Over 15,000 miles on my XR650L with zero problems. Mine is pretty much bone stock except bar risers, wider footpegs, foam filter and thicker counter sprocket. I just hit back roads and do trips of 100 to 150 miles. I pretty much always get 52 mpg but I’m smooth on/off the throttle. I’m hard on front brakes and tires. I finally put sprockets and chain on it at 14,000 miles. The rear sprocket looked great. If I would have had a used chain I would have left the rear alone. I’ve also done 3 dual sport/adv rides on it.
It's a great bike my declining health was preventing me from enjoying the bike off road like I use to, so I let someone younger have fun with it. They are great bikes. Cheers.
Thank You Andrew, I have been thinking about it for a while feels good to have pulled the plug and moved it along. The guy who purchased was a great guy and will use it. Congratulations again coolest Grandpa ever!
I find it hard to get rid of things that I have enjoyed. But if you’re not using them it’s better to find someone who can use them. But I don’t think I ever used a bike as much as I really wanted to. The new owner basically got a new bike with some upgrades because of how you take care of your machines. As always another great video. 👍
CALVIN !!!! - BTW Brother, your comments on that live stream the other day were just super kind !!! I really appreciated them - Unfortunately, I was unable to reply or comment that evening - Or not smart enough !!!! CHEERS CALVIN !!!!!
Top of the morning DOC650, Yes big changes going on around here. Strange to go out in the garage and no RED bike, but it's good to move it on, I think I mentioned it to you a while ago. I just finally acted on it. Take care brother.
THE MIGHTY VERBAL WIDGET !!!! - What an amazing machine !!! Hate to say it, but damn near brought a tear to my eye. Clearly the Superior Off Road Bike of the 3 - More powerful too. Damn near chose the Honda - The seat height was the deciding factor. Still would love to have one though !!! - That said, I'm with you bro - at approaching 62 - I do not need to clear the "Triple" at Canyon LOL.... Selling the V Strom too ??? - Sometime soon, we gotta catch up !!! 3 more days, then I am NO LONGER A FUCKING SURVEYOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!
No tears only new beginnings, it was weird to walk out in the garage and no RED bike. I'm sure the future will hold new surprises. It always does. Best triples at my age are at Dairy Queen. Thank you for the comment brother.
Had a 1996 XR600 with Baja road legal kit and that bike was really a lot of fun to ride logging roads and trails. The seat was comfortable to ride 6hr rides. Susp was excellent and able to handle a MX track with no problems as all and even some pretty huge jumps! Power allowed wheelieing all day and the weight I found kept me a little tamer which as an X Mx'r is a good thing when off roading in the boonies. The only thing i disliked was kick starting the XR600. The XR650L with a few mods seems to be a truly great dual sport so I just purchased one from a fellow that has several key mods well done so am looking so forward to riding a Honda big bore thumper once again! Re your mentioned health issues. I had some similar issues after getting H1N1 years ago and had less wind and strength. It was very difficult for me to work out and my stamina just not there. I have been seeing a huge improvement since taking NMN for the last year. worth looking into.
I've always liked the XR but have never owned one. Yours is awesome and someone is definitely getting a great bike! Everything can hammer the shit out of it! 😁
I hope you can fully recover. I’ve got some respiratory and neck injuries that can be limiting. I’m glad to see you still have the DR. I have mine too and get out on it as often as I’m able,
Thank you and to you as well. The respiratory breathing issues really does me in and leads to fatigue and tiring easily. I do in excess of 10k - 15k steps on my watch everyday hoping for improvement. I’m still chugging away. Yes DR has a spot here as does the battle cruiser KLR. Take care.
Rob!! Thank You, all good its been a long time coming I'm good with it. Listing the VStrom 650 now, someone is going to get a hell of a bike, first time I ever had the boxes on it. Looks pretty bad a$$!
@@verbalwidget7267 If my position was just a little different I might be on my way to Arizona now. But it doesn't make sense for me until I am sure about things. Somebody will be getting a sweet Widget Works product.
@@ParallelCamper Totally agree, I just put up the ad and I think it will scoot off to Adventure land real soon. It's just a VStrom, no shortage of those. I am excited though. I hope that you are doing well my friend.
Excellent review of things ppl need to know !! Bought a mint 09 few weeks back and love the bike. Only bitch I have is the seat hight and I’m 6/1 220 but still lowered it the 1” but I’d like it about 1-2 lower . I know it’ll feel more stable not so high and my off road will be some occasional dirt roads or old man trails. It’ll last me till I lose interest all together.
