HONDA XR650R REVIEW - BRUTALLY HONEST on the BIG RED PIG o 

I'm an old, fat wasp. In 2006, I was 53 years old, and I rode my stock XR650r to Argentina, S.A. from Kentucky. It was stock except for a bored out spark arrestor and a jet kit for the carb. I weighed 280 lbs. (I'm 6'5"). All my gear was strapped on the back with a Wolf brand one piece saddle/top bag. I built a hold-off shield for the muffler, so it wouldn't burn the bag. The bikes stated weight capacity is 220 lbs.! Yes, it ate rear sockets. But I bought a steel aftermarket unit to get higher mileage. The bike has so much torque that I didn't really miss the four tooth lose at the rear wheel. She still runs perfectly today, in 2020! Every time I whack open the throttle, I'm 30 years younger! This bike is the equivalent of the Russion T-34 tank of WWll. If you are too pussified to kick the damn thing over, I feel sorry for you and your parents for raising such a candyass. I'm 66 now, and have no trouble kicking this bike over. All you young shits need to realize this! Grow some balls!

Boring 650L? When researching my first dual-sport bike in 2000, I read a review for the KLR that ended with, "It's heavy and slow, but reliable. You have to ask yourself, 'Would you date a woman like that'?" Given my then-wife was heavy, slow, and UNreliable, the KLR seemed like a step in the right direction. I still have and love my properly-farkled KLR. The wife is long gone.

Every bike has pros and cons, Honda xr600r and/or xr650r are here to stay...forever, thank for sharing :)

I was on two winning teams way back in the day on this bike. 24 hours of Glenn Helen and Baja 1000. My friends always gave me grief for loving this bike. I've gone through a dozen different 450 s since 2000. I came across a very low miles XR 650 that was road legal a few months ago and bought it. I can't say enough good things about the bike. Ive never ridden a better desert bike. The one thing Ive always thought about the 650.....the harder you ride it, the better it performs. I have no problem with technical sections on this bike and will often run it around the track on practice days just to get rise out of people when I double and triple next to them. Great review by the way, well done.

Thank you eveRide! This video helped me to make up my mind and get my BRP. If anyone is on the fence... 2 words. DO IT. The BRP is nothing short of amazing. Once you learn the proper (only) way to start it, it starts first kick every time. You didn’t spend enough time on it to find it’s 2 flaws: 1) It EATS rear tires 👍😁 2) You will have to adjust the chain more than any other bike you’ve ever ridden 👍😁 The BRP is a complete beast, but is very rideable. My son (who rides a CRF150F) loves starting and riding my 650R. He’s 14 and weighs 110 lbs. At 60 mph, 5th gear is at about 45%. Mine will hit 100 (gps) with no hesitation. I run Dunlop 606’s and they perform great in the dirt. Thanks again for the video. I’m hooked on the BRP!

All the stuff that turned people off from the 650R is the same thing I love it for! Kick starting a XR650R is baby easy with the compression release.

This video convinced me to stop thinking about it and just buy a BRP. I bought mine a bit over a year ago and I've never regretted it. I agree with everything this video says about its characteristic and theres really no bike built like it except maybe the 690 enduro. This is as close as you get to a purpose built factory rally bike and it dominates.

70000 miles! And admits to neglecting it! That's amazing.

Rode the Colorado Backcountry Route last month on my XR600. Bigger tank, dry bags, and that's it. Zero issues. Those big XR's are great

I think it'd be reasonable for Honda to bring back the 650R as a CRF with aluminum frame, liquid cooling, street lighting, horn, ignition switch, and e-start. I think it'd be a serious contender with the KLR and DR-Z. Hell, the Africa Twin is designated as a CRF.

As a relatively new owner of an xr650r, having owned several other dual sports prior to the Xr, I wanted to say that your review is spot on. All your videos are well done, fun and informative. I know they are a lot of work, but the hard work shows. Jeff Fletcher, Author of "Marilyn Across America"

Great video! I have an 07 R and the Hotcams camshaft makes the bike start easily on 2nd kick everytime. Hot or cold. The mod is mainly done for ease of starting in my opinion, and then has the added benefit of more mid range. Kicks over in boat shoes now.

