1st ride

Couple of impressions:

1. Great power, loves speed.
2. Comfortable and more "flickable" than I thought.
3. I hate, hate, hate hate the kickstarter. I busted my ankle kicking that pig over multiple times.
4. FIRE Yes, after one crash, the bike fell on its side and it took a while to right it. During the re-starting process, I heard a "pop" and noticed smoke from the left panel. Hastily I took it off and found out the air filter was on fire! Thank GOD I had water with me. I can only deduce that the bike flooded during the crash and backfired trying to kick it. Yes, next time I will use the "flooded" technique.

All in all I am very happy.

Sore as ****, but happy.

Holy #*%^ never have I heard of a bike catching on fire, I can understand how it happended but man thats some bad luck! Good thing its such a good bike!!!

Dude the kick starting, there is abit of a knack to it but once you get the hang theres no worries. I think someone posted the technique here on the forum. Bike catching on fire, thats a new one for me. Back in New Zealand in summer when you ride in forestry you need a mini fire extinguisher strapped on the bike. Damn lucky you had some water. Must have given you a hell of a fright. One time when I was a young fella I went riding on a neighbours forestry block. I stopped for a smoke and just flicked the butt when I fiinished, passed by a week later and the there was a two hundred square metre burnt patch!! Man I was lucky.

The fire is not that uncommon. Check here under Starting a Flooded Bike.
Congrats on your new ride.

http://borynack.com/XR650R/xr650r_caruretor.htm