I can't work on my 650!

[1Hondalover]

What I mean is.......it won't let me! The first edition Y2K model with a million HARD miles on it. I've replaced parts over the years just because I got bored with the old ones. I have never lost a clutch, a clutch bushing, a c/s seal....hell, only LAST YEAR did I do the footpeg fix because BajaBoundMoto shamed me in to it on one of his rides! I weigh 225 and the OE piece never looked better.

I've overheated it, ran it out of oil, crashed it.......rode it over miles of whoops, chased KTMs through the Paiutes, rode MX with it......what won't this bike do? It starts first kick every time - what starter? I just checked the valves for the second time in over SIX YEARS just for S&G's, the thing is running perfectly. I found the exhaust valves right on and the intake valves a little tight. Is this normal? i would have thought they would loosen up not tighten.

Pretty soon the ol' scooter will be 7 years old. I will finally retire it to practice/play/prerun duties when the 07 650R is available. I'm afraid of what Honda will throw my way in 08. I have no use for a high RPM, valve maintenance, no oil capacity nightmare of a 600X if that's what's coming. Sure, I wish she could lose a few pounds, but so could I.

I love this thing they call an XR650R. I will buy 10 more of them and store 'em if Honda tries too hard to "new school" it.

[HawkGT]

... I found the exhaust valves right on and the intake valves a little tight. Is this normal? i would have thought they would loosen up not tighten...

The intake valves do tend to go tight. Valves in general tend to get tighter rather than looser. Seems counterintuitive but if you think it through it makes sense. Valves go out of adjustment because something is wearing. Most of the time it's the valve faces and valve seats. When these areas wear it allows the valve to ride higher up in the head--that reduces the clearence between the top of the valve stem and the rocker.

[Motosprtman]

and you think that is good! (it really is :-) how about my odl XL250/350's 30 plus years and still running and starts in 1-2 kicks!

[goodhands]

and you think that is good! (it really is :-) how about my odl XL250/350's 30 plus years and still running and starts in 1-2 kicks!

That is amazing! ?

[PIP RC51]

What I mean is.......it won't let me! The first edition Y2K model with a million HARD miles on it. I've replaced parts over the years just because I got bored with the old ones. I have never lost a clutch, a clutch bushing, a c/s seal....hell, only LAST YEAR did I do the footpeg fix because BajaBoundMoto shamed me in to it on one of his rides! I weigh 225 and the OE piece never looked better.

I've overheated it, ran it out of oil, crashed it.......rode it over miles of whoops, chased KTMs through the Paiutes, rode MX with it......what won't this bike do? It starts first kick every time - what starter? I just checked the valves for the second time in over SIX YEARS just for S&G's, the thing is running perfectly. I found the exhaust valves right on and the intake valves a little tight. Is this normal? i would have thought they would loosen up not tighten.

Pretty soon the ol' scooter will be 7 years old. I will finally retire it to practice/play/prerun duties when the 07 650R is available. I'm afraid of what Honda will throw my way in 08. I have no use for a high RPM, valve maintenance, no oil capacity nightmare of a 600X if that's what's coming. Sure, I wish she could lose a few pounds, but so could I.

I love this thing they call an XR650R. I will buy 10 more of them and store 'em if Honda tries too hard to "new school" it.

As I shop for a dual sport, I cannot help returning my iterest in the 650R and doing the conversion (Baja street kit). I have looked at the KLR's, DR's, KTM and no one has me as interested as the XR. Then I go and read your posts and it again instills in me the FACT that I need to quit looking and just get one.

THANKS ALOT.... ? ............ (LIKE I NEEDED MORE MOTIVATION)

PIP

[OUTERLIMITS]

What I mean is.......it won't let me! The first edition Y2K model with a million HARD miles on it. I've replaced parts over the years just because I got bored with the old ones.

You need to get yourself a girl mate!

Actually, I completely sympathize with you. If they turn the big XR into just another CRFX without the necessary makings for high mileage and low maintenance or worse yet just drop it altogether, the world will surely just implode.

[pburke]

As I shop for a dual sport, I cannot help returning my iterest in the 650R and doing the conversion (Baja street kit). I have looked at the KLR's, DR's, KTM and no one has me as interested as the XR.

do it ?

I was desperate to find an XT600 Tenere in this country after having ridden that bike forever in Europe, but as I learned more about the market here, I kept running into the 650R as the equivalent. In Europe, the 80s Teneres are total cult bikes, but they never sold in the US market, nor did Yamaha do well selling the regular version of that bike. Starting in the 90s the European XTs turned into overweight show bikes and over here they stopped selling the big thumpers altogether.

So when faced with either importing a vintage bike I'd have a hard time finding parts for, or looking for something new that has a huge aftermarket, weighs in at 70 pounds less, it was pretty clear to me that my money was better spent on the 650R than my old beloved Tenere... One day I'll probably own both, but for now, I am quite happy with having the baddest dual sport in town, even if it's red

KTM? may have been in my choices if the prices were more down to earth, same for Husqvarna.

Peter