The Honda Crf450L and the XR650R both have its pluses and minuses in this video lets take a look at both. Bermcannon Merchandise Store radrhythm.club/collections/be... Instagram / bajadiaries
6 speed, electric start, street legal, inverted forks and I'll be happy. Don't care for fuel injection, can't fix it on the trail. It's also a lot more expensive if it needs work.
@@jasonbarton7189 You're probably right. It would help if they fuel injected it. I just want Honda to produce another big bore thumper. Another high revving 450 for 12k isn't what the dual sport community needed.
It's actually far harder to steal an XR650R then a CRF450L. Lol Where I live they don't worry about riding off with it, they just pull up with 2 guys in the bed that jump out and throw the whole bike in the bed of the truck and take off. Steering lock won't do anything to stop them but the weight/size of the XR650R will and just use an aftermarket steering lock. I think the XR650R also looks better and has more character. I love that the XR650R is carburated and kickstart it adds a lot of character to the bike. Fuel injection is nice but the electric start is boring, weighs more and not as reliable as kickstart.
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 this is good thanks. I am looking at 1 of these, had the XRR but sold it, now have 2018 CRF1000L2 but also want something for trail riding now. I flew from Cabo to Dallas, rode the XRR from Denton Texas over 1000 miles back to Cabo, Baja . The XR650R was absolutely flawless. Rode it a few years in Baja mountains, all smiles. Now looking at used plated XRR’s and the 450L, plus the 250L. 😁 perfect timing for your video!
It was a sad day when honda discontinued the xr650r. I thought it would replace the xr500/600/650L. The mx based bikes are ok but i miss a big reliable trail bike with a comfy seat.
Very good review, like you say different bikes different people and countries, the CRF is ideal for tight trails in the Uk and the R is perfect for wide open spaces. I will pick my CRF up Friday , lots of mods to do but mainly tyres. Thank you Bermcannon again
Tires should definitely be high on the list, the stocker IRC's absolutely blow off-road. I ended up with a Goldentyre 216AA 90/100 Fatty up front and a tried and true Dunlop D606 outback in the 120/90 flavor. They've completely transformed my confidence on the trails, no more fear of the front washing out from under me and the rear digs until it holds now. Congrats on the new 450L, you'll love it!
As far as curing on highway twitchiness in the 650r, I’ve found that raising the forks 8mm in the triples solves that issue. The race bike used by Campbell used a Cr 500 shock which was 5mm taller. If that shock is used with the stock triple and the forks all the way down in the triple the highway ocilations are gone. To get the same thing with the stock xr 650r shock, raise the forks 5-8 mm. The stock shock is shorter than the cr 500 shock by 5mm. You don’t lose that much ground clearance and the bike turns better in the tight stuff. Try it!!!
Thanks, I'll try it. I've notice the front fairings cause a lot of turbulence at freeway speed. I though about trimming them or heating them up and bending the front inward. What do you think?
@@yourfacelookslikebut Wind is wind is wind is wind. The fact that your body is an upright wind target much larger than any fairings, would lead me to believe that modifying the fairings would have little impact. You need those to duct air over the radiators especially at low speeds. So of it were me I wouldn’t modify them. I ride sport bikes too and fly planes. Lots of fairings. Sometimes your a sail and sometimes not.
I have a plated 2002 uncorked 650r. It is the most fun on two wheels I’ve ever had and I’ve ridden a lot of different types of bikes. That being said if Honda came out with a 650r with e-start, fuel injection, and 6 speed tranny I would be in heaven. Oh hi husqvarna 701! Also, I don’t ride that hard but I get 40-50 mpg pretty easily on the streets.
I really like your approach and style. Been watching your Baja stuff too. I'd look forward to a ride sometime and collaborating content. Keep up the good work!
I’m the Mad Max type guy but I want FI and electric start. I want an updated XR, DR, and DRZ. Great videos. Just found you so I’m watching old videos. Thanks
Personally I'd buy both. The XR for commuting and long tours and the CRF for going out on a day trip to hoon around the trails or do hooligan stuff in town
Yeah,in some situations the extra weight with the 650 helps with stability,but i have had times at decent speeds when the 650 starts to go and there was no amount of muscle that was going to bring it back and having a miserable day:)
Great review Mark. I am a believer in the XR's. As my bud and I have flogged 4 XR 250's in Baja .Each bike having at least 20,000 miles on them in Baja before we sold them. And only one of them had anything engine wise done to it. ( I wanted more horsepower and installed a big bore kit.) As far as reliability you can't ask for more than that. As far as the honda 450 . I have watched the last 2 dakar events where the 450's of brabec have grenaded themselves. The new style engines just need more service and I mean all makes of offroad race bikes. Only time will tell on the crf.
