,..... but its your money. Just say'in the tests have been done time and time again.

This site has a lot for the XR and the prices are fair,...... company is dependable and ships on time.

Ride Red! or White!

XR650L | ProCycle.us

https://procycle.us/model/honda/xr650l

I tried the XR's Only supertrapp style slip on with the stock headers.  I didn't care for it for a variety of reasons.  I am in Kali so exhaust options are somewhat limited.  I tried the DG RST with the spark arrestor installed and am so far quite pleased with it.  I am an older rider at 72 and not looking for more power.  The bike is de-smoged, opened up, well jetted, and runs great. 

I use Procycle a lot with great results.  I think they are working on a cush drive for the rear wheel in addition to some other interesting stuff for the XRL.  Bikes come and go but the XRL will always be here to stay.    

[EarthCruzn]

25 minutes ago, PMAUST said:

I tried the XR's Only supertrapp style slip on with the stock headers.  I didn't care for it for a variety of reasons.  I am in Kali so exhaust options are somewhat limited.  I tried the DG RST with the spark arrestor installed and am so far quite pleased with it.  I am an older rider at 72 and not looking for more power.  The bike is de-smoged, opened up, well jetted, and runs great. 

I use Procycle a lot with great results.  I think they are working on a cush drive for the rear wheel in addition to some other interesting stuff for the XRL.  Bikes come and go but the XRL will always be here to stay.    

XR is a Classic among the new bikes and shines in its own shadow.

I like to think of it as "Not Broke Don't Fix It". Very few bikes will stay unchanged as long and still be as popular as the XR.

Owning one is like having that vintage bulletproof un-obtanium "Red Rider" of old,.... that still kick dirt as good as day one.

[Babywolf]

I have to admit there was something special about the XR650L, sold mine got a WR450F, but it wouldn’t touch the XR on a long trip, and honestly it wouldn’t leave much on table in knarly single track.

[1BigPig]

Get a fork brace!  If you’re going to push that thing at all, it is a necessary item. Your shoulder will thank you for it.
Trust me.

There is more stuff available for this bike than a small block Chevy.  De smog, uncork and gear down.  If you get frisky, you can eliminate the suitcase and train her to fly straight and true.  Gold valves in the forks and proper springs.  Same forks came on late eighties CR500’s and heavier springs from RaceTech are listed for them than the XR.  Spring the shock. Damping rates were ok for me.  Pumper carb is effective but pricey. Dave’s mods on the CV worked for me however, be advised that G-outs and CV carbs don’t play well together.  And that’s just to get you started…

[CHondaBoi]

On 3/7/2024 at 7:04 PM, Tim Hardin said:

Hello, I am new to this site, about to purchase a new 2024 XR650L.  I want to do major mods immediately.  Can anybody suggest IF there is someone with reference to the XR650L - - like the "GO TO" guy - - such as JEFF FREDETTE is to Kawasaki KDX bikes.  I hope to find the real "GURU" who already has the COMPLETE list - STEP BY STEP of all the MUST DO mods + suggest by name brand and parts names EXACTLY what is recommended to make this bike better suited for OFF ROAD riding in Dual Sport or Adventure riding events.  Thanks to all IN ADVANCE, and I look forward to your responses.   :o}

Mcma111 is the guru for XR’s

But here’s my list of first mods;

1. Desmog

2. Fritzco sprocket

3. Uni air filter 

4. oil cooler

5. TM40 or FCR MX carb 

If you plan on doing lots of off-roading definitely get a skid plate, crash bars, and some bark busters.

My only other recommendations is get a bigger gas tank and upgrade to a different headlight if you ever do any riding at night.

[Harry Potter]

I cut and rewelded the foot peg mounts lower and a bit to the rear. That with trimming an inch and half out of the stock seat height makes it very comfortable for me. The best mod was the 2-5 Honda parts gear swap. That kept the bike in the stable. Much better gearing than a KTM 690. An antivibration bar riser with an S3 Trials handle bar. Cyclops LED headlight bulb. Aftermarket louder horn. I like a quiet bike so the ugly stock exhaust is staying. Just a needle clip position change for my elevation to the stock carb. Remember if your going to tour with this bike, a Honda dealer can only help you with parts that are stock. As everbody mentions, upgrade the front countershaft sprocket.