# Honda XR650L and CRF Dual Sports Key Replacement Honda's street-legal dual sports, the XR650L, CRF250L and CRF450L, all use a plain cut key with no immobilizer, per Honda's US owner's manuals. Source: https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/xr650l-crf-dual-sports/ Business: The Motorcycle Locksmith, mobile motorcycle locksmith. Phone and text: (619) 775-1858 (San Diego side). > Honda's street-legal dual sports, the XR650L, CRF250L and CRF450L, all use a plain cut key with no immobilizer, per Honda's US owner's manuals. A lost key is cut to the bike where it is parked and needs no programming. They differ in how many locks the key works, from four on the CRF250L to little more than the ignition on the CRF450L. **Honda XR650L and CRF Dual Sports key quick facts** - US owner's manuals for the XR650L (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2018), CRF250L (2018) and CRF450L (2020) have no immobilizer section. - All three lock the steering at the ignition switch: push the key down and turn to LOCK. - On the XR650L the key also works the fuel fill cap, under a lock cover, and a helmet holder under the seat. - On the CRF250L the key works the fuel fill cap, a helmet holder with its own lock cover, and a locking tool box. - The CRF250L and CRF450L are supplied with a key number plate; the XR650L manual says to record the key number provided with the original keys. ## Honda XR650L and CRF Dual Sports key types by year | Years | Models | Key type | Chip | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2005-2018 | XR650L | mechanical cut key | no | The bike has been sold largely unchanged since 1993. Key works the ignition and steering lock, fuel cap and helmet holder. | | 2018 | CRF250L | mechanical cut key | no | Key number plate supplied. Key works the ignition and steering lock, fuel cap, helmet holder and tool box. | | 2020 | CRF450L | mechanical cut key | no | Key number plate supplied. The manual shows the key at the ignition switch, with LOCK for the steering; the fuel fill cap is opened by hand. | ## No electronics between you and a new key Dual sports are among the simplest Hondas to make keys for. Honda's US manuals for the XR650L, CRF250L and CRF450L have no immobilizer section and do not mention a coded key. That holds from the air-cooled XR650L, which has been in the lineup since 1993, to the fuel-injected CRF450L. A new key has to match the cuts and nothing else. If yours is a CRF300L or a CRF450RL, the direct successors, or a year not listed above, the Keys page in your own manual will confirm it, and we check from your VIN when you call. **Need a key for your XR650L?** Call or text with the year and where the bike is parked. Call or text (619) 775-1858. ## Which locks the key works, bike by bike - XR650L ignition: ON, OFF and LOCK, with the key removable in OFF or LOCK - XR650L fuel fill cap: open the lock cover, insert the key, turn counterclockwise - XR650L helmet holder: under the seat; the key turns counterclockwise to unlock it - CRF250L ignition and steering lock: push the key down and turn to the lock position - CRF250L fuel fill cap: under a lock cover; the key cannot be removed if the cap is not locked - CRF250L helmet holder: open the lock cover, insert the key, hang the helmet on the pin - CRF250L tool box: the key turns clockwise to open it - CRF450L ignition: push down on the key and turn left to LOCK to lock the steering ## What dirt does to keys and locks These bikes get dusty, muddy and pressure washed, and their locks sit out in the open. On any bike that sees dirt, fine grit in the ignition or fuel cap is a common reason a key starts to bind. If a lock feels gritty, do not keep working the key back and forth, because that grinds the grit into the wafers and wears the key. Blow the keyway out and have it looked at. A bent key is the other thing to watch for off road. A low-side or a boot catching the key on a tight trail can bend it in the switch. A bent key should be replaced, not straightened, since the bend is where it will snap next time. If it has already snapped in the ignition, leave the piece in place and call; a broken key can usually be extracted and a new one cut on the spot. ## Lost a key on the trail Keys can fall out of pockets on rough ground, so a hidden spare makes a lot of sense on a dual sport. Since there is no chip, a spare is a simple cut key and can be zip tied somewhere out of sight on the bike or carried by a riding partner. If every key is gone, we confirm ownership with photo ID and the registration or title, cut a key to the bike's locks where it is parked, and test it in each lock. Within our service area that can be a trailhead or staging area as long as we can reach it by road. Honda's manuals note that without the key number a dealer will probably have to remove the ignition switch assembly to find it, which means hauling a bike you cannot steer or start. ## Where to find the key code CRF250L and CRF450L: on the key number plate supplied with the keys. XR650L: the manual says to record the key number provided with the original keys. Keep it at home with the spare. If it is gone, the number can be recovered from the bike's locks. ## What to have ready **Have this ready when you call or text** - Year, make and model of the bike - Where the bike is parked - Whether you have any working key, a broken key or a key code - Photo ID and registration or title (we verify ownership before making a key) ## Honda XR650L and CRF Dual Sports key FAQ ### Does the XR650L have any kind of chip key? No. Honda's US XR650L owner's manuals from 2005 to 2018 describe a plain ignition key with no immobilizer. ### Does the CRF450L gas cap need the key? Not according to the 2020 US manual, which describes opening the fuel fill cap by turning it by hand. The key is used at the ignition switch, including the steering lock. ### Can you come to a trailhead to make a key? Within San Diego County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara and Goleta, yes, if the spot can be reached by road. Have your ID and registration with you. ### My CRF250L key is bent. Can I straighten it? It is better to replace it. A straightened key is weakened where it bent and tends to snap in the lock later. A new key can be cut from the bent one while it still shows the cuts. ## More Honda models [ADV150 and ADV160](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/adv150-adv160/), [Africa