I got to agree with you bud..at least from what I"ve researched on both these bikes. Also spot on when you said you feel sorry for the manufacturer's these days haha! Been looking for the perfect duel sport-adventure bike and I'm not sure it exist. The DR-Z 400e street legal comes pretty close but the gearing spread sucks for Hwy and tight trail combo.Call me old school but if I got rid of the DR it would probably be for an XR 600r...watched an old clip of Johnny Campbell riding one back in the day and man.. you would never know it was outdated..pretty Impressive! :)
Joe. Johnny Campbell started it all for me. In 2001 I watched Johnny Race a 650 at the Adelanto Grand Prix and you have to realize at this time it was all two strokes but the thunder of the 650 coming into the motocross section and watch Johnny jump the water jump and blowout berms and then hit 90 mph on the pavement section just blew my mind as a young motorcross’er
@@bermcannonk Thats awesome! As you probably know Scott Summers is another one that liked to beat up on the 2 strokers with his XR. Check out Fox MX Terrafirma 3 on you tube. Opening scene is Johnny riding that 600r with a chopper chasing Him through the dessert.. pure legendary!
I agree about feeling sorry for the manufacturers in this day and age, it's impossible to please everyone and it's getting even harder to please even a slight majority. Changing terrain and riding conditions due to location, rider abilities, rider demands and preferences, it's all too skewed for a manufacturer to encompass it all in one bike. All of that combined with the immediate gratification expectations of our modern "me first" society and it's no wonder that every review of any one bike seems to be all over the place. Personally I see this bike as a full on street legal Enduro bike that has much better on-road characteristics than its direct competitors and a slight nod of dual-sport function which the others lack in all respects. Think KTM/Husky 450's and 500/501, that's the company the 450L keeps and while it's slightly heavier (easily remedied with a few choice mods), it has a better chassis and suspension, a stronger sub-frame, full led lighting, a third piston ring, better service intervals, and the legendary Honda reliability and dealer/parts network to back it up. Shed a few pounds and buy under MSRP and this is a fantastic bike.
Great review that gets to the point. I love the new CRF450L but a part of me wishes Honda would bring back a modern day XR650R that would be street legal. Guess I’m wishful thinking 😆 Nothing will ever come close
Just came across this video, and have been and always will have an XR650R in the stable. There is a great modern front end upgrade. The polisport / KTM front fender adapter allows you to put a 16+ KTM front fender and headlight ( with Baja Squadron ) on the XR and gives it a really modern look.
Cheers, I really enjoyed that comparo. I have a real soft spot for older Honda trail bikes. Spent a fair bit of time on a Dominator (road and town hack), 750 AT, XR400, XR650R and L. Great all rounders but bush pigs. They are really hard to kill and will go anywhere eventually. I have a very unusual spanner to throw into the mix.. Japanese home market bike but grey imported into a few countries, not the US as far as I know. The CRM 250R MKII 2 stroke. I have a 93 and it is brilliant, still starts first kick and runs like a Swiss watch. About 130kg wet, a very generous 40hp (FMF pipe adds a couple of angry stallions), 6 speed, nice, thick seat and 70 - 80 mph cruising. It does like petrol, though. It would be fascinating to throw one into the mix. I can still get all parts for it, too. amazing.
Hahaha, "like sitting on a sofa"? Dude, love your videos, and I'm absolutely in love with my BRP, but that's "a bit" biased, unless you change the stock seat! I'd choose a cactus over the XR stock seat after a couple of days of riding! :D EU bikes came with a steering lock like the CRF450L, and you can probably install one on yours quite easily! So I'd say this is a tie! Also ease of use, the lack of e-start on the XR650R is a pain, as a lot already mentioned in the comments. Love the videos, keep it up! :)
which tank is that on the xr650...? never seen it in my country they are smaller I guess...the hole where you put the gas doesnt go so high above the seat like this one. Where can I find this one? thank you
Nice comparison but its getting hard to find Dominators anymore, especially out here on the East Coast. I was a Honda tech years ago and enjoyed the XR650L as a beginner rider but never got a chance to ride a 650R. That being said, the 450L is an amazing bike and is finally a dirt worthy dual sport from Honda. Im so stoked to own one. It definitely needs the efi managed for East coast single track due to the abrupt throttle but otherwise, it’s awesome. I wont diss the 650 tho. I drove to my local Honda dealer to look at one initially til I saw the CRF discounted down to $8000. That made the choice a hell of a lot easier.
