u/dyel_17

I'm a bigger dude. I put on some weight over the last couple of years after having a kid and working from home, trying to cut weight, but I still need some protection in the meantime. I bought the Leatt 6.5 Pro chest protector (2xl, the biggest I could find after all my research). The front/shoulders/back fit great, but I guess the sides won't be perfect.

Should I return it or wear it like it is? Thanks

I know I’ve posted this bike in the sub before, but a deep SxS rut caught me off guard out on the trails and left me with a fractured rib. Since I’m stuck on the couch for a couple of weeks, I figured I’d pass the time by putting together the complete build album. Maxed out Reddit’s 20-photo limit showing the process from stock to current.

I picked it up new back in June for $7,800 out the door and have logged about 500 miles so far. I hadn't ridden in over 20 years (last bike was a 2006 YZ450F 50th Anniversary), but relocating back to Michigan and living in the U.P. got the itch going again. On top of that, my 20-month-old son is already obsessed with riding around on the quad with his grandpa and me, so I wanted to get back on two wheels now so I'm ready to keep up with him when he's old enough to ride.

Most of my riding up here is fast ORV trails, state forest two-track, and the occasional bit of singletrack. I like to ride pretty hard and aggressive, so while bigger adventure bikes are awesome for long-haul touring, I needed a simple light-ish dual-sport that I could really muscle around in the sand and woods. What really drew me to the XR is that they just don't make bikes like this anymore. No fuel mapping, no EFI, and a price point that's hard to beat. Being street-legal right off the showroom floor to link all the local trail networks from my driveway made it an easy choice. Coming from a motocross background, the big bike feels right at home, and at 5'11" the tall ride height feels great. I wanted something bulletproof and analog that will easily run for decades.

At this point, the build is pretty much where I want it. Here is the spec list:

Suspension & Ergos

• RaceTech Springs and Gold Valves (forks and shock) - Suspension done by JP Speed
• ProTaper CR High handlebars
• Rox offset 1" bar risers
• ODI Lock-On grips
• Barkbuster EGO handguards
• IMS Pro-Series footpegs

Engine, Fueling & Drivetrain

• FMF Powercore 4 exhaust
• Uni air filter
• Dave’s mod (drilled carb slide, 1 shim under needle)
• 55/160 jetting
• XR’s Only smog delete kit
• Fritzco Supermax 14T front sprocket

Armor, Lighting & Electrical

• Acerbis skid plate
• JNS LED headlight (DOT version)
• JNS brake master cylinder guard
• JNS front fender brace
• JNS kickstand footpad
• Antigravity lithium battery

Wheels, Luggage & Accessories

• Dunlop D606 tires with HD tubes and rim locks
• IMS 4-gallon tank
• Tusk Olympus tank bag
• OEM Honda toolkit

Side note on fitment: I tried running the Warp9 subframe bracing kit, but it would not clear the FMF pipe. I’ve heard the Hemisphere Offroad kit will clear it, but since I don't haul heavy saddlebags, I'm not too worried about it anyway.

Hopefully this gives a little inspiration to anyone sitting on the fence about these big air-cooled thumpers. They really are all the bike you need out on the trails.

What’s everyone else out riding or building lately? Let me know if you have any questions on fitment, parts, or how anything holds up!

450 miles on the XR. Got her all fresh and clean, ready for the next ride. I have some 1" grip tape, thought about wrapping the frame in high contact areas. I'm already getting it down to the bare metal in some spots from boot wear. Or do I just embrace the worn look? 🤔

Don't have any pictures from the start of the trip, trails were too gnarly to stop and take a picture.

I started about the halfway point thru Michigan's U.P.

The trails started out very hard. It was really whooped out and sandy. RaceTech suspension and rim locks helped a lot here.

I entered a blind corner pretty slow, but not slow enough. Laid on the brakes trying to avoid a huge hole/rut. Ended up dumping the bike for the first time. I still had ~100 miles to go when it happened, pushed thru the pain and stopped at a walk-in clinic when I got to my destination. Factured a rib, but it could have been worse. I still finished the journey back home, just aired up the tires and took more pavement on the ride home.

