Your thoughts...I'm about to Plunge

[jproaster]

Hello all.

My already strange moto year is turning a little stranger.

 

At 55 y/o, I can't believe how dirt focused I'm becoming.  Getting set to sell my weestrom and crf 250l soon.  Bought a ktm xcfw350 earlier this year.

But now, I'm contemplating an xr650r.  I've never worked on carbed bikes.  I'm sure it's not rocket science...and though there's gonna be a learning curve, I love learning and projects.

I also have watched enough vids and read a number of threads; so I know some things about the bike.  Not enough to scare me off...obviously.

 

So I have two immediate choices if I buy - 2000 xr650r modded and ridden a good bit out West (Baja, Colo, Wyoming, etc) or 2000 xr650r Indiana with very low miles and almost no mods.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

John

[CongoXR650L]

Just me, but I'd go for the low miles Indiana option, then research & mod it out yourself. That way you know the full history of the bike, & what you've got into it ...but that's just me. I probably enjoy tinkering on the bike as much as riding it, lol.

 

I'm also a bit of a perfectionist, & don't always appreciate the "good enough" of the previous owners "attempts", lol [emoji4]

 

[jproaster]

Thanks Congo.  I'm beginning to move that way...even though I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the owner of the modded bike last night.

 

Love the avatar btw.

john

[CongoXR650L]

17 minutes ago, jproaster said:

Love the avatar btw

Thanks. My first car was a '73 Super Beetle. Loved that car. It was a beater, but that's where I learned to work on stuff. Drew that avatar when I was in High School, lol. 

[bimbamboom]

Funny. I have never worked on a fuel injected bike .... only carbureted bikes....must be showing my age.

[jproaster]

1 hour ago, bimbamboom said:

Funny. I have never worked on a fuel injected bike .... only carbureted bikes....must be showing my age.

Where are you in Mexico?  Did a great ride Dec/Jan 14-15 on my vstrom.  Next time I'm gonna learn enough Spanish to at least read the road signs.  Entered Laredo Tx and got to Oaxaca before numbness set in; had to turn around and head for Verazcruz to meet a guy.

[bimbamboom]

21 minutes ago, jproaster said:

Where are you in Mexico?  Did a great ride Dec/Jan 14-15 on my vstrom.  Next time I'm gonna learn enough Spanish to at least read the road signs.  Entered Laredo Tx and got to Oaxaca before numbness set in; had to turn around and head for Verazcruz to meet a guy.

I live near tip of Baja....50 miles +- from Cabo....50 miles +- from La Paz on Pacific side. Todos Santos. It is just starting to get hot and humid. Good motorcycling here.

[jproaster]

Nice. 

Might have to get the xr and head that way one day.  After my Mex trip, I told my wife I wouldn't go back alone-Baja doesn't count. 

John

[jproaster]

Looking at a 2000 xr650r w/ 2000 miles this weekend.  Pics look good.

What might you suggest I ask about the bike.  Current owner has it plated, but only had it 3-4 months.  So, not sure what he'll be able to tell me.

Thanks,

john

[TxSamsquanch]

On 7/27/2017 at 7:24 AM, CongoXR650L said:

Just me, but I'd go for the low miles Indiana option, then research & mod it out yourself. That way you know the full history of the bike, & what you've got into it ...but that's just me. I probably enjoy tinkering on the bike as much as riding it, lol.

 

I'm also a bit of a perfectionist, & don't always appreciate the "good enough" of the previous owners "attempts", lol

 

I second this. I'm having to fix a lot of "mods" and abuse the two previous owners put onto my bike and it isn't the most fun of things to do. I do have a history of buying used, non running bikes and getting them roadworthy to sell and every single time I do I try and take it back to as stock as I can get. So, from those experiences, buying stock and modifying would be the way to go for a new bike owner. Also think "Would I rather have a steak cooked to order my way, or let the cook decide for me?" Not the best analogy, but it works... kinda.

[jproaster]

Productful trip yesterday.  Got this in Indianapolis

 

[jproaster]

First kickstart bike. How to start this bike? Attempted, but failed. How to use the decompression lever would probably be helpful.

 

John

 

[EmpireofDerp]

First carb bike. How to start this bike? Attempted, but failed. How to use the decompression lever would probably be helpful.

John

Do a search, there's a whole write up on the process required to start these things.

Sent from my SM-G935V using ThumperTalk mobile app

[jproaster]

Thanks heavy. Do you mean on TT btw?

[EmpireofDerp]

Thanks heavy. Do you mean on TT btw?

Well yeah, but TT search blows so use Google and it'll get you TT results.

Another vote for:
1. gas on, choke on
2. pull in release, kick thru 3 times
3. let go of release, get on TDC and kick it smooth and hard
4. eng lights off, and pull choke all the way off, warm up motor for several minutes

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[jproaster]

Thanks for sequence Heavy!
Wasn't using the compression lever right.

She's purring like a lioness right now : )

[CongoXR650L]

4 hours ago, jproaster said:

Productful trip yesterday.  Got this in Indianapolis

Wow!  Looks like it's in pristine condition. Nice find!

[jproaster]

Took it for a spin on my rural subdivision streets...up to fourth gear.
It ran pretty good. Probably needs some tweaking however.

I am happy to say that the xr is a major contender for top priority winter project.

[EmpireofDerp]

Thanks for sequence Heavy!
Wasn't using the compression lever right.

She's purring like a lioness right now : )

Nice!

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[brushcreek]

How bout a few more pics? I really like my L, but have lusted after the R's for a long time. Looks like you found a nice one.