long live the BRP. I have a couple of questions about your XR, can you make a video or let me know about what wheels your running and the light is that a high/low version or just a pure driving light. And just so you know I just purchased a BRP after watching your Baja videos.
Good review/compare....the 450 seems to be a good bike. Trouble is us XR650R owners will love that bike forever and it's just a unique, and awesome bike. I have an Xt660z Tenere as well to keep the mileage down on the XR650R, I hope I can keep it going forever! I took the new Triumph scrambler XE out for a test ride recently and it was a great bike, but riding home from the Triumph dealers on the XR650R it reaffirmed what an amazing bike it is , with suspension ahead of its time. I'm proud to have an XR with it's great racing pedigree, from Baja to Dakar! Cheers, Steve
Just remeasured my fork tubes. They are at 10mm above the top triple clamp. No high speed twitchiness @ 100mph in the steering. Originally the tubes were flush with the top triple clamp. The bike had an oscillation at high speeds on the highway. If I leaned forward it went away. Leaning back it came back. Lowered the front end by 10mm. All good. Had also set sag as per a conversation with precision concepts. So the sag was good. Forks set up by them (valved and sprung) and used their recommended shock spring for my weight. Im using the stock shock.
I've had 3 BRP in the past, loved them, I see them for sale locally for $2500 to 3k unmolested a couple times a year, and I think a out a sumo conversion as I sleep, lol I have a 18 ktm450 xcf, well suspended, fast and 6 speed conversion, for dirt racing, would make a good sumo(maybe faster than a xr650r ), but how long will it last :( I had an edelbrock in one of mine, lol, maybe smartcarb has a version now. Honda, BIG thank you, we all WIN XR650R CRF450x(2019 and up, WOW) CRF450L(don't have one, the FI 450x it just too good, lol) CRF250x
I agree 100% with John M why can't Honda update Xr650r some need to Design Fuel injection kit I am sure that on the could redesign the XR650 3 lighter be more efficient divider
Great video 👍 service intervals : XR650R = almost none existent and so easy to work on 👍 If Honda worked some HRC magic on the CRF450L and produced it with the same 650r motor 😀 now that would be an awesome weapon CRF650R 🎉🎉🎉 till that time comes I'm sticking with the XR650R because there's else like it in my opinion pure awesomeness ✌️👌😀
I forgot to mention that and that’s a good point and another good point I forgot to mention in the video is the 650 is more stable because of its weight on the trail and that’s a big thing to me in a lot of cases it’ll save you when you hit a pothole or a rock it’ll stay on track rather with the 450 it’ll kick you off
Bermcannon : yer I've been there "the brown pants moments" you close your eyes for that impact 😖 only to open them a second later to find everything is good and the xr as just saved my life 😇 again, and just keeps on going motoring through anything in its way 😏 I love it .
650R is a open territory beast, with fuel injection, a rebound and compression rear shock, and new technology forks and maybe a key. It’d be dual sport nirvana. It’s a real slog through tight single track because it’s a big bruiser but fire roads beg to hear the thunder of the 650R. 😎
The CRF450L isn't even a consideration for me but I really appreciate the comparison video. I've had an XR650L for a few years now and after about 3 years bothering my buddy about his XRR, I am going to sell my L and buy the R this year.
I love my klr650. My BMW gsa800 is just like glass to it's so damn smooth it's insane i think. One thing I don't like about the 450 is the oil change interval. Sucks Cali makes you add more restrictive exhaust and intakes
Hey man, so I ride a XR400R with all the Gordon’s mods, 93 octane wise co piston & valves pumper carb ETC, would it be realistic to move to a XR650R or L (hard to find clean either here in Canada), I don’t wanna spend a lot of money on a 450, when I could have the big brother to my XR400R instead. I love my 400 but eventually I’m gonna outgrow it because of my young age (21)
good review. sad that the 650R didn't have continued development. also sad about the price of bikes nowadays. even adjusted for inflation a 650R should cost about $8,900 in todays dollars.
