XR650R and XR650Ls are totally different bikes......Both are excellent but they are nothing like each other.
As far as making a 650R street legal....Just do a search on this forum and you'll find all the answers to your questions...Or make it easier by going to www.bajadesigns.com and you see how it's done...

steve

Thanks for the info to Baja Designs.

I dont know if my input is to late to help you in your decision making but for what its worth here's my 2 cents.

I just bought a brand new 06 klx 250, 2 of my friends have xr 650L's and I have no trouble keeping up with them in the woods, obviously they can leave me sitting on the road. This bike is perfect for my needs becuase I already had a ktm 125 exc which is race ready, so if i really need off road performance its in the shed, but back to the klx, right off the show room floor it has all the low end I need to explore new trails, or just cruise through the woods, It handles the road really well although if you keep the engine in its sweet spot it tops out around 70mph, not being big on road riding this is fine for me. When I was deciding what to get my criteria was a dirtbike of a more casual reliable nature than my ktm, and the reason I was looking for a DS was (a) there are LOTS of trails near my house with just enough pavement between me and them to make paranoid about police (b) with todays gas prices the idea of a cheaper commute is something I think everyone would like, and not only is it cheaper its more fun. So with those 2 things in mind I was really leaning toward the xr250x and a baja kit, but after test riding the klx 250, I had to have it.
I guess the main bullet point of this presentation would be that I was looking for a pure dirtbike, with some tags, and I am VERY pleased with my new klx 250. whaterver you decide I wish you the best.

llamabob ... thanks for the detailed info on the KLX250. Since you bought and have riden a KLX250, and also ride a KTM125 and have some buddies with XR650's, you can evaluate and report on the KLX250 better than most. I've had a racey big bore 4-stroke and know it is not for everyone. It sounds like the KLX is a good "250" DS. Thanks!