XR650L Dirt Mods You NEED!! - The best gear ratio for 50/50 riding & Tusk Dsport Tires 

I bought my XR650L brand new in 2000. Only vehicle I've ever bought new in my life! 21 years later and almost 18K miles I still have it. It's taken me a lot of places I never thought it would. Lots of mods of course. If you really want to tackle tough trails you can go with 13/50 gearing. I have a handful of sprockets and change them as needed. Have fun!

well said video, I run the same 14/48 and similar D606's on my '96 and find the gearing ideal, for me 14/45 still wasn't low enough , a set of real hand guards and aluminum bars and a big tank, seat concepts seat and you'll be set to take on the world.. mine has 30k mostly trail/desert/forest on it and is just as eager as ever. Az heat hasn't killed it yet.. at 56 I don't see the point in investing in a newer lighter faster rig as this dam thing does everything I ask, just about all maintenance needs can be found at walmart and it's been paid for for decades..lol.

I’m 5-6”, and I love my XR650L! Softened the rear end, raised the fork up a tad and shaved the seat foam a bit. They’re tall bikes for sure, but even short guys like me can handle them! Ride safe!

I bought a 2020 new. Only 5'7". I took all the preload out of the rear and pogo stick my stops or tips of my boots on the ground. Anything off camber or lower distance to the ground in a stall and it goes over. I wouldn't discourage anyone my height from the bike. From everything I read or watched, you would think for a guy like me, it would be a bike to stay away from or lower. Best all around bike I've owned so far. Always puts a smile on my face. Great video

I did all the usual performance mods, yoshi pipe coupled with 14tooth up front...NOW its a dirtbike. Your right if you ride one you will love it, actually bought mine new without ever riding one.

Fritzco definitely still sells XR650L countershaft sprockets, all you had to do was search for them on any search engine of your choosing. 👌

Sweet. Gearing makes a huge difference. Air cooled...less to break.

I'm a blessed man! I've owned way too many dirt bikes and currently ride a Beta 300 Xtrainer and an XR, which is my second XR...and this is the last bike I'd sell! And not only is the bike a reliable hoot, I've had almost as much fun accessorizing it! And there's absolutely nothing a common rider with basic tools couldn't repair on these things. A true doomsday machine. I went to a 14 tooth in the front and left it at that. Only likes to cruise at about 50 max, May have to consider the rear sprocket like yours!

Hey! I love my XR. I have a 2021 and did most of the mods. Yosh pipe and jet kit. Tusk Bars and risers. No Smog. New mirrors. I was able to get a Fritzco primary spocket. Using mine to commute to work right now. Someone wiped out my truck. It's a city beast for sure!

Thank you needed that I've been struggling with picking size spockets very helpful

I have a 2008 with around 2500 miles on it. Bought it new in 08. Love the bike, If you are a little bit shorter than 5ft 11in. you can put a Kouba link on it , that will lower the seat height an inch or so to make it easier to touch the ground. I'm 5 10 and put one on mine. Stop lights and stop signs are less troublesome now. Easy install, you will need to raise the forks up in the triple clamp maybe an inch to level the bike and have your kickstand shortened or replace it with a slightly shorter one. I had mine shortened, works great. I also changed my front sprocket to a Primary Drive 15 tooth. Because of the exact reason he mentioned about the shaft wear. I heard the Fritzco sprockets are only manufactured when he gets a big enough order for them.

Great video. I'm 5' 9" with a short inseam and I am totally comfortable on this bike (I have a 2008). I'm used to it. I've always been short and I climbed on everything and rode it.

I had one back in the early 90s rode it hard then sold it, I have 13 motorcycles dirt street and vintage but just bought a 2024 xr650l and it’s the same as the one I had before just a different color , this is my go to bike just love riding it, I’m keeping this one just does everything I need, was even thinking of trying a cross country trip

Yeah I’m short I’m only 510 and I tippytoe it pretty good but I love my Honda XR 650 L I have done quite a few mods on it so far, handlebars foot pegs, headlight Clark 4.7 fuel tank Big gun exhaust Lectron carburetor, Frisco 14 tooth sprocket phone charger, air filter. Next model will be the oil cooler. Yeah you have to get rid of that CVcarburetor then the bike will be all set if nothing else. won’t be able to keep that front and down and you’ll love the new throttle response.

I'm running a 14 tooth fritzco drive sprocket in the front and a stock 45 in the back, works great in the dirt but need a little more top end cruising on the highway...62-66mph is a comfortable rev range for my gearing. Gunna try a 48 tooth in the back like you. I put a uni air filter, removed the snorkel piece on top of the air box(no cutting wholes or anything) put a glass pack slip on muffler for $200, and last but not least, ordered and installed a tm40mm mikuni pumper carb online from pro cycle, gave em my make and model and they jet it for your particular bike... Just installed it as they sent it and couldn't believe how good this carb is, works really really well, instant power response, more power, you can really feel a difference! It comes with an adjustment knob on it, adjusted just a little bit to bring my idle up a tad. Highly recommend the tm40 mikuni pumper from pro cycle, they include the longer cables and air box adapter that's comes already secured to the carb. I was worried about spending $580 on it but completely transformed the bike, definitely worth it.

