I couldn’t click play on this video fast enough. You make the absolute best videos of vintage bikes. The pics and technical info is second to none. I have a 1987 XR600R bought from original owner, looks incredible. Have a 2000 XR400R I bought from original owner in 2002. XRs are best bikes of all time.
I never owned or even rode an XR650R, but a coworker, friend, and riding buddy owned a 2007 model, and actually rode it in the New England woods, of all places. He passed away back around 2016, so I'll write this in his memory. Why ride such a big, heavy dirt bike in the woods? I think it was because he was having fond nostalgia trip memories of the 1982 XR500R (first generation XR with Pro-Link rear suspension) he owned and rode back when he was in his early twenties. When he bought the XR650R, he was 47 years old and hadn't been riding dirt bikes regularly for years. We were quite an odd pair with the bikes we trail rode on back then in 2009 and 2010: Him on his 2007 XR650R desert sled and me on my 2009 Yamaha WR250F. Even though he was astride the wrong bike for the terrain, he said he enjoyed it, loved the strong torquey power delivery, and he was happy to be back out dirt riding again. He installed the power-up parts to derestrict the engine and get full power, too. The obvious down sides to the bike were the large mass out on the tight trails and it would sometime be hard starting when hot from the low-speed trail riding with less cooling air moving through the radiators and around the engine. It did not boil over coolant that I recall, just be hotter than if he'd been on more open terrain at a higher speed. The plus side was the satisfaction he got when opening the throttle when the terrain allowed for it.
i used mine for every purpose imaginable, clocked up around 60 thou kms, was cashed up so got the engine stripped. only wear was hardening on 3rd gear, tiny wear on crank. cyclinder and piston vertualy no wear. mechanic says it could go back together as is, i said nah rebuild engine with new crank, rod, valves etc. engine wear was very minimal.
This was Bruce Ogilvie's masterpiece. I remember Johnny Campbell showing up at Vegas-Reno in 98 with this bike. I first raced one in the 2000 Baja 1000. If only Honda would have DOT homologated this bike for street use... It would still be in production today.
I own 2 of these bikes...both 2000 models. Without a doubt one of the greatest machines ever built. Mine are both street legal and, at the same time, off road weapons! My favorite bikes...out of all Ive ever owned (I've owned a bunch, lol). Once you know how, super easy to start. Incredibly reliable motors. Love em!
at 18 yrs old I bought my 1st xr600 in 93 it was a 90 model it had 630kit big cam big fin head and kx upside down forks i was in love 100meter power slides and big wheelies everywhere . i owned two more after that a 95 and a 98 model , big heavy bikes but back then if you knew how to ride them they were very capable bike, hard to beat. i did test ride a 650r from the dealership when they first released and nearly bought one . pitty they never continued this bike i would love a brand new one even today . xrs have had a huge history and so many memory's for lots of people on the legendary XR ❤💙
Hey ... I have had a 1997 XR600R....Heavy around 40HP with mods .... In 2000 you bet i ran and bought the NEW Honda XR650R , stock the bike was 42 HP on the Dyno.....>>> i uncorked it and installed a HRC Stage 2 Kit....This gave me 53 HP on the Dyno .....I liked this new XR far better than the old 600R.....To me the bike felt lighter all around much better .... In stock form as i was breaking the XR650R in, i ran it against my old XR600R and the New XR650R was the winner easy! ... My friends had the Yamaha WR400's and 450's...No problem in beating them...Hell my Yamaha IT465 beat those as well......Nice Video Also i'd like to add not only did this NEW XR650R kick those other bikes ass..It also was faster than my 1989 Honda CR500 '' The Holy Grail '' .... I should get another one, i sure do miss it ! .
XR650R beating WR450F?? LOL Any other jokes? WR450F is Olympic Champion compared to XR650R!! Yamaha was suspended better and despite having 200cc less it had 59HP at 11.000rpm that's 20 more then 50lbs heavier XR650R! Were you racing kids or old men? Nothing beats WR450F! KX500 maybe l repeat maybe. Good looking bike that's about it.
My cousin had the 2003 650XR. It was a fun desert bike, but my slightly modded (jetting + Yosh pipe) 2001 DRZ 400 Kickstart model was quicker. I could pull that 650 until top gear where his bike would real me in and pass me because it was faster in top speed. He was actually a better rider too. Not dogging that Honda, because in the open desert of So Cal. It was a great bike, but in tighter single track I’d rather ride my 400. He ended up selling the Big XR a year latter and bought a KTM 525 MXC which my Suzuki was no match for.
