Honda XR650L Full Review | End of an Era? | The Bike Report

The Honda XR650L is one of the most iconic dual-sport motorcycles ever built. For more than 30 years it remained largely unchanged, earning a reputation for bulletproof reliability, mechanical simplicity, and the ability to tackle almost any adventure. But in today's world of fuel injection, rider aids, and advanced electronics, does this old-school legend still deserve a place in your garage? In this episode of The Bike Report, we take an in-depth look at the 2012 Honda XR650L. We'll cover everything from its engine performance, comfort, handling, suspension, braking, practicality, and reliability to help you decide whether this classic dual-sport is still worth buying in 2026. We also put the XR650L through the Torque & Throttle Performance Index (TTPI), where every bike is tested using the same five challenges: 🏁 0–100 km/h Acceleration 🏁 60–120 km/h in 3rd Gear 🏁 80–140 km/h in Top Gear 🏁 100–0 km/h Emergency Braking 🏁 Handling Slalom Challenge Can this old-school Honda still hold its own against modern adventure and dual-sport motorcycles? Watch to the end to find out where it lands on the Torque & Throttle leaderboard. 👍 If you enjoyed the video, please Like, Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss a review. 👇 We'd love to hear from you! Would you still buy a Honda XR650L today, or would you choose something more modern? Let us know in the comments. More bike review:    • Torque & Throttle The Bike Report   _______________ Thank you to Propulsio Brokerworx (Pty) Ltd for sponsoring the video and making it possible. For any insurance, investments, estate planning, income protection, and more, please contact them on [email protected] / 012 942 2599 Propulsio Brokerworx (Pty) Ltd FSP50427 https://propulsio.co.za/   / propulsiobrokerworx     / propulsiobrokerworx   _______________ Calimoto Partnership: Plan your next adventure with Calimoto, the motorcycle navigation app built by riders, for riders. 30-Day Free Trial: t&t30 10% Off Your First Year: t&t10 Give it a try and discover new roads, epic routes, and unforgettable rides. _______________ Find Torque & Throttle Motorcycle Co on: Instagram: www.instagram.com/torqueandthrottlemc Facebook: www.facebook.com/torqueandthrottlemc TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@torqueandthrottlemc Spotify: sptfy.in/ccwx YouTube Music: https://rb.gy/5fcxdz ____________________ Video editing: @kayla_nortier (Instagram) ____________________ #HondaXR650L #XR650L #HondaMotorcycles #DualSport #Enduro #AdventureBike #TheBikeReport #TorqueAndThrottle #MotorcycleReview #Honda