Yamaha WR450F vs Honda XR650R Comparison Review

I compare my 2006 Yamaha WR450F to my friend's 2003 Honda XR650R in design, engine, suspension, and overall riding experience.

[@wolffo999]

XR650R rules all !

[@uralbob1]

Fantastic video! I have a 2004 XR650r that I bought for a trip to South America ( Chile & Argentina). Of course, I had a street legal kit w/ a high output stator. It took 2 months of daily, exhaustive riding to arrive in Santiago, Chile, from Kentucky, on Nov 1, 2006. Upon arrival in Santiago, the chain and sprockets were totally shot (no Cush drive in the hub). During the entire trip, the bike never needed oil, and it wasn’t changed until I got to Santiago! The Metzler tires were way past gone when I arrived. My only problem was properly jetting the bike for crossing the Andes mountains. I brought the original needle and main jet, but it was still too rich for the highest evaluations. Also, the dot 3 Honda fluid boiled in the caliper, causing me to have little to no braking power in the higher elevations. Switching to dot 5 solved the problem. The XR took every abuse I that I could throw at it, and it runs today as if it were a new motorcycle.

[@alessandrogallo7969]

On the xr "when you sit you can feel the weight is far back" that's because it was a bike designed for desert races like baja 1000, still an amazing comparison/review, thank you

[@jonandrews4493]

Both great bikes, best off roaders from Japanese manufacturers built in in the late 90's and early 2000's, still sought after, and still hold their value, particularly in Taiwan!, good vid!.

[@cv8z231]

Check out the prices here in Aus to. Fast appreciating in value now.

[@michaelharris4651]

I like em both !👍

[@jgrc73]

Good info!

[@victoroneill4381]

Both great bikes.But the xr650 just has more torque power and looks way better.

[@sanjaypradhan1719]

Xr 650r beast ever made

[@motorpsycho9835]

What a nice bike! Light and powerful. But too expensive in Taiwan.

[@angelocarvalho4715]

Já tive a xr 600 e a 426 f brutal as 2 máquinas

[@scottloftin1730]

I own a 2001 XR650R. I love the bike, however it is NOT for a newer rider. The throttle can get away from dangerously fast. I disagree with his comments pertaining to 1st gear. It is a great gear for serious hill climbing. The XR650R suspension absorbs big hits way better than my YZ450. Either way, you have to know your bike.

[@scottloftin1730]

@@dannysummers1083 I am very sorry to hear about your brother. May God bring healing to your family my brother.

[@Aaronmuskoka]

baja 1000 johnny Cambell

[@TheSnowWolf1000]

both these bikes are completely different worlds. not comparable at all other than the fact they both have 2 wheels and an engine.

[@pistonhead31]

Tt600re or belgrada older version... A bit heavy but very stable and reliable

[@impalaSS65]

TTR600 kickstart is relatively light and well balanced. Feels modern. Decent power for single track and even gravel roads. Would never consider the tt600re or the xr650L in proper terrain.

[@shawncordeiro5078]

Owned both the xr is heavier softer seat & susp Xr slower reving with same finial hp also but more torque I dont know which i like more im honestly torn

[@lifeoff-road280]

Can you share the brand of fan you put in your WR? And did you place it in front or behind the radiator?

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

It's a Sanyo $30 puller fan behind the radiator. Waterproof, pulls 4 amps. 120 mm square. Just fits.

[@lifeoff-road280]

@@ExpatonTwoWheels Thank you

[@nvmcrider8475]

I have owned both bikes and agree with your review. I still have the WR and have it street legal, I would be very interested in your cooling fan set up on the WR. Do you have a video on that or could you do one? The biggest drawback of the 650 was no e-start and a tendency to boil over in the slower going.

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

I didn't install the fan myself, so I can't really give much info. By the look of it, it's a pretty standard high output hardware store computer fan with an off the shelf bar switch and a small fuse in line. It moves quite a bit more air than the stock fan that came on my SMR 510. It has always been able to keep up with the heat the WR450 generates even in rocky technical stuff.

[@fabiogoncalves6390]

Q me fala da suspensão da WR 2006?

[@biscuitsalive]

I’m looking at a 2005 wr450f this week. Still recommend for fun trail bike in 2024?

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

Yeah! I still ride mine whenever I can. Everything from fast two tracks to technical single track. Does it all.

[@CareyKnowles-keath]

Completely different bikes have rode both the 650 is best described as a tractor designed for the bigger rider you’ll definitely notice the 15kg difference far better suited open tracks

[@lifeoff-road280]

Are you in the Philippines?

