Honda XR650R vs...

[Johnny KLR]

I have to commute 70 miles, round trip, daily. My commute need not be highway- I can take the service roads and keep my speeds below 55 if I need to. I want something that I can deal with on my commute... I'm pretty tolerant of vibes, etc. but that can also 'really' tackle some gnarly stuff. The bike shouldn't be in pieces if I get it airborne, and it shoudln't be something that really 'shouldn't' be airborne to begin with. I'm not looking at true motocross bikes getting 20' of air; just something that's plenty capable.

My first thought is a TE-610 (especially with the 6 speed gearbox) but I want something that has a lot of aftermarket available; especially a big tank. Chances are good I'd get two more of these bikes, eventually. I have two boys and want to do trips with them to Baja when they graduate. They also go dirt-biking (they prefer trail riding to jumping/racing) so something in tight singletrack would be good.

The ONLY reason I'm considering a 650 instead of something smaller is for highway gearing. Otherwise, I'd just buy a KLX250S and call it a day.

How reliable are these things as daily riders? Am I looking at rebuilds every year?

I know there is a lot of information out there, but... it's tough to decipher a lot of other threads for these questions. So, sorry in advance...

[BikePilot]

My advice is not to bother trying to commute on your weekend fun bike. It just never works out that well unless your commute is dirt. Just simple stuff like tires will drive you crazy. From what you've said, the XR-R sounds perfect for all but the commute, for the commute I'd pick up a cheap, low maintence street bike like an SV650, Verseys or similar.

have fun

[Johnny KLR]

Originally Posted by BikePilot

My advice is not to bother trying to commute on your weekend fun bike. It just never works out that well unless your commute is dirt. Just simple stuff like tires will drive you crazy. From what you've said, the XR-R sounds perfect for all but the commute, for the commute I'd pick up a cheap, low maintence street bike like an SV650, Verseys or similar.

have fun

I need a pack mule, and I need to be very intimate with its workings and quirks. While I've had the two-bike stable before, I don't want one again. One always gets neglected and as such, always develops some issues that seem to just 'pop up' because they dont' get the attention the other bike gets.

Two sets of wheels would not be an issue though; getting a motard set for commuting and a nice dirt set is well within my scope.

Oh, and I'll modify my original post but this may be a huge factor for you all giving me some help: My commute is 35ish miles one way, but I can either do it at highway speeds or at 40-55mph.

[Albie]

I do some commuting on my XRR. It is tarded so it has more street friendly gearing, The thing is more then happy chugging along at 75 - 80. I would imagine you could find a happy medium for dirt and hiway on a DS'd one that would easily allow you to do Hiway speeds and still work well offroad. BTW, if you're interested, I have a tagged '01 that I'm thinking of selling, (not the tarded one). let me know if you're interested.

[djchan]

Consider a DRZ400 (or KLX400). My preference is the offroad model because it's 30 lbs lighter at 262 dry, better FCR carb, better exhaust, better cams, better suspension, bigger pegs, and same ergos as the dualsport. Add a light kit and you've got a smokin dualsport and don't have to upgrade any systems for performance.

Dean

[Ceej]

I say buy the dirt/offroad bike that you really want. Don't make a compromise for commuting. Then pick up a used Ninja 250 or GS500 or something for the commute. Street bikes for the street, dirt for the dirt.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by djchan

Consider a DRZ400 (or KLX400). My preference is the offroad model because it's 30 lbs lighter at 262 dry, better FCR carb, better exhaust, better cams, better suspension, bigger pegs, and same ergos as the dualsport. Add a light kit and you've got a smokin dualsport and don't have to upgrade any systems for performance.

Dean

Problem is, the DRZ is screaming at hiways speeds even with street friendly gearing. As long as you stay off the technical stuff which aside from the ORV parks we have here in TX, you aren't gonna find much of, the DRZ isn't going to have any advantage, and the XRR absolutely smokes the DRZ on dirt roads and pavement. The one plus with the DRZ is the E button.

[Barnstormer]

I ride one of my XR600R's around town a lot, (not really commuting, but similar). The only thing that might stop me from using it as an every day commuter is the lack of the e-start. My bike is pretty easy to start, but its still a pain every now and then.

B

[bongodave]

I LOVE my R. 2 sets of wheels and sprockets. Strong, bulletproof, but a little heavy in the tight stuff.

On the street, it's a tire-smoker. I don't ride that way, but lotsa rear tire wear is inevitable. I'm going to stock up on rears if I find a good clearance sale!

