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 |
Engine | 1-Cylinder, 4-Stroke |
Displacement | 644cc |
Transmission | 5-Speed |
Power | 40 Horsepower |
Seat Height | 37 inches |
Curb Weight | 346 lbs |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 2.8 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 Type | Air-Cooled, Single-Cylinder, 4-Stroke |
Engine Displacement | 644cc |
No. of Cylinders | 1 |
Fuel Type | Petrol |
Fuel Supply | 42.5mm diaphragm-type CV carburetor |
Cooling System | Air-Cooled |
Bore | 100 mm |
Stroke | 82 mm |
Compression Ratio | 8.3:1 |
Valves Per Cylinder | 4-Valve RFVC |
Starting | Electric |
Ignition | Solid-State CD with Electronic Advance |
Transmission | 5-Speed |
Clutch | Wet Type |
Final Drive | Chain |
Top Speed Performance, & Mileage
Power | 40 Horsepower |
Torque | 64 Nm |
Top Speed | Honda XR650L top speed is 105 mph |
Mileage | 52 mpg |
0-60 mph | 5.83 sec |
Chassis & Suspension
Body Type | Dual Sport |
Chassis | Lightweight Steel Frame |
Front Suspension | 43 mm Air-Adjustable Showa Forks |
Rear Suspension | Pro-Link Single Showa Shock |
Front Wheel Travel | 11.6 inch |
Rear Wheel Travel | 11.0 inch |
Brakes, Wheels, & Tires
Front Brake | Single Hydraulic Disc with 2-Piston Calipers |
Rear Brake | Single Hydraulic Disc |
ABS | No |
Front Wheel | 21-Inch Spoke Rim |
Rear Wheel | 18-Inch Spoke Rim |
Tire Type | Dual Purpose |
Front Tire Size | 3.00-21 |
Rear Tire Size | 4.60-18 |
Dimension & Capacity
Wheelbase | 57.3 inches |
Seat Height | 37.0 inches |
Rake | 27.0° |
Trail | 4.0 inches |
Ground Clearance | 133.0 inches |
Curb Weight | 346 pounds |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 2.8 gallons |
Seating Capacity | 2 |
Electricals & Lighting
Battery Type | Sealed Battery |
Battery Capacity | 12V |
Headlight | Halogen |
Pilot Lights | No |
Taillights | Bulb |
Turn Signals | Yes |
Pass Light | Yes |
Instrument Console & Speedometer
Console Type | Analog Instrument Console |
Speedometer | Analog |
Tachometer | No |
Odometer | Analog |
Trip Meter | No |
No. of Trip Meters | 0 |
Fuel Gauge | Analog |
Gear Shift Light | No |
Gear Position Indicator | No |
Low Fuel Indicator | Yes |
Engine Temperature Indicator | No |
Service Indicator | Yes |
Other Features
Electric Starter | Yes |
Engine kill Switch | Yes |
Stand Alarm | No |
Stepped Seat | No |
Pillion Seat | Yes |
Pillion Grabrails | Yes |
Pillion Footrest | Yes |
Underseat Storage | No |
Additional Features | Long MX Style Seat |
See also:
- Honda Metropolitan Top Speed
- Honda CRF150R Top Speed
- Honda Ruckus Top
- Honda CR500 Top Speed
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.