[@billionair8816]

I change all those bikes & 1000 times I prefer TT 600 the old one or hm XT 550 for motart with VFR back rear system;)It needs 3000/4000€ but you never gonna have problems.Also if you need speed you need 2Strokes not those heavy bulls;)

[@chrislollich6064]

U know Y, because XR'S RULE. THANKS FROM NOR-CAL.

[@jaketester9555]

How do you find trails to ride like this?

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

Which trails? Just offroad in general in Taiwan? Once you find the right groups, people share. But a lot of I found myself through searching and trying roads until I find dirt. It's a long process

[@jvogler_art4708]

My big bored XR250r would do everything those bikes can do in your video (other than top speed drag racing)

[@ML-vk8ev]

Nope. 250 is gutless and a very short range where it will pick up the front tire.

[@Lucifermymaster]

Xr650r 132 kg dry weight.

[@shawncordeiro5078]

i wieghed mine 292lbs ready to ride 3/4 full tank with xrs only slip-on muffler

[@plantpower3048]

have u ridden the CRF450rl?

[@jeremydale2835]

I had an uncorked xr650r and it pretty much ruined all other dirtbikes for me they just feel so underpowered I gotta get me another 650r.

[@tarzaan2603]

Yeah, hey i have 2 of em, 1 is for sale 😏 its a 2002, full exhaust, uncorked and high comp piston and a cam.

[@BElder762]

Had a 2001 uncorked,wish I never sold it.Looking for another one now,mostly in California.I might have to take a road trip.

[@ruannaude8197]

Nice I have both and can't keep ether of them running. Maybe I'm just a crappy mechanic

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

They are some of the most reliable options, but they're 15+ years old at this point, so if they haven't been looked after, it'll be a hassle.

[@jaketester9555]

Check your valves! That was my problem for poor running

[@robertjavior4339]

The xr600r is more top heavy which makes it harder to handle in turns , I don't know where you come up with the weight is farther back baloney.

[@stestar09]

He ain't talking about the 600 , he said 650 there different bikes you dick 🤣 & i had a xr650r , the weight IS further back & i feels the front is light & goes over terrain easier without altering the bikes course . I have a wr450f now too so I'm qualified to compare

[@RideWithTheWolf]

Basically, the XR will be more stable because of the weight.

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

Also the geometry on the front. The forks are raked out which gives stability.

[@aaronanhalt5088]

65-70hp ? On the xr? Um,no.

[@SomeTechGuy666]

2005 XR650R is rated at 61.2 HP stock. www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_xr650r_05.html

[@CraigersFish]

@@SomeTechGuy666 uncorked and re jetted it makes 65HP easily. Throw in a set of xr only cams, and 70+ hp is the norm.

[@strickca991]

I'd be surprised if the entire HRC kit gets it to 65hp. No way in hell a stock uncorked bikes makes 65hp.

[@gmanb8933]

@@strickca991 yeah, I know it's powerful. But it doesn't feel horribly more powerful than my xr400r. I would guess around 50hp

[@jvogler_art4708]

Bruh the thing beat out kx500s and big bore 2 strokes in the Baja 1000. Which have 60 hp Yeah the gas mileage was better on the 4stroke but it had to be just as fast to win like it did 11 times in a row.

[@epine5122]

There is no comparison. Lol

[@TurkeyCreekMotosports]

This video is hard to watch. Listening to you describe the bikes made me cringe.

[@jgrc73]

His presentation was even, pleasant and informative. Excellent video.

[@plantpower3048]

you can adjust the wr suspension!

[@shawncordeiro5078]

my ass use to get sore from the hard seat on wr and wr susp smothed out when speed up

[@uralbob1]

Fantastic video! I have a 2004 XR650r that I bought for a trip to South America ( Chile & Argentina). Of course, I had a street legal kit w/ a high output stator. It took 2 months of daily, exhaustive riding to arrive in Santiago, Chile, from Kentucky, on Nov 1, 2006. Upon arrival in Santiago, the chain and sprockets were totally shot (no Cush drive in the hub). During the entire trip, the bike never needed oil, and it wasn’t changed until I got to Santiago! The Metzler tires were way past gone when I arrived. My only problem was properly jetting the bike for crossing the Andes mountains. I brought the original needle and main jet, but it was still too rich for the highest elevations. Also, the dot 3 Honda fluid boiled in the brake calipers, causing me to have little to no braking power in the higher elevations. Switching to dot 5 solved the problem. The XR took every abuse I that I could throw at it, and it runs today as if it were a new motorcycle.

[@ExpatonTwoWheels]

Sounds like an epic trip. Your right leg got quite the workout starting it every morning, haha. At least you had engine braking when the brakes heated up.

[@uralbob1]

@@ExpatonTwoWheels 👍