I rode from 15 1/2 until my early 30s, both on and off-rode. Then a friend was killed, and I had enough close calls and quit, for nearly 30 years. But the bike bug is hard to shake. I wasn't sure what I wanted, but thought a thumper dual-sport would be a good place to start. I test rode an XR 650 'L'. It was fine, but there just wasn't much thrill, and I don't commute, or ride to get from A to B; I ride for fun and thrill. I'd read about, and seen videos of the 'R', and then saw one for sale about a hundred miles away. I rode over but I guess because of my age, and no helmet, the seller was reluctant to let me ride it. Finally he said if I could start it, with no instruction, I could. One of the bikes in my past was a Yamaha XT 500 thumper. The trick is to get the piston in the right spot, and if it's cold, just a touch of choke (and an enthusiastic kick). It took several minutes, but it started and off we (the bike and I) went. I knew within about 60 seconds that this was it. It had so much torque it was very easy to ride. On that test ride I went over some speed bumps in a residential subdivision as fast as 60 and hardly noticed them. Fast? The 'L' was a tractor in comparison. I'd have bet titles in races with the Suzuki DR 400 or any 650 thumper, including BMWs. I'd guess the only dual-sport single that would rival it would be a KTM 690 Enduro R. But the XR 'R' wasn't built as a dual-sport. It was an off-road only machine designed for racing in the dessert - 62 hp compared to the other 650 singles which are all in the 30s (except the KTM). It weighed about 50 pounds less than the XR 'L', DR (650) and well over a hundred less than the KLR. Water cooled, aluminum frame, better suspension, and much more - just a great motorcycle. Honda discontinued them for a simple reason. They didn't sell well. Dirt bikes that would go 100 mph, out-the-door, filled a niche market and after 8 years that market was stuffed full. And to match the engine, a bunch of stuff was needed. Mine had over $5000 in aftermarket parts added when I bought it. It was too fast for tight trails (at least with me on it). It was at it's best in the open with room to run, and I did love riding rough, dirt/gravel forest fire roads. There was a fine line between thrill and terror that I loved to approach, and occasionally, cross. But I found myself riding more and more on the street. It kept up fine on rides with guys on liter plus street bikes at speeds as fast as 90, and on, "slow to 25," twistys, but became more and more uncomfortable after about a hundred miles. I wish I still had it, but had promised my wife, one bike at a time. I bought a KTM 990 SMT, which I also loved. That was a perfect street bike. She doesn't know one motorcycle from another, but unfortunately, can count. I now ride a KTM 1190 Adventure. That's the most versatile, fun, fast, euphorigasm producing bike I've ever ridden, let alone owned. But I miss that Honda. Theoretically, the KTM will blast down the fire roads, too, but there's a big difference between 300 and 500 pounds. (But why do we wish we still had every bike we've ever owned. Heck, I wish I still had the Yamaha DT 400 I was riding 40 years ago.) Think I'll go for a ride.

This video confirms what I've known all along! THE BRP IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAT!!! I bought my BRP in 2003, and have been extremely happy with it! I recently bought a KTM530EXCr for trail duty, since we are riding more technical terrain nowadays, for obvious reasons. I considered selling the BRP, and I flat couldn't do it! I have since added all of the nessecary goodies to make it street legal here in CO. All that is left to do now is get the inspection! I can't wait to get out and rip it up on my new dual sport!! Great video, thanks!!

I had an xr400r for almost a year and it gave me 0 Mechanical problems and when I gave it a new light a new back rim it was great. kicking over a 650 is not hard at all as well as kicking an xr400. in my opinion best dual sport out there. it's worth it to put turn signals on it it's worth it

long as carb is tuned correctly pull decomp lever and roll motor twice. let decomp lever out and find top dead center......pull decomp lever and push lightly past TDC and let go of decomp lever. bring kick starter to the top and kick swiftly and the BRP will come alive I know I'm mastering my BRP after a week lol. EveRide I'm making mine a Supermoto bike and a daily rider :-) there's a reason I've dropped nearly all the motovloggers and I've stayed with your channel Tyler! quality footage, great editing and humble personality keep it up!

Agreed on all points Tyler! Good review! I myself own a XR650L. However...I have modded it into its ancestral glory of an XR600R with the 650CC displacement! I realize the XR650R is a completely difference beast. Lighter and more powerful with a high compression engine and aluminum frame...the kick starting really blows. So...I opted for the L. Thanks for finally covering the XR. I value your opinion.

Fun factor + 70k miles of reliability = WIN Such a great video on the BRP!

I love my XR650R. It's so awesome that my friend just bought one too. Here in Michigan they go for $2000-$3000 already street legal. The kickstart is just a nostalgic reminder that people who ride any other bike are sissies. I think Honda discontinued them because there just aren't enough guys out there with the cojones to ride one.

I just picked up a 650R a few days ago, and man is it insane. I came from a 78' Honda XL350, and this thing is just amazing. The speed, suspension.... It is great.

I am a satisfied RX3 owner and I agree with this assessment. My riding need is primarily a 5 mile commute, secondarily camping trips including dirt trails, but not difficult terrain. After hitting a deer and going down at about 25 mph on pavement, damage is minimal, parts replacement is easy. The "service manual" is marginally adequate -- it could use help from a tech writer to put things in a step-by-step checklist format. I am 72"/200lbs and this is a stable ride except for the bottoming in some road situations -- looking for a solution to that with adjustments/upgrades.

