I love my XR650r. I’ve had many dirt bikes throughout my life, many of which I’ve street legalized. This is the first truly off road worthy street legal bike I’ve owned that cruises comfortably on the interstate and has the power to quickly overtake other vehicles when cruising along at 75mph. I made the mistake of selling my Maico 490 years ago. I’ll never make the mistake of selling my big red pig.
Had a 2000 model with a full staintune system wish I never sold it was insane power was worked by bike shop owner I brought it off it never ever ran out of power no mater how hard I flogged it incredible power
I owned one when I lived in Los Angeles. It was street legal. I still miss it. It was an amazing city bike, and a good off road torque monster, but like you said, it's a thirsty big red pig (BRP). It's definitely a "big man" bike. You need to be tall and strong to handle it, if you want to win Baja. This bike won Baja its entire career. It was built for that purpose.
They came out with the 650L I’ve never ridden one cuz I’m Canadian, & they don’t import to Canada but I love my 96XR I hope the new ones are as reliable & fun
Same, if they came out with the 650r again but fuel injected and a street legal option it would be a home run for Honda. I don’t understand why they don’t bring the bike back.
I love the XR platform for reliability. I wouldn't compare it to a CRF in horse power though. The XR became a west coast bike because Baja California became so popular to ride and again, the XR will never leave you stranded. In the CRF defense Honda has really made it a reliable bikje as well. As far as plateing an XR, when I bought mine in 1995, it had to be done at the first time of registration. I bought my bike from Billy Robertson brother Checker Off Road Racer at North Hollywood Honda. He's the owner and will help you with the entire process.
Bought New a XR600R and did the HRC 628 kit...still have it. Bought a used XR650R to compare and see which one I wanted to convert to the street. There both now converted but I like the ride of the 650 a bit better. It feels a bit lighter, has a bit wider gear box and runs cooler. It also has a bit more rake in the front making it more stable (especially off-road)...power wise there about the same. My daughter being half my weight beats me in a drag race no matter what bike she’s on... lol... Both with 14/50 gears, over sized headers. 628 has old E-Series Exh. While the 650 is newer FMF Q4. 600 (168/68) 650 (175/68) jetting. I’ve order a Lectron carburetor to compare fuel mileage and power...trying to avoid oversized tanks.
The biggest difference I noticed was a significant improvement in fuel mileage. The Lecton fells a bit lazier but I like the ease of tuning for elevation changes.
My carbureted 92 XR628r, I need to pack an extra quart of fuel to make the 100 miles with a 4gal tank... while the XR650R can still have say a quart of fuel left on the same trek...
I love the ole XR650R. Wish Honda would modernize it and bring it back. Woods legal exhaust full lighting etc but not epa certified with accompanying garbage & expenses. But man you need to come current on the KTM 690 enduro or Super Moto. Single cylinder thumper 74 HP FI, liquid cooled, two counter balancers since 2019 i.e. smoother than the Honda. 6 speed with better lighting, better stock suspension, stronger frame, only 314 pounds. With add on holds 5 gallons below the seat & back for lower and better center of gravity. These are the two bikes that rule. Everything else is either too heavy for competitive single track riding with multi cylinder motors or too weak air cooled old tech because of emissions. Yamaha 700 Tenere great bike for street as these are dual sports and good off road just behind these bikes for a scramble or Baja race etc.
I own a 93 xr600. Its completely tricked out. Im talking upside down Kayaba bumpers, ohlins shock, i built the engine to a 13:1 compression race gas burning 60 horsepower 77 lbft black and purple monster. Yup i powder coated the frame super sparkle purple. Black wheels and purple hubs. All black plastics and tank. Im a top 5 guy in our local vet pro class but im not a Ryan Villipoto. I can crank big whips but scraping handlebar off the lip of a jump, nope. Yet for some reason anytime my wife films me riding that bike she goes "Damn babe where did that come from?" I watch the footage and im like, i don't remember carrying the front wheel there and triple, quad out of that whoop section....i didn't think i had ass end stepped out on that super fast corner i was standing up for gods sake. That bike is like a good electric guitar with distortion. If you kinda know what you're doing, to anyone who doesn't you look like a rockstar. I own 8 motorcycles. All of which are blue. So is my blood. I do love that Honda though. However....You rode red till i BLUE right passed you!!!!
