Re: Opinions about XR 650 L

Posted by shinyribs on May 26, 2015; 3:41am
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Opinions-about-XR-650-L-tp4056632p4056642.html

My first thought when I considered a DS was the KLR. They've definitely got the reputation of getting the job done. What surprised me, when I started reading and researching more, is that almost everyone agrees that they are great road bikes (highway, fire trails, rough dirt/gravel roads), but not great dirt bikes. For long distance highway runs I'll always have a CB. Job 1 that I want my DS to do is dirt, street is secondary. Honestly, I just  want it to be street legal so I don't have to trailer it to where I want to go. Mainly, because there are so many things to explore between Point A and Point B, I dont want to have a bike tethered to a trailer.

In all fairness, the KLR is awesome. It's got more fuel capacity in stock trim than the XR or DR even has available aftermarket. That's a huge plus. And we all know it's something that you can ride on ALL day in complete comfort. I do prefer the fact the the XR and the DR are both air cooled. I like simple.

Hopefully I can start throwing a leg over some of the bikes soon and decide which on will do what I want best. But to be honest, sitting on the KLR it seemed a little cramped. The XR and DR felt comfy. But only a true ride can tel you what's what.

Speaking of aftermarket tanks. ALL of the extended range tanks are plastic. Which is fine by me, but I know DS bikes must be built with a steel tank in order to be road legal. That makes me wonder if swapping to a plastic tank would cause any issues come inspection time.