The Best Years???

[jakebuell]

what is the best year(s) for an XR650R? and why?

[don87xr600]

2005, because it had the best graphics. But seriously, All years all the same except for a couple of upgrades which can be easily be performed by you.

[weskc35k]

Probably the best years will be when i'm old and grey telling my offspring how i woulda wipped em on a big red one no matter what they brung.

[gnarly sprockets]

The year you have.

[qadsan]

2002 and newer 650R's have an updated countershaft seal and an updated clutch bushing, but that's about the only changes other than graphics from what I recall. Updating a 2000 or 2001 to the newer parts is very easy and very inexpensive.

[XR_mad]

gotta love the "bold new race inspired graphics" of the 06'

[snaggleXR650]

Yes, 2002+ have the countershaft seal and clutch bushing. However, if a SWEET 2000 pops up, with little time on it, it's just as good as a 2006. Get it and do the INEXPENSIVE upgrades yourself.

I've never changed the countershaft seal on my 2000, and it has never leaked. I did change the clutch bushing, but the original one looked good when I removed it. The clutch bushing is cheap insurance though, so it's a must.

[EddyWhoGoes]

Probably the best years will be when i'm old and grey telling my offspring how i woulda wipped em on a big red one no matter what they brung.

I hear ya!

Love that word btw..... "brung"

~we didnt glide we glud, it didnt slide, it slud~

[BWB63]

As said, before, the counter shaft seal and clutch bushing were upgraded in mid 2001.

There was a run of XR650R's that had thicker engine cases, between 2002 and 2003. This was done to make the engine noise less.

In 2005 the fork compression valve port holes are a lot smaller but, they kept the same shim stack. This was done to help slow the front end for bigger riders. Makes the front end harsher. They seemed to have changed the fluid they used also. Stock compression valve holes are 2.65mm on 2000~2004 models but, I just did a 2005 that had 1.96mm holes. They can be ported out to 3.64mm making a much plusher ride but, needing a stiffer shim stack to make up for it.

There are bikes in the year of 2003 that were still using the parts from 2001 bikes. My 2003 came with the old clutch bushing and counter shaft seal. So, was it just a 2001 with a 2003 name plate and those killer 2003 graphics's that were change to the much slower 2004 graphics's? The 2006 graphics's totally suck and make that years bike worthless

http://xr650r.borynack.com/

http://borynack.com/xr650r.htm

http://www.xr650r.borynack.com/bwbvideo.htm

[Jayzonk]

The 2006 graphics's totally suck and make that years bike worthless

Why all these negative vibes?? He must be mocking someone who just bought one....

[BWB63]

The 2006 graphics's totally suck and make that years bike worthless

Why all these negative vibes?? He must be mocking someone who just bought one....

Did you get one?

I was hoping to make the point that only the grafics have changed that is known so far from the 2005.

[Jayzonk]

No, not yet. Still holding out for word on a change or no change for '07.

I'm doing more cycling than motorbiking in an attempt to be in shape for a Baja trip.

[Jayzonk]

...plus the graphics suck....

[don87xr600]

It hasn't changed in 6 years and is being discontinued, why would they change it now?

[Jayzonk]

I don't think the discontinuation is for certain. Only been confirmed in Australia.