I had the same issue with the speedo on my 2005 CRF450X SM. It turns out the circumference calculations were off due to my measuring the wheels vs tires circumference. I would be putting around town and the speedo would be reading 234 mph. LOL So, figure out the tire circumference and dial that into the TrailTech and you should be good.
@@VehicleHunter Yes ! i know that was my goal. a low milage . it has mukuni carb mod done already to. 4000 euro. getting it next week ... WHY DOES TIME MOVE SO SLOW NOW??
@15:15 your rear brake pedal is bent inwards and a little back. You can tell just by looking at it. The triangle tip should be pointing straight out, not back like yours. Try bending it back out a bit to make it easier to reach or buy a new rear brake pedal. Also, you are kick starting it wrong. First slowly kick through the entire cycle until you find TDC and slightly go past it, then, one swift kick and it comes to life.
Yeah, Baja Designs has or had a electrc start kit for this BRP. Why did Honda place the petcock on the right side instead of the traditional left side? Makes no sense. Did you swap out the stock forks with a CRF450X or CRF450R USD forks? Love how the BRP looks with USD forks. Looks like you're running ContiAttack SM tires. What size is that rear tire? My 2005 CRF450X SM ran a ContiAttack SM 150 and never had an issue with side tire wall chain rubs which are typical of SM's. Great video of explanation. Now you have me wanting a BRP as a SM. I used to have a 2005 CRF450X in supermoto/ street tard mode. It was fun, but horrific going down the highway...I was waiting for the motor to blow. The CRF has to be wringed iout to really go. It's power was more up top. I mean it redlined at like 10k rpm. Crazy to think of a dirt bike redlining at 10k rpm's or higher. Great bike though, just smaller than I was wanting. Very nimble...actually too nimble for the roads around me. I had a full Brembo braking system. Thing stopped on a dime. Very overkill for street tarding. However, might be necessary for a BRP that weighs nearly 50lbs more. Absolutely necessary if your tracking a converted dirt bike to supermoto. BRP as supermoto form for the win. Now to find a BRP for sale.
I'm not sure whether the intention from honda was to ever replace the air cooled Model 600R as that model still continued on into the 650L. It should have been continued but for some reason it was ceased in 07-08? If it was brought back as a 650- 700R electric start USD front shocks perhaps it would be a big seller to this day. 450s stole it's thunder back then and even now the 2T are coming back into the foray. Ktms 3002T injected,yamaha 2502T. Gas gas......which are lite nimble and reliable to a point. It would also have to compete with the big bore adventure bikes that seem to be de tuned parrallel twin cylinder or v twin engines resembling the bigger versions.but with a lighter more usable structure Like everything these days attention spans are like goldfish coupled to a throw away society. As an old X gen guy I'm sticking with the BRP for now.
Put it back the way It was supposed Be It's a Baja champion thoroughbred put the nobbies back on it It's an incredible bike does well with slick tires for the street but that's not what it was meant for It's a dirt bike high-speed baja champ Arguably still competitive to this day Holy Grail Honda XR r If you want a street bike buy a street bike put the dirt tires back on and leave it alone it was perfect now it's just A confused mess it was Is purposely built to rule the desert And it did It's job to perfection Slick tires have no business on that bike
Hi Vehicle Hunter , does your supermoto rear hub has cush drive hub ? im going to get a XR650R again next week. for dualsporting. and i wonder if supermoto kits have the cush hub ?
No cush drive at all. I think i do remember seeing on the supermoto warp 9 website that they had an option for cush drives for a little more money. But mine didn't have it.
I was with you until you said it made similar power to a crf450r. Maybe the older ones, but the 19+ make 63hp. The 650R doesn't even come close to that output.
@@StrykerV8 Still doesn't hold a candle to the xr. Xr uncorked and cams easily 70hp to the wheel. Keep dreaming buddy, keep liking your own comments as well lol
@@xtcrider8270 a stock XR makes 35hp at the wheel, uncorked makes 44 at the wheel, and with the HRC power up kit makes 55 at the wheel. I've forgotten more about the XRs than you actually know. Find me an XR with 70hp and I'll buy it. Looks like I'll be keeping my money.
