Thoughts about the XR650R

[ScottZJ]

Hey all,

I believe I am going to sell a trike or 2 and use the money to get me a nice dual sport. I am looking at the XR650R as it is a dual sport but I feel it would do good on trails too.
Do you guys think its too heavy and big for a nice trial machine too? Obviously I wouldnt have the Baja kit on it during hardcore trail rides but do I need to think about buying 2 bikes instead? Should I use the XR for dual sport rides only and then get an enduro for the trails? Give me some imput as I am thinking about doing this soon. Thanks

[Tri-Z 250]

:welcome: If your serious about getting an XR650r I have a friend who is selling one in mint/low hr condition. I can tell you the bike has....I'm not kidding maybe 20hrs on it. The 1st owner is also a friend who is 6'11" tall. He made the bike look like an 80cc :lol: , but only rode the bike a hand full of times. He started his own business and had no time to ride. My other friend bought the bike as a backup/buddy bike. Now it sits and he wants to sell off a few of his other bikes to pickup something new. The bike is an 00' or 01' I can find out but it has a new White Bros exh/spark, Pro Tappers, Probend and fat plastic brush guards, fresh tires( Dunlop's), brand new chain / sprockets and grips. He's taken the bike to Hatfield McCoy twice and the one trip the bike stayed on the trailer( no break downs on his YZf450). I rode the bike for a few miles maybe 10. I can tell you the bike is big and is heavy at slow speeds. The motor however is majic and has a stump pulling feel to it. Not arm ripping boost but smooth as silk with lots of it! The heavy feel is gone after you get going and the term plush...well it's like riding your favorite couch with a V8. I can't afford a new/used bike at this time. If your looking to spend $3000 this is "on the Bible" a great bike. I know he'll meet halfway if it comes to that. If your looking for photos I'd have to check on that. (reply or PM) I really liked the bike. I keep telling him to keep it and convert it to SuperMotar. Goodluck and let me know. Were heading down to Hatfield McCoy the 2nd weekend in October near Matewan. If your ready by then and the bike hasn't sold you could look at it then. Heck, that would be a killer way to buy a bike if you liked it you could just stay the weekend buy a pass and ride with us. The bike is race ready and I can't express enough the FRESH factor. Sorry for the book

[Ryah]

That bike is just stupid fast. I've got a cr500 and one of the guys that goes with us just walks by all of us. It is also like a Cadillac, plush and smooth. I think it would be a great bike for both. You just have to use the throttle to move the back end around on the tight stuff. I have never heard anything bad about the bike, and my buddy rides it 2-3x a week (lives in the desert, opens garage door and takes off).

[ScottZJ]

Tri-z250 shoot me some pics of the bike. I dont have the cash yet but I am sure I will in the very near future..........peace

[Tri-Z 250]

Sorry I haven't posted back the bike is a 2000' as for the pictures I can't post..:( ..work computer. I'll see if I can post photos on my bros home unit. If not we can do it the old way and I'll mail you the photos. I mentioned you to him and he said 1/2 way meat is not out of the question. You still need to get your gear sold so I'll try my best to help this along.

[Tri-Z 250]

Got the pictures ready to mail out to you. Give me an address to mail it to and I'll get you the info/contact e-mail,phone#. PM me with a work address and I'll send it attn: Scott ZJ. If I don't get a return PM this week I'll end this posting:beer

[ScottZJ]

Just sent you a PM with my home and work email and numbers.
Thanks

[Tri-Z 250]

I'm on it and you'll have the photos by the weekend. Thanks for your intrest:beer I'll have to mail it old school US postal. Can I call thurs. afternoon? around lunch...Or tell me a good time to reach you. I need a street address... thats what I ment by work address, sorry. I figure you want to keep your home private, as I would. Talk to you soon and my name is Steven by the way.

[ScottZJ]

You can call my work or cell if you want. I am at work from 0530 to 1600 central time.

[PIP 350X]

Check out "www.thumpertalk.com" and go to the forum for "XR600/650"


ALOT of good info on the XR's................ It made me want one. :beer

PIP

[Tri-Z 250]

Scott look to www.trailsheaven.com look to accomidations and you'll link to the historic Matewan Inn, I can't get it directly some how. Dr. Garland offers a CHEAP!! Excellent food, CLEAN SMOKE FREE bed and breakfast. He'll offer packages for groups or just rooms for two either way the stay and price are tuff to beat!!

[ScottZJ]

I will have to really think about when you guys plan on doing this and try to see what I can do about getting there. Good talking with you too man..........peace

[peeweesp]

i have only heard good things about the 650R i havent really ridden one, i know a guy who had a well i guess it was worked 650r supermoto super nice bike, said it would do 120 easy lol. that faster than most Dual sports which speed isnt a big thing, they are very capable on road and off.

[ScottZJ]

Yeah I was kinda worried about their weight problem in tight single track trails. But I wont have to worry about that anymore, cuz I just bought a nice 2002 KTM 300EXC that is basically MINT condition. That will be my hardcore trail bike and the 650 will be my dual sport.