I have 2006 650l I did the smog delete new chain and sprockets I'm about to switch back to the Fresco 14 I felt for me came alive liked being able to go off the line in 2nd. I put a 1.3lb battery instead of the brick. Didn't do the relocation for it .put Metszler knobies on unsure of my choice rough ride. 4.0 gal red tank IMS

Wide foot pegs,renthal cr high bend,dyn-jet kit,foam uni-filter airfilter,acerbic tailight,clip on mirrors, fork brace,braided steel brake lines,make you some small l brackets out of thin aluminum for mini stalk blinkers...I've owned three 650s best dual sport for riding and not working on them ever. I had a 96 to actually liked the color scheme, I put blue backgrounds on all me cr race bikes !!!

Love the color combo, better then my 08

Thanks for the info I just got a '95 with 16 THOUSAND miles and I'm barely 5'9"! But it's pretty cool so far I have a long way to go with it for sure

Thanks for the info. Exactly what I was looking for. First gear to fast, second not enough power.

Hi I have a Honda XLR250R 1994 model and I love it so much that. It makes me want to get the Honda XR650L but I am just as happy to have the Honda XLR250R.🙂

I hear you on the steering but this is kind of the dilemma or compromise with a dual sport. A lot of people will take an XR 400 and throw turn signals on it and get plates for it, the problem that is if you drive it on the street you’re just shifting nonstop because the dirt versions have tight gear ratios which are great for technical writing in trails but on the street the wider gear ratios are much more reasonable to drive. It’s a pain in the butt to run through two here is through the driveway. I think you made a good choice on it, you can put an XR motor on it built for dirt but then it’s gonna suck on the street. Lowering it take your top speed off and tighten your gear ratio up a bit so it’s a good compromise for what you’re doing. I don’t want to change it because I don’t do a lot of dirt anymore but I drove an XL 600 for a while and it’s still pretty much the same bike and I definitely noticed in the dirt and on the hill climbs, first gear was your only option for slow technical or a hill in the XR version or the non-L version in this case gave you second gear as an option as well. It’s the same on the Suzuki is in the Kawasaki‘s and pretty much everything else designed first Street, it’s just the nature of dual sport, you’re finding a good medium that works for both. Some of the bikes are a lot more straight than dirt and vice versa but at least these had the six speeds, like the DRZ 400 is a great bike but I put a five speed transmission on it when they went from the 350 to the 400 and it’s way too wide and for a hill or slow or technical stuff it’s the same thing, first gear only. But a lot of these air cooled bumpers still had five speeds on them and it was kind of ridiculous so at least these have the six and it’s not too crazy but I’m glad you got yours where you want it, these are great bikes and I’m glad they’re still around

My 2024 comes in tomorrow, I'm excited

I actually just put on a 14/48 yesterday on my 07, it’s funny that I saw this lol. Haven’t got to really ride it, I just took it for a lil spin but it already felt different

Great video. My 09 about to get that sprocket setup

I bought a 2020 Xr650l. I was able to find the fritz primary sprocket. I went 1 tooth smaller than stock and still have stock rear. I love this bike also. It's a highly capable.dual sport bike. I've ridden and owned ktm. Husky, suzuki dry and the honda xrl is the one that puts the biggest smile on my face. But I grew up riding old school. Air cooled.4 strokes so maybe I am biased.

Great vid. Do the 2nd/5th tranny mod. Its how Honda should be selling these bikes. It will blow your mind. After smog delete and jetting, the 2nd/5th gear mod is the best change you can make. (Its where you split the case and replace 2nd with a shorter gear and 5th with a taller gear)

XR 650L is the ultimate Armageddon bug out bike for the survivalist!

Thanks for the vid! I just got my Xr650 and am really excited. When you changed your sprocket combination did you change your speedometer too?

lol I am 5'9" tall in my boots ! with a 30" inseam and I can flat foot my 2001 XR650L ... I lowered the front by sliding the fork tubes up in the triple trees they stick above the top tree 3" ( yes the clamps still work on the tubes but they are almost completely closed) I lowered the rear by buying a adjustable 1"~2" lowering kit but that was not low enough for me so I cut the bolt in half and welded a 1/2" long piece of steel and re installed it the rear swing arm is only slightly angled down now ( looks kind'a funny actually) I put on some handle bar risers (2" pivot type) so the forks could go up higher and give me more room then I cut all but 1" of foam off the seat and re stapled it.... been loving the bike every sense ! I have 4 bikes but this is the one I ride it's just funner ! it is hard to get the front wheel up but it will do it if I time it right with no pulling..... I've done the daves mod and didn't really see much change 13T wider sprocket for primary and stock rear sprocket.... still cruses at 75mph and that is fast enough for me.... if you can't flat foot your bike LOWER IT ! it's unsafe to have it too tall..... so all in all I lowered my XR650L 4" and can ride it even if I am a short s.o.b. ! HA !

