New XR400 owner and rider

[SDMatt]

Hey guys. I'm a happy owner of a 00 XR400. It has upgraded suspension, decent bars and some armor around the bike. This is the first dirt bike I've owned and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as far as what I should do for the bike. It does have the stock muffler, which I'm happy with. Really the only I'm planning on doing is buying metal hand guards so I don't break the levers off while I'm learning to ride. Any tips or suggestions would be welcomed! Thanks.

[SDMatt]

I should have read that first. Pretty cool sounding/easy to do mods. I used to own a street bike and I'm still getting used to the idea of having the bike 'loose' in the dirt. I live in San Diego and the variety of terrain around here seems endless.

[MSH]

As MAR said above, I would also highly recommend the "Gordon Mods" when you are ready for more power!

[stevieray1958]

I have Acerbis brush guards on my XR and love them. Welcome to the wonderful world of XR400s, the best bike in the dirt!!! What part of SD are you in?

[HairyScary]

XR400R Frequently Asked Questions can be found at:

http://www.freewebs.com/hairyscary

[Ted33]

I too am a relatively new XR400 owner (April) and this is my first dirt bike also. I have the Acerbis Pro Brushguards on my bike and they are great. One recommendation I would make is that you cut the ball off the end of each lever, and file them nice and smooth. As I learn to ride I occasionally dump the bike (some days more occasionally than others). The heavy aluminum in the brushguards can bend just enough to cause your levers to hang up on them. My clutch lever would not operate when this happened to me. Luckily this happened just a few yards from my truck, so I was able to push the bike back and get to my tool box. After I cut the levers I have not had the problem. Thanks to Berkeman for the tip on cutting the levers. ?

[KEVXR416]

Welcome to the wonderful world of XR's ??

[Lightnin45]

My levers were dragging my handgaurds so I just moved my perch in closer to the center of the handlebars by about 1/8 inch or so, easier than cutting them off, the ball is supposed to keep it from going through some body part if you wreck I always thought. ?

[BAG]

TUSK Makes a really nice set of brush gaurds that take a serious beating! Trust me, I know how to crash!

[xrMike]

My levers were dragging my handgaurds so I just moved my perch in closer to the center of the handlebars by about 1/8 inch or so, easier than cutting them off, the ball is supposed to keep it from going through some body part if you wreck I always thought.

I've got the Acerbis guards too, was having the same problem. Moose sells some "shorty" style levers that fit nicely in this situation, so you don't have to cut your balls off . ?

[Ted33]

Lightnin45, that is probably a good point if you aren't using the guards. If you have the guards on, and you still get a lever through a body part, then you have alot bigger problem than an impaled body part. ??

[SDMatt]

I live in PB. Went to Occotillo Wells and rode in the rain last weekend. It was snowing at the Golden Acorn Casino, pretty funny considering it's only one hour from the beach. I'm going to Pine on Sunday with a friend. I'm always interested in meeting more people that ride as I know that I won't do it alone, at least for now.

[jazzbrother]

Moose sells some "shorty" style levers that fit nicely in this situation, so you don't have to cut your balls off . ?

? Could you please rephrase that? (I just learned it's hard to cross your legs and clamp tight your sphincter at the same time.)