Honda XR650L

The Honda XR650L is the street legal version of the Baja 1000 winning Honda XR600R produced between 1991 and 2000. The XR600R was then replaced by the XR650R. Currently it's dirt-only sibling is still the Baja 1000 winning XR650R. There are a few major differences between the two bikes. For example, the XR650L is air cooled while the XR650R is water cooled. Nonetheless, the XR650L has proven to be one of the most popular dual-sport motorcycles in the world. Because of this, it has been produced virtually unchanged since 1993. Most magazine reviews of this model through the years have been overwhelmingly positive because it works very well both on and off road.

It is an air-cooled 644cc SOHC dry-sump single cylinder 4-stroke engine, producing roughly 40 horsepower, 0-60 times in the 4 sec. range, and a top speed of 105 mph with stock gearing. With an electric starter, headlight, taillight, turn signals, mirrors, smog system, epa/carb exhaust system and a 2.8 gallon gas tank with 0.6 gal reserve, the 650L is a hefty 324 lbs dry or 350 lbs wet. While that is extremely light for most street bikes of similar displacement, riders of much lighter dirt-only bikes consider this bike to be heavy for aggressive riding. It can be a handful in the woods. For more information, visit the Honda website at http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/