XR650L Fuel mileage?

[YoungPUP]

I hate to admit it, but I have been considering selling the Valk and replacing it with an XR650L. Lately the job, and funding prevent me from doing any trips, and extended rides, and was wondering how the XR does for fuel mileage? Most riding at this point is commuting, and I like the Dual sport abilities so I can go wandering when I get a chance and not have to worry about road type/ conditions. Plus with the Valk getting mid 30's and the car with heat and A/c getting mid 30's its getting hard to hop on the bike on cold/hot days.

[98valk]

not as good as the Suzuki DR650 which is 50-55mpg.
XL is geared more for off road.

DR650
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135295

KLR650 similar and has largest tank and tallest seat.
latest model has partial fairing.

IMO if u are looking for a more street bike with some dirt/fire roads, look into the V-stroms.

[flsix]

I had two KLR 650's in the past. Good on road manners but off road they are top heavy with 6+ gal. of gas up high. In sugar sand that gets to be a challenge. Don't recall ever checking the mileage.

[Bugslayer]

Here's my XR650L.... but it's been converted to 100% dirt riding. It'll really git up and go!

[cookiedough]

You say mostly 'commuting', so just buy a good used 250cc scooter like I did in November, got a great deal since owner was moving down south and didn't want to haul it down there.  I lowballed him and he accepted since snow was going to start flying a week or two later below 35 degrees.  Not made really for off road, but for the price I got it at, I couldn't pass it up.  I achieved 62 mpg and goes 72 mph top speed comfortably hauling my 275lb. frame at 63 mph.  Only issue is 2.2 gallon tank so over 120 miles to nearest gas station may become an issue.  Wouldn't recommend a 150cc scooter since they do not go over 55-60 mph and on the hwy. with the way people drive nowadays speeding too fast I wouldn't feel safe if cannot be able to go 70 mph.  I have researched good used 400cc on up scoots and the high price is not worth it in my opinion might as well buy a good used honda rebel 250cc then for 2 grand or a tad more.   

I doubt an on/off road 650 you are seeking would be much more comfy for 'commuting'.  Scoot to work and Valk to play on the weekends.  Even most HD's and most larger bikes do not see over 40 mpg so the 5 mpg less is not really much that it matters to me. 

[Edvalk]

After  I bought my 98 standard  I sold my Suzuki drz400 sm  it was a fun Supermoto and got 70+ mph. Had a dr650 suzuki before that it only got 50 mph. I knew I couldn't live without a Supermoto of some kind and always lusted after the Ducati Hypermotard 1100 so when one came along I had to have it.If it were me I'd buy the xr650l and keep the valk .Two is always better .

[PAVALKER]

Get an older CB650 (like my 81 below)..... much better gas mileage, light, nimble and easy handling in commuting traffic.... and the in-line four cylinders are pretty smooth riding with a good bit of power and torque.  Oh, and did I mention the MPG is much better than the Valk..... 

[BigChris99]

If you want the Honda to commute with, it depends on how far your commute is, and how often you

want to stop for gas. The XR650L is a great bike, but it is defiantly more dirt oriented than almost

all other dual sport bikes, and it has a woefully small gas tank. 2.9 gals is all. Which means getting

 gas every 100 miles. My buddy has one. He put a bigger IMS tank on it, but that is only 3.2 gals.

Myself, I much prefer my KLR for commuting. Not near as good in the dirt as my buds XR, but a far

better commuter bike overall. Better wind protection and with it's 6+ gal gas tank, getting 50mpg's

you do the math. I fill my KLR up once a week for my 300 mile weekly commute. When I'm tired

after a long shift of delivering gas, the LAST thing I want to do is have to stop and BUY gas!

[fordmano]

My XR650L is setup SuperMoTard currently I have the other two sets of wheels one for real dual sport and one for off road primary useage.

Here is the SuperMoTard setup it is a wicked handler way fun really easy 3rd gear wheelies the entire block long.







I am not sure but I think with the gearing I have it still gets well over 50mpg might be close to 60ish I ran around for about 4.5 hours the first time out and it was a combo of serious twisties, freeway & city streets didn't even burn 1/2 tank


 I traded straight across for this Sportster.

[jimmytee]

I think the XR650L would be an excellent choice for close commuting with the advantage of doing some off road exploring. I wouldn't want to ride one for too extended of a daily commute though. Especially if that included interstate travel. I appreciate a heavy bike on interstates. I don't have the luxury of daily commutes on a motorcycle as my job requires that I drive my service van. But then,  I'm not paying for fuel either.    I've contemplated buying the same bike,  too, because , like you,  I too get wander lust that doesn't include paved roads. The problem with all "dual purpose" bikes is that none of them excel on both dirt or paved roads. They compromise for one or the other or both.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I use to ride a yamaha XT600 daily to work 25 miles each way. Did ok got 60mpg but the tires will put your butt to sleep. No such thing as good combo street and off road tires. Best I had were 80/20 road to dirt tires.

[YoungPUP]

Thankfully the commute is 25miles round trip, so the small tank isn't a huge killer.  The kicker for me is that the XR650 was the first street legal bike I've ever had. Then I sold it to get a street bike because at the time the job etc allowed traveling.  Now with work and kids the traveling is limited to saturdays and nites after work.  Not sure yet as to my plan, just kinda throwing things at the wall I guess...

[fudgie]

Ah keep the valk. Whats a few extra mpg really gonna gain ya? I ride mine to work and the closest base is 4 miles and the other is 20 miles. Either way its nice to get a ride in. Mines all highway tho.