[whipit]

The XR650R is NOT a dualsport. the dualsported ones you see on ebay are converted with bsja designs kits and a lot of luck at the DMV- they frown on that big time and in most places it is not even possible

[ScottZJ]

Well mine will be a dual sport and has no problems doing that here in TN. Heck I could make my KTM street legal if I wanted (which no way would I). But the main reason I wanted street legal is to be able to ride from the hotel to the trails without the trailer or tow vehicle.

[yater]

The XR650R is NOT a dualsport. the dualsported ones you see on ebay are converted with bsja designs kits and a lot of luck at the DMV- they frown on that big time and in most places it is not even possible

I can't think of a better big bore dualsport than an xr650R. Of the 7 dirtbikes I've registered for street use over the past 5 years, I've never had any hint of displeasure from the DMV...why would they give a damn? It takes me 20 minutes to register my bikes and that includes the drive between the inspection station and the tax office. We don't register vehicles at the dmv. How many bikes have you registered whippet? What state are they registered in? Pictures?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/yater/andypissbreak.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/yater/anchosign.jpg

[xnagex1]

whipit is right about the xr650r not being a dualsport. Honda makes a xr650L which is a dualsport.

[Tri-Z 250]

Wow:beer camp gear on the bike! Now that looks like fun yater, Texas? Congrats Scott on the 3hundy, bet its muddy already! Yeah I'll remind you in Sept. but its the 2nd weekend in October in Matewan. The photos are on the way with all the info from Mike. I'm gonna call the good Dr. this week to book the "NEST" from fri. afternoon the 13th to checkout Sun the 15th around noon. Did you locate the website? Let me know if your bros are gonna come? I would love it if new people made the trip. Plus it saves me from head hunting new riders to go. My group will leave Cleveland at 3 to 4:AM get into Matewan at 10AM gear up and ride Friday. I believe were doing the Rockhouse ride. Saturday we will ride Buffalo Mt. and Sunday is usually a wash. Most of us come the 3rd day are to stiff and beatup to ride. I use the morning to get home at a desent time to see the family. Talk to ya soon!

[ScottZJ]

whipit is right about the xr650r not being a dualsport. Honda makes a xr650L which is a dualsport.

Yes we all understand that sir. But the XR650R can be dual sported with less than 100$ kit and TX and TN dont have issues at all making them street legal. The problem with the XR650L is it doesnt have the "pep" and power that the R has, so it makes it a better dual sporter esp if you plan on hitting mainly trails with it.

[yater]

It costs a little more than $100 to convert but the xrr is the best dualsport 650 in my opinion.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/yater/XRDSED.jpg

[xnagex1]

they make for some nice lookin' bikes for sure

[ScottZJ]

It costs a little more than $100 to convert but the xrr is the best dualsport 650 in my opinion.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/yater/XRDSED.jpg

Well I was just quoting the price to make it street legal not really dual sport ready. Just getting the wiring, blinkers and horn is around 89$ but there is much more to get for dual sporting.

[yater]

You'll need a horn, battery, regulator/rectifier, high/low headlight switch, high beam indicator, hydraulic brake switch (I only use one on rear brake), horn button, wiring harness, dual filament tail light, and a mirror. If you put together your own kit and wiring harness, you can do it for $250 or so....possibly cheaper. I don't mess with all that crap...I get the baja kit or the trick D/S kit. All of this stuff is included and it's plug and go. It costs $400+ but it's worth it to me. This time around, on the xr250, I won't use the turn signals. They aren't required in Tx

[peeweesp]

yeah the xr650L is a piece compared to the R but hell the KTM 300 will be an awsome offroad bike check out www.ktmtalk.com. I havent ridden a 650R yet myself but everyone says they are the *Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited*, i enjoy my ktm 620 nice power stock i added a better carb got rid of the crappy edelbrock and and put an FCR 39 on and an exhaust of course, but i have yet had the chance to compare it to the 650 but i would like too soon!

[deathman53]

I have a 01 xr250r and 06 ktm450exc dual sported, I couldn't be happier. Both bikes are in enduro trim and have the minimium required to ride them on the street. Getting them though dmv wasn't too hard either. I used to get pulled over alot, but the cops in the town near me don't bother me anymore. If you do convert a dirt bike don't be suprised if you are pulled over by almost every township cop in almost every township for the first few months.
Don't get a xr650l, they are heavy and are better suited to dirt roads, also the suspension sucks, the xr650r should have more power than you can use and handle great(although alittle heavy for single track use). I myself would get a ktm525xc, they are alot of bike and handle great and are real easy to plate.

[peeweesp]

yeah ktm525xc would be a great bike for riding on and off the road, a 525 would probobly take a little more maintance, but it probobly makes almost the same hp as the 650r i know i have seen a few dyno sheets and it makes almost 50 hp stock my 620 only makes 45 stock and the 525 weighs 100 pounds less lol it would be a beast on the road

[ScottZJ]

Well that is why I bought the KTM 300EXC. It will be solely for the trails, tight and wide. Then I will use the XR650R for the dual sport bike. I truely think the KTM would be much too small to dual sport for me, as I am 6'3 and 240lbs. But it should be killer in the trails, much better than my KDX 200 I had.