[i] have Had 2 XR600 and a XR650 r all Had Licenced plates If you are not a short guy then they are great. They do have good power but all the power is in your hands. The XR or XL does not have a hit or surge on the power band. My wife learned to ride on an XR400 (street legal) in just over a year she was hittling the trails and (the street) going on just about any trail the big boys went on. only she went at her pace. but there wasnt anything she didnt feel she couldnt do. She riode on the street with it as well. The Xr 600 is indestuctable, works ok on the dirt and if you strip some of the xtra weight off and put some dirt tires on it is really fun in the dirt and works quite well. the brakes are good and for a dual Sport bike they are great.
If you are looking to ride on the street and the dirt another great dual sport bike is a DR400 is is about 40 lbs lighter then xr and has great power and has a water cooled engine (my wife now has one of these as well and I ride it on ocasion as well.
The DR400 works better on the dirt right out of the box (Still needs tires)
My wife started riding in 1998, was 40 when she started is 5' 8 " tall and 135 lbs. she never rode a bike before she started on an 1987 XL250 rode that for 6 monthes and wanted more power she then stepped up to a 2001 XR 400 and we had plates put on it and after about 2 years she could ride just about any trail we come accross
Although the XR 400 is a ldifferant animal then the XL 600 it is not much differant in power and weight ratio in regards to a man on an XlL 600 and a woman on a XR 400.
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