Posted last week about what tank to go with. Decided on IMS. Install was smooth. I'm super happy with the results. The natural color is gonna be a game changer out on those trails.

I did the first Oil change (250 miles), magnetic drain plugs installed. I cleaned the chain off, did some fresh chain wax and washed the bike from my muddy adventures last week. I have a long trip tomorrow, all ready to go.

Was doing the first oil change on my new bike and sprayed some brake cleaner to clean up all the oil left behind from the oil filter cover and surrounding areas. Tried washing with Soap and Water and using Maxim SC2 bike spray on it but the colors gone. I'm guessing it removed the factory coating. Kind of a bummer but I guess it's just because it's a new bike it hurts more.

Autosaver brand/Amazon. Super simple install, fits like a glove. As far as I can tell, it'll be water tight too.

Looking for a larger tank. I've got some longer loops planned and will need something that'll comfortably get me 120 miles without stressing over the fuel level.

The IMS 4 gallon is most expensive, but usually you get what you pay for, so price isn't a huge factor if the fit and finish is worth it. I like the idea of the Acrebis (5.8gal), and I'm sure the quality is good too, but routing the fuel lines seems kind of annoying. I also worry about how top heavy it'll make the bike. In the middle you've got Clarke at 4.7gal.

What is best/cleanest install? What tank has least amount of problems? From the research I've done, Clarke gas caps have problems, IMS is nearly touching the engine, and Acrebis is a pain in the butt to install. I'd love to hear it from folks to have them.

Thanks

Took the XR out for a quick run on some U.P. ORV loops. Heavy bike to throw around in the trees, but that big 650 thumper sure sounds good out in the woods.

Running D606s with rim locks so I can air down for the soft sand. Exhaust is FMF Powercore 4. You just can't beat street-legal access straight from the driveway to the dirt.

Sandy MX track, aired down and tore it up. Managed to even do a few jumps on this big girl.

Brand new 2025 XR650L. Just put the first couple hundred break-in miles on it thru Michigan's Upper Peninsula trails. I went all out with mods, Racetech suspension setup/gold valves, bunch of other goodies, and fully uncorked. This thumper screams.

Honda hasn't changed it since it's release in 1992 and it still rips. Most fun I've had in a long time.

Took the XR out on its first real ride today, put a couple hundred miles on these sandy trails in Michigan U.P. - might have to do the first oil change soon.

Aired down to 11psi (have rim locks) and these Dunlop D606 tires absolutely tore shit up. This bike is a beast. The Racetech Suspension/Gold Valves were 100% worth the money.

Wasn't feeling ballsy enough to take it down single tracks quiet yet. Still getting comfortable on the bike. It screams and sounds so good tearing thru the woods.

Living in Michigans Upper Peninsula means I have trails right outside my doorstep, but also means I have to take advantage of the short riding season while I can. Took the XR out on its first adventure today, put a couple hundred miles on it. The bike rips. The trails are quite sandy, just as I remember as a kid, I had to air down my Dunlop D606's and they tore it up. Aired down to 11-12psi (have rim locks) and it was a absolute beast).

The Racetech Suspension and Gold Valves was 100% worth the money.

The XRs first real "ride". Wasn't feeling ballsy enough to take it down single tracks quiet yet.

Used to have my endorsement many years ago, but never transferred it to the new state. Did the BCR2 1-Day MSF course for my endorsement since I picked up this dual sport and wanna ride it on the street. Ended up in a downpour but luckily we finished without having to reschedule due to the storms. Passed with a perfect score.

The XR was the star bike of the group. People love this thing. Any suggestions on different clutch levers? The pull on this clutch is super tight, maybe I can adjust it to be a little looser? I wouldn't mind some nicer levers, these stock ones slightly hit my handguards, even with the extension adapters.

After a bad experience with a Flatline Racing skidplate that was cut inproperly, super happy with this Acerbis one. It came with tape foam for the brackets that mount to the frame, very light, durable (feels really solid), and tons of venting on the bottom side to allow the engine to breathe. It's cut perfect and I like how it doesn't leave open gaps for mud to collect.