Non brand spedific upgrade.

[Andrew McCannMember]

Hi all, I currently ride a 95 xr600, I have had it for a year and am finally getting used to it. It storms up and down hills and launches off anything from erosion mounds to bumps in the track with a twist of the wrist. I love it’s torque and suspension but I feel its weight and would appreciate an electric leg and its hard on tyres ( maybe thats something to do with the wrist twisting). I started riding 6 or so years ago on a ts90 for a year then a Chinese 3/4 150 which was good for me for 4 or so years until I picked up a 96 dr350 which was a revelation in power, suspension and braking. I went from that to the xr and experienced a whole new level of revelation. I often ride a mate’s ktm 200 and 300 2 strokes which are great when I get the mojo happening and scare the crap out of me otherwise. I also ride a mates drz400 which is a great ride also. To open the can of worms where do I start looking for my next bike, I love the torque of the xr and the lounge chair seat just not the weight, I couldn’t ride the 2 strokes consistantly to the same level.I have 3 boys 16 dr350, 14 ktm85 and 9 yz60 who keep me poor so I’m happy to ride an older bike and I am not brand specific. We often ride with other families and I am often the sweep and parking the xr on the side of the hill or in the mud is hard on the stand (it broke again last wwekend). So I guess I’m looking for the elusive torquey, light, electric start, low maintenance, cheap bike, suggestions please.
Thanks, Andrew

[scott bockingMember]

Hi Andrew
You should look for a WR450 from around the 05 vintage. There are plenty out there, super reliable and easy to source parts should you need them. Not as many herbs as your 600 but it will be lighter and it has the magic button.

Cheers
STM

[alanMember]

singletrackmind wrote:

Quote:

Hi Andrew
You should look for a WR450 from around the 05 vintage. There are plenty out there, super reliable and easy to source parts should you need them. Not as many herbs as your 600 but it will be lighter and it has the magic button.

Cheers
STM

plus one on that advice

[corey heatherMember]

white rocket wrote:

Quote:

singletrackmind wrote:

Quote:

Hi Andrew
You should look for a WR450 from around the 05 vintage. There are plenty out there, super reliable and easy to source parts should you need them. Not as many herbs as your 600 but it will be lighter and it has the magic button.

Cheers
STM

plus one on that advice

Sorry Andrew some times STM gets a little confused what he was suppose to say is KLX450r you can not go wrong

[GregMember]

The DR would be more reliable for longer then the WR, but doesnt have that racers edge :dry: also wont shat it gearbox like some WR’s A KLX450 maybe. DR wouldnt be much lighter then the XR I imagine

TB

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

I would be looking along the KLX450 line too, plenty of tourque and grunt yet smoother delivery and so easier to control than a WR or EXC.

[Daniel BakerMember]

the KLX450R also has a much softer seat and suspension compared to others in its class

[WayneMember]

andrew01 wrote:

Quote:

…. I also ride a mates drz400 which is a great ride also….. We often ride with other families and I am often the sweep and parking the xr on the side of the hill or in the mud is hard on the stand (it broke again last wwekend). So I guess I’m looking for the elusive torquey, light, electric start, low maintenance, cheap bike, suggestions please.
Thanks, Andrew

I’m with the others that say ………….KLX450

You have ridden your mates DRZ400, what’d you think?….I reckon they’re the “ducks guts” when it comes to value for your money spent. Their reliability is second to none (for an electric start machine), engine performance is good and they can be set up to handle really well. (just quietly, I reckon they would do the majority of riders! Most wouldn’t be able to ride a well set up DRZ to its’ full potential..IMO)

However, the KLX is alot lighter and delivers more torque.

So, I guess it ticks most of your boxes.

Crash
(just my opinion having ridden both)

[alanMember]

personly i found my old 2000 model wr400 a lot more reliable than my xr400 99 model (spat the gearbox)or ktm530 08 model ( something all the time)and have seen plenty of drz s brake down on trail rides think computer forums like them just my opionion reckon the klx450 s crack but not sure about reliability have nt seen any high klm ones(have not herd of any problems but).what ever you get will be the best because every one reckons that even xr rider s and especialy ktm riders ,go the yamy :woohoo:

[Andrew McCannMember]

Thanks for all the replies blokes. The klx seems to be the favourite suggestion. I see a lot of Suzuki and Ktm around here so the Kawasaki would be something different. I ride with 3 blokes with drz400s a shortened one, one with stuffed suspension and a well sorted one and find the sorted one a great ride but miss that torque. I dont get out to many big group rides where I might bum a ride from a generous soul so I appreciate the feedback of people with more experience.
My upgrade plans are put on hold till next tax return as the wife has mentioned something about built ins and painting the kids rooms. Maybe the klx might be more in my price range by then.
Thanks again,
Andrew

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