Great video! I've had my XR650R for 19 happy years. Although there have been times I've desired the amenities of modern bikes, I could never part with my BRP. Instead, I've modified mine to include everything I could ever want in a "does everything" bike and it just keeps getting better with age. A nice facelift with a Squadron Pro and sleeker front fender gives all the modern styling and lighting performance of newer bikes. Throw in legendary performance, reliability and history, what's not to love? Here's a video I made of mine a few months ago, after some upgrades. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xDk5QlNAw3s.html Since making this video, I've now also upgraded to a C-Fab electric starter kit, Ignitech programmable DC CDI, Trail-Tech gauges, heated grips, USB charger and a clean custom dash I fabricated. It's like falling in love all over again. Whenever thoughts about other bikes come to mind, I spend most of my time thinking about building another XR650R (supermoto perhaps) then I do even looking at what's new out there. Long live the big red pig.
Hi :) I have a chnce to buy a xr650r. i want to ask you, about highway speed, i know the bike is capable, and not for highway riding, but still, how much is the vibration ? If i change the sprokets, could it be not so vibration ? :) thank you.
It would make complete sense to have a 6th gear. On my 2nd xr650l love it but it does struggle on the highway but enjoy the price tag over the crf450l it should be half of it a drz 400 is not over 10k
Really need to have a category for ease of starting, ie kick start or electric start. Yes if you now the routine of starting the 650r it’s pretty easy, but still not as easy as the Push button start. Where electric start is really nice is technical, hill climbs or dunes stalling out….😮
The XR won every category that actually mattered except highway riding… and I’d bet it would win that if it was properly setup… it’s heavier and heavier always equals more stability and comfort on the highway. Good rip though…I enjoyed it.
No bike does everything right, people will always find something to complain about. I do find it funny how the xr650r never really caught on when it was introduced and people sneered at them. Fast fwd a decade and they are in serious demand on the used market.
You think it's a bike that will hold up for 20 yrs? I've always been a fan of XR's. Finally took the top end off my 03 just because I wanted to put a 440 kit on it. My brother has an 84 that's as clean as you'll ever find one and still has never had the top end off. I just hope Honda doesn't shoot themselves in the foot by over complicating things.
How about E-Start ?? bing bing bing! worth a few points. I loved my 650R and I didn't mind the pig on tight trails. However, I think I would have been more adventurous down in canyons or hill climbs if I had E-start. Thats Huge because a dirt bike should confidently take us almost anywhere.
What if: Honda come out with a new and improved 650, would you still buy the 450? I know, maybe not comparable, but a new improved 650, lighter, maybe 6 speed and fuel injected as some of you guys already mentioned? That does sound like a sweet deal though 😁
I grew up in Fla. Have raced and ridden since 13 yrs old...60yrs old and still holding. I have owned a CR500R 85 in my open class MS days. I almost bought a 650r a few years back, but the Irish moto owner could not get it started. I know these big handss have a starting process. Soooo as I migrate to Dual sporting in my golden years kicking a motor cycle is NO fun at my age. Being an East coaster tiggt woods technical rider who also rode baja on a slam dunk weekend. My only beef with your review is I think most riders do not want to kick a motorcycle with a coffe can size piston. I still think if I could have started the Big Red Pig it would be in my garage. Another point the Irishman said is if the going gets slow even with fans...overheat. so thats my two cents and the masses have been waiting on the 450L!
@@bermcannonk Thanks for all you did... I really enjoyed. The scoring was spot on. I know taking the time to do a "Dirt Bike Magazine" shootout takes time. Your comparison was short and sweet!
As far as weight goes the XR looks like it would be heavier to pick up if you were to go down. Especially with bags and gear. I ride a 2000 kx 250 now and really light weight. Looks like the 450 would be a little more manageable in tighter spaces as well.