I owned a 2000 model XR650R for five years, that I bought new. I uncorked it, and installed a Baja Designs street legal kit on it. I rode it on the street some, and I rode it a lot on some of the toughest 4x4 trails in the mountains of Colorado, and, on some wide open terrain in Texas. I can say this about it: The ONLY redeeming quality about that bike was the massive amount of power. The fuel economy was terrible. It was heavy and cumbersome on steep and rocky mountain trails. Plenty of power, but handling suffered from the weight. Unless you were riding open terrain, then it handled fine, but really sucked the fuel, and the small tank insured that your ride didn't last long before going back to the truck for a fill up. Kick starting it was not too bad, it starts easily once uncorked and re-jetted, but still, electric start is much nicer. My overall experience with the bike over a period of five years was not that great. It's handling feels heavy and cumbersome, compared to something like a DRZ400, even though the DRZ weighs only a little less, it handles MUCH better! Which makes it much better to ride off-road (and gets great gas mileage). I really do love Honda, but didn't get along too well with the 650R. Except for that power! Yes indeed, that power is truly awesome! But, power alone is not what makes a great dirt bike. I think Honda should build an XR500R, that should be just about right. And I think Suzuki should increase the engine size of their DRZ400 to 500cc, then they both would really have something there, I think.

You get better all the time and you're already the best dude. The drone shots are way cool! And, you made me remember the months I spent on craigslist drooling on XR650R listings.

Had one. It was great in wide open trails but was a handful in the tight stuff.

I put a desert tank on mine and have used it as a dual sport bike for a couple of years now. It will go 65-70mph easily on hi way and is pretty competent in the dirt. No Regrets.

I have an xr600r street legal (put the kit on myself), with a pipe and a little engine mod it puts out hp in the 50's. This bike is bomb proof factory suspension (all original with close to 100 k in the dirt) never lets me down. Air cooled with a real frame and its lighter than a 650r. Just make sure you rebuild the bulletproof RFVC engine with alittle extra compression and rejet the carb.

I own two plated (one race built) XR650Rs. The kick start is easy, and preferable for reliability if you ask me. I can kick one of them over bare-foot (technique makes a stock BRP easy). Having said that, I entirely endorse this review; The DRZ is a fantastic bike, and the KLR is a legend too. One of these three bikes is my favorite (obviously), but usually I'd recommend the other two first when asked, for many reasons he mentioned here. The 650L I used to ride usually gets unmentioned, as good enough as it is. Alternatively, own all three... or four... so on.

I just picked one up for under three grand. Lots of aftermarket goodies already installed. Now I have the DRZ and the XR. It's all your fault Everide. ITS ALL YOUR FAULT. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

I know I'm kind of late writing a comment on a three year old video, but it was this exact video that made me fall in love with the BRP. So today on my 18th birthday I finally got one. I managed to find one in really good condition at a used motorcycle dealer. My last bike was this really trashy 125, (damn those annoying euro laws) that i had to fix every second weekend. Thank you for making this video. Without it I probably would have never discovered the XR

I have a 85 xl600r for my daily commuter, I love it. I also have a hot rod 02 xr250 that is on of the best most reliable dirt bikes I have ever owned. I'm 62 and still love taking my xr out.

Awesome! Love my BRP and I think you pretty much nailed the description and strengths of the XR. At least with me on it, it loves the open spaces and the tight single track, well not so much. And for some reason you can put in a 200 mile day off road but 30 minutes slabbing it makes your butt cramp like the seat was made of a 4x4. Long live the XR650R!

Thank you for making this video. I didn't know about the xr650r and I happened to be looking for a dual purpose bike, but more towards the dirt. Drove to Winnipeg yesterday from Regina and bought one. Awesome torque but didn't feel as bulky as a DR650. Just need to order the dual purpose light kit now.

it Does appeal to This Older Guy (67) and needs exercise for his parkinsons. Love your aerial footage and moto content presented profanity free!!! keep riding, droning, & tubin it out to us!!

It's a shame that Honda has been producing the XR650L continuously for over 3 decades now, but chose to discontinue the XR650R after only 7 years. I love my BRP.

I've been carrying my 1995 XR650L on the back of my Jeep! I've gotten nothing but compliments on it! And it's right there with me to ride anytime.

As a BRP owner, it's true that the biggest shortcoming is the kickstarter....I rode a KLR many years ago and it was a dog!....no torque really anywhere, while my XR has it everywhere! I'm a big boy, so the XR is right for me and almost all my riding is open desert where the bike can stretch it's legs out and really perform...Thanks for the video :)

This is a great, brutally honest review! I stumbled across your channel a few weeks ago and the progression in quality of your videos is astonishing. This video is really top notch and I appreciate your commitment to bringing superb content to the everyday rider! Tube-on!

