156 replies to this topic

[MountainTactics TT Newbie]

Hey guys I just joined thumper talk today, I am looking into buying a good dual sport bike. I am going to be using it for dirt more than street, and I thought someone may have some suggestions. I am new to the world of motorcycles, but I have ridden 4-wheelers all my life (Im 22) im also about 6'6 so I have been considering the honda xr650l. my only concern is that it has no backup kickstart. can anyone point me in the right direction on a good bike choice (though ive almost made up my mind) and a reccomendation for year model, and where to find a good used bike. Thanks guys!

[CrazyEdd TT Newbie]

Why don't you get the xr650 and put the kick start on it or get a xr600 and put an electric start on it. Otherwise I would say check out a WR450 excellent bike really reliable in my experience. Good Luck

[fredodido1 TT Bronze Member]

the 650l elect. starter is extremely reliable and if it dies or the battery, it is a pretty easy bike to bump start in 2 or 3 gear.

your can always put a kick start on it... if you really want to.

or buy a plated 650R and just have a kick start, my bike start first or second kick every time, anywhere...

good luck on finding your pig.

[Weskusjaco TT Newbie]

Just bought a new 2011 xr650l, how would shopping list change?

Thanks for fantastic post

[ThumpNRed TT Titanium Member]

Weskusjaco said:

Just bought a new 2011 xr650l, how would shopping list change?

Thanks for fantastic post

I would not consider adding a kickstart until you need to rebuild the motor. It is a fairly involved process. Your bike is jetted really lean and the intake is plugged up from the factory so something that you might consider now is doing "Dave's Mods". You can find good information here as well as on 4-strokes.com about the process.
Enjoy the bike and welcome to the board!

[HeadTrauma Get Help Now]

Weskusjaco said:

Just bought a new 2011 xr650l, how would shopping list change?

It wouldn't.

[Alex DeFreitas TT Bronze Member]

doing engine rebuild so figuring i want to add this in the process... want to be up and running in 2 weeks how long did it take you to get the parts?

[ThumpNRed TT Titanium Member]

Alex DeFreitas, on 11 March 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

doing engine rebuild so figuring i want to add this in the process... want to be up and running in 2 weeks how long did it take you to get the parts?

I was not in a rush (winter build) so I spent time hunting deals on eBay. You could find the parts quickly I am sure using Buy it Now on eBay, but you'll get raped in the process.

[clc3251 TT Bronze Member]

I got all the new parts in a week.  The Ebay parts took about two weeks while I waited for auctions to end.  If you check frequently you can find some good deals with a buy it now option.  Definitely worth the wait on the Ebay parts, as the cost for new parts was way higher.  I would buy all the kicker parts and the side casing on Ebay end all the seals/gaskets and the countershaft new.  I didn't want to risk putting in a used countershaft and have to split the cases again.

[garthr TT Bronze Member]

clc3251, on 06 October 2009 - 08:16 PM, said:

Here:

my case didnt have this hole until i cut one.

[Alex DeFreitas TT Bronze Member]

I have been busy fixing my engine but still have this towards the finish line.

My 2-3 timetable is shit and thrown out the window.

Question - Do the parts have to be from any specific year? I believe the manual is for 1993-2007 xr600 and xr650. I see a lot of kickstart assemblies on ebay for like 1987. Would this be applicable to my 1996XRL?

[Alex DeFreitas TT Bronze Member]

see

http://www.ebay.com/...r#ht_1962wt_922

[ThumpNRed TT Titanium Member]

Alex DeFreitas, on 16 March 2012 - 09:48 AM, said:

see

http://www.ebay.com/...r#ht_1962wt_922

Mine was out of an '86 bottom end as well. It will work.


You also need one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/...ssories&vxp=mtr

Edited by ThumpNRed, 19 March 2012 - 05:16 PM.

[Alex DeFreitas TT Bronze Member]

and a new countershaft?

[ThumpNRed TT Titanium Member]

Yes... You need an XR600R countershaft An xrl shaft will not work.

[Alex DeFreitas TT Bronze Member]

starting the $$$ dump into my pig for this conversion

heres what ive got so far

http://www.ebay.com/...49#ht_500wt_937

http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_1391wt_1156

soooo countershaft (prob should buy new)
idler gear
kickstart lever

anything else?

thanks thumpnred for the crankcase link... looks like shit but whatever... maybe ill high temp paint it

Edited by Alex DeFreitas, 21 March 2012 - 07:25 PM.

[ThumpNRed TT Titanium Member]

Alex DeFreitas, on 21 March 2012 - 07:24 PM, said:

starting the $$$ dump into my pig for this conversion

heres what ive got so far

http://www.ebay.com/...49#ht_500wt_937

http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_1391wt_1156

soooo countershaft (prob should buy new)
idler gear
kickstart lever

anything else?

thanks thumpnred for the crankcase link... looks like shit but whatever... maybe ill high temp paint it

Don't pay too much attention to the paint on stuff. Here's what my clutch cover looked like when i bought it:


After some love:

Done:

[Alex DeFreitas TT Bronze Member]

nice what paint did you use

[MaicoMaico TT Member]

Can you go the other way around, and put an electric starter on an older XL? 83-87...

[HeadTrauma Get Help Now]

Possible, but not at all practical. You would be better off putting the XL600 top end on a 650L bottom end. There's a thread or two about that as well if you search.