Honda's XR650L

[terminatr]

Anybody ride both XR650L and KDX?

I find the KDX to be not so good as an "adventure" bike. XR650L seems to be
very popular around here for dualsport adventure. I'm looking to buy a new one,
and keep my KDX strictly for trail work. But will going back and forth
between a slow corked up four stroke and a fire breathing two stroke be too
big of a jump? I mean, will I get bored by the slowness of the XR?

[Julien D]

I don't think you'll find the 650 boring, by any stretch. It's not super capable as a trail machine, but for adventure rides it should be quite fun.

[KarlP]

The XR650L is not slow by any means. It isn't very nimble, either.

A buddy had one. When I would get off my 20 hp 2 stroke kdx onto that 186 hp thumper it was quite a change. Each firing of the cylinder would loft a great clump of grass. It would go zero to 45 in three firings, it seemed.

I'm exagerating a little. Definately not boring.

[tirebiter]

I've been riding the bigger xr's (650r's & L's, 500's etc) for a few decades now. If your a big fella, the L is a great DS bike- vibrates like a mack truck, but with a few bucks spent on suspension & uncorking, can be made into a great all around scoot.
BTW, power wise, properly set up it will blow the plastics off the KDX- no comparison at all.

[Max96]

I have both. My opinion, not fact, is that you are correct for keeping the KDX for strictly trail use and its not that big of a jump either if you get the 650. After muscling my top heavy XR650L around the trails of Hatfields and McCoys, I decided to get a lighter better overall trail bike.. the KDX. I have since taken the knobbys off the XR and went with 80% on road dualsport tires. Cant wait to get back down to Hatfields with the KDX.

[terminatr]

Are y'all confusing the "L" with the "R". The latter is supposedly super powerful. But I keep hearing the "L" is a dog.

By the way, I'm a small fellow. 5'7".

[Max96]

I have an "L". I am 5'7", 140# and rode that machine like I stole it. It is lowered about 2 inches, but I still tippy-toe on it. My buddys were always amazed how I threw that beast around in the dirt but they forget I grew up on dirtbikes. Now the XR650L pretty much only sees short trips on the street. I have no experience with the 650R but I hear its a very capable machine.

[terminatr]

Max, how did you lower the fork two inches?

[Max96]

Slid them up through the triples. Its not a full 2 inches but is over an inch. Maybe 1.5 inches?