13:25 Looks like he kicked up a tarantula lol! Great review! I can see one of those Hondas sitting in RideAMAP's barn. He loves the kick starters.

Great Review! Kick starting the BRP is like a Rain dance. It can be difficult to get all the steps in the correct order, but once you get them right you can make it rain on command! 👍😁 I was not surprised by the results of the drag race, as first gear is a little bit iffy off the line, but once the bike is rolling it picks up speed quite rapidly. Rolling on the throttle would get the front in the air without having to yank the bars! Loved mine so much, and still sorry I let it go. Thanks for bringing back some great memories Tyler!!

"The edge going to the XR for basically being able to idle up cliffs." Good one eveRide.

Watching the video and thinking about why the XR650R was discontinued, and I'm almost certain that it was due to cost. While you would save a buck on the electric starter, literally everything else would be very expensive to produce. The aluminum frame and water-cooled engine would not have been cheap. Even though you could say that not going through the road homologation process saved money, all the parts that would be required for a 49 state emissions compliant bike were already available on the 650L. The kick start is certainly a sticking point, but that is what you get when you buy a bike that was designed to win the Baja 1000. At the end of the day the XR650L was a steel-frame, air-cooled, street-legal, electric-start motorcycle that was probably pretty cheap to build, and the XR650R's race pedigree and build quality added production costs at the dawn of a major financial crisis. It breaks my heart, but that is just how the automotive industry works.

Tyler, you REALLY need to get on a DR650 that has a Cogent suspension, FCR39-MX pumper carb, lowered footpegs, and Seat Concepts seat. It would be fun to see your review on it!

great review I bought a 2004 XR650R new in 04 and loved it got a lot of looks from friends when I would show up to trail ride or at the dunes but then by end of the day I had changed a lot of minds for sure. I did have full Pro Circuit and the bigger intake boot so it did breath a lot better than stock.

Bought a 2002 BRP 2 years ago and ended up selling my 16 KTM 500EXC because it was collecting dust. That says a lot about a bike. Also, if you jet the 650R correctly it will start 1st kick hot or cold.

The one song that plays in my head when I hear a xr650r is motorheads bow down to king

I have a XR650R 2002 and will never sell it, thanks much for this video, many guys complain about the kick start but is just matter to learn how to find the time of the engine and when kick it hard to start the engine and I am a 5'6" tall guy, consider small for this kind of bike but I am use to it and love it. If Honda hits the market with this bike again the XR650 will sell like pancakes LOL, best dirt bike ever made.

I bought my 650R from my father in law barely used. Still had original tires on it... I bought it thinking I would turn it super Moto and add a turbo. I started riding it dirt before I modded it and I fell in love. The big girl was hard to get used to, me coming from an xr250, but after you figure out the finesse, there is no better dance partner than the 650R. The power is so smooth and predictable, at all RPM. You can idle this thing up a cliff and it just keeps tractoring. Steering with the back tire is an art, made simple on this beast. The bike got the Honda high performance kit installed when new at the dealer. I LOVE this bike. Braaaaaaaaap and gone!!!!

I have a WR250r with electric start and a WR400f that's a kickstart. Honestly once you learn the process and dial it in (even on the infamous WR400), kickstarting really isn't much of a dealbreaker.

I had a 2001 xr650r with full staintune exsurst system I could kick start it bare foot with in 3 kicks I loved it and wish I never sold it it had endless power no matter how many times I rode it it was a V8 in a bmx frame I called it a true beast from the ever reliable Honda xr bullet proof range

Curious why they couldn't have just updated the XR650R with EFI considering most of the big bore EFI bikes kick over like butter. My 450 typically takes 2-3 kicks on a cold day and i'm due for a top end, too. I know that would bump the cost up of the XR650R, but honestly it's the ONLY honda I would own besides a mid 2000's CR250. Most of the euro companies like KTM/HUSQ/HUSA/Beta/etc have EFI bikes these days, too. Maybe it's a cost thing. Maybe it's because the CRF450X is actually a solid replacement for the XR650R. It has a magic button, kick start, wide ratio and is close to 50hp. And with that being said it's also 269lbs. I could speculate a lot, but as a kid growing up, it was the XR650R that caught my eye.

