650R or XR400

[zrxer]

Hey guys I'm trying to make some sort of a decision here and I need some help. I have seriously been considering selling my 650R and getting an XR400. The reason for this is, the terrain in which I ride is changing considerably. I ride all woods, no desert anywhere near me. It used to be mostly logging/fire roads with some trail. Now it's totally the opposite. Mainly tight, rutty trails and some logging roads. The 650 is a handfull in these situations and a little too much of a workout anymore. Would the weight difference and physical size of the 400 be worth the switch? I want to stay with Honda and am not interested in any of the new age superthumper 450s. Any thoughts (or flames) are welcome. Bruce

[hawaiidirtrider]

xr400 all the way!!! I know . don't have to deal with radiators.

[Trail Rider 7]

Hey guys I'm trying to make some sort of a decision here and I need some help. I have seriously been considering selling my 650R and getting an XR400. The reason for this is, the terrain in which I ride is changing considerably. I ride all woods, no desert anywhere near me. It used to be mostly logging/fire roads with some trail. Now it's totally the opposite. Mainly tight, rutty trails and some logging roads. The 650 is a handfull in these situations and a little too much of a workout anymore. Would the weight difference and physical size of the 400 be worth the switch? I want to stay with Honda and am not interested in any of the new age superthumper 450s. Any thoughts (or flames) are welcome. Bruce

Keep the R

[scalejockey]

I ride my 650 in some tight nasty stuff at times.And iv'e been in a few spots were i wished i still rode a 125 or 250 (just to lift it over stuff) but never a xr 400. the're still quit heavy to me. But i weigh 175..

[XR4DEZ]

If it's that tight, consider a KLX300, a 250 4 stroke or a 2 stroke.

[AtomicGeo]

I am not sure that going to a less performing dated suspension is worth the 20 or so lbs less weight that XR400 has it worth it. Is there any other bikes that you might be interested in? If you want to stay in the Honda family, then maybe a woods-like geared CRF250X may be better. This will give you the more less weight difference and way more performance than the XR400. Outside of the Honda, maybe finding a used KDX two-smoker (I did this) trails bike or a KTM. I wouldn't do the swap for the XR400, there are more suitable bikes out there that will be have noticeably lighter and better control in tight trails than the XR400 over the XR650R.

[zrxer]

Thanks for the replies. I'm a devout 4-stroke rider and not ready to go 2-stroke in the forseeable future. I have ridden a 340cc KLX300 (in fact I built it) and I was actually pretty happy with it. It belonged to my boss but he sold it. I have thought about the WR250F and CRF250X but those are basically race bikes with the maintenance to go along with it. I have owned a YZ426F and a WR450F in the past but those things are just too hyper for me. I have even considered the XR250 but just can't convince myself to take THAT much of a horsepower loss.LOL I'm just really drawn to the XRs because of the simplicity, longevity and ease of maintenance. But if there's only about 20lbs difference between the 650 and 400, I'll keep the 650. I might check out the WR250F a little more though. The Yamahas I owned previously prooved to be VERY reliable and trouble free, with the exeption of the fork seals on the 426. Bruce

[scalejockey]

I rode a wr 250f i really liked it. But not stock.After a pipe and a jet kit it was a blast. The suspension is a bit soft but ya gotta love the button.

[hondacrf150f1]

id say the XR400 would be around 20 pounds lighter than the 650R, just a quess. I would think after the performance and handling of the 650R you would be somewhat dissapointed with the 400, although it is a kick ass middleweight bike. Try to ride 1 before you make your decision.

[toohip]

I know you are a honda guy and I am too. I have a xr400. I don't think you will be happy with it coming from a 650r. Yes it is lighter but it is under powered compared to the 650r. I have to sugguested a KTM 450 or a 525. First they have lots of power, they have good handleing and the magic buttom are are much lighter then a 400 or your 650. Most of the guys i ride with have them an the maintenance isn't that bad. They are really worth looking into, you can even get them street legal which is nice.

[RdrMtn]

I had a '97 XR400 I bought new before I got into moto for a while. I got out of moto and ride a plated 650R now. The 400 is a lot easier to handle due to it's overall smaller size-and the lighter weight is definitely noticeable. It's basically an XR250 with a bigger engine. The suspension on the 400 is just as good as the 650R. Most of the time I wish I had never sold my 400. The 650R has awesome power-great for riding on the road, but that's the only advantage in my opinion. The 400 beats the 650R as a trail bike hands down.

[oldturtle]

My current dirt bikes are XR650R(Baja designs & Cal plated), XR400, and KDX220. I have seen fast guys do well on XR650Rs in the woods but it is just too much work and too little fun for me. The 650 is now used only on easy dual sport rides. I also have ridden XR250 often in tight woods. My brother has KTM450EXC that I have ridden often in woods. The most fun of all these for me in the woods is the KDX but the XR400 is a close second place. These two are just easier to ride at my moderate and sedate pace.

IMO you just cannot beat having more than one good dirt bike.

[hill5150]

Keep the 650(It's a collector's item) and look at the 450X, the 400 is well underpowered compared to the 650 and 450.

[Rockjockey]

I bought both in 2000 and ended up selling the 650R to pump up the 400 to a 440, as well as as modify it to fit my intended use and riding style better. I loved the power of the 650 but here is no desert here so the 650 had to go it was too hard to make it change directions in the tight twisties of enduro's here. The finished product Has no radiators to break, is easy to maintain and is a joy to ride:

[RdrMtn]

That's the sweetest 400 I have ever seen.

[Agent2]

I had a XR400 - best bike I ever owned when it came to reliabilty, kinda wish I wouldn't have sold it. Only reason I "upgraded" to a 650r is because on those long desert straightaways I kept trying to shift up to a higher gear that wasen't there. If you don't need a bike that does 90 mph the 400 is hard to beat.

[Suikerland]

I bought both in 2000 and ended up selling the 650R to pump up the 400 to a 440, as well as as modify it to fit my intended use and riding style better. I loved the power of the 650 but here is no desert here so the 650 had to go it was too hard to make it change directions in the tight twisties of enduro's here. The finished product Has no radiators to break, is easy to maintain and is a joy to ride:

Great looking XR4.

Nobody considering the CRF450X? Too much maintenance?

[martinfan30]

RJ, VERY nice XR400!!

[scalejockey]

woooweee nice 400 rockjockey! that's what Honda should build USD forks Ohlins shock. reliable motor..yada yada

[zrxer]

Rockjocky that is one sweeeet 400 ya got there!

I appreciate everyones input on this. I guess what I'll do, at least for the time being, is maybe see if I can take a pound or two off the BRP, gear it down and start eating my wheaties again.LOL Even if I decide to get something lighter in the future, I'm gonna keep this bad boy. As hill5150 stated it's a collectors item now! I've been riding overweight big bore XRs since the early '80s, why stop now?! Bruce