XR 400 Hot Starting

[DaveS]

Well I'm progressing with my search for an XR 400.
I have a few lined up to see soon.
One thing which I've seen first hand with off-road 4 strokes is there complete inability to start again when hot. I remember Colin on a Salisbury plain trip really getting pi$$ed off trying to get his Yamaha whatever it was to fire again. So is this a common problem are some bikes more afflicted than others?


And lastly any other things I should look for when kicking the tyres of an XR? The vast majority I'm going to see have done sod all mileage all less than 3K I think.

[Mudwiz]

Electric start!

Some have a kit fitted, but its an aftermarket one, not Honda. If there is one rule the last few runs out have really taught me is the button is more than a godsend, it really would be a lifesaver at times. When I'm so exhausted I can hardly stand, and my hands are in the "hold on only" position, I really could not bear to go through a starting procedure like my brief KTM had. (In the woods, no friction to bump, on a muddy off-camber slope with nowhere to foot, and it either starts or I'm laying it down and hope it stops eventually )

I could always ride better, or slower, or for shorter times, but where's the fun in that!

I think some import 250s (Australian??) have the button, but don't know about the 400s.

[Pete Rock]

If it´s well jetted, it should start first kick when hot, I think.

As other things, it´s getting them started when cold that´s the problem


Again, if all´s good if it´s well jetted, as mine probably is, it doesn´t take more than a 3 or 4 kicks when cold or a couple of them when hot, if you follow the proper procedure when cold. Mine starts first kick after bogging down in soft sand, in over 30ºC heat, can´t get much hotter than that in the UK.

If you´re stopping on purpose for a short time, like to fuel up or waiting for a train to pass, put it in neutral and pull the compression lever to make it die, it´ll stop in the perfect spot to kick it over so you just pull the pedal out and do it without even feeling it, always impresses people who are expecting to see you sweat and out of breath

[XRDAVE]

I have a leccy start on mine but TBH hot starting an XR is not a problem at all and I often leave the battery at home and kick, normally fires first or second time. Yamahas have a deservedly bad rep for hot starting. Cold starting after not using the bike for a few weeks is another matter...

[Pete Rock]

Seems like the only fault it has is the lack of lube in the rear axle spindle, if that´s how it´s called, so it tends to seize and turns into a real bitch to get out if you trust Honda to put the correct amount of lubricant when assembling. I haven´t lubed it yet cause I´m lazy though, shouldn´t be a real concern but as all bikes it doesn´t like jet washing.

Bulletproof, met a german guy the other day while I was fuelling up, he had over 60000 miles on his, the only maintenance being a couple of valve checks. That´s unusual for a dirtbike, but it´s probably the toughest dirtbike ever. Not sure what´s the mileage on mine, am not worried since it starts great, that´s the best indicator.

[YEN_POWELL]

Seems like the only fault it has is the lack of lube in the rear axle spindle, if that´s how it´s called, so it tends to seize and turns into a real bitch to get out if you trust Honda to put the correct amount of lubricant when assembling. I haven´t lubed it yet cause I´m lazy though, shouldn´t be a real concern but as all bikes it doesn´t like jet washing.

Bulletproof, met a german guy the other day while I was fuelling up, he had over 60000 miles on his, the only maintenance being a couple of valve checks. That´s unusual for a dirtbike, but it´s probably the toughest dirtbike ever. Not sure what´s the mileage on mine, am not worried since it starts great, that´s the best indicator.

Don't forget the front axle holder as well.

Dave, I've had two 4 stroke singles with kick and they all started first kick when hot (XL250 and DR350). The DR was a pig to start when cold if it had not run in the previous week or so, but that was solved by drawing fresh fuel in if it had been standing a long period of time in the garage using the carb drain screw with the fuel tap on.

[Recycler]

As above. The 400 may be different but I could start my XR600 with my hand when it was hot.

When it was cold it could take half an hour, then go despite doing the proper drill throughout. Traded it in for my first TA and never looked back.

XTs are the opposite: Easy when cold, bu99ers when hot.

When you go to view XRs, tell the owner you want it left cold and feel the motor when you get there - if you scream and smell burning flesh walk away, he's having you on. Just a suggestion.

[Xander]

My XL had the trick that although you really really wanted to keep you hand off the throttle ! kick and and it starts hit the throttle and you flood it.. but .. what do i know..

[dazzerrtw]

I sold a mate my old XR 400 a few years ago and in the 2 year's he had the bike he could never start it when it was Hot.He would try it till he was knackerd then I would start it first kick for him
I think it's all down to if your used to kick start bike's all my bike's from when I started riding had a kick start ,My first elec start bike was in 1999
If it help's I never touch the throttle when starting from hot .

I would also stay clear of one that has had super moto wheels fitted,it may have been hammered.
I like the owner to be a bit of a train spotter like me,,,,,,ie have kept a log of everything that they have done to the bike,all the service record's a list of parts that have been changed.
That way even if the bike as done a lot of mile's and look's used at least you can see what work as been done on it.

That to me this is better than one that look's like new because it has had a new set of plastic's,the speedo reading may be low because it has had the speedo disconnected ,and it may have been raced every weekend.

I saw a good one for sale on the GS site the other day,may be worth a look.
A friend just bought one on a 55 reg with only 200 mile's on the clock from a dealer for £2700.

[XRDAVE]

Now we are into the finesse of starting I would say the throttle rule is zero on cold starting but a little, delicate twist when hot. The other factors are good valve clearance (plus jetting as Pete said) and turning off the fuel with the bike running and letting it die on idle if you are not using it for a bit. Out today for 5 hours off road in hot conditions and the bike started first kick every time.