Proud new owner of a 2000 xr650r

Hi everyone!

I live in Vancouver BC Canada and just got myself a street legal 2000 xr650r (dual sport kit not installed)! I previously had a 79' yamaha xs750 Special that I cared for for close to 5 years and got to know it really well mechanically (Since there always seemed to be something in need of repair) but I just couldn't stop thinking about riding off road! So after selling my xs750 (What felt like selling my 1st born child) and a long time spent craigslist hunting I finally found my XR!

Long story short, I'm really excited! Now I just have to get a dual sport kit on there and perfect my kickstart technique, I'm not consistent, but at least I can get it started now (Which is more than I could say on my first day having it in my garage - Dirt bikes are new to me)

Looking forward to being a part of the forum!

Welcome to the forums

Welcome to your new addiction Bru

Starting is a piece of pi$ if you know how to, otherwise you may develop a huge leg if persistent (and/or thick) enough.
Tap open, choke on, decomp lever in, cycle the kicker a few times, let go of the decomp, push until the kicker goes 'hard' (most always erroneously referred to as TDC which it is not), pull decomp and lower the kicker and inch (not more), release decomp and whack the kicker home - that's it.
Oh, no throttle at all, closed.
Mind, this works flawlessly if the bike is tuned ditto, so do that first.
This bike starts so easy that some use it to show it off to their happy-button friends!

What you should know it that this bike actually can not kick back, however do not expect this on paper from me. It fires exactly at TDC so any momentum will carry it over, and once running the ignition module advances it. In addition the std cam (not any hotcams) has a decomp mechanism on it which will lift an exhaust valve so as to bleed any combustion pressure if it does want to go back... because if it would it would break your leg or ankle. Oh, and this last bit (auto decomp on reversing direction) is what you should watch out for if you're going to adjust the valves, never ever turn the crank back then.

If you knew all this sorry, it's well meant.
Enjoy this bike!

Oh Tom,

I now see yours is a 2000 model - which when new had 2 problems: the clutch bushing & the primary drive seal. If they're still the OEM's renew them asap, if done already go ride.
You do know about uncorking this bike, ie modifying it such that it will perform as Honda intended - but could not because of environmental laws? If not google or ask, it must be decorcked! Simple and cheap, and it will be the best thing you'll ever do to it.

Welcome

how many kicks cold is it starting for you? and hot?

1 & 1, maybe 2 & 2.
That's real kicks, not cycling the piston beforehand.
Disclaimer: I got a TM40 carb