How do the Honda XR650L's stack up to the Suzuki DR650's

[Albie]

Husqvarna's dealership network is a tiny fraction compared to Honda's.
Too exclusive for this traveler.

Phhhttt, dealer network is meaningless in this day and age of connectivity.

[Sport-Touring]

[Albie]

If bikes weren't so easy to tag in TX I'd opt for the Husky. But since they are, the XRR was my choice. Just as much power as the Husky and 30 LBS lighter. Heck, I bought 2 used ones for the price of a new Husky.  

[heykenny]

Phhhttt, dealer network is meaningless in this day and age of connectivity.

tell that to the guy calling state to state looking for husky parts from a seedy motel room in goobertown

[Albie]

tell that to the guy calling state to state looking for husky parts from a seedy motel room in goobertown

Yeah right, you're chances of getting hit by a bus are better then ending up in that situation. May as well just stay at home and sit on the couch where it's nice and safe.  

BTW, last month I had to ORDER an air filter for one of my XR's from my local Honda shop because they didn't have one in stock.

[heykenny]

Yeah right, you're chances of getting hit by a bus are better then ending up in that situation.

I just used Huskys dealer locator...  I had to add wash. oregon. idaho, and montana..  together.. to come up with ten.  

you gotta admit, to a travelling man stuff like that is relevent, the quality of your Honda dealer notwithstanding

[homebrew]

Yeah right, you're chances of getting hit by a bus are better then ending up in that situation. May as well just stay at home and sit on the couch where it's nice and safe.  

No - you're wrong here.
The thing to do is to buy a Honda and be able to go anywhere in Northe America (or the world for that matter) and find a dealer in the next town.
Common is good.
I also wouldn't think twice about traveling on a KLR or DR.
KTM is almost there too if your pockets are deep enough.
Yamaha doesn't have anything compareable in North America.
And the rest are just fancy, exclusive, fluff that will leave you somewhere some day.

[Albie]

No - you're wrong here.
The thing to do is to buy a Honda and be able to go anywhere in Northe America (or the world for that matter) and find a dealer in the next town.
Common is good.
I also wouldn't think twice about traveling on a KLR or DR.
KTM is almost there too if your pockets are deep enough.
Yamaha doesn't have anything compareable in North America.
And the rest are just fancy, exclusive, fluff that will leave you somewhere some day.

Like I said, stay at home, sit on the couch where you never have to worry.

[dlrides]

XR650L VS DR650

Flip a coin ! They are that equal in all aspects !

There is nothing else to say, so forget most of what you have read in this thread. Buy the one YOU want, and enjoy !

Both will need a seat and a larger tank.


"My name is Don, and I approved this message".

[homebrew]

Like I said, stay at home, sit on the couch where you never have to worry.

No - you're wrong again.
Get off the couch, get a Honda, and go for a ride somewhere.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Yeah right, you're chances of getting hit by a bus are better then ending up in that situation. May as well just stay at home and sit on the couch where it's nice and safe.  

BTW, last month I had to ORDER an air filter for one of my XR's from my local Honda shop because they didn't have one in stock.

I never realized that we're neighbors...  I'm gonna have to bribe you with some pie for a spin on one of your XRRs.  It's become a serious contender for my needs; maybe ranking #1 (though I know I'm going to have to mod it right up front).

[Johnny Monsoon]

XR650L VS DR650

Flip a coin ! They are that equal in all aspects !

There is nothing else to say, so forget most of what you have read in this thread. Buy the one YOU want, and enjoy !

Both will need a seat and a larger tank.


"My name is Don, and I approved this message".

A) I was a strong contender for a Husky, but it looks like one of Albie's XRRs is going to be mine (officially)

B) The DR and XRL are not all that similar.  Honestly, except for technical (with very little elevation changes or heavy climbs) the DR is superior everywhere.  It combines the liquid cooling reliability that the XRL does not have, with no-radiator/waterjacket simplicity.

It does better on the highway, and is similar offroad.  The overall power advantage of the DR is clear.  The option to lower the DR is also a huge plus.

BUT, I honestly feel that all the 'mainstream' bikes are a waste of money.  I really do.  I doubt you could have convinced me of that prior to my experiences on the XR650R, but you'll always be too disappointed on all fronts.  My XRR is just as smooth, if not smoother at upper highway speeds (and DECIDEDLY more powerful for passing) than my KLR was.  The offroad realm is blown wide open with the XRR compared to the KLR/DR/XRL.  The latter bikes are lazy/cheap rider's bikes.  Sure, they're already road-ready, and plating a true dirt-bike isn't an option everywhere, but the TE/XRR bikes are so similar and offer so much better performance that it's really almost foolish not to go that route.

With a DS bike, you'll honestly be much happier to forgo a hint of road manners to be able to really get that extra road power; and you'll really start smiling when you get these bikes offroad.

Aside from being a smart commuter choice, the KLR/DR/XLL are not really great DS rigs.  A DS bike will always require the owner to be pretty creative when it comes to making it useful for the owner's needs; even the ones that are 'ready to go'.  A more dirt-focused bike will not require that much more work.  Really.

As for the XRR in contention with the TE (or any other DS bike), consider that this bike IS offered as a factory DS machine (street-legal) in other countries.  Why we don't get it this way in the US is beyond me.  If it were, I really believe the face of US dual-sporting would look completely different.

[homebrew]

The DR is not that similar to the XRL off road, in fact the DR sucks.  The rear shock is particularly poor and tends to cause the bike to buck and kick you in the ass a lot.  The XRL has a much better Showa suspension, though not as nice as the XRR.
However, I think you can't go wrong with any of these bikes as they can all be modded to suit your style, even the KLR.
It all comes down to personal likes and style and there is no best bike.
And I don't buy all that macho talk about XR,DR,KLR being bikes for lazy, cheap, and/or unskilled riders.  They are trail bikes and are much superior to so called "real" dirt bikes when they are used as dualsports as they were designed for.

[R.Markus]

No - you're wrong again.
Get off the couch, get a Honda, and go for a ride somewhere.

I used to be ignorant like you. My last Honda was in the shop as much as it was on the street.

My KTM hasn't had a problem yet.

Honda sucks.

[homebrew]

I used to be ignorant like you. My last Honda was in the shop as much as it was on the street.

My KTM hasn't had a problem yet.

Honda sucks.

Feeling a little sensitive are we ?

[R.Markus]

Feeling a little sensitive are we ?

I get a bit worked up when I spend $13,000 on a motorcycle that spends most of it's life in the shop.