XR600 for first bike?

[chasio]

I'm looking to get my first bike and I have a full license courtesy of my 200cc Vespa. So I don't have to pay silly 250 money.

I've come across an '92 XR600 locally that is already scratched to buggery but sounds like it would work OK. So if/when I drop it I won't get too pissed off.

From what I've read on here the XR600 is a pretty decent machine and lighter than say a DR. I'm hoping to do road, gravel and easy track work until I know how to ride properly, then take it from there. I'm aiming around the couple of grand mark for now.

I'm new to motorbikes but am very experienced on all sorts of treadlies (>30 years), 20 years of driving a manual cage and have had the scooter for a year without mishap (apart maybe from scratching that Merc when I was filtering once... :o ).

So the question is: would the XR600 be a reasonable choice for a noob or am I being an impatient dork here?

And if it might suit, is there anyone close to North Shore who'd be prepared to take a look at it? I know I don't know enough.

Cheers - Chasio

PS I've also spotted a '94 KLX650 with electric start, Acerbis tank and a rack at $2k reserve...

[cave weta]

It sounds good to me for what you intend it for. They can be a bugger to start when hot though. I reckon if you are tallish ( 1.70m upwards ) you will be ok and if you are over 85 kilo it will be easy enough to cope with when you find that you have lost your trail and have to wrestle it around in the gorse or manuka:lol:

Im only 1.65m and I ride a KTM525 Sixdays- that taught me how to plan ahead and keep my momentum up! - but awesome on the road, it just kills rear tyres!

[rphenix]

XR's are good fun I prefer them much more to the XL's that you usually see on the road! The XR has a pretty consistent throttle so your not going to accidentally hit a power band that will put you on the back wheel if not on your ass when your not expecting it.

I take it the XR your talking about comes with an onroad kit (lights indicators etc..ie regged/wof) as a lot of them are dirt only.

Just dont leave the XR sitting around for any long periods the carb's hate old fuel and you can end up run starting the bugger after kickstarting your guts out :angry:

[Taz]

Yeah and lock it everywhere you go or it'll disappear.

[chasio]

The XR has current WOF and rego...

... unlike the KLX I mentioned that apparently has been rego'd in the past but is currently lapsed. How hard is it to get a bike through the VIN process, assuming it has all the lights etc required?

Cheers for all your replies.

[portokiwi]

They are nice bikes we used them in the army. 250 ones though

[chasio]

Forgot to say I'm 1.78 and 70kg, but I'm a determined bugger so I'll get it up one way or another (oo-er Mrs.) It'll be easier than a KLR, anyway...

[CRM]

Yeah just love mine... Lots of grunt but predictable. Beauty torque :2thumbsup.

They say they are hard to start but it just takes a bit of patience sometimes - get it till you hear the 'chunk' take the starter to the top and it will usually start. Sometimes needs two or there times but never kicks back, just put your weight behind it and you're off (i'm about your height but heavier).

Great on the road with the right tyres and equally great in the dirt with the right tyres. Need to watch for a clicking noise apparently (worn cam chain guide) and third gear apparently is the first thing to show wear if they've been thrashed. The other thing is the choke plate - I replaced mine (they are prone to failure) when I got it. Mines done nearly 30000km and is pretty sweet mechanically, do need to watch the oil level though.

So I think it would be a great choice for you. Unfortunately not going to be around Auckland this week or I'd have been happy to come and have a look and compare it to mine. All the best :banana:

[cynna]

my xr650r arrives tomorrow morning - will let you know what i think of it compared to my dr350

[chasio]

Thanks for your replies :)

Well I want it, but I am wary of buying a bag of nails... I know someone who might have a look for me but he's not really tall enough to kick start it!

Is anyone able to help out at all? It's this one (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=191235021) and it closes Wednesday. I know it's an ask and I'd be more than happy to cover petrol, etc. :apint:

I've been put off the KLX (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=192500530) as the seller hasn't answered my question about registering it.

[Padmei]

Sounds great. Be prepared to spend some moolah on it if you want to get it to suit you ie tyres etc. This bike isn't the best you can buy but it will be one you'll never forget. Once you get tired of it then get what you really want:niceone:

[Woodman]

It sounds good to me for what you intend it for. They can be a bugger to start when hot though. I reckon if you are tallish ( 1.70m upwards ) you will be ok and if you are over 85 kilo it will be easy enough to cope with when you find that you have lost your trail and have to wrestle it around in the gorse or manuka:lol:

Im only 1.65m and I ride a KTM525 Sixdays- that taught me how to plan ahead and keep my momentum up! - but awesome on the road, it just kills rear tyres!

Yea good choice, just keep your hand near the clutch when doing gnarly hilly type work as they do stall when hot, and then you have to kick it, and quite often in an akward situation e.g. halfway up a steep hill.

