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Does wieght matter?

By rushfan,
in WR400F/426F/450F

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rushfan

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Here's an odd question. I went riding with a friend (who is quite the beginner), and he rides an 04 xr650 which just beats the living crap out of him. Then he rode my 05 wr450 and he fell in love. "UNBELIEVABLE" he says in the difference in performance and handling. So he's gonna go buy one. My question is, is he too big? He is 6'8" and 300lbs!! ? He thought the xr650 would be a good bike for him because of the size, but he has a hard time starting it and it's not a good bike for trails. Any advise? Forgive for saying this, but I thought a big KTM with an electric start should be considered. ?

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rushfan

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He'll definitely need to respring either bike. That would make the biggest difference. Happy trails!

Well, he's not very ambitious when it comes to mods. Do you think he's too heavy for a stock wr? Thanks in advance for all of the help.

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Conan_'dale

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My question is, is he too big? He is 6'8" and almost 400lbs!! ?

I'll try to answer this for ya. I'm 6'7" 285lbs.

My friends used to laugh at me because I'd make my XR600 (96) look like a PW50. I also had (2) KTM 620's Then the Cannondale 440. That is how I got my name "Conan 'dale" because my buddy told me I was like Conan the Barbarian because I make everything look small, they started calling me Conan_'dale. :D

I now ride and love the WR400. The 'dale and WR are quite similar in what they do and how they do it. Pro's an cons for each. I raised my rear spring and that helped a lot. ? If your friend is 400 lbs soaking wet + gear he will definately want to set up the suspension for him. On the 'dale the Ohlins suspension was perfect for me but others felt it was way to stiff.

I would recommend the WR 450 with modified suspension. Ditch the XR650 unless he is going to ride in the desert and I'd probably prefer the 525.

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Dan_Lorenze

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As far as the what bike to get, just because the guy's big and heavy doesn't mean he has to ride a big and heavy bike.. If the guy's not into spending money on aftermarket suspension parts let him ride a poor suspended stock bike and let him suffer..... ? Like others have said, he'll have to respring any stock bike. What a shame not to get the suspension right for your weight..

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stonewall

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Sounds to me like he already has the right bike. Ditch the stock XR carb for an Edelbrock and the starting problems will be gone. Get the suspension set up and he'll be in business. The XR650R is a great bike for a big guy. I'm 6' 210 and I threw it around pretty well in tight hare scrambles out here in the east. At 6'8" 400 lbs. he should be able to toss it around like a BMX bicycle.

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Lowedog

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If he loved your bike then he will be happy. If the guy wants a WR to putt around on then so be it. He can tighten the spring up as much as he can and just ride and have fun. With time he'll probably start doing some mods but then again he might not. I'm sure the bike has plenty of power for him plus it starts easily with a button ?.

A friend of me rides the EXC 525 and is about 6'5" 320 or so and his suspension is bone stock. He tightened the spring up and just rides. He knows he needs stiffer springs but doesn't want to spend the money. The guy rails on that bike! Throws it around like a mini bike and has a blast.

-Lowedog

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