My hat is off to you, Mr. Morrow - you handle this motorcycle very, very well. Truly inspirational to a guy like me. You see, I'm a 59 year old rider, with an honest 3/4 million miles in the saddle - all on street bikes. I found myself several years ago looking for a bike suitable for exploring our Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges to a degree that is impossible just sticking to the paved roads. I wanted more off-road capability than one of the "adventure touring" bikes, like the big BMWs and such, so I settled on the XR650L. I have to admit, my off-road riding skills well and truly suck, and I've been pretty frustrated. I've blamed the bike as being "too tall", and my kind and accommodating riding buddies have encouraged me in this belief. I've even gone as far as to try to sell it, convincing myself I need something lower and "easier" to ride. And I'm 6'1' and a solid 230 pounds... But, deep down inside, I know better - it's me, not the bike. And watching videos like yours make me ever the more determined to master this bike. I really do love riding it, and it does excellent on our fire roads. I just need to keep working on the rougher stuff, the single track, and not give up. Guys like you give me the inspiration to do that. Thank you.
What all has been done to your bike sounds awesome, sounds tight too. You can't watch riding ability I will be striving to get as good as you did on those trails great ride
Awesome. Took a pretty good spill at 2:08 and big's that bike up and looks in the mirror. I loved it. I've ridden the big red pig. 56 years old now and I've had a bite since I was 7 I had to quit riding in three years ago cuz of a hip replacement
That is exactly how I ride (except I'm slower, with more crashing.) I can't believe you have stock gearing. Excellent job, I turn around a Cadillac Hill.
Share the folder I'm new to the XR650l bought a 2020 and got 3000 miles in 4 months but would love to have some more to watch on this bike I love mine.
Been thinking about doing the Rubicon trail wasn't to sure on the condition of it. I ride the Eagle Lake trails Fordyce area on my XR, people compare that to the Rubicon. Now after this video its on for spring/summer time. Glad to see someone else out there ripping it up on a XR.
man- as an europ. thats a dream for me- even the name rub.trail gives me wet hands...wouldnt care motorcycle, car or utv- just drivin there! thanx for the beaut. vid!!
Yeah the XR 650l is a handful off the road. Definitely not a beginner bike.. mine is dangerous but predictable, no complaints off the road. Myself I can smoke anyone on a klr off-road... Thanks to the suspension.. it's definitely dated but gets the job done well. Robert jr NJ here Asbury Park
My hat is off to you, Mr. Morrow - you handle this motorcycle very, very well. Truly inspirational to a guy like me. You see, I'm a 59 year old rider, with an honest 3/4 million miles in the saddle - all on street bikes. I found myself several years ago looking for a bike suitable for exploring our Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges to a degree that is impossible just sticking to the paved roads. I wanted more off-road capability than one of the "adventure touring" bikes, like the big BMWs and such, so I settled on the XR650L. I have to admit, my off-road riding skills well and truly suck, and I've been pretty frustrated. I've blamed the bike as being "too tall", and my kind and accommodating riding buddies have encouraged me in this belief. I've even gone as far as to try to sell it, convincing myself I need something lower and "easier" to ride. And I'm 6'1' and a solid 230 pounds... But, deep down inside, I know better - it's me, not the bike. And watching videos like yours make me ever the more determined to master this bike. I really do love riding it, and it does excellent on our fire roads. I just need to keep working on the rougher stuff, the single track, and not give up. Guys like you give me the inspiration to do that. Thank you.
Wow. What a nice note, thank you. You gotta keep on learning! They are great bikes that will never give up on you!
Damn, I love the sound this bike makes...
Nostalgic Baainaar such a beast!
My My, I wish I could ride my XR even remotely like that. Fantastic stuff
That looks like the perfect trail for me and my enduro.
Hell yeah!
What all has been done to your bike sounds awesome, sounds tight too. You can't watch riding ability I will be striving to get as good as you did on those trails great ride
Thanks!
All it had an opened up intake, and a full exhaust system. Ran really good.
And they say the XR650L is too big for the technical stuff! Kudos to your skills and balls to do that run solo!!
you're a helluva rider.
Thanks Gary Davis.
Fantastic vid mate, bloody beautiful looking place to ride, totally jelly!!!!!
Awesome. Took a pretty good spill at 2:08 and big's that bike up and looks in the mirror. I loved it. I've ridden the big red pig. 56 years old now and I've had a bite since I was 7 I had to quit riding in three years ago cuz of a hip replacement
Ronald L Edgerton gotta make sure I’m still looking good! Thanks for the comment.
you handled this 140kg beast like a boss! well done
That trail looks like a lot of fun. Your fortunate to live there.
That is exactly how I ride (except I'm slower, with more crashing.) I can't believe you have stock gearing. Excellent job, I turn around a Cadillac Hill.
Another awesome video and ride. Thanks for sharing.
nice footage! i thought AZ had a lot of rocks
Im gonna add this to my "You can't do that on a Big Red Pig" folder. Nice ride thx
Share the folder I'm new to the XR650l bought a 2020 and got 3000 miles in 4 months but would love to have some more to watch on this bike I love mine.
Been thinking about doing the Rubicon trail wasn't to sure on the condition of it. I ride the Eagle Lake trails Fordyce area on my XR, people compare that to the Rubicon. Now after this video its on for spring/summer time. Glad to see someone else out there ripping it up on a XR.
This was going in from the Tahoe side and only 1/3 the way in and back. There's a ton more fun trail that I didn't ride this day.
Yeah my plans will be a weekend camping trip there just way to much to ride over there to just blow through. How long did it take you?
jagermizter you should come down to Texas and try Big Bend National Park!
So cool-jealous! How do I get there?
man- as an europ. thats a dream for me- even the name rub.trail gives me wet hands...wouldnt care motorcycle, car or utv- just drivin there! thanx for the beaut. vid!!
When I saw XR650 and Rubicon I thought I have to see this!
Awesome riding I’ve got a 650r
Great handling of the Pig. Have you done any sprocket or gearing mods?
+Steven Bowen Thanks Steven. The bike has stock gearing.
Careful can't hurt knee - knees or body must ride out !
Very nice! Brapp on bro!
Yeah the XR 650l is a handful off the road. Definitely not a beginner bike.. mine is dangerous but predictable, no complaints off the road. Myself I can smoke anyone on a klr off-road... Thanks to the suspension.. it's definitely dated but gets the job done well. Robert jr NJ here Asbury Park
It's clear you have some kind of aftermarket exhaust on it, and it sounds fantastic, do you know what exhaust it is? Thanks.
Big Gun Evo R
Thanks man, appreciate it, and nice bike
Noice!
good video! looks like some trails I ride down in Wyoming.
Like a boss!
People say that it's too tall. I say feet stays on pegs height is a plus nice riding
damn right!
Thanks.
What size tooth and Sprocket you running for rubicon?
stock gearing
Was pretty good. That one dump was coz you were going too slow.
That’s always the case!
What kind of mirrors are those? I'm looking for something that can be tucked in like that.
Great question. I don't know.
Garrett Morrow
Well thanks for the quick response anyway. I'm shopping online right now for some and can't find any with that type of stem.
+tonyinfinity yep. Came with the bike.
Garrett Morrow
I guess a better question would be, do you like them? lol If they suck I should probably stop looking for them.
+tonyinfinity I really like them. Fold out of the way nicely.