I’m saving up to buy one. I’ve ridden dirtbikes for a few years and I’m looking to get my bike license in the next 2 years. Till I get my bike license I’m going to turn it into the ultimate dirtbike build.
@@verbalwidget7267No thank you. Your video helped a lot to decide if I wanted to get it or not and the modifications youve done to it are gonna be some of the modifications I’m going to do to mine
I agree with others … it is sad to see the XR go, but having it go to someone who will ride it makes sense. However, since you own all three, which is the easiest to get back up after a drop? I finally did that today while sitting still waiting for others on my ‘21, and as someone in my fifties, I found after removing the saddlebags I was barely able to lift it back up. (I’m letting my hip socket rest tonight due to that festivity.). My thought was that I was fortunate to have the XR because I might not have been able to get up the DR, and I am doubting I would have been able to get back up the KLR … but I haven’t ever rode them. It might have been due to wearing MX boots,but I was thankful that I was wearing them since the bike would have crushed my ankle. Anyway, any insight is appreciated, and I hope you are able to beat the COVID long term symptoms in the long run. Thank you for all of your entertaining videos, and I can’t wait to see more in the future.
The XR650l is the lightest and easiest for me to lift back up. Then the other bikes by weight DR, KLR. I’ve picked them all up. It really helps to have even the small strap on saddle bags on so they are not being lifted from ground level. The KLR I had to dead lift from on its side and it wasn’t pretty. I kept looking at it laying flat like a pancake with my leg under it. Thank God I had riding boots on at the time. XR hands down for picking back up, and always run the strap on saddle bags.
Thank you, AB, it would be cool, but I still have the KLR and the DR650 to ride and the XR650 needed a new home. I'll be 65 this year and you realize time is getting short for things to do. Take care.
I have a quick question for you. Between the XR650L and the dr650, which one vibrates more through the footpegs and handlebars or is it a wash between the two?
You are so right. If you look in the YT shorts I have a new present. 12 years since the heart attack Thank you brother for remembering. I know we share the same date. God bless.
Which one has the best seat for comfort, the XR or the DR? I do a lot of gravel road out here in the Rocky mountains. Just sold my DRZ400sm with knobbies on. Great little bike but the seat was too thin and any ride over 2 hours was simply not fun.
Hello @Verbal Widget, I'm planning to put USD forks in my XR, quick q, What type of triple clamps you have, and are they compatible with acerbris 5.8 without any modification to the tank?
Mark my words, your going to be sorry one day if you sell this, I had one back in the 90s and never recovered from losing it until yesterday, I bought a brand new one 2024 and this one I keep for ever, I have 13 motorcycles no I have 11 , I just sold 3 and then picked up my new bike yesterday, but every time I went out riding no matter what I was on I was thinking man wish I had my old 650 pig, well what ever you do believe me your going to miss it, should just put it in the corner and forget about it
Congratulations on your new XR650l , I haven’t missed it yet, my riding has changed with my age and health. My DR650 is pretty trick and is good enough. Picked up a T700 which I’m liking. Thank you for the comment enjoy your XR.
So I take it the Honda XR650 L is already gone? If it's not already gone and you are still getting shed of it, I'll by it IF it's still in great shape?
Wow , that’s too bad, it’s a good screen. I mean it’s not like the bike is out of production? The guy I spoke with was awesome, it might be worth an email or call to see if they would make you one. I had the choice of thickness and tint. Good luck.
Hello, I have a very important info to ask about on your Honda. I have an XR 650 R (2004) and searching for a windscreen to mount an 8" tablet in. Which make is yours and what does it cost ? I live in North Africa and nothing to find that fits, also in Europe already since 2010 nothing to find anymore. So I thought I have nothing to loose by asking you about this windscreen. I also like to tell you that I have also a chronicle desease and that I understand your problem. I also thought about selling it but the emotion to keep it is stronger than the one for doing it away. At this moment I'm planning a travel arround Africa with my XR and I will survive. Wish you al the best man.
I just rode across the USA coast to coast and have to ride across it again to get home. You can do it, one leg at a time. Good luck, hope you get your wind screen. When I was looking for mine,on company said the DR650 windshield could easily be modded to fit an XR650L
From factory, they are electric start. But if you get the Kickstart assembly from the XR600R, you can put in on the 650L and have both Kick and E Start
It’s a great bike, but my health no longer lets me ride it like I want so I sold it. We are all getting old and health degrading. The mellower DR, KLR suite the old guy now.
