By Many of us find today’s world too complex, and too complicated and that translates to different aspects of life, including mobility and motorcycles in particular. Bikes are getting more and more complex and that’s many of us find the XR650L so refreshing. This model does completely the opposite – it is simple and honest, with design solutions that may not be the most modern, but solutions that guarantee all the qualities you would expect from a bike like this. The 2023 Honda XR650L carries on the same way, offering a design approach that was introduced more than three decades ago, with minor updates and enhancements that were made over the years.
So, although the overall layout is still pretty familiar, there are also novelties from the last year’s update, which were mostly in terms of new styling details. Other than that, you may count on a motorcycle with proven design solutions, with technology that guarantees reliability, performance and easy maintenance.
2023 Honda XR650L Engine
So, this simple and straightforward layout starts with the engine, which is the heart and soul of this bike. Despite the updates over the years, the overall layout hasn’t changed and we are still talking about a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine, which comes in a combination with air cooling, which is one of the key ingredients for longevity and durability.
This single overhead camshaft engine is good for 644cc and comes with a good-old carburetor, which makes things easy. Speaking of easy maintenance, the bike is equipped with quick-release fasteners on the left side cover, so you can easily reach things like the air filter, battery, fuse box etc. The battery is sealed and well-protected from vibrations that are typical for off-road rides.
Finally, there is Honda’s well-known dry-sump design, which keeps the engine compact and increased ground clearance. The engine comes coupled with a 5-speed transmission.
Chassis and Suspension Design
With 57.3 inches in wheelbase, this motorcycle is compact enough for excellent maneuverability and large enough to accommodate taller passengers. We like the fact that the seat height is positioned pretty high, at 37 inches. The motorcycle features a good-old steel frame and it is good for about 345 pounds.
When it comes to suspension setup, the bike features a 43mm air-adjustable axle Showa cartridge fork, with compression damping adjustability. The rear end comes with a Pro-Link Showa single-shock spring, with compression and damping adjustability. The front suspension offers 11.6 inches of travel, while the rear suspension is good for about 11 inches. Add to this 13 inches of ground clearance and you get pretty impressive off-road potential.
The 2023 Honda XR650L also guarantees excellent stopping power, thanks to the single 256mm disc with a twin-piston caliper at the front and a single 220mm disc on the rear wheel.
Design and Convenience
As we already mentioned, last year’s update brought a couple of nice visual changes and the 2023 model continues in the same way. This primarily refers to the bunch of blacked wheels, starting from wheels, fork boots, seat, tool bag etc.
Besides attractive aesthetics, this motorcycle also offers a lot of smart solutions for increased convenience. First of all, this is a street-legal bike, with turn signals, mirrors, a speedometer etc. Also, there are grab straps and folding passenger pegs that help passengers enjoy ride as well. Furthermore, the XR650L comes with factory handguards, for added protection, while an electric starter makes life much easier.
2023 Honda XR650L Price and Warranty
The 2023 Honda XR650L starts at around 7.000 dollars and the company gives a one-year warranty, which can be extended with the well-known Honda Care Protection Plan.
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