Another great vid! Now you have me kinda longing for my old street legal 650r. Your thoughts on this bike are so right on in my opinion. If your more dirt then street and you can find a street legal one or can afford to convert one then its hard to beat for an affordable 650 if your doing a lot of off road riding. If your mostly street though or your off roading is not very technical, then like you said, you cant ignore the KLR because you would have to do a decent amount to the XR to make it as comfortable on road as the KLR is. That's actually the main reason I got rid of mine back in the day because I moved to Indiana from Wyoming (another Big mistake Lol) and since there were not nearly as many places to ride off road I ended up riding on the road quite a bit more and the XR650r is just not that comfy on the road in near stock form. You've got me thinking again about how the top end of the 650r is better for highway use then the 400s but, and I think you hinted to this, if your not going to be doing a lot of high speed riding the advantage isn't that significant . Especially when you can put taller sprockets on your 400, like my XR400 has, to better suit short highway riding. And even with the taller sprockets my XR400 still hauls (AND I MEAN HAULS) my fat butt (250+lbs) up Wyoming mountains jetted for Midwest elevations. So im sure the DRZ400 would do just as good if not better set up the same way. ELECTRIC START is undeniably convenient though and one day I may get to old to put up with kick starting, or any chance I get roll starting the XR. Obviously as proven in Baja longer trips with sections of both high speed riding and technical riding is where the XR650r shines so if your riding is similar then its hard to beat for the price you can pic one up for if you can find one. I suspect though like my XR400, they will become harder and harder to find because most that get them love them and keep them, and Honda doesn't make them any more (Big mistake Lol). There will be a few idiots like me though that will let them go Lol. Again keep up the great work eveRide and I look forward to watching your future vids and maybe even a future vid if you choose to do so that compares the strengths and weaknesses in your opinion of all the 650s you've had a chance to spend some time with once you've got them under your belt.

eveRide I watched a lot of videos on here and I have ridden a DRZ 400 for a summer on and off road. I mulled over the 650L and I could not stop thinking how kool it would be to get a 650R and make it street legal and tare up the street and the trails here in Washington State. I had one found and it sold out from under me!! So I found a super clean one from LA out of Palm Springs EBAY and it is a cream puff. Had it shipped up to Seattle and setting it up and loving every minute. It is a beast of a bike! Flat out fast and fun!! So thank you so much for your review on this video sold me!! Around Seattle out! P.S. Im 55+ this year. You only live once BRP!!!!

Tyler, you need to remind us to link the video at the end instead of the beginning. because I love every video, but sometimes I forget!!! I came back and re watched just to smash that like button my friend! keep riding! happy almost spring! !

THANKS FOR REMINDING ME ABOUT THE HARD STARTING IT BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF ME KICKING OVER MY XR 650 UNTIL I WAS WORN OUT AND THEN WEARING OUT MY BUDDY BEFORE GETTING BACK ON IT TO FINALLY START IT OTHERWISE IT WAS A GREAT BIKE...I AGREE WITH YOU. I DID WANT ANOTHER ONE BUT NOW I AM RETHINKING MY IDEA!

I've got to wait till I can get back home and don my awesome new eveRide tee shirt. Only then will I be able to offer accurate comments on yet another superb video. Thank you Tyler! ! !

My Buddy Mike has an XR650L. One thing I would add is the XR650L feels more like a sport-bike while in the twisties than my DRZ or KLR. I actually really like the feel of the XR when canyon carving.

I have a XR650R that has recently been Rebuilt and my Brother has a mint low mileage Kick Start DRZ400. Both Amazing bikes. The XR650R is wayyyyyyyyyy faster then the DRZ. I bet your buddies was getting tired at that point. My XR also kicks over first try when it’s warm. So it’s really no pain. We will have to send you a video of a drag race after we get them new pipes and jetted for max performance with the stock internals.

Awesome video as always brother. I have to say though that the drag race says it all. The widow is still king and still gives me inappropriate pubescent dreams which rock my world. It hasn't been beat by a middle weight dual sport yet and I don't think it will be for a long time to come.

they haven't sold these down under for years now aaaaargghhhh :(

Damn, I thought that was a spider at 13:25

Yes Honda bring it back

Bought one. Put a 4.6 gallon tank on it and a Tusk light kit from RockyMountain, shaved a couple inches of foam off the seat, and built my own cargo rack.....and ouala a great bike.

That was one of the best bike reviews I have seen in a long, long time. The national moto rags should take notice... This is how you review a bike.

The xr650r was available in road legal format from factory in England. I think the biggest issue is like you said the kick start. You can buy a retro fit e starter but last time i looked it was around $2k! but such a beast of a bike! bring back the BRP!

