Honda XR650L Top Speed, Weight, Specs, Features, & Review

Intending to buy a motorcycle for your on or off-road riding? Honda XR650L could be that bike that you need. It’s a popular all-purpose bike but not all-persons machinery. Hence the need to learn about it before putting your money into it.

XR650L dirt bike is a dual-sport motorcycle with a four-stroke 650cc single-cylinder engine and is suitable for on and off-road riding. This engine makes the bike more fuel efficient and provides a wide power band. Amazingly, only little maintenance is needed for its proven powerplant.

Furthermore, this bike has no restarting issues. Even after a long period of no use, you only need to press the electric starter button to restart it.

Get to learn about this top-speed bike from this review.

Honda XR650L Review

You don’t have to buy different bikes if you’re adventurous with on and off-road riding. Honda XR650L can handle both situations perfectly well. This bike is fast, fuel-efficient, easy to restart, and needs minimal maintenance.

Below is a profound review of this dirt bike.

Speed

The XR650L speed can be classified into the following categories:

  • Top speed: The bike’s maximum speed is approximately 105 mph. You can increase this speed if necessary.
  • Highway speed: 65 mph is the appropriate speed to cruise on the highway using this bike comfortably. It has a low-end torque that enables a wide-ratio transmission.
  • Trail riding speed: The highway speed of 65 mph will still work for trail riding. But, transmission can be challenging as the bike has only 5 imperfectly spaced gears. Hence, you must compromise either of the rides to achieve the other.

Speed Increasing Tips

Although Honda XR650L is a high-speed bike, you can boost its performance by adjusting some things to obtain power gains. For instance, you can uncork the exhaust and intake for better breathing and more power gain.

Also, you can get the most performance gain by adjusting the carb jetting. This modification enables an easy start and better running. Thus, the bike becomes more reliable as it lasts longer.

Fuel Economy

According to the Honda mileage listing, the XR650L average fuel economy is 52 MPG. However, that can only work if you aren’t rough with the throttle, among other contributing factors. Typically, you can expect a range of 40-50 MPG.

Below are the factors that affect the MPG:

  • Aerodynamics/accessories/luggage
  • Road conditions and terrain type
  • Accelerating speed and throttle
  • Tire pressure
  • Your weight

Reliability

The XR650 dirt bike is a highly reliable motorcycle built to last long. Its longevity is attributed to its durable frame, air-cooled engine, and basic suspension.

You can use your XR650L for many years without any engine rebuild if only you accord it the proper care. For instance, this bike’s original engine can take 20,000-50,000 miles of adventuring or dual-sport riding.

Luckily, it requires very minimal maintenance. That involves maintaining cleanliness in the air filters and changing the oil when at a low level or if it’s dirty. Unfit oil reduces engine lubrication, causing excessive friction that leads to overheating.

Honda XR650L Top Speed, Weight, Seat Height, Specs

Honda XR650L Key Specifications

Price$ 6,999
Engine1-Cylinder, 4-Stroke
Displacement644cc
Transmission5-Speed
Power40 Horsepower
Seat Height37 inches
Curb Weight346 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity2.8 gal

Top Features

  • Lightweight Steel frame
  • 43 mm air-adjustable axle Showa cartridge forks
  • 16 Position compression and damping adjustability in front forks
  • Pro-Link Showa single shock absorber with spring preload
  • 20 Position compression and rebound damping adjustability in rear shock absorber
  • 11.6 Inches front suspension travel
  • 11.0 Inches rear suspension travel
  • 21-Inch front wheel with black rims
  • 18-Inch rear wheel with black rims
  • Single front and rear disc brake
  • Long MX style seat
  • Air-cooled dry sump, 1-cylinder engine
  • 42.5 mm Diaphragm-type CV carburetor
  • 5-Speed transmission
  • Solid-state CD ignition with electronic advance
  • Electric starter

Engine & Transmission

Engine TypeAir-Cooled, Single-Cylinder, 4-Stroke
Engine Displacement644cc
No. of Cylinders1
Fuel TypePetrol
Fuel Supply42.5mm diaphragm-type CV carburetor
Cooling SystemAir-Cooled
Bore100 mm
Stroke82 mm
Compression Ratio8.3:1
Valves Per Cylinder4-Valve RFVC
StartingElectric
IgnitionSolid-State CD with Electronic Advance
Transmission5-Speed
ClutchWet Type
Final DriveChain

Top Speed Performance, & Mileage

Power40 Horsepower
Torque64 Nm
Top SpeedHonda XR650L top speed is 105 mph
Mileage52 mpg
0-60 mph5.83 sec

Chassis & Suspension

Body TypeDual Sport
ChassisLightweight Steel Frame
Front Suspension43 mm Air-Adjustable Showa Forks
Rear SuspensionPro-Link Single Showa Shock
Front Wheel Travel11.6 inch
Rear Wheel Travel11.0 inch

Brakes, Wheels, & Tires

Front BrakeSingle Hydraulic Disc with 2-Piston Calipers
Rear BrakeSingle Hydraulic Disc
ABSNo
Front Wheel21-Inch Spoke Rim
Rear Wheel18-Inch Spoke Rim
Tire TypeDual Purpose
Front Tire Size3.00-21
Rear Tire Size4.60-18

Dimension & Capacity

Wheelbase57.3 inches
Seat Height37.0 inches
Rake27.0°
Trail4.0 inches
Ground Clearance133.0 inches
Curb Weight346 pounds
Fuel Tank Capacity2.8 gallons
Seating Capacity2

Electricals & Lighting

Battery TypeSealed Battery
Battery Capacity12V
HeadlightHalogen
Pilot LightsNo
TaillightsBulb
Turn SignalsYes
Pass LightYes

Instrument Console & Speedometer

Console TypeAnalog Instrument Console
SpeedometerAnalog
TachometerNo
OdometerAnalog
Trip MeterNo
No. of Trip Meters0
Fuel GaugeAnalog
Gear Shift LightNo
Gear Position IndicatorNo
Low Fuel IndicatorYes
Engine Temperature IndicatorNo
Service IndicatorYes

Other Features

Electric StarterYes
Engine kill SwitchYes
Stand AlarmNo
Stepped SeatNo
Pillion SeatYes
Pillion GrabrailsYes
Pillion FootrestYes
Underseat StorageNo
Additional FeaturesLong MX Style Seat

See also:

Conclusion

The Honda XR650L is a fantastic dirt bike that you can use for your on or off-road riding. However, this bike isn’t for everyone. Hence, putting it on a weighing balance is necessary to see if it meets your needs.

It’s exceptionally reliable, simple, and has no complicated technology. It’s legally fit for commuting and adventuring in the streets and has 50+ mpg depending on your riding nature. Also, XR650L has an electric start and an adjustable suspension with 11” off-road riding travel.

Even so, this bike isn’t ideal for trail riding, has no backup kickstart, and isn’t very fast for a 650cc.

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