2005 XR650R 

 

Designed for one purpose in mind, to win Baja.  The XR accomplished that goal and so much more.  A full size dirt bike, 649cc of raw four stroke power made for the sole intention of playing in the dirt.  What many have discovered is the xr650r's ability to surpass it's dual sport borthern at its own game.  With the addition of a 6.3 gallon tank, full rally fairing and control panel, this XR will be getting a full face lift to become the ultimate rider's adventure bike.  Adventure bikes have become over sized, and plastic clips have no place on a motorcycle made for the dirt.   The true adventure rider will find solace in a bike that returns to the basics and reminds us of how much fun we can have on a bike the begs to be ridden hard in the dirt.   

 

 

 

The legendary XR650R came from the factory as a dirt bike.  It requires a bit of modification to be allowed to ride down the street.   On the other hand its air cooled brothern, the XR650L, comes from the factory street legal. The R remained the same baja focused machine its entire existence from 2000-2007.  The 'Big Red Pig' was sacraficed to make room for the smaller 450cc four strokers, but fans of the porky monster will always remain.  There are few bikes that are more versatile and overall fun, couple that with the oppurtunity to pick one up for $2,500 and the potential for these bikes is far from history. 

 

Why did the R have to die

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The R was built to be the King of the Baja.  The smaller 450cc bikes were able to put out just as much power and ultimately Honda needed to focus on marketing its 450cc machines.  The smaller dirt bikes were the answer to racing, but they couldn't be modified and driven across the country, the XR650R could.  So the real question is why was the R never made into a street legal dual sporter. 

 

It's a valid question indeed, it had many scratching their heads but if you have ridden one the answer may be quite clear.  For the unexperienced rider who has yet to become smooth with the ways of the clutch, may find it hard to keep the nose to the pavement taking off from a stop light.   This most likely will not be a problem for an experienced rider, because at that point what's the point in keeping the front tire on the ground.  It's a fact Honda was forced face none the less.  They would need to casterate the R to make it adequate to sell as a street ready machine.  A decision I am happy was not made.  

 

The XR650L, had already been in existence as the air cooled toned down, listened to mom and dad, brothern.  You can still pick one up today from your local dealership and they are great bikes.  They are the good girls who stay quite and do as they are told, but who the hell wants that, it's 2016!  The XR has a bit of fight, character, and isn't afraid to throw you off the back if you don't hold on and treat with some respect.  The L asks to be ridden softly, where as the R begs to be ridden in a way most will only experience through the internet.  

 

The Legend Lives On

 

Many people have found glory in the R, and countless builds have been done.  For me it's been a childhood dream to own this bike, but having a smaller dirt bike to play in the derert, I want a machine that will take me places. 

 

I did a couple month trip around Europe, as a parting process from my living stent in Prague.  I got my hands on a 1991 XTZ 750 Super Tenere.  A three time Dakar winner in its time, it too was a legend.  Indeed, a capable bike, I still found myself thinking about my CRF standing on the back tire skipping through woops.  

 

Now that I'm back in the states I want a bike that is a happy medium.  I'd love to be able to cruise at 95 like you can on big 990, but I don't ride quads for a reason.  Sorry, low blow on many levels I know, but I feel the big bikes get pushed through the woops, and ride more like a four wheeled machine rather then a smaller dirt bike which can skip through the rough terrain and be thrown sideways into a turn.  

 

The XR-R's potential is far from history.  You can ride it like a dirt bike, but then hop on the highway and do wheelies all the way home.  There have been others to take a stab at an adventure kit for this bike, and some have come out very nice.  I plan to build this XR-R to to the point where I can be proud putting the Pohoda name on it.  After extensive product testing, we hope to share our success with others who want a little bit more fun in their adventure bikes.