Honda XR650L

[Rusty McNeil]

Honda XR650L Dual sport

I rode one of these yesterday for about 50 miles, on highway at 75-80 and on some dirt and grass trails also, got pretty aggressive with it through some twisties on pavement also...

My friends got a pair of them that have both been souped up pretty well

I haven't had this much fun on a bike in a long time...thing is for sure a wheelie monster......and I had no idea one of these handled as well through the corners on pavement as they do.......

The seating position feels like I'm riding a high chair (33inches seat hieght) compared to my bike...

Anyway, I've been talking supermoto (DRZ400SM) to this guy and he just wanted me to get a taste of what a dual sport is like since it's also pretty capable off road as well, I haven't been on anything but a street bike since high school so don't really have a frame of reference for these type of bikes but this one was a blast.......

Me likey and want a dual-Sport now, want to take it down to Big Bend National Park....:biglaugh:

 

[cool1442]

You are so right about big dual purpose bikes,,, really craving one here,,, have had several..NOTHING rides as good on the street as a dirt bike! If that DRZ had bigger wheels so it would be a bit more trail worthy,,that would be the one..hard to find big 17 inch knobbies!

 

[Buster Hymen]

You are so right about big dual purpose bikes,,, really craving one here,,, have had several..NOTHING rides as good on the street as a dirt bike! If that DRZ had bigger wheels so it would be a bit more trail worthy,,that would be the one..hard to find big 17 inch knobbies!

I have a DRZ400 and you are better off getting the S or E model rather than the SM (supermoto) version and then getting street rims for it. The S and E have a better off road suspension on it and come with the proper rims for off road tires.

 

[Shuriken]

I have (and ride) an '82 Honda XL500r. Rebuilt the top-end several years ago, so it runs quite well. Have also ridden the 650s. Yes, they feel nimble and capable, and yes, they are wheelie monsters. The 650 I just rode a day ago didn't even have as much get up as my 500. You can gear them any way you like. I have 14/42 sprockets on my 500 and I can stand it up in 1st with throttle only and 2nd if I jerk it up. Find a gentle upslope hill and wheelie.... so much fun. With an aftermarket pipe, better jetting, and maybe 14/43 on my bike, 2nd would be throttle only.

As it is, I can pull hills 2 up easily. The 650 is heavier and taller. When you lose your balance in the hills, it tips very easily. I can tip the 500, touch the handlebar to the ground, and pull it back up, all without getting off the bike. Can't do that with the 650.

I'd definitely own a 650 though if I could get one cheap. Then I'd gear lower. They say the 650s are too long between 1st and 2nd. My 500 is just right.

 

[tgstoken]

It seems I am opposite from you guys. I have always been a dual sport rider and just got a vmax. I had a Honda XR650L, fully modded and it was fun, but it was way too heavy offroad, in anything but the easiest of goings. Of course, the 6 gallon tank I had on it probably didnt help in that regards. I now have a dual sported XR400 and all I can say is wow. It weighs around 260lbs, will go 90mph and kicks ass offroad. I have found my ideal street legal dirtbike. Now, I just have to get my Max running.....

 

[naughtyG]

LOL! I've had a Kawasaki KLR 650, a Yamaha XTZ 750, an Aprilia 650 Pegaso and always dreamed of owning a Cagiva E900 Elephant or a BMW 1250 GS.

But now I have a V-Max, I love it but just wish it didn't wobble so bad at speed!

 

[Rusty McNeil]

It seems I am opposite from you guys. I have always been a dual sport rider and just got a vmax. I had a Honda XR650L, fully modded and it was fun, but it was way too heavy offroad, in anything but the easiest of goings. Of course, the 6 gallon tank I had on it probably didnt help in that regards. I now have a dual sported XR400 and all I can say is wow. It weighs around 260lbs, will go 90mph and kicks ass offroad. I have found my ideal street legal dirtbike. Now, I just have to get my Max running.....

True,

I posted somewhere about a test ride I got this week out in Ca. on a Husky TE610,

It weighs about 250 and goes like stink, the perfect bike I think..........