Honda XR650R - any comments?

[buebo]

Hello,
I'm looking at the Honda XR650R as my second bike. My other Bike is a Triumph Speed Triple, which is just a sweet and great ride with lots of torque, power and fun!

However I'm planing on visiting Romania and Eastern Europe next year (including the Enduromania) and at some point a trip to Morocco is also on the plate and after this lots more of dust biting on dirt roads

So what I'm looking for is a (second) bike with lots of off-road fun, reliability and at least somewhat of a travel ability.

So far I really like the XR650R. It's a Honda so I expect great reliability. The engine seems to be great, with lots of power and a smooth torque curve. There's also some aftermarket parts available that you need on a travel bike (like luggage racks, bigger tank [24 liters from acerbis],...).

In contrast to the XR650L it doesn't have an electrical starter (one less thing to break I guess), but I think I can handle the kick start. I have ridden (rented) XR250s extensively in South Eastern Asia and they were great as well (little underpowered though).

What I haven't been able to find out so far is what the street legal version includes and if there's anything missing, for example one review pointed out that there was no ignition lock on the bike, while another source said there was.

The only catch I see so far is that in Germany the only XR650Rs are grey imports, so there are not that many second hand bikes around. The subframe seems to be an issue as well, but I haven't found a lot about that either. So far I'm not planing to go rtw and not more than three or four weeks, so I'll probably be packing 20kgs (or so)... Would there be need for reinforcement?

At the moment there's one bike on the market with about 25.000km (little more than 15.000 miles). My gut says that's nothing for a Honda, right?

So has anybody any additional comments about that bike? Information about it in general (and especially about the ones imported into Germany) are pretty sparse so I would be grateful for anything at this point.

Thanks!!!

P.S.: Note that I'm talking about the XR650R, which is a watercooled single bike, developed from a Baja racebike. The XR650L on contrast is an air cooled single and an entirely different animal.

--
Edit: Typos and some small stuff

[jjstackz]

Im not sure about germany but here in the states the Xr650L is a street legal dual sport from the factory with horn, directional, electric start and is Air cooled. I have ridden it and would consider it an On-road bike that is semi-capable offroad. Had a soft suspension that was weak at best also constantly overheated in tight single track.

That being said the XRR (xr650R) comes from the factory as a dirtbike, no directionals, horn, or electric start and it does not come with a ignition key but it can be easily wired into the kill switch. I now own an XRR after selling my L. Was lucky enough to buy it with the dualsport kit already on. Where im from (mass) they are very strict on dualsports and require front directionals, high and low beams horn rear directional front rear brake lights and street legal dualsport tires. Im sure Germany isnt as strict. The XRR is a beast offroad will tractor through anything, and go 100mph without hesitation. As far as on road its pretty much what u would expect from a dirtbike, highspeed shakes(75mph+) and the seat isnt really that comfortable, after market seats are avaible but i heard they dont fit so well. Forget a seat tho its not a lazy boy stand up if ur ass hurts haha.

I heard rumors floating around about the frames on these and i assure you they are just that rumors. I'm 6' 5'' 250 and land off 15 foot kickers alot i certianly dont ride it like a panzy. My bike curently has around 6,000 hours and runs perfect(bulletproof). Im sure it will be able to take as much weight as u can fit on it. The XRR will definitly need to be greased the factroy is very cheap with it and a larger tank is a HUGE improvment, the XRRs isnt scared off gas probaly 20mpg on singletrack and 35-40mpg on the roads. the stock tanks only holds 2.8gal so it goes awfully quick.

Also XR'S ONLY -- HONDA ATV DIRT BIKE -- CRF TRX XR - MAIN PAGE is a great site for aftermarket parts and Baja Designs, Dual Sport Kits, Dual Sport, Lighting, Motorcycle, Trucks, Prerunners, Offroad carry the dualsport and HID light packages there are a few other cheaper alternative to the baja designs kit tho.

[buebo]

Thanks, that helps a lot and I will definitely check out one or two of those big red beasts. From the looks of it do really like this bike!

So far it's pretty much a decision between the KTM LC4 and the Honda XR650R. The KTM needs servicing every 5000km (including the valves). How about the Honda?

[tatters]

excellent bikes l took mine on a 6,000 mile trip to Russia, the most important modifications would be a better seat or use a sheeps skin and have the rear wheel rebuilt with heavy duty spokes as the stock wheel will be shagged after 8,000-10,000 miles.

My mods were

uni biker rad guards
KTM cooling fan
turbo city rack
sheeps skin
simpson detour twin 55w headlamp
250w stator with reg and battery
fat bars
touratech gps mount and socket plus a screen extender
trailtec speedo with temp senor
British army issue gas mask bags as tank painners
25L acerbis tank
TM40 pumper carb
CRD bash plate with a old flare holder to store tools
scott oiler
indicators plus a extra led brakelamp with a front and rear brake switch







heres my write up

Russia and back on a XR650R - ADVrider

[buebo]

Hello,
just managed to read your trip report. Awesome! I'm really envious at the moment. I guess the XR650R seems to be the right bike for me!

Did you use any how-to or something for the elektrical stuff (stator, battery and wiring) on your 650r? I've been looking for some detail about this but haven't found much so far...

And by the way: How often did you change the oil on this trip (if ever)?

