XR400 and general offroad question

[olionel]

Hello;

I've decided I want an offroad bike, to ride onroad and offroad. Been looking on trader and etc was looking at the xr400 and some of the bikes are advertised with "complete rebuild, new piston rings etc etc" .. do these single cylinder engines need rebuilding often? (sorry if this question is silly) also does the chain and sprocket etc just ware quicker than road bikes?

also are offroad bikes aircooled and dry sumped to save weight? Does this not effect the reliability / life of the machine? Are there any watercooled ones, think KTMs are arent they but they are pricey...

I think thats it for the time being.. thanks in advance for the help!
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1989 CG125 - Childhood Sweetheart (she got kidnapped by baddies)
1998 ZXR400 - Teenage Love (lasted three years, then she turned lesbian and left me)
2001 XRV750 - Wife Material (still getting to know her but head over heels in love)

[G]

The XRs are actually competition enduro bikes. However, they are the less competitive end and are known for their reliability. Doesn't mean they don't go pop occasionally though.

The XR650 is watercooled, the other two are a bit older design. Most modern bikes (the DRZ400e for instance, which is a slightly more powerful slightly heavier XR400 basically) are watercooled.

Bikes with small oil capacities do need regular servicing.

What sort of speeds do you want to cruise at on the road and what sort of budget do you have - these are the two most important issues really.

[olionel]

hey G thanks for the reply. Im not too bothered about speed but ideally Id like a bike to get some offroad practice, get me used to that riding position and also use it to totter around town when I need to. I wont be doing anything competitive offroad, aim is just to get in some practice and if I like it take it up and do it more regularlary. Might be cheaper to go on an offroad taster course thing thinking about it.

But ye my general question was when I looked at these types of bikes they were all "rebuilt" and aircooled and etc etc and it made me wonder...

(Also Im toying with the idea of doing Africa in 3 years time after the phd so I kind of want to get used to a bike on sand/soil/wet, a bike on a hill, bike down a hill bike on bla bla, then do these on a loaded bike if I get chance and get some practice in, so was thinking of also going on a Morocco taster aafter my practices at home to get a hint of the full thing although terrains vary vastly.. anyways sorry for babbling)
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1989 CG125 - Childhood Sweetheart (she got kidnapped by baddies)
1998 ZXR400 - Teenage Love (lasted three years, then she turned lesbian and left me)
2001 XRV750 - Wife Material (still getting to know her but head over heels in love)

[G]

I'd say the off road taster courses are actually generally quite poor value for money. Can get an 'acceptable' dirt bike for 500 quid, bit more for insurance, wear your road gear and you've got many days worth of play-time and you can get your money back from the bike at the end.

If it's just for playing about and off-road is the focus, keep it quite light. The XRs should be a decent choice. While they're not quite as reliable as some, they're not as bad as you're worrying I suspect.
CRM250, KMX220 are also worth considering.

Plenty of other bikes too, ie XT, DR, etc.

If you then decide you like a particular aspect, you can always sell up and go for something more focused - ie enduro bike, bigger cc to do more distance, etc.

[Alex_H]

I had an xr400, done plenty of miles on it and as long as you keep on top of the (pretty regular) oil services it'll be fine. Also checking the valve clearances needs to be done quite often, buts its very easy so not a bother, I never had to adjust mine.

Just make sure you get one with an ignition key already fitted otherwise you'll have to get one of those before a lot of insurance companies will touch you.

Also, if you get one, get the owner to start it from cold for you, get it warm, then start it again when it is warm. One with proper carb setup and in good health should start a bit easier warm than cold.

Just dont hit motorways or long A roads on it, you'll fall out of love quite quick lol
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1998 r1, ccm 644 ds, 2000 r6 ghetto track bike

[Hazylogic]

I just got myself an xlr250r 93 grey import for fairly cheap. 80 quid to insure, tax is F all too!

Wouldn't you be better getting something smaller than the 400's to start with? Especially for off roading.

From what I read about the xrs the 2fiddys are good for your tight stuff, whereas the 400's are better for your not-so-tight stuff, lol.

Check advrider, TT and xrv . Probably the best place to get info on them thar tra'tors.

Tis a shame that they stopped making these luvverly tra'tors!

[G]

The XR400 still has less peak power than a CRF250 or something and doesn't really deliver it in an intimidating way .

[colin1]

as G well knows, hazylogic is talking 250 4 strokes not 2 strokes

i've got a 250 4 stroke dirt bike that is nice and light for offroading, and plenty enough for popping into town or a 3 mile commute

i agree with hazy that a small 4 stroke 250 is a better idea than a 400

most bits of land that can be ridden offroad in this country, are more suited to a 250 than a 400 in my opinion

i did try a 400, and it was a bit of a beast and not so easy to control offroad
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[G]

[colin1]

ah looks like i misunderstood Gs answer as i thought he was talking about a 250 2 stroke

im quite surprised that a particular 250 4 stroke would have more power than a particular 400 4 stroke

i tried either a yzf450 or possibly a wr450 or possibly both

either way, a bit tall and heavy for me

i am about 5ft 7 tho, and my 250 4 stroke has a lowering link as the guy i bought it off was smaller than me

a 125 2 stroke motocross was fun and light but too revvy, a 250 4 stroke was just right for me
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[G]

The modern 250 competition bikes are up to around 37hp I believe, while the XR400 has around 30hp or so - older 400s easily less. Remember the XR, while still an 'enduro' bike is still an air cooled moderately low-revving design, while the latest bikes use high revving water cooled engines.

The YZF450 should have less weight than your TTR I believe, however, of course being higher up it's more noticable when trying to man-handle it. WR maybe similar weight.
I've been having to do all the short-person tricks on my 690 now that I've got a bigger seat and got a sheep skin pad on top of that. Definitely much harder to paddle around.