I was seriously considering buying a KTM 450 or an older WR450. After watching reviews for the BRP, I’ve decided to rebuild my 1984 XL650R. I’ve owned my XL for maybe 7 years. We ride in oregon around prospect every year, and I have no problem keeping up with the 2018 6 day KTM 450, or the WR450, KTM 250,300, husky 610, DRZ 400. Granted the suspension on the newer bikes and elect start are much better, and the extra 50 lbs makes me work a little harder. But I don’t think I will be $10-$15,000 happier.I’m thinking a Med bore kit, I already have the Clarke tank, my lower suspension fits me where the KTM makes me tip toe. Before my 600, I owned an 81 XL500S, tons of fun. I raced my brother, I was on the back wheel for the whole 1/4 mile, and I lost by 2 bike lengths. Lots of fun. With the right gears, the BRP will go anywhere anyone else can go. 6th gear would be nice. I’ve never been broke down where I couldn’t ride it home. I go through sprockets and chains and rear tires, but never had the head or side covers off. Probably need to replace the clutch, whenever the oil gets dirty the clutch slips a little. New oil and the clutch is like new again. Smokes a little when cold but clears up in a minute. Would guess to say this bike has about 17,000 - 20,000 miles on it. Don’t know if anyone else has opened the motor. ITS A KEEPER

Great review as always. I had a XR650L for a few years and I wished I could've found and rode a BRP. I wonder why Honda never morphed both bikes into one package. That my friend would be an unstoppable package. Or make a street legal version of their CRF450R.

The one bike I will never sell.... along with my KTM 300

Absolutely love mine! Best dual sport I've owned.

They really need to bring this bike back with a street legal version with electric start. This bikes a beast.

Tyler, this an excellently planned and well designed video review in about every way I can think of. You're also very persuasive. Well done.

XR650R SuperMoto? 🤔

Owned both the L and the R ....the R SORELY lacked the e-button ...starting the brute could be easy mostly but a pain in the leg at times

The guys I know with XRs really didn't have a problem with street legality, but New Mexico is really easy about that. The fuel tank was the bigger issue, however. They were really something special, and you can find them around here for under $2500

Rode our plated Xr650r to Tail of the Dragon, Smoky Mountain, Blue Ridge Parkway and many more beautiful roads. On knobbies. The poor thing burns a quart of oil every 40 miles, time to dig deep to find the problem. The bike is a blast to ride.

Just found a 02 mint with the factory tires still. Original owner never used it. Drained the fuel and the angry tractor fired up. Sweet bikes!!!

Great review! I would love to have one of these in my garage. I agree that the kicker is probably what killed it, but I like it. I don't much care for kickstarting a bike, but it adds to the charm and allure of a bike and definitely puts hair on your chest : ) Oh and Honda and Suzuki both made KLR-like bikes with the XR650L and DR650SE engines respectively, the Honda NX650 Dominator and Suzuki XF650 Freewind (but you probably knew that) although they were (obviously) not nearly as successful as the XR, DR and KLR

I had xr' from the start,there all best on there back wheel getn to work and home☝️,mr honda please make a new xr 500..

These things start on the 1st kick if you know what you're doing. I adjust the valves on mine frequently

As a owner of one i agree with everything buttttt once you learn the trick of kick starting the brp you can first and second kick it everytime!!! The bik gets even better once you add a big bore kit and an exhaust and even getter once you add a cam to that i will be doing a ride review in the next week of my xr650r that has a 670cc bigbore and is set up as a supermoto im glad you loved the beast that makes so many of us happy and maybe oneday soon you can join the family.-Tinc

You pulled out all the stops for this one. Incredible quadcopter shots. This big red pig is a winner in my book and so is the video.

xr 650r a bloody gem. not meant for the highway. geared to low. a dream to ride and a back road beauty and great in the dirt since it was winning baja races years ago. the kick start is getting to me after 14 years.. oh well cheers

People that say the 650R is anything short of the best bike Honda ever made, need to stick to ROLLERBLADING!. And probably have never rode an "uncorked" (The way it's meant to run) XR650R. The 650L is a completely different bike altogether, and holds no candle to an uncorked 650R...at all *********You can still buy a new 650R like the race teams do, by ordering all the parts to build it yourself, have fun.

my dad has a 2002 model all tricked out with a 24L tanks and trick suspension. im buying it of him in a few weeks yay

I'm doing my best to sell my 2 street/cruiser bikes now so I can start with the dual sport fun. I have decided on a KLR and since I know my area (not as much off road availability unless you count gravel) a bike like this just doesn't interest me.......having said that, you do make it look fun and the videos are great quality to watch as always. keep up the good work eveRide

It's really not hard to kick the R started. Just quirky. Once you get the flavor of what it wants, no prob.

Just got '03 XR650R recently - no more off road abusing of my old XRV750 (at least for a while ;) )

helps a lot if you know how to start it hahaha. hold decomp, 4 kicks, release decomp, get to tdc, use decomp to get the piston going down, release decomp, give one smooth long kick without touching the throttle and she will start easy. I started mine by hand, yes used my hand on the kick starter and fired it up.