@@ml5955 I have a 04 DRZ400K kick start only rare mode but it is more reliable and lighter than other DRZs as it does not have the battery and starter and always first rarely second kick! I agree it's lighter more nimble than XR650R the only thing Honda has more is bottom end torque that's why my WR450F kills the XR650R in every aspect including top speed
Tony great video and a tribute to the XR line. I've had 4 XR's , a 79 XR 250 an 82 XR 250 an XR 350 (not sure of the year) and a 2003 XR 250. All great bikes for their intended purpose. I mostly play rode but ran my share of enduro and some motocross.
If I worked at Honda I would take the XR650R moulds out of the archives and with just a few mods make it into a 320Lb road legal adventure bike almost everyone is searching for ! Design a nice not too large upper fairing with adjustable wind screen and a slightly beefier sub frame with integrsted tail rack and this would be one of their best selling motorcycles
Nice video and presentation Tony! The XR650R is a great 4 stroke thumper, they don't make them like it used too, and that is the truth! Keep the great retro dirt bike reviews Tony! Thank you! 👍👌💯😎👏
Had a 2000 model and wish to God I never sold it now days I have a suzuki v-strom 800de with all the good mods of bush riding in Australia the xr650r was a one in million beast that put a big smile on my face every time
I was a mechanic at a Honda dealership when this bike came out and I was sent to an update class on new models. The speaker said stock the bike put out 40hp and with the factory uncork kit 55hp. Sadly I never got to ride one. I did get to ride a xr600 that was obviously hoped up (if I remember correctly it had Phase five stickers which I assume was a performance company) and that thing was mean.
i own this bike and disagree with the comparing hondas 650R to motocross bikes or 400cc bikes. it was built to haul ass across the dessert period. it can do woods with gearing down but still obvios not what it was built for. but with my mods still a fun play bike.
Twinshock Yamaha DT next, it's always interesting to me since so many variant available (100/125/175/250/360/400), how the first ever YZ 125 turns to the iconic DT series and became the pioneer in mainstream dual sport market, also cmiiw it's the first production bike with "enduro" title attached. Thanks!
Sadly parts are getting expensive and scarce to keep these beasts running :( Crazy how Honda would ditch, kill and bury such a legendary series so soon and not even have the parts available to keep em running.
Having owned several XRRs and 690's I can tell you that the XRR beats it hands down in anything off-road. You can ride single track with the XRR, do not even want to attempt that with the 690 as it's way too long, limited steering lock, very stiff chassis and limited steering lock 😢 It feels 40 lbs heavier than the XRR. It's built for rally and thus the trellis frame is so dang stiff. I raced my XRR in several rugged desert races and did really well. There is no way I would even attempt it with the 690.
I couldn’t click play on this video fast enough. You make the absolute best videos of vintage bikes. The pics and technical info is second to none. I have a 1987 XR600R bought from original owner, looks incredible. Have a 2000 XR400R I bought from original owner in 2002. XRs are best bikes of all time.
Thank you!
Came here for my hero, scott summers mention, was not disappointed!
I never owned or even rode an XR650R, but a coworker, friend, and riding buddy owned a 2007 model, and actually rode it in the New England woods, of all places.
He passed away back around 2016, so I'll write this in his memory.
Why ride such a big, heavy dirt bike in the woods?
I think it was because he was having fond nostalgia trip memories of the 1982 XR500R (first generation XR with Pro-Link rear suspension) he owned and rode back when he was in his early twenties.
When he bought the XR650R, he was 47 years old and hadn't been riding dirt bikes regularly for years.
We were quite an odd pair with the bikes we trail rode on back then in 2009 and 2010: Him on his 2007 XR650R desert sled and me on my 2009 Yamaha WR250F.
Even though he was astride the wrong bike for the terrain, he said he enjoyed it, loved the strong torquey power delivery, and he was happy to be back out dirt riding again.
He installed the power-up parts to derestrict the engine and get full power, too.
The obvious down sides to the bike were the large mass out on the tight trails and it would sometime be hard starting when hot from the low-speed trail riding with less cooling air moving through the radiators and around the engine.
It did not boil over coolant that I recall, just be hotter than if he'd been on more open terrain at a higher speed.
The plus side was the satisfaction he got when opening the throttle when the terrain allowed for it.
