XR650 advice/?'s

[DualSportDad]

i'm going to look at a xr650r today and was wondering what i should be looking for. my plan is to convert the bike to dual sport. is this a straight forward process? what all needs to be done to dual sport a xr650r? i found the baja kit for $450, does that include everything?

i'd be paying $1500 for this bike. is that a good price for a 2000 xr650r?

and as gay as this question is........ how do i start the pig? all i've ever ridden is little 200cc bikes and a drz400 a few times. i've never had to kick over a big bike. i see the decompression handle. do i pull that and start to kick then release the handle?

thanks for any advice.

[Kenaroo]

for $1500.. Buy the bike if it runs and looks decent. even if it's a little clapped out, you can refurbish it for under $1000. This bike should sell for around $2500 to $2900 range if in excellent condition.

4 stroke starting proceedures:

Gas on, with throttle closed. choke on (if engine is cold)

slowly kick bike through cycle until it gets to the very hard stroke of engine (close to top dead center).

Pull in decompression lever, and slowly kick past hard stroke 1/4 kick.

bring kick starter up to top, release decompression lever. and kick the thing hard.

repeat as needed.

good luck.. and enjoy the bike.

on DSing the bike.. check local regulations for requirements. different states have different requirements.

Baja Designs makes a decent kit. you can do a DIY cheaper if you know what your doing.

No matter what.. the bike is an easy conversion.

[DualSportDad]

what about rewinding the stator? does that need to be done? i really don't know a thing about dual sporting a bike and getting it plated. if i could find the kit for cheaper that would be great.

thanks for the info. i'll be calling the tax collector tomorrow to see what it will take to get it plated.

[Kenaroo]

what about rewinding the stator? does that need to be done? i really don't know a thing about dual sporting a bike and getting it plated. if i could find the kit for cheaper that would be great.

thanks for the info. i'll be calling the tax collector tomorrow to see what it will take to get it plated.

stock coil will work fine.

try talking with a local bike shop or other riders around your area.

might want to check out and post on Advrider.com.. a lot of DS riders there.

[DualSportDad]

good info thanks. i guess it's just add lights and go huh. i'll call the tax collector tomorrow.

[hypersthenos]

Yep you're on the right track planning a DS kit. If you're not much of a DIY'er you can't beat the Baja Designs kit-nice to have a wiring diagram & tech support for troubleshooting. With the headlight that comes with the kit your stock stator will be OK but if you're going to be doing much riding at night you really should consider going with a 55/60W headlight bulb and going with a higher output stator. With the stock stator you will quickly deplete the battery and end up with a dim headlight otherwise. I rewound my stator myself and now the battery is unecessary to run a 55/60W headlight and handwarmers. Some folks may disagree with this stator advice but I found out the hard way riding home from work one night that if you're battery is low even the original headlight that comes with the kit becomes too dim to ride safely. Just my 2 cents worth. Once you've figured out the starting drill (with the jetting dialed in) starting won't be a problem.

[DualSportDad]

i'm a big time diy'er. on my current bike i have retrofitted a Chrysler 300c srt-8 hid head lamp into the stock housing. i used the projector and all. on the xr i think i'll go with a hid setup again but won't use the projector as it seems to be too heavy when off road. it has started to damage the housing. the hid seems like the best way to go cause the bulb only draws 35 watts.

[2XR650s]

Besides the BD kit, I needed street legal tires, Dunlop 606s and a rear view mirror.

[DualSportDad]

yeah i plan on buying mirrors and some 606's.

[smicer]

hi there...i m not certified for advice...but here's what i've done with the bike and Dual sporting it..

check it out.

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=530494