I love my XR650r. I’ve had many dirt bikes throughout my life, many of which I’ve street legalized. This is the first truly off road worthy street legal bike I’ve owned that cruises comfortably on the interstate and has the power to quickly overtake other vehicles when cruising along at 75mph. I made the mistake of selling my Maico 490 years ago. I’ll never make the mistake of selling my big red pig.
Had a 2000 model with a full staintune system wish I never sold it was insane power was worked by bike shop owner I brought it off it never ever ran out of power no mater how hard I flogged it incredible power
I'm the happy owner of two 650's. One for the street and one for the desert. You called it, I live in California. 👍😎
I also have two. Mine are massively modded for flying 😂
I owned one when I lived in Los Angeles. It was street legal. I still miss it. It was an amazing city bike, and a good off road torque monster, but like you said, it's a thirsty big red pig (BRP).
It's definitely a "big man" bike. You need to be tall and strong to handle it, if you want to win Baja. This bike won Baja its entire career. It was built for that purpose.
If they made a new 650R id go out and pre order one tomorrow.
They came out with the 650L I’ve never ridden one cuz I’m Canadian, & they don’t import to Canada but I love my 96XR I hope the new ones are as reliable & fun
Same, if they came out with the 650r again but fuel injected and a street legal option it would be a home run for Honda. I don’t understand why they don’t bring the bike back.
@@Motor-City_Ben-Diesel sadly they don’t listen to the fan base
@@Motor-City_Ben-Diesel and a 6 speed. I currently have 2 650R’s
@@dylandekeyzer1451
The 650L has been in constant production since ‘93 and is still available brand new. It’s a totally different bike than the 650R.
Honda is legendary. ..I will never sell my 650R or any other Honda I own
XR650R Rules All !
Starting procdure = 4 to 6 kicks with decompression - to dead center and kick. Makes it easy.
I love the XR platform for reliability. I wouldn't compare it to a CRF in horse power though. The XR became a west coast bike because Baja California became so popular to ride and again, the XR will never leave you stranded. In the CRF defense Honda has really made it a reliable bikje as well. As far as plateing an XR, when I bought mine in 1995, it had to be done at the first time of registration. I bought my bike from Billy Robertson brother Checker Off Road Racer at North Hollywood Honda. He's the owner and will help you with the entire process.
Got my second in 2024, so nothing wrong with one in 2020!!
Amazing bike! Probably one of the best out there..
In Australia these were sold fully road legal. Analog speedo blinkers license plate holder chain guide etc.
Great dual sport thumper
Brilliant review of an incredible bike
Rarer than Rocking Horse crap in the UK
My brother sent his over from Hawaii for me to care for it.. What a bike .. Amazing
Bought New a XR600R and did the HRC 628 kit...still have it. Bought a used XR650R to compare and see which one I wanted to convert to the street. There both now converted but I like the ride of the 650 a bit better. It feels a bit lighter, has a bit wider gear box and runs cooler. It also has a bit more rake in the front making it more stable (especially off-road)...power wise there about the same. My daughter being half my weight beats me in a drag race no matter what bike she’s on... lol... Both with 14/50 gears, over sized headers. 628 has old E-Series Exh. While the 650 is newer FMF Q4. 600 (168/68) 650 (175/68) jetting. I’ve order a Lectron carburetor to compare fuel mileage and power...trying to avoid oversized tanks.
hey, how was that Lectron carb experience?
The biggest difference I noticed was a significant improvement in fuel mileage. The Lecton fells a bit lazier but I like the ease of tuning for elevation changes.
@@dlrmon1 ok, cool. So what do you estimate your mpg is (or l/100km)? I read that for the stock bike its like 22mpg
Mine is modified and has a 4gal tank. Off road dessert racing I get about a 100 miles. On road I see low 40’s to 50 mpg.
My carbureted 92 XR628r, I need to pack an extra quart of fuel to make the 100 miles with a 4gal tank... while the XR650R can still have say a quart of fuel left on the same trek...