Over 15,000 miles on my XR650L with zero problems. Mine is pretty much bone stock except bar risers, wider footpegs, foam filter and thicker counter sprocket. I just hit back roads and do trips of 100 to 150 miles. I pretty much always get 52 mpg but I’m smooth on/off the throttle. I’m hard on front brakes and tires. I finally put sprockets and chain on it at 14,000 miles. The rear sprocket looked great. If I would have had a used chain I would have left the rear alone. I’ve also done 3 dual sport/adv rides on it.
It's a great bike my declining health was preventing me from enjoying the bike off road like I use to, so I let someone younger have fun with it. They are great bikes. Cheers.
Such a great bike! Sad to see it go, but certainly can’t argue with your reasoning. Hope you are doing well! Ride safe!
Grandpa Andrew! - Frank
Thank You Andrew, I have been thinking about it for a while feels good to have pulled the plug and moved it along. The guy who purchased was a great guy and will use it. Congratulations again coolest Grandpa ever!
RT !!!!!!
Sorry to see it go, but you are not lacking for great bikes! Hope you did well on the sale sir! - Frank
Hi Frank, this is a great bike, things change as we age. Thank God I haven't lost my LOOKS!! 🙄Time someone uses the beast and has fun. Thank You
FRANK !!!
@@verbalwidget7267 To be honest I would rather be more functional than pretty! Just me though. Getting old sucks !
I find it hard to get rid of things that I have enjoyed. But if you’re not using them it’s better to find someone who can use them. But I don’t think I ever used a bike as much as I really wanted to. The new owner basically got a new bike with some upgrades because of how you take care of your machines. As always another great video. 👍
CALVIN !!!! - BTW Brother, your comments on that live stream the other day were just super kind !!! I really appreciated them - Unfortunately, I was unable to reply or comment that evening - Or not smart enough !!!!
CHEERS CALVIN !!!!!
Thanks Calvin, You are correct the XR650L was mint and decked out. The guy was cool and that makes the sale even better. Great to hear from you.
OBI-WAN!!!!
OBI ! What’s smart got to do with it? 😜Love ya brother!
Oh man. The XR650 is leaving. I guess you have to embrace change sometimes. Little sad to see if go. Great review of it.
Top of the morning DOC650, Yes big changes going on around here. Strange to go out in the garage and no RED bike, but it's good to move it on, I think I mentioned it to you a while ago. I just finally acted on it. Take care brother.
DOC !!!
THE MIGHTY VERBAL WIDGET !!!! - What an amazing machine !!! Hate to say it, but damn near brought a tear to my eye. Clearly the Superior Off Road Bike of the 3 - More powerful too. Damn near chose the Honda - The seat height was the deciding factor. Still would love to have one though !!! - That said, I'm with you bro - at approaching 62 - I do not need to clear the "Triple" at Canyon LOL....
Selling the V Strom too ??? - Sometime soon, we gotta catch up !!! 3 more days, then I am NO LONGER A FUCKING SURVEYOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!
No tears only new beginnings, it was weird to walk out in the garage and no RED bike. I'm sure the future will hold new surprises. It always does. Best triples at my age are at Dairy Queen. Thank you for the comment brother.
What is the next step? Super hero?
@@verbalwidget7267 dipped in chocolate !!!!!
@verbalwidget7267 the only triples I see are the rolls above my belt
@@pilotdane1 I'm built for chocolate. Or is it I'm built because of chocolate. 🤣🤔
Had a 1996 XR600 with Baja road legal kit and that bike was really a lot of fun to ride logging roads and trails. The seat was comfortable to ride 6hr rides. Susp was excellent and able to handle a MX track with no problems as all and even some pretty huge jumps! Power allowed wheelieing all day and the weight I found kept me a little tamer which as an X Mx'r is a good thing when off roading in the boonies. The only thing i disliked was kick starting the XR600. The XR650L with a few mods seems to be a truly great dual sport so I just purchased one from a fellow that has several key mods well done so am looking so forward to riding a Honda big bore thumper once again! Re your mentioned health issues. I had some similar issues after getting H1N1 years ago and had less wind and strength. It was very difficult for me to work out and my stamina just not there. I have been seeing a huge improvement since taking NMN for the last year. worth looking into.
Good to hear your views. I've always wanted one. A good tough no nonsense bike.
That is awesome, a great motorcycle. I wish you many safe miles on your new bike. I sometimes think of getting one again. Enjoy!
I've always liked the XR but have never owned one. Yours is awesome and someone is definitely getting a great bike! Everything can hammer the shit out of it! 😁
Yes, I thought of you Greg when I was saying that good bike time for a change. And let someone enjoy the bike. Great to hear from you.
