XR650R Supermotard from VMX Restomod…
The Honda XR650R was born to race in the desert. As the replacement for the venerable air-cooled XR600R, the liquid-cooled aluminum-framed XR650R had big shoes to fill…and it delivered in spades. It’s widely remembered as the undisputed “King of Baja,” having won the Baja 1000 eight years in a row. With nearly 60 bhp on tap and a dry weight of just over 275 pounds, it was an absolute monster.
“This new XR is all about power. It’s no lightweight, nimble, two-stroke-like Thumper. No, the XR650R is a big-bore, earth-chucking, hillclimbing, ride-it-a-gear-too-high kind of four-stroke. The snappy XR power character of old is there right off idle, but then the liquid-cooled motor pulls through in a tenor of revs.” –Cycle World
Legendary desert racer Johnny Campbell stated the stock “Big Red Pig” could hit 105 mph with the right gearing, and with 11 Baja wins under his built, no one knows better than Johnny.
The 650R also makes a scorching supermoto — in fact, there are enough of these builds there’s an XR650R Supermoto Facebook Group with over 10,000 members! This one comes from our buddy Federico Scalia steps in of Sicily’s Aerostyle Aerografie (custom painting) VMX Restomod (bike builds). You may remember Federico from his recent restomodded XR600R.
Federico built this XR650R supermoto for himself, and as you can see, it looks incredibly modern for a bike that debuted 25 years ago…with performance to match. The bike was stripped to the bare frame, which was brushed to highlight the aluminum chassis, and now rolls on 17-inch Faba wheels modified to run tubeless Michelin Power Cup Evo tires.
The stock suspension was replaced with 48mm Kayaba forks, Andreani cartridges, CNC triple clamps with adjustable trail, and an Öhlins TTX twin-tube rear shock with a motard-specific CNC linkage. That shock required a custom airbox to be build, complete with a left-side air scoop to draw fresh air to the Keihin FCR MX 41 carburetor.
The engine, which has largely stock internals, exhales through FMF Powerbomb steel headers, a handcrafted steel header/muffler connection, and a Yoshimura RS titanium/carbon muffler. A reinforced Barnett clutch puts the power to the rear wheel.
The brakes were upgraded with trick Beringer components and Kevlar hoses, while custom radiators and silicone hoses keep the big single cool. The bike is bolted together with 7075 aluminum and titanium hardware, while the plastics and seat are 2010 CRF units with graphics designed by Aerostyle Aerografie — Federico’s painting business. The tank is an aluminum unit modified to work with the 650R frame, and the subframe was modified to run the modern plastics and seat as well.
The result is the trickest XR650R supermoto we’ve ever seen — an absolute weapon of a liquid-cool big-bore motard that’s been resto-modded by one of the best in the business. Unfortunately, Federico suffered a broken femur (ouch!) on his CR250 motocrosser, which required him to sell this one-of-a-king 650R. Alas, we hope the new owner is using the bike to its full potential, and we’re thankful to Federico for creating such drool-worthy restomods.
Federico, we can’t wait for your next build! Maybe another 650R, since you didn’t get to enjoy this one?
XR650R Supermoto Restomod: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Honda XR650R.
• Why was this bike built?
This was built for myself, but an accident on my Honda CR250 and a broken femur changed my mind ☹
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I wanted to see if it was possible to get a reliable motorcycle that was also suitable for everyday use but with a modern and aggressive look.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The bike was completely rebuilt, starting with the bare frame, stripped and brushed to highlight the aluminum. The engine is stock, untuned, and features only a reinforced Barnett clutch.
The exhaust system consists of FMF Powerbomb steel headers, handcrafted steel header/muffler connection, and Yoshimura RS titanium/carbon muffler. The bike has a Keihin FCR41Mx carburetor.
The stock suspension has been replaced. At the front, we find a Kayaba 48mm closed-cartridge fork with Andreani CNC rearsets and radial CNC caliper mount. Faor CNC triple clamps with adjustable trail, Ohlins TTx with CNC motard-specific linkage.
Installing the Ohlins TTx required a major modification to the intake, so a custom airbox was built. The latter features an airscoop on the left side, which constantly draws in fresh air.
The braking system consists of a complete Beringer set: 320mm Aerotec disc with Ergal hub and cast iron braking surface, Br12 CNC radial master cylinder, CNC Aerotec 4-piston caliper, Standard rear caliper, TRW disc, Nissin master cylinder with integrated reservoir. All connected with Frentubo braided Kevlar hoses.
Cooling system has custom radiators and silicone hoses. Renthal Fatbar handlebars with ASV cable clutch lever. Sam Racing Parts removable rider footpegs Reshaped BOX43 aluminum fuel tank. Modified subframe for 2010 Honda CRF plastics and seat. Renthal transmission.
Use of Ergal and titanium hardware. Graphic design by Aerostyle Aerografie.
Faba complete wheels with CNC hubs. Tubeless modification and Michelin Power Cup Evo tires.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Perhaps the most particular thing is the modification to the intake system.
Follow the Builder
Bikes: @vmx_restomod | VMX Restomod
Paint: www.aerostyle.it | Aerostyle Aerografie | @aerostyle.it
Photos by Federico Scalia
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