Honda Xr650l Review

Used Buyer Review

The XR650L is basically a 1993 motorcycle Honda never stopped selling, and that's either its greatest strength or a dealbreaker depending on what you want. The thumper engine is bulletproof — seriously, these things run forever with basic maintenance. Buy one with 30,000 miles and don't lose sleep over it. The stock jetting is notoriously lean from the factory to meet emissions, so the first thing any owner worth their salt does is rejet it. If the one you're looking at hasn't been rejetted, budget $50 and an afternoon. On the road it's tall, upright, and genuinely comfortable for hours. Off-road it's capable but heavy at 348 pounds wet — don't confuse it with a real dirt bike. Parts are everywhere and cheap, mechanics know them blindfolded. Suspension is outdated but functional. The 18-inch rear wheel limits tire choices compared to modern ADV bikes, but what exists fits fine. Inspect the subframe for cracks, check fork seals, and verify the carb has been properly rejetted. That's essentially the entire used inspection checklist.