XR650R

Honda introduced this open-class XR off-road model for the 2000 model year as a purpose-built desert and Baja racing machine, positioned above the long-running XR600R and aimed at serious off-road competition rather than everyday trail use. It carried forward the XR family’s reputation for durability and simple, race-focused design, but with a much more modern layout for its era, including a liquid-cooled four-stroke single and an aluminum frame that distinguished it from earlier XR big-bores. The model quickly earned an enthusiast following for its high-speed desert capability and strong results in off-road racing, especially in Baja-style events. Production ran through the 2007 model year, after which Honda moved on from the nameplate and shifted its off-road performance focus toward the newer CRF generation. The XR650R remains one of the most memorable late-era XR models and is still highly regarded among riders who value Honda’s classic race-bred, big-displacement enduro character.