[Johnny KLR]

Originally Posted by Albie

Problem is, the DRZ is screaming at hiways speeds even with street friendly gearing. As long as you stay off the technical stuff which aside from the ORV parks we have here in TX, you aren't gonna find much of, the DRZ isn't going to have any advantage, and the XRR absolutely smokes the DRZ on dirt roads and pavement. The one plus with the DRZ is the E button.

I'm with you on this.

I'm largely disinterested in the DRz400. Ridden my share and they all suck on road, and really aren't that much better offroad than the 650 boys (in fact the TE-610 is much better). Were I to go that route, I'd pick up a KLX250S that is far more comfortable, and does better road duty than a DRz400, AND stomps the crap out of the DRz offroad.

[montesa_vr]

Originally Posted by Johnny KLR

My first thought is a TE-610 (especially with the 6 speed gearbox) but I want something that has a lot of aftermarket available; especially a big tank.

The ONLY reason I'm considering a 650 instead of something smaller is for highway gearing. Otherwise, I'd just buy a KLX250S and call it a day.

How reliable are these things as daily riders? Am I looking at rebuilds every year?

The Honda XR650R engine is way overengineered and with standard uncorking (factory modifications to jetting, airbox and exhaust) should last about as long as most street legal thumpers and longer than many. The lack of cush drive and cooling fan is a concern, but there is considerable disagreement about how much of a concern.

The TE610 is already street legal, has e-start and the wonderful six-speed, and is developing a good reputation. Big tanks are available, although the switch to fuel injection on the 2008 models will probably complicate that.

For your commute I don't see any advantage to a 650. If I were you, especially since you might end up buying three of them, I'd start with the KLX250. Shoot, for the price of a TE610 you could buy three immaculate used XT225s, and that might be all you need.

[Johnny KLR]

Originally Posted by montesa_vr

The Honda XR650R engine is way overengineered and with standard uncorking (factory modifications to jetting, airbox and exhaust) should last about as long as most street legal thumpers and longer than many. The lack of cush drive and cooling fan is a concern, but there is considerable disagreement about how much of a concern.

The TE610 is already street legal, has e-start and the wonderful six-speed, and is developing a good reputation. Big tanks are available, although the switch to fuel injection on the 2008 models will probably complicate that.

For your commute I don't see any advantage to a 650. If I were you, especially since you might end up buying three of them, I'd start with the KLX250. Shoot, for the price of a TE610 you could buy three immaculate used XT225s, and that might be all you need.

I'm not new to DSing... I don't want an XT225; it has no use in my world. Lousy offroad compared to a KLX, and equally lousy on-road. I've got a pair of TR-125le's that I play around on with the family. They're more capable offroad than an XT225 is...

The limiting factor for the KLX is range. I want a bike I can eventually take to Baja. But it has to be reliable enough to be a daily driver too.

[269gs]

O.K., this just came to me.
Howz about a used but not abused xr650L for the commute and A newer lightly used Xr650R dual sported for the dirt.
In a pinch either bike could do the job of the other.
Being similar bikes you would have a good knowledge base for maintenance/repair.
Both being thumpers you would get good fuel economy and buying both used you will be only out a few thousand $. I have racked my brain trying to find a way for one bike to do it all.... well, I just dont think it exists. If you abuse the XRR on the weekend, you did'nt just beat up your daily driver.

[dirtyron]

i commute on my xr650, with non dot knobbies[maxxis dessert xt]. you never know when its time to get dirty

[honcho]

Originally Posted by 269gs

O.K., this just came to me.
Howz about a used but not abused xr650L for the commute and A newer lightly used Xr650R dual sported for the dirt.
In a pinch either bike could do the job of the other.
Being similar bikes you would have a good knowledge base for maintenance/repair.
Both being thumpers you would get good fuel economy and buying both used you will be only out a few thousand $. I have racked my brain trying to find a way for one bike to do it all.... well, I just dont think it exists. If you abuse the XRR on the weekend, you did'nt just beat up your daily driver.

while i would recommend the xrl for commuting, this guy wants one bike... if he doesn't like the drz400 offroad, the xrl will be no better. i have only one bike and it's an xrl, i ride it everywhere... trails, slab, commute. after the weekends i dream about getting a little 250cc bike for trails, but that's just not going to happen now. my buddies will just have to wait the extra 15 seconds at the end of the trail. if you want one bike and you want what i perceive to be your level of off road capability, the 650r should be fine. the r and the l are no more similar than any other two d/s bikes. also, good fuel economy is a strech regarding either of these bikes. good compared to a car, yes, good on average of other bikes of similar displacement, not at all. go for the r... if it's not what you want, sell it and get the te. if i could have any d/s bike to ride without real world limitations like aftermarket support and local dealer support i'd go with the husky. that said, the 650r would be a close second. in my situation, the 650l works best. i sleep better after the workout i get riding the l.