XR400 is it any good ???

Kirky1298 · Post by **Kirky1298** » Wed Jul 01, 2015 11:13 pm

The reason I ask is that I've just swapped my 27yr old NX650 Dominator for one .
It's a 2003 model and looks fairly fresh as enduro bikes go. I've only had a quick ride but first impressions are as follows.
Jebus it's tall , like on stilts tall . I used to run a CR250 stroker and can't remember it being this tall .
It goes like shit off a shiny shovel, seriously , popping the front in 1st and 2nd just off the gas.
It starts ok on the kickstart . 2 kicks from cold and first kick when warm .
So, what's the scuttlebutt ???
Have I done the right thing ??
Will it fulfil my trail riding needs ??

KEITH640 · Post by **KEITH640** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:49 am

Good reliable bikes
Dependable
Make great green laners
If you are new to riding off road and you are a bit short in the leg then you quickly tire of kick starting it
When it's red hot and been on its side for a few minutes
Great bikes
Let down by the lack of electric boot

Hold their money well too

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 7:24 am

Shite bikes & you have to kickstart them too

If you drop it, use the decompressor lever to clear the carb or just dump it in the hedge & walk home

Did I mention, heavy too

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 7:31 am

I like the look of them and I have an XR250r which I use out in Bulgaria. But.....the lack of an electric starter is an issue.
The solid reliability and simplicity of the XR's was the main reason I chose one to be left for months at a time at my place in Bulgaria.
I am actually doing something I never do....giving an opinion on a bike I've never ridden!
I guess if I imagine my 250, with a little bit more weight and a fair bit more grunt, that's quite a nice prospect.

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 2:35 pm

SteveW wrote:I like the look of them and I have an XR250r which I use out in Bulgaria. But.....the lack of an electric starter is an issue.
The solid reliability and simplicity of the XR's was the main reason I chose one to be left for months at a time at my place in Bulgaria.
I am actually doing something I never do....giving an opinion on a bike I've never ridden!
I guess if I imagine my 250, with a little bit more weight and a fair bit more grunt, that's quite a nice prospect.

Having owned and ridden both the 250 & 400, the 400 weighs not a lot more - but feels like it has lots more stomp

Kirky1298 · Post by **Kirky1298** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:29 pm

Just took it out for a shot offroad.
Holy shit Batman !!!!
What a bike. Pops wheelies off the throttle in 1-3 gear. Power slides with ease and is very light and nimble with amazing suspension compared to the Dommie.
I'm a happy bunny right now. (thumbs)

Tramp · Post by **Tramp** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:36 pm

It,ll be ace in the pyrenees ....so much low torque great for hills and bogs...you can get a electric kit as the army had theirs with electric start being woosys...check plug for richeness...as not sure what they are like in real hot mountain stuff...

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:08 pm

Tramp wrote:check plug for richeness...as not sure what they are like in real hot mountain stuff...

They'll be perfect (thumbs)

Just spent the evening in the garage, sorting my new one out

Fitted a new Honda rear mudguard and rear number plate holder to return it to 'stock' (why the feck do people remove it and put the number plate on the rear mudguard - pisses me right off

)

Also greased the rear linkage and popped out the swingarm bolt to give it a good lubing, missus :whistle:

Luckily it popped right out, no bother (they can be a swine)

Also changed the gearing back to 15/45 with a stock Honda front sprocket (£29) and clip, so the front countershaft remains in good nick (cheaper than an engine split, to replaces the sprocket shaft)

Great bikes to work on (thumbs)

daytona-supersport · Post by **daytona-supersport** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:11 am

Owned a variety of XR's for years, within the family we have gone through the whole range from XR80 through to the XR600. To be honest, they were all good.

Both the 250 and 400 great bikes, very tough and reliable. I always preferred riding a 250 with a 280 conversion fitted. Increases the power and still has the weight of the smaller bike. A good mod is to drop out the swinging arm and suspension link and fit grease nipples. The early models did have these fitted as standard. An occasional squirt of a waterproof grease and the suspension bearings will never wear out. Do be careful on the chain side as a badly located grease nipple can foul the chain.

Rode XR's many years ago in the Pyrenees, No problems and the bikes took a right good thrashing for a week with no problems at all. (thumbs)

daytona-supersport · Post by **daytona-supersport** » Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:24 am

I was going through some folders yesterday and came across an original Honda dealer brochure for the XR400 and 250 bikes, (the later red models). The brochure is in as new condition. great pictures of the bikes and technical specs on the back page.

I would be pleased to pass this on to somebody that has an XR and like me holds them in high regard. So rather than just send it off to the first person to ask for it. I'm going to make it worth a bit of effort.

First person to post a picture of their currently owned XR250 or 400 gets the brochure.

Believe me this brochure is a gem and worth a bit of effort. It will cost a couple of pounds to pack flat and send to avoid folding it.