Man, great review! What sucks for me is that I just bought a DRZ 400. Like you I never gave the big Honda a really good look. Not that I'm sad about buying the DRZ at all. I love that bike and won't be giving it up that easy. On the bright side though, now I have a reason to save up for another bike to add to the stable.... ;-)

I made my 06 KTM 525 EXC Street legal. they didn't come factory dual sport until 07. I'm very happy with it as a DS previous DS : DRZ400E, XR650L

Once upon a time I had a chance to buy a street legal 650R from its original owner. It was in very good condition with lots of work done to it. He did more work to it, changed his mind on selling it and still has it to this day. I have to agree with this video, the only thing that killed it for me was kick starting. Yes I’m getting lazy in my old age. I like push buttons that bring the bike to life. I’ll be very interested in seeing how the new 450L compares to the old 650R. New technology, lighter weight and probably the same power. Although I think Honda could have made it lighter given the price tag. I occasionally ride a borrowed 650L that never gets ridden otherwise and I really enjoy it on light duty off-roading. I’m looking to get back into dirtbiking after many years of supersport bikes. I’ve been riding Honda’s for 35 years but I have my eyes on a Beta 390RR-S.

I have the XR 650R, it can be hard to "Warm" start. Fun in it's place, mostly open desert. Plenty fast, wish it had a 6 speed and electric start!

I rode an xrr from Moab to Denver. I sure miss that bike. It was so wicked fun to ride

Great video. I'm confused on the kickstart. I have not had an issue with Kickstarting my bikes. Keeping a good tune never have an issue. The easiest bike imp to kick in a larger cc is a banshee. I have watched my friend struggle on it. Operator error. A lot of people do not understand the workings of a carburetor. Take the time to get that down and your golden. Can't wait for the next video thank you.

Most of us who have a few grey hairs have spent our quota of "kick starting" when we were kids... I had more than enough of sweat and exhaustion trying to get to the fun. I need a button on my bikes these days!

great review! it would be delightfull if Honda did produce this bike again all street legal and ready for long distance..also "pantyshatners" is now an official word for me.

What a great review. I'm going to buy one without the e button. Why Honda missed the boat adding the dual sport necessities mentioned is beyond me. GET WITH THE PROGRAM BIG RED. Look what KTM has done, multiple models off the same platform? Simplify and sell! The XR650R with a fan and button would have sold like hotcakes!!!