@@verbalwidget7267 😁 The next owner will definitely enjoy it.
Excellent XR review and comparison to KLR and DR. Thank you
Thank you, the XR650 is a great bike
I hope you can fully recover. I’ve got some respiratory and neck injuries that can be limiting. I’m glad to see you still have the DR. I have mine too and get out on it as often as I’m able,
Thank you and to you as well. The respiratory breathing issues really does me in and leads to fatigue and tiring easily. I do in excess of 10k - 15k steps on my watch everyday hoping for improvement. I’m still chugging away.
Yes DR has a spot here as does the battle cruiser KLR. Take care.
I appreciate your videos. With your information I went and bought a 2023. Looking forward to throwing a leg over an xr again.
Hi Verb. Great video thanks. Always sad to see a bike go - I'm sure you will miss it. And you'll have one missing from the 'gang of three' !
Hi Johnny, I will at times, but I have a replacement for it that I know I will ride more have a blast on. Thanks for the comment.
Thats a great looking bike. Mixed emotions about letting it go I'm sure. But new stuff is always good.
Rob!! Thank You, all good its been a long time coming I'm good with it. Listing the VStrom 650 now, someone is going to get a hell of a bike, first time I ever had the boxes on it. Looks pretty bad a$$!
@@verbalwidget7267 If my position was just a little different I might be on my way to Arizona now. But it doesn't make sense for me until I am sure about things. Somebody will be getting a sweet Widget Works product.
@@ParallelCamper Totally agree, I just put up the ad and I think it will scoot off to Adventure land real soon. It's just a VStrom, no shortage of those. I am excited though. I hope that you are doing well my friend.
ROB !!!
ROB!!!
Excellent review of things ppl need to know !!
Bought a mint 09 few weeks back and love the bike. Only bitch I have is the seat hight and I’m 6/1 220 but still lowered it the 1” but I’d like it about 1-2 lower . I know it’ll feel more stable not so high and my off road will be some occasional dirt roads or old man trails. It’ll last me till I lose interest all together.
Congratulations on the new XR, they are great machines
I’m saving up to buy one. I’ve ridden dirtbikes for a few years and I’m looking to get my bike license in the next 2 years. Till I get my bike license I’m going to turn it into the ultimate dirtbike build.
They are very nice bikes, especially if you're coming from a dirt background. Thank you.
@@verbalwidget7267No thank you. Your video helped a lot to decide if I wanted to get it or not and the modifications youve done to it are gonna be some of the modifications I’m going to do to mine
I agree with others … it is sad to see the XR go, but having it go to someone who will ride it makes sense. However, since you own all three, which is the easiest to get back up after a drop? I finally did that today while sitting still waiting for others on my ‘21, and as someone in my fifties, I found after removing the saddlebags I was barely able to lift it back up. (I’m letting my hip socket rest tonight due to that festivity.). My thought was that I was fortunate to have the XR because I might not have been able to get up the DR, and I am doubting I would have been able to get back up the KLR … but I haven’t ever rode them. It might have been due to wearing MX boots,but I was thankful that I was wearing them since the bike would have crushed my ankle. Anyway, any insight is appreciated, and I hope you are able to beat the COVID long term symptoms in the long run. Thank you for all of your entertaining videos, and I can’t wait to see more in the future.
The XR650l is the lightest and easiest for me to lift back up. Then the other bikes by weight DR, KLR. I’ve picked them all up.
It really helps to have even the small strap on saddle bags on so they are not being lifted from ground level. The KLR I had to dead lift from on its side and it wasn’t pretty.
I kept looking at it laying flat like a pancake with my leg under it. Thank God I had riding boots on at the time. XR hands down for picking back up, and always run the strap on saddle bags.
Beautiful bike, it would be perfect just Vito ride fire roads around VA, good info Sir!
AB !!!
@@pilotdane1 Sir, how's the weather out there in AZ, any big rides and vids coming up? Stay safe and ride on. -Abe
Thank you, AB, it would be cool, but I still have the KLR and the DR650 to ride and the XR650 needed a new home. I'll be 65 this year and you realize time is getting short for things to do. Take care.
WANNA be OBI-WAN!!!! haha take care brother.
OBI!
Nice bike. I Will present my XR650L transfomation soon.
Sounds cool, can’t wait to see it
@@verbalwidget7267 Sound from V8 engine)
Very good video. I feel ya on the never fully recovered. Just picked up a 650L so i could slow down to a put put pace.
Thank you, Dennis. I wish you the best on your recovery and new bike.
I just can't get over the xr's odd ergonomics. Love the Dr. Both are great bikes.