I ride a xr650r everyday to work on the fwy, it's now done 63000kms, the best bike ever, i lv it! From oz
i used mine for every purpose imaginable, clocked up around 60 thou kms, was cashed up so got the engine stripped. only wear was hardening on 3rd gear, tiny wear on crank. cyclinder and piston vertualy no wear. mechanic says it could go back together as is, i said nah rebuild engine with new crank, rod, valves etc. engine wear was very minimal.
This was Bruce Ogilvie's masterpiece. I remember Johnny Campbell showing up at Vegas-Reno in 98 with this bike. I first raced one in the 2000 Baja 1000. If only Honda would have DOT homologated this bike for street use... It would still be in production today.
What timing, I just brought a well taken care of 2001 XR650R from an older gentlemen. I’m glad this review was released by you.
@-mystical-16
That's rare a well takin care of dirt bike. Nice!
I own 2 of these bikes...both 2000 models. Without a doubt one of the greatest machines ever built. Mine are both street legal and, at the same time, off road weapons! My favorite bikes...out of all Ive ever owned (I've owned a bunch, lol). Once you know how, super easy to start. Incredibly reliable motors. Love em!
Bro a new motocross vault video. What a way to end the day 👍
at 18 yrs old I bought my 1st xr600 in 93 it was a 90 model it had 630kit big cam big fin head and kx upside down forks i was in love 100meter power slides and big wheelies everywhere . i owned two more after that a 95 and a 98 model , big heavy bikes but back then if you knew how to ride them they were very capable bike, hard to beat.
i did test ride a 650r from the dealership when they first released and nearly bought one . pitty they never continued this bike i would love a brand new one even today .
xrs have had a huge history and so many memory's for lots of people on the legendary XR ❤💙
Hey ... I have had a 1997 XR600R....Heavy around 40HP with mods .... In 2000 you bet i ran and bought the NEW Honda XR650R , stock the bike was 42 HP on the Dyno.....>>> i uncorked it and installed a HRC Stage 2 Kit....This gave me 53 HP on the Dyno .....I liked this new XR far better than the old 600R.....To me the bike felt lighter all around much better .... In stock form as i was breaking the XR650R in, i ran it against my old XR600R and the New XR650R was the winner easy! ... My friends had the Yamaha WR400's and 450's...No problem in beating them...Hell my Yamaha IT465 beat those as well......Nice Video Also i'd like to add not only did this NEW XR650R kick those other bikes ass..It also was faster than my 1989 Honda CR500 '' The Holy Grail '' .... I should get another one, i sure do miss it ! .
XR650R beating WR450F?? LOL
Any other jokes?
WR450F is Olympic Champion compared to XR650R!!
Yamaha was suspended better and despite having 200cc less it had 59HP at 11.000rpm that's 20 more then 50lbs heavier XR650R! Were you racing kids or old men? Nothing beats WR450F! KX500 maybe l repeat maybe. Good looking bike that's about it.
Don't be silly.
My cousin had the 2003 650XR. It was a fun desert bike, but my slightly modded (jetting + Yosh pipe) 2001 DRZ 400 Kickstart model was quicker. I could pull that 650 until top gear where his bike would real me in and pass me because it was faster in top speed. He was actually a better rider too. Not dogging that Honda, because in the open desert of So Cal. It was a great bike, but in tighter single track I’d rather ride my 400.
He ended up selling the Big XR a year latter and bought a KTM 525 MXC which my Suzuki was no match for.
@@ml5955
I have a 04 DRZ400K kick start only rare mode but it is more reliable and lighter than other DRZs as it does not have the battery and starter and always first rarely second kick!
I agree it's lighter more nimble than XR650R the only thing Honda has more is bottom end torque that's why my WR450F kills the XR650R in every aspect including top speed
My 96 XR400 was lighter and more nimble than the 600. So I was faster than them.
This was really good. I love that you covered a legendary offroad bike so well
Glad you liked it!
"OH, HELL YEAH"...!!!
Good to see you again!
I just got an R' three years ago named "GODZILLA"
I always thought the XR650 was a sexy bike
let that beard keep growing and by Christmas you can be santa at the dealership.
Another great one! 👍 I was just wondering where youve been.
Definitely a southwest bike.... They also made good dual sports.