I love the ole XR650R. Wish Honda would modernize it and bring it back. Woods legal exhaust full lighting etc but not epa certified with accompanying garbage & expenses.
But man you need to come current on the KTM 690 enduro or Super Moto. Single cylinder thumper 74 HP FI, liquid cooled, two counter balancers since 2019 i.e. smoother than the Honda. 6 speed with better lighting, better stock suspension, stronger frame, only 314 pounds. With add on holds 5 gallons below the seat & back for lower and better center of gravity.
These are the two bikes that rule. Everything else is either too heavy for competitive single track riding with multi cylinder motors or too weak air cooled old tech because of emissions. Yamaha 700 Tenere great bike for street as these are dual sports and good off road just behind these bikes for a scramble or Baja race etc.
I own a 93 xr600. Its completely tricked out. Im talking upside down Kayaba bumpers, ohlins shock, i built the engine to a 13:1 compression race gas burning 60 horsepower 77 lbft black and purple monster. Yup i powder coated the frame super sparkle purple. Black wheels and purple hubs. All black plastics and tank. Im a top 5 guy in our local vet pro class but im not a Ryan Villipoto. I can crank big whips but scraping handlebar off the lip of a jump, nope. Yet for some reason anytime my wife films me riding that bike she goes "Damn babe where did that come from?" I watch the footage and im like, i don't remember carrying the front wheel there and triple, quad out of that whoop section....i didn't think i had ass end stepped out on that super fast corner i was standing up for gods sake. That bike is like a good electric guitar with distortion. If you kinda know what you're doing, to anyone who doesn't you look like a rockstar. I own 8 motorcycles. All of which are blue. So is my blood. I do love that Honda though. However....You rode red till i BLUE right passed you!!!!
In the USA these are more expensive than a CRF450. The 650R water coolers have become sought after cult bikes and not many come up for sale.
They were going up in price slowly for a while then all of the sudden became overnight sensations. Loved both my xr650r's they were a blast to ride.
Did you end up selling them? If so, why did you sell them if you don't mind me asking?
I cry everytime I see Pig with stupid wheels on it.
lol meeee toooo
I have watched and enjoyed this many times 6:50 don't give away the secret! lol 16:10 good tip
Just bought a street legal 00 model. Needs work and I can't wait!!!!
you have the best channel
Second that supermoto such fun , maxxis intermediate tyres i will go like 50 degrees or lower , can just keep leaning
Hope they can bring back the legend with more powerful and torque. Love to own one before getting aged ...
I had the same issue with the speedo on my 2005 CRF450X SM. It turns out the circumference calculations were off due to my measuring the wheels vs tires circumference.
I would be putting around town and the speedo would be reading 234 mph. LOL
So, figure out the tire circumference and dial that into the TrailTech and you should be good.
Do you have a radiator fan for your BRP?
If you live in hot climate and get in stop and go traffic, might want to invest in one.
Sun you do a great job other than the GD word
I just got one too ..love it
Congratulations!
getting one with 11k KM only next week !
@@JohnErikjohansson Barely broken in
@@VehicleHunter Yes ! i know that was my goal. a low milage . it has mukuni carb mod done already to. 4000 euro. getting it next week ... WHY DOES TIME MOVE SO SLOW NOW??
finally it's back the Big red big ....
Same here… I would pre-order an R
Why right balls deep and put a photo of one getting hurt and you just do a poxy walk around
Hang on to the stock forks, much more forgiving at high speeds in the dessert rocks
@15:15 your rear brake pedal is bent inwards and a little back. You can tell just by looking at it. The triangle tip should be pointing straight out, not back like yours. Try bending it back out a bit to make it easier to reach or buy a new rear brake pedal. Also, you are kick starting it wrong. First slowly kick through the entire cycle until you find TDC and slightly go past it, then, one swift kick and it comes to life.
Yeah, Baja Designs has or had a electrc start kit for this BRP.
Why did Honda place the petcock on the right side instead of the traditional left side? Makes no sense.
Did you swap out the stock forks with a CRF450X or CRF450R USD forks?
Love how the BRP looks with USD forks.
Looks like you're running ContiAttack SM tires.
What size is that rear tire?
