Honda XR650L - Any previous owners?

[MotoRevive]

I bought an unfinished project. And I've almost finished it.

Has anyone else had an XL650L ? A very rare bike in the U.K. Only ever available in USA , Aus and South Africa I think. This one is a L plate.

It's been fitted with the earlier and arguably best motor from these RFVC singles. The 1989 Dominator motor. The only model I know of with an electric and kickstart. Cool eh !!

I've had a couple of these over the years. Pretty cool. Loads of grunt. A proper thumper. And cruises at 70mph all day long.

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[diplomaticdanny]

Loved mine

 

[MotoRevive]

Loved mine
View attachment 383775

That's a different bike. The XL650. The previous generation I believe?

 

[diplomaticdanny]

That's a different bike. The XL650. The previous generation I believe?

Oh yeah, great bike though.

 

[dommiek]

Cracking bikes those XR650Ls. The reliability and long service intervals of the dominator engine with the off road ability of an XR.

 

[MotoRevive]

I'll be sad to see it go.

Downsizing is no fun.

 

[Clifton]

Back in 1998 I bought a lightly used 1997 XR650L. Some years before I had enjoyed riding a friend's NX650 and this was essentially the same bike sans bodywork. I once trailered it to a "dual sport ride" at Loretta Lynn's ranch in Tennessee, which turned out to be more of a race among ex enduro riders rather than a ride. I was hopelessly out of my league struggling to just finish it. Fortunately I had just installed brand new knobbies and a 1-tooth smaller countershaft sprocket and those two changes, along with the XR659L's low down torque, are the reasons I was able to tractor up many of the muddy, rocky, rutted, hills to complete the "ride".
At one point I was off the bike catching my breath after a difficult (for me) section of mud when a rider carrying a passenger came flying by on a 650L after just passing a couple guys on 2-stroke somethings. It was Scott Summers with his girl friend on the back making a second round of the course.

I sold that bike after 4-5 years but soon missed the big single and bought a 2005 Suzuki DR650.

Edit to add:
In between the 650L and DR650 I bought a new XR650R. This was a completely different motorcycle from the 650L with aluminum frame and much higher performing liquid cooled motor. It was kick start and not street legal here in the US. I removed the baffle and carb restricter plate, re-jetted, and opened up the airbox which was the procedure for "uncorking" the motor to make even more power, Then added blinkers, low/high beam, and a horn, custom seat, and got it plated. Ended up selling it after an injury to my right knee but it sure was fun and sounded great! Here's pic of that bike.

 

[Kitsilano]

Pic not successfully uploaded?

 

[MotoRevive]

I had a few XR650Rs I'm the naughies. BRP (BIG RED PIG)... Totally different machine. Powerful Baja hogs. Water cooled. AC power. High compression. Kick start only. You needed a firm shin.

Loved mine. Had them mostly in SM form.

The 650L is an NX650 motor in the XR600R frame.

Such a clever hybrid by Honda.

 

[Clifton]

Pic not successfully uploaded?

My 650R pic is not showing up for you?

 

[MotoRevive]

My 650R pic is not showing up for you?

I can see it.