2006 Honda XR650L Motorcycle reviews

This bike is a beast. It always runs. It never leaves me stranded. Aye, she's a heavy one, and you need to be at least 6 ft. tall and have a strong fortitude to handle it, but, if you do, there is really no place you can not go. The low end on it can pull boards from the floor and just chew them up. It was some of the best money I ever spent. Show less

Yes it is outdated and Honda gives it no respect, meaning no updates since '93(1st year?). But it is everything anyone needs with a true dual sport. Only tough for short riders on uneven terrian if you had to put a foot down. It can handle the roughest single track and zip down the interstate with ease. There are better dirt bikes, and better street bikes, but this big L works well as both. Simply set it up for your preference. Show less

Currently own 2 Honda atvs, so Hondas are no strangers to our motoring fun. The big XR is pretty top heavy and not for a beginner or even those that are a bit out of shape. The XR is excellent, though once underway. It can sip fuel at 55 mpg and can still rage up to a three digit pace if needed. Engine is bullet proof, quiet, uses no oil, starts impeccably and vibrates very little. It is hard to believe it is a single, it is smooth and comfortable about town, and only gets tiring after a 100 miles or so in the saddle. Workmanship of paint, fit and finish is the Honda of old, with a metal tank, no oil leaks and just as tight as could be. Highly recommended on road or off. Show less

I've had my XR650L since last December, and I've rode this bike like crazy. Never had ONE single problem. Change the oil every couple thousand miles and check the valves 2x (no adjustment necessary). I've got the bike set-up as a supermoto for everyday riding and some Pirelli MT-21s mounted up to the stock wheels for dirt action. ON the street this bike kicks major butt, 100mph on the highway, twisties faster than any sportbike; you name it, it'll do it. Dirt is its weak spot, it's a bit too heavy for serious dirt riding but it will go anywhere just not as fast as a lighter bike (can't say the same about the KLR). Quality (Fit and finish, componetry) is better than the other bikes but not as nice as KTM. KTM (625cc LC4) also makes noticably more power than the Honda; both bikes uncorked with no internal motor modifications. Show less

I live in the country and drive 12 miles a day into town to work. This bike gets up on the highway 70 m.p.h. easy, and yet performs great in traffic in stop and go traffic. I've ridden it in the rain, hail, high wind (yikes), off road in heavy mud, even dropped it going up a muddy hill in the hailing wind storm, it's a tough bike. No problems yet. The seats a little hard after 50 mles of riding though. Show less

So for so good. I use the bike mostly on the street and it handles quite nice for such a high center of gravity. Plenty of power to keep up with traffic on the highway but a little scary with the wind blowing any amount. Find the seat a little hard for long rides but with the small tank you get to stretch quite often at the gas station. Overall I am very happy with the bike and would recommend it to anyone. Show less

I bought my 2006 XR650L two weeks ago and am extremely happy with this bike. In two weeks I have put 600 miles on it which includes a 200 mile trip down the freeway,riding some fire trails in the gold country and a day with my son at Prairie City Cycle Park. How many motorcycles can handle this kind of variety? Not many. I was surprised at how smooth this thing is on the freeway.You would think that a 650cc one piston thumper would vibrate your bones apart but it doesn't. Right now I am getting 55 miles per gallon and I'm sure it will improve when it is broken in. Overall, it's a great bike. If you buy one you won't be disappointed. Show less

I have been riding bikes for 40 years and this is the only time I've owned a motorcycle that is good on the street and in the dirt. I believed that if it could do both it was no good at either. I was wrong. I purchased this bike on May 1, 2006 and put 140 miles it that day. Riding home on the freeway at 75 miles per hour, I was surprised at how smooth it is. You would think that a 650cc one-cylinder thumper would shake your butt numb, not the case. I filled up the tank for $6.00 vs. $50.00 in the car and found a dirt road along the American River. The tires work well in the dirt. I slid around corners, hit potholes and found a couple of jumps. This bike has good suspension, it's well balanced and I like the high ground clearance. I plan to use this thing for dirt riding with my kids and running around town. It's the best of both worlds. Show less

I love this thing; it is my first bike and I had the choice between the 600RR or this bike and I think I made the right decision especially since everybody and their momma got the RR. I feel a lot better knowing I'm riding something that can perform great on the street and in the dirt if there's ever an emergency and traffic is terrible as usual, I can always go off road and take some short cuts. It has lots of power and plenty of upgrades available to have fun with. This bike is worth every penny. Show less