My 2005 CRF450X SM ran a ContiAttack SM 150 and never had an issue with side tire wall chain rubs which are typical of SM's.
Great video of explanation.
Now you have me wanting a BRP as a SM.
I used to have a 2005 CRF450X in supermoto/ street tard mode.
It was fun, but horrific going down the highway...I was waiting for the motor to blow. The CRF has to be wringed iout to really go. It's power was more up top.
I mean it redlined at like 10k rpm.
Crazy to think of a dirt bike redlining at 10k rpm's or higher.
Great bike though, just smaller than I was wanting. Very nimble...actually too nimble for the roads around me.
I had a full Brembo braking system. Thing stopped on a dime. Very overkill for street tarding. However, might be necessary for a BRP that weighs nearly 50lbs more.
Absolutely necessary if your tracking a converted dirt bike to supermoto.
BRP as supermoto form for the win.
Now to find a BRP for sale.
I thought I was having a stroke when the choke talk came back around
Also , off road , mine would wade through water up to the seat & just keep chugging through so deep had to lift the legs up 🦵
Like my thumbnail? It’s setting on a rock here. Behind it the water was up to my seat. 😂
Honda would sell a ton of these bikes if they brought it back with:
6 speed
fuel injection
street legal
electric start
Hi Which Torc1 Racing Lever model did you fit ?
I'm not sure whether the intention from honda was to ever replace the air cooled Model 600R as that model still continued on into the 650L. It should have been continued but for some reason it was ceased in 07-08?
If it was brought back as a 650- 700R electric start USD front shocks perhaps it would be a big seller to this day. 450s stole it's thunder back then and even now the 2T are coming back into the foray. Ktms 3002T injected,yamaha 2502T. Gas gas......which are lite nimble and reliable to a point. It would also have to compete with the big bore adventure bikes that seem to be de tuned parrallel twin cylinder or v twin engines resembling the bigger versions.but with a lighter more usable structure
Like everything these days attention spans are like goldfish coupled to a throw away society. As an old X gen guy I'm sticking with the BRP for now.
Best title ever
Put it back the way It was supposed Be It's a Baja champion thoroughbred put the nobbies back on it It's an incredible bike does well with slick tires for the street but that's not what it was meant for It's a dirt bike high-speed baja champ Arguably still competitive to this day Holy Grail Honda XR r If you want a street bike buy a street bike put the dirt tires back on and leave it alone it was perfect now it's just A confused mess it was Is purposely built to rule the desert And it did It's job to perfection Slick tires have no business on that bike
Get a pumper carb and don't look back. Worth every cent.
Yes both of mine have Edelbrock pumpers.
just WoW !
Ride on !
What gloves are you wearing?
The big red pig 👍.
Hi Vehicle Hunter , does your supermoto rear hub has cush drive hub ? im going to get a XR650R again next week. for dualsporting. and i wonder if supermoto kits have the cush hub ?
No cush drive at all. I think i do remember seeing on the supermoto warp 9 website that they had an option for cush drives for a little more money. But mine didn't have it.
Do 1989 XR600R have rev limiter?
Biggest baddest dirtbike is the Maico 685
Cult 650r
I was with you until you said it made similar power to a crf450r. Maybe the older ones, but the 19+ make 63hp. The 650R doesn't even come close to that output.
A 2019 crf450r does not make 63hp to the wheel. 50hp to the wheel at max. 60 at the crank. Maybe you're talking about the factory bikes?
@@xtcrider8270 57 at the wheel, 63 at the crankshaft. Factory stock. Search 21 crf450rwe dyno and watch for yourself.
@@StrykerV8 Still doesn't hold a candle to the xr. Xr uncorked and cams easily 70hp to the wheel. Keep dreaming buddy, keep liking your own comments as well lol
@@xtcrider8270 a stock XR makes 35hp at the wheel, uncorked makes 44 at the wheel, and with the HRC power up kit makes 55 at the wheel. I've forgotten more about the XRs than you actually know. Find me an XR with 70hp and I'll buy it. Looks like I'll be keeping my money.
@@StrykerV8 you're smoking something.
And hope you don't get thrown off lol nooo kidding.!!!!!!😅