1st club ride

Went out to one of my clubs sites....88 acres of singletrack, quad trails, doubletrack and a nice motocross practice track.

Considering I just put in new Eibach springs, Edelbrock carb and oil change/filter, I was raring to go!

Had a blast today, about 4hrs of riding.

Some observations:

1. The club is very well organized and trails well marked.
2. Met a few great people.
3. Some of the trails I was on I had no business being on as out of shape as I am and with a 650 no less. There were some very technical trails!
4. Towards the end of the day I stayed on the main trail and hit the motocross track again and again to work on technique. It helped.
5. I am going to be very sore tomorrow.
6. I am selling the XR and getting a smaller bike. (with E-Start!)
7. My worries about the noise of the FMF was unfounded. The bike is very quiet compared to most of the bikes/quads there. The club has a 92db limit on mufflers.

Some pics!
Start of the day...raring to go!


Good turnout




Lunch break...see the guy pulling the wheelie?


Well he got a talkin to!


Met up with Joe and jawed for about a half hour...good people!


In the trails


This poor sods throttle stuck and he wailed a tree. Other than a tweaked knee he was ok. ATV was trashed though.


The beast resting


More beast


Me in action at the motocross track....great for building your skills. (or in my case, last thereof)


Check out my sweet air!


Niccce berms on the track


More sweet air! (not)


Time to go...man I am going to be a sore amigo.


PS I went home and put the XR up for sale....it sold in 5 mins. It is simply too big and too powerful for the type of riding I want to do. (see flea market in ADV)

Not going to be without a bike for long!


On a side note, and I know I will be flamed for this.....I cannot get used to the kickstart. My right shin is tatooed with scars from the peg trying to kick that thing, even with the Edelbrock on. I dreaded shutting the bike off because I would have to restart it. Every single time it was a 5-15 kick ordeal that took between 1-15 mins. I am kind of heartbroken because the bike is an absolute monster...I mean the bike hauls ass like nothing I have ever ridden.

It is also too big, and way to tall. Being 300lbs and 6'3" that is saying a lot. The new springs actually made the bike taller. The only crashes I had were tip overs from stopping and not being able to put a foot down. As a big guy this is a very unnerving feeling.

The XR is simply too big for the type of riding I do, and I am not willing to deal with the kick start anymore.

Was a good run, and a great ride, but it's time to move on.

-Dave

And yet another one bites the dust

Oh well you have to do what you have to do.

Dam shame to see you go.
At least your mate with the cow bells can have a rest, always have a giggle when I see that
Good luck with your new bike, bet you'll miss the power of the Xr

Hey,

I for one am glad to see people who have the courage to make the smartest decisions. The bike was really built with one thing in mind and that was beating KX500s in Baja. But Kawasaki really unraveled after Danny Hamel's death. So riding the BRP in those woods would be a lot of physical labor. A smaller bike will make you a better rider. More power won't. If you don't mind, I'd recommend a KDX 200. Jeff Fredette is the king of that bike and he'll sort if out for you. It's just an amazing bike. It's got some real grunt down low, super easy to start, probably platable there, low maintenance, and you'll haul ass on it in the woods. I have one out here and all my pro friends love that little bike. It is just so much fun. You could probably have one like Fredette has raced in the ISDE for the last 25 years for a total of like $3k or $3500! No kidding!

If you are interested, I can tell you more. Get the latest generation for example. The bike is always on the magazine's list of the best dirt bikes of all time.

BRPs aren't going anywhere. You can always get another one. I learned how to wheelie on a KDX200. Bike taught me a lot...

I know where your coming from. When I got my XRR I was looking for a 400 or 450. The XRR just happened to be a really good deal.

I ride alot of tight trails on mine. It wears me out, it can be hard to handle and the power it has in tight stuff will get you in trouble. No flaming here about restarting, I feel your pain .. Sometimes stalling it is a workout to get it started again. I almost sold mine a couple years ago then decided not to. All the guys I ride with ride 125's and 250's, One guy has a KX500. Im almost always last inline when we ride the tight stuff simply because its a HUGE bike to throw around a switchback.

The KDX200 mentioned by Bump is a good bike. Friends have had them and loved them. Id look at that or a 250 to 450.

Son just bought a 03 YZ450f that we are taking to the trails this week. My son is 6'1" 125lbs dripping wet, Im 6'5" 260lbs. Ill give you a report on how it handles.

Look into a YZ125 two-stroke, newish, or a YZ250F. Great friendly bikes. You're pretty big fella but you aren't marrying this thing. Just get a 200 or smaller and ride the snot out of it for two or three years and then move up. You may find you like all the easy stuff with two-strokes. You'll have to get flywheel weights for woods riding.

Any of the F bikes will be LOTS for maintenance, relative to the BRP or any two-stroke. The YZ125 two-stroke is super evolved and stupid cheap to own and operate and maintain. Plus, it is easily lowered and can make a great wife's bike. Some of the best times I've had have been on bikes that at first blush seem too small.

Looks like you are wearing an EVS ballistic jersey. Good stuff. You don't seem to cut corners.

Bump wrote:

Looks like you are wearing an EVS ballistic jersey. Good stuff. You don't seem to cut corners.

Good eye mate.

I have a few requirements for my new bike:

1. E-start
2. Ease of Maintenance
3. Bulletproof like the XRR
4. Haul ass
5. <300lbs
6. Plateable/street legal

Tall order I know, and the more I look, the more it seems that I am looking at KTMs.
I know to some around here that is a poison word, but I am not a brand snob. I could care less who makes it, I want something that suits my needs within my price range.

So yeah, I know I am not scoring any points here, but hey those are my thoughts.

Oh yeah I took the XRR out for a 60 mile street/trail ride today.

I am going to miss that bike.

I am not going to miss buying rear tires.

This is what you should get: http://www.servicehonda.com/06_500AFX.html

How much did you get for your XRR?

Why didn't you give us first chance to buy your XRR?

Why didn't you give us first chance to buy your XRR?

2 reasons:

1. I wanted to get it sold fast (it sold in 15 mins) because I did not want to miss the next club ride.
2. I put it up on ADV.

I got 4500 with all the extras thrown in.

OTG:

Cool picts and ride report!

Man, that was a sweet XRR. I bet you are sad to see her go.

Have you looked at the new Husaberg and Aprilias? You now have a good down payment for either one.

Good luck in your search. That's half the fun. We will keep our fingers and toes crossed for you.

Dave

Before my son bought his 450 he was looking at KTM's

He kept talking about some 505 model KTM offered. I dont know I didnt research it.

He was looking at Aprillas to. Them are some fine bikes and platable.

I say get whats the most suited for the riding that you do mostly. Who cares who makes the bike, as long as it fits your needs.