Seat height and rear shock

Hello new to forum,

Had a look at an xr650r 2001 last night. My first time to see one in the flesh. over all the bike seemed to be in fair condition however one thing that concerns me is the seat height and possibly the rear suspension. I had to see it at night so couldn't get a great look at the suspension to see any problems.

I'm 6'4" tall and have read that the xr650r had a seat height of 37". However when I stand over the bike with my feet planted on the ground it seems more like 34". The owner said he lowered it by turning the adjustment rings on the shock and that no other modifications have been done, but I have trouble believing that doing that can have that much effect.

Is it correct that if I wind the rings back then the seat height will raise.


BTW I live in Beijing and want the bike to tour around the country. These bikes are rare here so chances are this may be my only option,

Buy it first,
then give it TLC because it will need some, or a lot if you're unlucky.
Funny way of lowering but yeah, will work although it now should have a real soft rear - but, you'll have to adjust it anyway for your weight.
As I said, buy it, then do what you want to to it!

It might be fitted with a 17" SM rear wheel which will make the bike sit a lot lower that with dirt wheels, even my short legged friend could touch the floor with these fitted...soon as I went back to stock he couldn't.

Here is a link to the bike and photos of it .If you can spot the 17" wheel or anything different that may affect the seat height.

http://bj.58.com/danche/24841113243726x.shtml?psid=199087665190617672346035269&entinfo=24841113243726_0&iuType=p_0&PGTID=0d301f48-0000-1777-ed2d-84984dedd157&ClickID=2

Wheels are stock 18" she has the oversized tank and different clocks/headlight and the rear rack that's about it...oversized front disc and calliper bracket. Would guess as you posted the rear shock has been wound up making the spring softer and making the set sit lower.