While I agree the X models are outstanding bikes, I think they'd be even more expensive than the racing models already are once they get all the street legal issues in place. And then you're still looking at a higher service frequency bike...back to the plated race bike deal. I was always amazed that Honda had the XR250L model...basically a street legal XR250R with e-start, and then got rid of that and kept a late 60's design bike in the CRF230 antique. Then they had an excellent XR650R, then dumped it, and kept the old air-cooled XR650L. Unbelieveable. Whoever has been in charge of the DS lineup should be whipped with a hot coat hanger.

 

Had a plate on 250x for a bit, was handy to connect trails but the klx is much better going down the road and more durable for any kind of long trip.

I ride with a lot of wr-r yamahas and they are great DS bikes, even if they are fuel injected, LOL

 

the xrs don have the punch i like and for the riding i do liquid cooling is a must i ride a lot of desert almost all year so the cooling of an air cooled bike with the punch i want isn't there, though i have thought about plating my 85 xr350r but it sucks on roads i think if they would have stuck with a sohc rfvc motor they woyld have had a better bike and i was more meaning the x model fames they are great bikes and very comfortable for long offroad trips at speed, i believe they designed their way right out of being a contender as i'm a big honda guy but when they keep pulling this kind of stuff i just shake my head they have the capability to build amazing bikes like they used to but they don't and that goes for their quads too the olny place they do exceptonaly in my book is outboards and power equipment elseware they have not only dropped the ball but lost it and don't seem to be looking for it heck all the comanys seem to be doing this to the offroad market