I think some of it is a lot of this was about the XR 650 L which is a very different bike. These things won a lot of a-ha type races for a reason. I also think you’re right about the technology, unfortunately like a lot of hobbies and sports in general motorcycle public is mostly educated and has their opinions formed from advertising. Yeah the new bikes have some cool technology. An electric starter would be awesome but keep the kickstart because electric starters break. But the difference between the XR and the CRF 450 L or something like that is these were built well. You can put 100,000 miles on an XR 650 and rough miles. The WR says you have to rebuild it after 20,000 miles and the maintenance intervals are ridiculous. These were simple machines they were a little heavier but much tougher much easier to work on and they lasted forever which for 99.9% of the people out there is going to be better. That one percent who includes razors Aren’t gonna buy it anyway because they’re going to create their own so that leaves the people who just wanna have the latest and greatest and bragging rights. Some of the new technology is great but the truth is for a bike that’s going to do these Baja type runs electronics suck because they break and they’re $3000 to fix which is what it would cost to replace the computer on these modern bikes the service intervals are ridiculous you would have to stop halfway through the race and adjust your valves and change your oil. They don’t advertise the simple things that owners really like, ease-of-use low cost of ownership ability to do maintenance easily themselves and something that’s gonna last and do a whole Lotta miles and give you a whole lot of fun without the headaches. If you’re willing to trade all of that for a bike that’s a little lighter in a little higher performance then that’s awesome, you’re ahead and pay for it and enjoy the heck out of it because there are performance advantages but most people would rather have the ease of use and some thing that’s gonna last their entire life instead of a few years and that’s what keeps these bikes selling and keeps these bikes winning. The newer bikes win some races with the entire factory racing team and budget behind it but their average Joe’s out there buying these XR‘s and placing well in the Baja 500 and 1000 and they can do it cheap and they can use the same bike for many years. Most of the new electronic bikes are going to have to be completely stripped down and rebuilt after every race probably a new engine included. I would love them to put an electric starter on here but everybody would complain about the weight anyway and I want them to keep the kickstart because Electric starts her cute for zipping around town but they’re not always that reliable. I want the electric start so I would buy the XR 650 L which isn’t the same bike but is kind of a scale down street a bull version of it with an electric start but I wish they would’ve left the kickstart on as a back up can I wish all bikes would. I’m not sure about top speed on the XR but the drag race between the DRZ and an XR 650 L is close but it’s a gearing thing. The difference is the DRZ is great on a short race with less weight but the XR has better torque to carry weight and because it’s geared for a higher speed. The DRC stops in the 80s the XR will go over 100 on the XR 650 L so it’s got a higher TopSpeed it’s not made to be a drag bike. The DRC 400 is an awesome bike but what I hate is there’s no competition where is the XR 400 L? And they haven’t changed it and it’s got some problems it’s horribly uncomfortable the writing position isn’t great and I really like it but they blew it going to a five speed. I would rather have a DR 350 SC and fix all the little problems with it and put a big bore kit in it then you have a DRZ 400 with a nice comfortable seat great riding position and a six speed transmission which makes it a lot better for riding in slow conditions the DRC can I have to go fast anything slower technical you’re stuck in first gear work in your clutch because it’s just geared too high to make up for it being a five speed. I think it just depends on peoples application. If you got the money and you want a dirtbike motocross style with a skinny little seat that’s basically a vinyl cover 2 x 4 and you don’t mind paying a lot or working on your bike all the time and don’t plan to put a lot of miles on it, the CRF 450 is an awesome bike with much better performance, unfortunately it’s glitches are in its computer so your $11,000 bike needs a $3000 upgrade so now you’re paying $14,000 for it to make it what it should be and Honda really needs to work on that because it’s not normal for them usually a pretty good with these things. But if I’m paying that kind of money I’m gonna get a Tenere or something like that because the CRF still falls a little short for 11 grand but no razor is going to use that as a base because it’s $11,000 and they’re gonna have to scrap everything on it and start over because the parts are better but they’re not good enough for racing. You’re a lot better starting off with an XR and building it the way you want it for your riding. For the average person the XR is just a better option especially for an amateur racer it’s gonna be cheaper you’re going to get 10 times the mileage out of it be a lot easier though it’s a little bit heavier, it’s a very solid base you can buy one off the dealer lot and go race a Baja 1000 and it would still be determined by rider skill More than equipment. I like the newer options and though they don’t fit what I want it’s good that it’s out there because some people do love them what I don’t like is that pretty much all of the manufacturers have stopped making two things. Good midsize dual sports and comfortable mid sports that aren’t higher cc bikes. To get even a reasonably comfortable bike you’ve got to get a 650 or above or a little dinky bike like TW 200 and they’ve lost everything in between. In the 80s you had 10 different options in a Honda XL you had The 350 and 400 500 options. The 84 and for a few years after XL 350 was an amazing bike it had the six speed which made it kind of like the DRZ competitive at the lower speed but it still went into the mid 80s so you could cruise it on the freeway it was basically a way to get ranged XR 350 with turn signals and it was awesome. It had enough torque and power to take a big guy, I weigh about 253 pounds and it was kind of like riding the 250s but you had power. A 250 bogs out going up a steep hill or trying to pull through sand and if you load a bunch of luggage on it or you’re just a heavy rider and it’s cool and fun but they’re made for 140 pound rider. The XL 350 they had an XT 350 even The DR 354 bikes or a little more gutsy and had the torque to pull a bike with packs or a heavy rider or two riders up the hills and through the sand, they have the CRF and Cadillacs 300s now but they’re more along the lines of the 250 they have higher power numbers but they don’t have the torque in the white power band the old 350s and an 84 XL 350 with a six speed was almost perfect incredibly comfortable you could put 100,000 miles on them easy they were easy to work on tough end that would be pretty much an ideal bike for me and a lot of people today if it had an electric start and a rear disk. Unfortunately if you want a simple easy to maintain tough dual sport the street legal I’m going to go 60 or 100,000 miles in its lifetime your only option is a DRZ and it’s not very comfortable and the five speed kind of sucks. They just stopped making them About 20 years ago I would say and they just started putting dirt bikes out there with wide range of the ratios that were incredibly uncomfortable and made to ride standing up which is cool but it’s a dual sport it should be something comfortable with a decent seat and riding position end there is no competition for the DRZ 400 anymore and it sucks. I would love to see Yamaha do an XT 350 or 400 with a six speed and a comfortable seat or a Honda XR 400 or 350 like the old XL. Personally I wish Honda would do an entire retro XL line with the nice comfortable seats and update them with the electric starter and Maybe even a very simple few injection. That would take away most of the things people complain about on these bikes. We’re basically left with a TW 200 an XT 250 one of the smaller or larger uncomfortable Electronic laden dirt bikes or we’ve got a jump up to a DRZ or an XR 650 L or are or a KL are 650 or DR 650. They’re just not making midsize Bikes anymore in this category and it sucks

I would sure love to try one of these out. I have a XR650L, not stock at all, engine and susp mods. I love it to death, it sucks on the tight single track mt trails. but desert is where it comes alive. It begs to be ridden fast.

Great vid Everide! I have a DRZ400SM with enduro wheel conversion and had a KLR650, the magic bottom is a major reason I bought both, thanks for reassuring me about my decisions :)

Thanks for a great, thoughtful review. I'm keeping my DR650SE, but I should probably collect a nice XR.