[NordieBoy]

I've been put off the KLX (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=192500530) as the seller hasn't answered my question about registering it.

It'd cost about $450 or so to re-vin it.
It was registered so it's in the system.
Just make sure you get a receipt when you purchase.

[MXNUT]

It'd cost about $450 or so to re-vin it.
It was registered so it's in the system.
Just make sure you get a receipt when you purchase.

The KLX does look like a good option with electric start and a long range tank and better suspension thant the XR, it has all the basics of being a good ADV bike.

It does pay to shop around for quotes like this.When i was going through the same process in October to get SUZI GIRLS DR200 registered i got quotes of a similar amount from VTNZ but ended up finding a private Vin agency here in H town that did it for $180.00 + gst.

As Nordie said though you would have to confirm that it had been previously registered and the sales recept is a very important part of the VIN process.

[NordieBoy]

As Nordie said though you would have to confirm that it had been previously registered and the sales recept is a very important part of the VIN process.

Or a certificate from the Cops that it's not "of interest" to them.

[chasio]

Cheers for your replies. The KLX guy has started answering so I'll keep an interest in that. I had a chat with the XR seller and he's stuck on $3k minimum so with tyres and other costs I'd be in for $3500 there before I know where I am, and that seems a bit steep for one in that condition.

I'm actually getting to the point where I think I should sell the GT200 and spend a bit more on a bike to get the best I can afford - say $5k or so. What I really want is both, but I'll struggle to afford them.

Life was simpler before I started reading about what you lot get up to!

[oldskool]

I had my eye on that bike for a while...until it went pass what I was prepared to pay for it ($1500). I love XR's and the 600 is the king of them. $3k is too much to pay for it tho.

Correct me if I am wrong guys but obtaining a VIN for an old dirt bike that's never been road registered before shouldn't be as much an ordeal as people make out if you have a spare vinned frame in the shed? (Electrics aside)

[CRM]

I had my eye on that bike for a while...until it went pass what I was prepared to pay for it ($1500). I love XR's and the 600 is the king of them. $3k is too much to pay for it tho.



Thing is... if the motor, frame and suspension is sound and it is warranted and regoed, but it's a bit scratched up it's actually not a biggy to turn it into a great tidy bike - new seat cover ($50?), paint the ugly blue side covers ($20 plus a bit of labour?), new tyres ($200) and you've got a little ripper for under $3500 that will out-perform anything short of a $15000 KTM 640 Adventure :drool:. If you want to really get it looking good get the frame blasted and repainted and new plastics but a lot more $ probably better spent on the suspension. I had the same thought - who would pay that much for 15 year old bike? - but I'm glad I did.

My 5c...:whistle:

[oldskool]

Thing is... if the motor, frame and suspension is sound and it is warranted and regoed, but it's a bit scratched up it's actually not a biggy to turn it into a great tidy bike - new seat cover ($50?), paint the ugly blue side covers ($20 plus a bit of labour?), new tyres ($200) and you've got a little ripper for under $3500 that will out-perform anything short of a $15000 KTM 640 Adventure :drool:. If you want to really get it looking good get the frame blasted and repainted and new plastics but a lot more $ probably better spent on the suspension. I had the same thought - who would pay that much for 15 year old bike? - but I'm glad I did.

My 5c...:whistle:

Agreed. The seat upholstered with an XR logo would be about $60. Side covers look to have been painted over, maybe they'll strip off and buff up. Resticker the swingarm etc. Reseal the front forks and reco the rear shock. Oil change, oil the cables, grease the linkages etc etc. But I've seen XR600's sell for around $1500 to $1800 unrego'd. If you're lucky enough to pick up a frame that's already been vinned, if it was me, I'd powder coat the frame and then it's just a matter of rebuilding the thing from the goer. That way you can check it through and know you have a bullet proof bike at the end of it... good project to do over the summer too! A lot less than buying a $3000 bike that may not be in better condition mechanically. My 2c

[chasio]

The XR has gone too steep for me just at the moment. I've also decided I need to keep the Vespa for commuting as it is perfect for it and I do like it. The KLX sounds like it will register OK so I may see if I can find someone out west who can inspect it. Any recommendations? I'd be happy to pay someone...

Cheers - Chasio

[chasio]

PS I 'm not mechanical enough to do a rebuild job! But it sounds like one of you might fancy a go! He's offered it at $2900...

[Waihou Thumper]

Or a certificate from the Cops that it's not "of interest" to them.


Good idea but when you re-vin a bike, I think it already goes through the process. I re-vinned the Husaberg, they checked at the testing station and because it was all clear did the WOF, and as it was in the system it was just a matter of re-inspection and I was away...