Those rims on the 650r are nice. I would have both in my opinion. And if watched a lot of videos reviewing the new 450 an not one guy reviewed the locking stearing wheel when parked. Nice to know
I have a 650r and I love the thing low end power makes hill climbs effortless but the but sucks in the tight stuff over heats and front end tends to push id like to get on the new 450l and she how it does my buddy has a 450x and the throttle is super jumpy and tends to stall at low speeds
ryan, I chose the 450L over the XR650 because I was afraid of overheating issues living in the desert. Had the XR been liquid cooled it might have been my choice. Though a radiator, jacket and coolant would have added more weight to an already heavy bike,
Yeah 6-speed would have been the thing the best thing. I have an XR 600 and I got to run 15/42 gearing, which leaves me with a super high first gear my poor clutch. But I live in open desert and that thing will go straight through the desert at full speed I pass four fifties all the time. Electric starts way too heavy my 600 does good in the tight spots cuz mine is so light at under 300 LBS. LOL
Great comparison. I'm seriously thinking of scaring up a BRP even 4 years later. But it's poor mileage isn't because of that massive piston. It's because technology has passed it by. KTM's even larger, more powerful 690 gets over 50mpg.
Nice comparison but its like you elude to in your video, not every bike is for every rider. People fit these bikes differently. Do you have a video on your 650 Headlight and stator upgrade?
@@bermcannonk Would love to see one if you ever feel the motivation to produce it. I cant be the only old codger out there who would like to still upgrade their XRR Headlamp. Might be a big hit for you...just saying.
@@bermcannonk Hey man Thx for the amazing content I Just picked up my own 2002 XR650R and would like to do the exact same build as your, I'm in Palmdale CA area and would love to come down and get introduced to this tight knit XR family and maybe go on one of your rides. Feel free to contact me to see if we can make that happen! as always keep up the great work.
@@jasonbarton7189 Try one and you understand ! I get the purist view of not converting to SM , but try a factory SM like a 701 . It's the ultimate city bike. Light ,nimble , narrow for filtering and a lot of fun
umm, you do realise its a 25min job to change sumo wheels to dirt wheels (and visa versa), right?????? and proper sumo includes dirt anyway... (just no mud) and if you can't understand the attraction of doing jumps, dirt/gravel, and peg crapping lean angles on the same bike withing a few minutes, then there is no hope for you! Supermoto its the rally cross of 2 wheels, 2 bikes is one...
The BRP is simply too hard to use due to being kickstart only. It will gather cobwebs as the electric start and EFI of the CRF450L will spoil anybody. I maintain an '87 XL600R and it gathers cobwebs as the electric start and EFI of my CRF250L spoils me.
XR650R wins because it’s the XR650R. I bought mine new in 2007 to replace my 1982 XL500R that I rode from CT to WY when I was 16. We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies packed for the trip. Figured on doing it again on XR. Bulletproof as you say. 650 turns 1,000 rpm less than 450 at top speed. Better oil situation for unending weeks of highway riding. Figured more torque for timber sled track conversion. I got a great start at Southwick MX338 with it 8 years ago (and did lousy from there) . I’ve enjoyed snapping around on a 450 a few times, but I prefer my 1996 CR250 for such. I still have everything. 82 has best seat, but man, sounds like your destroying it at 60mph. I was 16 and knew nothing else. My father was awesome on his identical bike for the trip, but he was nearly wrecked on the way back being 22 years older than me. I now realize I’m off topic somewhat. I had to throw all that in there as I typed
The CRF450X Would beat the BRP but if they were to still make the BRP with electric start and fuel injection many people would love its reliability. I loved my BRP and always wished I'd never sold it.
Who's worried how much gas it uses? The xr650r is a good investment especially if you can find an unabused one, I live in the UK I've got a minter I paid strong money for it but I looked long and hard. They are about but for a really good one you gotta move fast or it will be gone !!
What are your thoughts on a 2008 xr650r with under 300 miles on it? The local shop emailed saying they are getting one this week to cosign if I wanted to stop by and look at. What are they selling for used these days?
Their both cool bikes 650 looks outdated for sure. I have 450L and YZ250 and have ridden a 650 (it was older air-cooled version) in the desert its definitely got low end torque but I wouldn't say it feels fast, it felt heavy like a tank in the sand. If your a heavy guy 240 + it would be good.
It's been years. But my friends 02 650. Seemed more ridiculously powerful vs my 2000 kx500. Did erlebrock used to make a carb for the 650r. Don't laugh at me lol
Edelbrock Quicksilver carbs, discontinued in 2011 I believe and hard to find any parts for them. I ended up buying a Lectron for my 2007 xr650r 2 months ago replacing my Edelbrock carb...never looked back 😬