Nice video!Thanks for the info.I bought a new one last year.I am having a hard time finding a stand with wheels on it.I need one with wheels so i can put it in the corner of the garage so the car barely fits in.Was wondering what brand your stand is?Does it roll?Thanks!

Daves mod is a must, its simple but very impressive.

Great video brother. I have a 2021 honda xr650l also. Rocky mount atv sells rep didn't know anything tires wise. I ordered the tusk deport tires. 90/90 21 front and 130/18 rear. Will the 90/90/21 be OK on my xr650l? Thanks for your time. What size tires did you put on your xr650l.

Hell YA !! I've got I5 a these pigs in my stable the XRL'S XRR'S XL600R'S XR350R'S + some XT'S en DR650SE I have people beating on my door or sometimes I find post it notes wanting to buy one a my bikes justs about everyday on my XRL en XRR I've been running a 13T/14T fr. sproket from a 2011-2018 CB500X had to bevel the back a spline a bit en use a heavy surclip spline contact width on this sprocket is 19mm full spline coverage I bought an 01 XR650L 1600 mi. on the clock got out 20 mi. Out in the middle of nowhere and the counter shaft stripped off slick like it jumped into neutral I micro welded some hard metal back on it en reshaped it with micro diamond bits put 20k on it sofar sprocket still fits the shaft tight as a drum I aways check my fr. sprockets to see if they are tight on the shaft now after it stranded me😅 . I did take a die grinder en cut out those faux slots for reals on the sproket cover so i can tilt the bike reach the shaft splines en dribble a little thinned copper anti seize on it usually when I lube the chain . with the 13T they like ta cruise at about 65mph pretty comfortable I do a lot a rough swelly rocky hilly trails THE PIGS are a whole lot happier with that lower ratio especially short shifting up them steep hills with that quicker rebound back into the rpm sweet spot between gears that these old thumpers are picky about wanting ta be in with a whole lot less clutch modulating OR wear

Beautiful bike man, i actually like that color scheme. I have a 93 vids on my channel

Great vid, pro cycle sells the fritz stuff

If your getting to many wheelies. 14-47 is Ideal. 48 if your actually doing steep Hill Climbing.

I've heard running a 2nd gear out of an xr600, closes the gap between 1st and 2nd

The color looks great, I’ve got a 91 klr 650 that’s white, pink, green and blue. Not sure if the person that came up the color scheme was color blind or a practical joker.

I like your thinking! I'm looking to buy one..

I might do the swap. I never go over 65 on mine. Great video

Love the pig

For you street freaks... i went 15F, Fritz style/ 42R ProTaper, sprockets. Keeps RPM's @ 4K at 75mph, for occasional or necessary highway riding, on Pirelli Scorpions. At 72yo, X-games are out, 80% street/20% easy trails. ( 2001 XR650L, 1990 XR250R dirt) Sold my 2008-Kawasaki-Vulcan-2000G-classic....BEAST. Bags with frames, windshield, foot boards, sissy bar, etc. At @ 800lbs+. 😳 I couldn't pick it up anymore. I'll die with this 🐷 ❗️😎

IF you buy a XR650L first thing you do is go buy 2 front sprockets and another chain one front sprocket at 12 or 13 tooth one front sprocket at 18 or 19 tooth mount the NEW front sprocket of choice and cut chain to length pitch OLD front sprocket at a honda dealership sign as you scream or wheelie by depending on sprocket choice does not take long to swap out front sprockets once you get the hang of it enjoy

Sweet bike man how do those tires do in sand? Got a 93 lookin for a 50/50

Might I suggest a front fork brace, too.

Did u get a different rear fender from stock?

With a 14/48, what length of chain are you running?

What tire size did you do with?

It’s Betiful I want one lol

Did anyone catch the tire sizes and new chain length?

Dirt roads? Is what all we got here in hickman co TN.

The battle of gearing a xr650l... Yes I know it to well. So tire hieght is the key to gear swaping. I change all over through the spectrum A very tall profile tire in rear 14/48 is good. As the tire wears it be 55mph tops I found a 49t rear. 15t front is my combo. Then swap a 14 out on trail. If needed Try a carb swap on that thing! After 8000 hrs of jetting and tuning mine is really as a whole diffrent machine. I opted for a 39mm kiehin fcr. Found for decent price on eBay. 250 bucks with XR adapter . I really was about to start saving for a husky or a honda 450l .untill I did this mod . It may be just temp. Pause. But still

I'm 5'11.when you order a corbin seat,they take your inseam and fit them for you,plus you get to choose material and colors . expensive? It wasn't too bad on price,but its worth it.i also run 14/48,love the tourque with this gearing,and can cli.b hills 2 up with my wife on the back.had a 94 for 14 years,then bought one new in 2019.done tons of mods,if anyone wants to check it out,just go to my channel,have a couple vids up on it,and have done more since.

Looping out

Helmer!

I have no clue as to why wheelies make a good rider....ever

That’s not a wheelie.

Yamaha TW200 beats it by 6 years.

Sorry guy, but you missed it on all counts. Nice try...

❤

PRO CYCLE sells FRITZCO