Why the XR650L Still Makes Sense in 2026︱Traction eRag

Our Honda XR650L long term review! Unfortunately, Canada stopped importing the XR650L in 2018. Our American cousins? They can still walk into a dealership and buy a brand new old-school beast right now. The Honda XR650L began in 1993. And for almost three decades, almost nothing changed. Until 2022. Black rims. Black fork gaiters. Black tool bag. Bold new graphics. That’s the update. It’s no longer sold in many countries because of emissions laws and requirements like ABS. But the bigger question is this: How does it compare to the other budget Japanese 650s — the DR650 and the KLR650? We’ve ridden all three. And last year, we bought a used XR650L with incredibly low mileage in excellent condition. It’s 11 kilos lighter than the DR650 and 55 kilos lighter than the new KLR650. It has longer suspension, more ground clearance, a shorter wheelbase, and an 18-inch rear wheel that opens up real knobby tire options. We’ve been using it properly — backroads, trail connectors, gravel travel. Real dual-sport miles. And that time on the bike confirmed a lot. If your riding leans off-road, the XR650L is the strongest dirt-focused option. Like the others, it has a 5-speed gearbox. Dramatically better than the DR650. Honda XR650L Reliability? Classic Japanese. Simple. Durable. But the ratios work well enough for dirt and highway use. The Honda XR650L seat is surprisingly comfortable — similar to the KLR. Proven. Now the trade-offs. The ergonomics feel dated. Compared to modern dirt bikes, it feels tall and slightly awkward at first. It takes some getting used to. Most owners add bar risers, taller handlebars, and bigger footpegs. Upgrade the front sprocket. It’s air-cooled with no oil cooler. Hard riding in extreme heat can expose that limitation. And the most common failure point? The KLR wins here with 23 liters. There’s no cush drive rear hub on the Honda XR650L. That keeps weight down, but makes it less smooth on pavement and increases drivetrain wear. Check the countershaft splines on used bikes. The CDI unit. The upside? There’s an endless supply of aftermarket support. Alibaba Express might become your new favorite platform. The carburetor is jetted lean from the factory. And a Honda XR650L carb is a double-edged sword. It’s an analog system — mechanically tunable and field-fixable. But over time, carburetors can create their own issues: clogged jets, stale fuel problems, inconsistent running if neglected. The 13-liter tank is small for adventure travel — same as the DR.
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