Twin](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/africa-twin/), [CB1000R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cb1000r/), [CB1100](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cb1100/), [CB650R, CBR650R and CBR650F](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cbr650r-cb650r/), [CB750 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cb750-hornet-cb1000-hornet/), [CBR250R and CB300F](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cbr250r-cb300f/), [CBR300R and CB300R](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cbr300r-cb300r/), [CBR500R, CB500F and CB500X](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cbr500r-cb500f-cb500x/), [CBR600F4i, 599 and 919](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cbr600f4i-599-919/), [CBR600RR and CBR1000RR](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/cbr600rr-cbr1000rr/), [CRF300L, CRF300L Rally and XR150L](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/crf300l-xr150l/), [DN-01 and NT700V](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/dn-01-nt700v/), [Fury and VTX1300](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/fury-vtx1300/), [Gold Wing (GL1800)](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/gold-wing/), [Grom and Monkey](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/grom-monkey/), [Navi](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/navi/), [NC700X, CTX700 and NM4](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/nc700x-ctx700-nm4/), [NC750X](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/nc750x/), [Nighthawk 250 and 750](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/nighthawk-250-750/), [NT1100](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/nt1100/), [NX500](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/nx500/), [PCX and PCX150](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/pcx/), [RC51 and Super Hawk](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/rc51-super-hawk/), [Rebel 300, 500 and 1100](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/rebel-300-500-1100/), [Ruckus and Metropolitan](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/ruckus-metropolitan/), [Sabre (VT1300CS)](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/sabre-vt1300cs/), [Shadow (Aero, Phantom, Spirit)](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/shadow/), [Silver Wing, Reflex, Helix and Elite](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/silver-wing-reflex-helix/), [ST1300 and CTX1300](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/st1300-ctx1300/), [Stateline and Interstate](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/stateline-interstate/), [Super Cub C125, Trail125 and Dax](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/super-cub-trail-125-dax/), [Transalp and SCL500](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/transalp-scl500/), [Valkyrie, Rune and Gold Wing F6B](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/valkyrie-rune-f6b/), [VFR800 Interceptor and VFR1200F](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/vfr800-vfr1200f/), [VTX1800](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/vtx1800/), [All Honda keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/makes/honda/) ## Services for this bike - [Lost Motorcycle Key, No Spare](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/lost-motorcycle-key/): No key at all? We make a working key at the bike. - [Motorcycle Key Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-replacement/): New keys cut by code or from the lock, for all major makes. - [Transponder and Immobilizer Key Programming](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-programming/): Chip keys and fobs programmed to your immobilizer. - [Motorcycle Key Duplication and Spare Keys](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-key-duplication/): A spare now costs far less than a lost only-key later. - [Motorcycle Ignition Repair and Replacement](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-ignition-repair/): Sticking, worn or damaged ignitions repaired or replaced. - [Broken Motorcycle Key Extraction](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/broken-key-extraction/): Snapped key removed and a new one cut from the pieces. - [Gas Cap, Seat, Steering and Saddlebag Locks](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/services/motorcycle-lock-repair/): Gas cap, seat, steering, helmet and saddlebag locks. ## Related guides - [Lost Your Only Motorcycle Key? What to Do Next](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/lost-motorcycle-key-no-spare/): If you lost the only key to your motorcycle, a new one can almost always be made, but the route depends on whether your bike uses a plain metal key, a chipped transponder key, or a keyless fob. - [Broken Motorcycle Key in the Ignition: What to Do](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/broken-motorcycle-key-in-ignition/): If your key snaps in the motorcycle ignition, stop, keep both pieces, and do not try to turn the cylinder with the stub or dig the fragment out with a knife or screwdriver. - [When to Get a Spare Motorcycle Key, and Why Now](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/when-to-get-a-spare-motorcycle-key/): Get a spare motorcycle key as soon as you are down to one working key. - [Kawasaki KIPASS Warnings: NO TRANSPONDER and Others](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/guides/kawasaki-kipass-no-transponder-warning/): On a Kawasaki Concours 14, NO TRANSPONDER means the bike cannot find its KIPASS fob nearby, and you have about 10 seconds, while the warning symbol is showing, to bring a registered fob back and switch on again. ## Where we come to you [San Diego County](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/), [San Diego](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/san-diego/), [Chula Vista](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/chula-vista/), [Oceanside](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/oceanside/), [Escondido](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/escondido/), [Carlsbad](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/carlsbad/), [El Cajon](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/san-diego-county/el-cajon/), [All service areas](https://themotorcyclelocksmith.com/san-diego/service-areas/)