To me it feels like a 1990's Honda MX bike, where you sit on top, unlike the DR650 or KLR650 where you sit more into the bike. Thank you.
I have a quick question for you. Between the XR650L and the dr650, which one vibrates more through the footpegs and handlebars or is it a wash between the two?
Not any one bike stands out for me to notice, they both seem about the same.
Widget getting older, isn’t today your second birthday? I got older today too. Take easy.
You are so right. If you look in the YT shorts I have a new present. 12 years since the heart attack Thank you brother for remembering.
I know we share the same date. God bless.
Which one has the best seat for comfort, the XR or the DR? I do a lot of gravel road out here in the Rocky mountains. Just sold my DRZ400sm with knobbies on. Great little bike but the seat was too thin and any ride over 2 hours was simply not fun.
XR seat is better out of the box. I have an aftermarket seat on the DR650 and love it. DR seats are known as a torture device.
Hello @Verbal Widget, I'm planning to put USD forks in my XR, quick q, What type of triple clamps you have, and are they compatible with acerbris 5.8 without any modification to the tank?
RSW triple clamps. everything bolts together like factory, and they work with all fuel tanks. I have older video on this.
Great review!
Thank You, The XR650 is a great bike for the more dirt oriented dual sport rider.
Mark my words, your going to be sorry one day if you sell this, I had one back in the 90s and never recovered from losing it until yesterday, I bought a brand new one 2024 and this one I keep for ever, I have 13 motorcycles no I have 11 , I just sold 3 and then picked up my new bike yesterday, but every time I went out riding no matter what I was on I was thinking man wish I had my old 650 pig, well what ever you do believe me your going to miss it, should just put it in the corner and forget about it
Congratulations on your new XR650l , I haven’t missed it yet, my riding has changed with my age and health. My DR650 is pretty trick and is good enough. Picked up a T700 which I’m liking. Thank you for the comment enjoy your XR.
So I take it the Honda XR650 L is already gone? If it's not already gone and you are still getting shed of it, I'll by it IF it's still in great shape?
It was gone an hour after doing the quick video.
Good bike,
Sorry to see it leave your fleet, but could you share the windscreen link? I can find the XRL on the screens for bikes site.
I believe it's just screensforbikes.com. Mr. Google will get you there. Thank you.
@@verbalwidget7267 Thanks, i found your other video as well but it seems to be discontinued
Wow , that’s too bad, it’s a good screen. I mean it’s not like the bike is out of production? The guy I spoke with was awesome, it might be worth an email or call to see if they would make you one. I had the choice of thickness and tint. Good luck.
Hello, I have a very important info to ask about on your Honda.
I have an XR 650 R (2004) and searching for a windscreen to mount an 8" tablet in.
Which make is yours and what does it cost ?
I live in North Africa and nothing to find that fits, also in Europe already since 2010 nothing to find anymore.
So I thought I have nothing to loose by asking you about this windscreen.
I also like to tell you that I have also a chronicle desease and that I understand your problem.
I also thought about selling it but the emotion to keep it is stronger than the one for doing it away.
At this moment I'm planning a travel arround Africa with my XR and I will survive.
Wish you al the best man.
I purchased mine from a company called screens for bikes out of Australia.
Just google them for information, & their email. Very friendly people.
I just rode across the USA coast to coast and have to ride across it again to get home. You can do it, one leg at a time. Good luck, hope you get your wind screen. When I was looking for mine,on company said the DR650 windshield could easily be modded to fit an XR650L
@@verbalwidget7267 Ok clear, I will try that company for the windscreen, thanks and have a nice journey back :-)
Did the xr400 front fender fit well? Need to mod it in any way? Thanks.
Yes perfect fit.
Craigslist is a great platform to sell this bike specifically 😂
I forget to even check on there
So the XR650 is electric start as well as kick start?
Only electric start.
From factory, they are electric start. But if you get the Kickstart assembly from the XR600R, you can put in on the 650L and have both Kick and E Start
Curious how’s it feel at 65?
65 - 70 mph all day long.
75 - 80 buzzy straining the engine.
@@verbalwidget7267 nice thank you!
nice looking bike 👍👍
Thank You for the kind words it' a great bike.
its makes me sad to hear & watch you praise a bike over others yet you want to sell it
It’s a great bike, but my health no longer lets me ride it like I want so I sold it.
We are all getting old and health degrading. The mellower DR, KLR suite the old guy now.
Where/who did you buy luggage rack from?
It was an eBay item, I don’t remember off hand. But I do have a XR luggage rack comparison in my other videos.