[tatters]

I wound the stator my self from a guide l found on thumpertalk forums and used a small 1.5ah leadacid alarm battery and a 25 amp single phase regulator from a old British bike parts shop, total cost was around £40 best.

Best thing about the setup is that you keep the two ignition poles on the stator which means theres a separate AC circuit for the ignition and a separate DC one so you can have a complete electrical failure on the DC circuit lights,clocks,gps etc but the bike will still run.


Oil changes were every 1500 miles and filter/valve clearances (screw locknut type) at 3,000. never needed to top the oil up between changes too.


Its a prefect bike for touring on bad terrain but lacks luggage capacity on the rear l was using about 10kg on the rack and 10kg in each saddle bag and 5kg in each tank bag.

Currently selling mine on ebay without the 25L tank and rack as l,ve brought a R100GS for a trip to japan next year.

[*Touring Ted*]

I've had 2 XR650R's

One as a road/race supermoto and one i prepperd for South America.

I ended up getting rid and swapping mine for an XT600E..

The XR is a great bike but the aluminium subframe is very weak unless you get it braced. Its also very vibey and kick start only. Not an issue if its running sweet but a nightmare if its not. Its also very tall so not suited for everyone (especially trying to kick it lol).

They are pretty heavy for a dirt bike so if its for offroad fun, maybe a DRZ400 could suit you better ????!!!!

Plus sides, its very reliable and bullet proof. Very easy to work on and lots of parts available. You can get a large acerbis tanks for it too.

If you want to do allot of offroad, then it could be a wise choice. If your spending most of your time on road, then you will probably be wishing you bought a Transalp etc.

[JMo (& piglet)]

The European version is different to the US 650R - it comes with dual beam headlight, horn, indicators etc. and a modest DC power supply (using a reg/rec). Certain years also came with a steering lock in the headtube, but some didn't - it would be possible to retro-fit one, but you're probably better off with a decent disc lock or similar anyway.

As other people here have said, you can upgrade the stator (either yourself or off-the-shelf) to around 200w and add the corresponding reg/rec and a battery - personally I'd go for a single output 200w unit from Electrex World (the AC ignition circuit is separate anyway) as the split 100w + 100w is just confusing loom-wise in my opinion...

Tatters seems to have stretched the oil/valve services successfully (the handbook guidelines are more for racing/hard trail riding) - personally I found the oil is shot after 1500 miles, and you ought to change the filter ever time. Around 1000 miles if a good interval if you are riding hard/a lot off road. Valves are pretty sound too - I'm sure you could easily go 6000 miles between check/adjustment unless you are hammering the engine?

It's pretty comfortable for an off-road bike, but as a adventurer tourer, a bit hardcore... I got used to the standard seat, but as others have suggested, it might be worth improving this is a lot of miles are your thing.

You say the choice is between an XR650R and a KTM LC4? Personally I'd choose the Honda (I did!), but then I also fitted an electric starter to mine. You'll appriciate that on a day to day basis, and not least when you dump it in the dirt! The KTM is probably a better tourer (longer service intervals) and if you get the Adventure version you already have a big tank, screen, full instruments, ignition and steering lock etc.

The LC4 does have a reputation as being viby though, and that engine is prone to the odd problem (compared to the Honda), and the oil changes are a faff with having to bleed the oil pump circuit, although I'm sure you get used to it.

An XT660 would be another option in a similar vain - although perhaps the least 'serious' as an off-roader, would make a great everyday and off-road tour machine. Of course if you can stretch the budget, the new 660 Tenere is probably the best of the bunch if distance is your thing... it's what I've just bought!

xxx

[kentfallen]

I rode my mates Honda XR650 last week and was blown away by it's raw power and rapid exceleration! I honestly wasn't expecting such an arm wrenching performance. It didn't have a cush drive so the uptake was very quick indeed!

Wow it's much quicker on the uptake than my XT600E but on the downside it was very low geared and the seat wasn't very comfy at all. I'd prefer to do long distance RTW stuff on my comfortable and high geared XT6.

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by kentfallen

I rode my mates Honda XR650 last week and was blown away by it's raw power and rapid exceleration! I honestly wasn't expecting such an arm wrenching performance. It didn't have a cush drive so the uptake was very quick indeed!

Wow it's much quicker on the uptake than my XT600E but on the downside it was very low geared and the seat wasn't very comfy at all. I'd prefer to do long distance RTW stuff on my comfortable and high geared XT6.

You can change the gearing on the XR just as easily as any other bike. On the possitive side, the XR has the power and torque to pull nicely with many ratios.

I had my supermoto geared so I could cruise at 70-75mph all day and still accelerate to over 90mph and it still had plenty of acceleration. Although, you really dont want to be going anywhere near 80-90mph on a tall soggy dirt bike for any length of time

[buebo]

I'm still looking to find either an XR650R or the KTM around somewhere. The Problem is that without testing them I can't really decide if a full blown Dirt Bike (read: KTM or Honda) is my thing or if I use something more relaxed (read: BMW 650 Dakar)...

I'll keep you updated!

[kentfallen]

In that case you'd be better off with a (wait for it....) - Yamaha XT600E

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by kentfallen

In that case you'd be better off with a (wait for it....) - Yamaha XT600E

Thats what I swapped my XR for before my trip.

I have to admit, its a much better road bike but I would of prefered my XR in the rough stuff.