Dirt Trooper: Herencia gives the XL600R a military vibe

The Honda XL600R is one of those bulletproof dual-purpose bikes that will go on forever if looked after properly. It’s simple and strong, and in the right hands, a formidable trail weapon. At around 325 pounds wet (147 kilos) it’s also much lighter than most modern ADV bikes. Which makes it nimble enough for city use—and easier to forgive the hassle of kick-starting a 600cc four-stroke. The XL600R’s looks are something of an acquired taste these days, with a short tank that’s stumpy to the point of almost being triangular. But the simplicity of the big XL makes it the...