What are the major differences between 03, 04, and 05 XR650R?

[4WheelingPlus]

A local bike dealer has a new 2003 XR650R for sale. Asking $5200 plus tax, license, set-up, etc. It's very tempting but I am thinking I should pay the extra for the 2005.

What are the major differences between the 2003, 2004 & 2005 XR650R?

Thanks,

Ron Dunn Jr

[FlyByWire]

The 'XR' on the tank shroud is Silver in the later models.

They havnt changed anyting on these bikes for years.

[BWB63]

There are place' (John Burr cycles in Californian) That has sold 03' 4999 OTD! That's Out The Door! LA Honda is another. So, if you can bluff, spit, walk out the door till you get it for $5200 OTD then do it. ?

[curtjeaz280]

BNG (Bold New Graphics), which as already stated, are not even that Bold. The bike is so good, they dont need to change anything. Shop by price. Buy a sticker kit, if you want, and know one will know what year it is.

[big t]

I would think they would come down more than that on a bike that is going to be 2 years old soon even though it is new. I bought my 03 in Dec. of 2003 for $4999. Nothing has changed on the bikes like was said. I have heard of poeple buying these bikes as low as $4500 new as left over year models. I would try to get the 03 if you can get a deal on it.

[roadcam]

I have read where the very first year of XR650R had an oil seal, (not sure, but think it was a seal behind the countershaft sprocket), that failed during the Baja race, and engine was destroyed by oil loss ... I believe I also read where the seal culprit was corrected on the later models ... worth asking the dealer about ...

[resslera]

I just picked up a new 03 650R for $4499 out the door at Honda of Chanute in Kansas. Yes, I got hit on taxes back in my home state but it was still aroun $4700 if you include the taxes I had to pay to make it street legal and licensed.

[4WheelingPlus]

Wow! Thanks for all the great info.

I have been dreaming about it all weekend and I am going in tomorrow for another look.

I may offer $5200 OTD and see if they bite.

One more silly question... ?

I had knee surgery on my right knee in Feb. It's healed to better than ever but I have a small concern about kick starting that big of a bike. How hard is it to kick start?

My 2004 XR650L has electric start so I am spoiled.

I see that Baja Designs makes an add on e-starter but that is more $$$ and more weight.

- Ron

[Old_Man_Time]

Wow! Thanks for all the great info.

I have been dreaming about it all weekend and I am going in tomorrow for another look.

I may offer $5200 OTD and see if they bite.

One more silly question... ?

I had knee surgery on my right knee in Feb. It's healed to better than ever but I have a small concern about kick starting that big of a bike. How hard is it to kick start?

My 2004 XR650L has electric start so I am spoiled.

I see that Baja Designs makes an add on e-starter but that is more $$$ and more weight.

- Ron

Ron, if you follow the procedure for kick starting these bikes its a piece of cake. If you don't follow the procedure it will be a pain. So it's a no brainer, follow the procedures. Make sure you install the power up kit before you start kicking it.

Oh yeah, they had a bad run of seals behind the counter shaft sprocket on the early models. That has been corrected and there was a flaw in the design of the early clutch guide bearing which has also been corrected. Niether of these problems is in an 03 model. Other than that from 2000 its first model year to 2005 the only difference is graphics.