Tony great video and a tribute to the XR line. I've had 4 XR's , a 79 XR 250 an 82 XR 250 an XR 350 (not sure of the year) and a 2003 XR 250. All great bikes for their intended purpose. I mostly play rode but ran my share of enduro and some motocross.
We peaked as a society in 2000
If I worked at Honda I would take the XR650R moulds out of the archives and with just a few mods make it into a 320Lb road legal adventure bike almost everyone is searching for ! Design a nice not too large upper fairing with adjustable wind screen and a slightly beefier sub frame with integrsted tail rack and this would be one of their best selling motorcycles
Nice video and presentation Tony! The XR650R is a great 4 stroke thumper, they don't make them like it used too, and that is the truth! Keep the great retro dirt bike reviews Tony! Thank you! 👍👌💯😎👏
Thanks 👍
@@TheMotocrossVault Very welcome Tony! 👍😁
Awesome, a new video to enjoy after I finish cooking my supper. Thanks!
Had a 2000 model and wish to God I never sold it now days I have a suzuki v-strom 800de with all the good mods of bush riding in Australia the xr650r was a one in million beast that put a big smile on my face every time
awesome job Tony. This channel is amazing. Thanks for keeping our memories of these bikes alive.
Glad you enjoy it!
A bike I still have and enjoy
I saw XR and i was here.
I was a mechanic at a Honda dealership when this bike came out and I was sent to an update class on new models. The speaker said stock the bike put out 40hp and with the factory uncork kit 55hp. Sadly I never got to ride one. I did get to ride a xr600 that was obviously hoped up (if I remember correctly it had Phase five stickers which I assume was a performance company) and that thing was mean.
i own this bike and disagree with the comparing hondas 650R to motocross bikes or 400cc bikes. it was built to haul ass across the dessert period. it can do woods with gearing down but still obvios not what it was built for. but with my mods still a fun play bike.
It was built for one reason....to beat the KX500 in Baja. Bruce Ogilvie hounded Honda until they gave him what he wanted.
I learned to ride on a 86 XR 80...The XRs were damn near bulletproof
Love your stuff. I put it on when traveling and let them run.
50 hp stock back then was a lot. Very reliable power
Would love to see a comparison between this 650R and the KTM 625 SXC. Apples to apples machines.
Twinshock Yamaha DT next, it's always interesting to me since so many variant available (100/125/175/250/360/400), how the first ever YZ 125 turns to the iconic DT series and became the pioneer in mainstream dual sport market, also cmiiw it's the first production bike with "enduro" title attached. Thanks!
Big dog got a beard!
The beard looks good bro. Suits you. 👍🏻. Check out Glen bell’s xr600 he raced in thumper cross mate.
Thanks! Will do!
New content! Awesome!
I always wanted one of these Started looking in 2020 and they were almost the same price used as they sold for new. I ended up buying a crf450rl.
Ooh 650R hell yeah
Sadly parts are getting expensive and scarce to keep these beasts running :( Crazy how Honda would ditch, kill and bury such a legendary series so soon and not even have the parts available to keep em running.
I love my DS XR650R
I have a Street legal 02 650r. Fing monster, runs circles around 450s!
The best bike. Ever.
Thanks for a great story! How would it compare today in off-road use to the KTM 690 and siblings?
Having owned several XRRs and 690's I can tell you that the XRR beats it hands down in anything off-road. You can ride single track with the XRR, do not even want to attempt that with the 690 as it's way too long, limited steering lock, very stiff chassis and limited steering lock
😢 It feels 40 lbs heavier than the XRR. It's built for rally and thus the trellis frame is so dang stiff. I raced my XRR in several rugged desert races and did really well. There is no way I would even attempt it with the 690.
@@utahdirtbiketours thank you, I figured so! Sad and somehow odd they discontinued it and never resurrected it given the popularity of the KTMs
Tony, Tony, Tony. Love your content, but man, you know the CRF debuted to the public in 2002, not 2005.
Listen again, he said 450x. Yes of course based off the r released in 02 like you say but this is about trail/off road bikes
Yes the CRF450R came out in 2002. I bought one the second it arrived but the off road CRF450X did not show up until 2005.
RIP danny hamel
Hello!, from Argentina ... thank . please , Yamaha TT 600 ?? (TT...) I,am looking for one . . I love this machine . Thanks for all!
Hey I’m newly subscribed I can’t find a history of the LT 250 and 500Rs can you do one please?
The Honda 450X ruined this bike for offroad.
60 hp not 50