Thank you for all the responses I really appreciate it. I am not an experienced dirt rider - at least not at 30+mph. Last weekend I rode the Trans Mass Trail with 2 guys - one on a Triumph 800 XCx with new 80/20 tires and the other guy had a Beta 390 with knobbies. I was riding my XR650 with Avon Trailriders (80/20 tire). I was sitting for all of it while they stood for most of it. My bars are not too high and I am 6`4. Conditions were dry, dusty, grade 3 tracks with sand and a bit of mud. I could feel the front slip out a few times on the sand and I wasnt super confident. I came home and looked in the garage and found the original tires that came with the bike bought in 2015. Hence the question.
The XR650L was bought from an experienced rider who set it up nicely with new jetting, new throttle tube, new piston etc so it rides very well and on Sunday I was cruising on the highway back home at 70mph with no issue. The Avons are good for the road but this summer I plan a few more trails - grade 3 and 4 most likely. Seanbarney - I dont need to go too fast on pavement but I live in Boston and have a 1-2 hr ride to get to trails (MA, NH, VT, ME, RI). No beadlocks on this bike.
I just bought a Pirelli MT-21 front and a Dunlop D606 rear based on other XR recommendations so new rubber it is. I also got a set of risers to see if this is more comfortable standing up. Now just to get the rider in shape
Thanks
Andy