XR 400

[qwe]

Hi all, I am a new member and am thinking of buying a Honda
XR 400 / 2000 to 2005 model, kick start. I would also like an electric start, but I believe they only came with a kick start. Is starting these singles a difficult thing as I once had an SR 500 which which was a clod of earth to start when warm / hot.

(i know what it is like trying to start a small trials bike on an uphill slope or in a ditch let alone a 400 single)

I want the bike for green laning and the occasional jaunt downtown, so might a XR 250 be of more use?

If anyone can help to give some advice and any info on what to look at and what to listen to when viewing the bike to at least try to ensure i do not get a wreck.
I have thought about a CRF 450 X but they are a bit out of my price range.
If anyone can give me an indication of what prices are at the moment for the XR 400 that would also help.

(has anyone any thoughts on e bay purchases or do they know of a bike being sold), many thanks in advance.

[Esoteric1]

Yeah get an XR400/600 and keep it under 50 for green lane-ing. It will do this all day. They are bullet proof and will last for ever as long as you don't thrash them for long periods of time and keep on top of the oil changes. Buy the manual for this as there is a specific way to change the oil.
This chap got ripped with false mileage and he thrashed it to death for long periods. XR400 Seized/Blown Engine Need Rebuild Advice
Be careful as people ride them off road for years, stick the clocks back on and sell as having low milages.

Looking at other youtube footage people do seem to struggle starting these. View my vid about this, there are a couple of tips you can follow when starting these like switching the lights off before and a trick with the kick start and decompression lever.
Mine is a 2000 model.
You can always convert these to enduro's too for more speed, smaller sprockets and road tyres.

[jasonbc]

This chap got ripped with false mileage and he thrashed it to death for long periods. XR400 Seized/Blown Engine Need Rebuild Advice
Be careful as people ride them off road for years, stick the clocks back on and sell as having low milages.

You can't say things like that, there's no proof, it may have been ridden hard and for what they're designed for but the guys maintance may have been spot on and the bike looked after well by the previous owner and it may only be coincidence that the mileage is wrong, yes people do remove the clocks but so what. If you go my 3 last MOT's my bikes odometer goes backwards but i'm not clocking the bike fact is 2 trailtech vapor units failed on the bike. Also anyone buying these bikes by looking at the miles must be a complete loon it's the condition you look at when buying it and the owner. If the owners a scruffy **** who's clueless when you ask him questions then walk away but you also need to know the questions to ask.
It may just be coincidence that the bike failed shortly after the new owner purchased it but it's always a gamble buying offroad equiptment

[jasonbc]

Hi all, I am a new member and am thinking of buying a Honda
XR 400 / 2000 to 2005 model, kick start. I would also like an electric start, but I believe they only came with a kick start. Is starting these singles a difficult thing as I once had an SR 500 which which was a clod of earth to start when warm / hot.

(i know what it is like trying to start a small trials bike on an uphill slope or in a ditch let alone a 400 single)

I want the bike for green laning and the occasional jaunt downtown, so might a XR 250 be of more use?

If anyone can help to give some advice and any info on what to look at and what to listen to when viewing the bike to at least try to ensure i do not get a wreck.
I have thought about a CRF 450 X but they are a bit out of my price range.
If anyone can give me an indication of what prices are at the moment for the XR 400 that would also help.

(has anyone any thoughts on e bay purchases or do they know of a bike being sold), many thanks in advance.

Either would be a good buy for greenlaning top speed wise there's nothing to pull them a part the 400 has lot more torque than the 250. That said mates of mine have 250's and they do anything that i can on the 400. Set the carburation up correctly on the 400 and hot starts and after being upside down aren't generally too much to worry about. If they do get submerged of go upside down if mine won't start then normally 5-6 kicks with the decompressor pulled in the release the decompressor and it will start. Prices are hit and miss don't go by age go by condition but they do seem to hold there money if your offered a cheap one then either get all the history or walk away. Seeing them on the for sale boards down here in the bike shops they seem to be around £1400 for a 96 and the prices going up as the bikes become fewer and fewer. Regular valve clearance checks are always a wise move they only take a few minutes and are easy to adjust.
Don't expect to buy one ride it like a normal road bike then put it in the garage until next ride there's always something that needs doing or checking or just maintaining forget to do it and you could have problems. Avoid anything with Hotcams fitted or 440cc kits they only ever seem to cause problems

[Esoteric1]

You can't say things like that, there's no proof, it may have been ridden hard and for what they're designed for but the guys maintance may have been spot on and the bike looked after well by the previous owner and it may only be coincidence that the mileage is wrong, yes people do remove the clocks but so what. If you go my 3 last MOT's my bikes odometer goes backwards but i'm not clocking the bike fact is 2 trailtech vapor units failed on the bike. Also anyone buying these bikes by looking at the miles must be a complete loon it's the condition you look at when buying it and the owner. If the owners a scruffy **** who's clueless when you ask him questions then walk away but you also need to know the questions to ask.
It may just be coincidence that the bike failed shortly after the new owner purchased it but it's always a gamble buying offroad equiptment

You looking for an argument jasonbc? Lol


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[stueydo]

Witham specialist vehicles in Lincolnshire(?) are auctioning off ex MOD XR400's with electric starts at the moment.

Welcome to MOD Sales Online - Military Vehicles for Sale - Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale

[Esoteric1]

Good link that!
I wish I had known about this before I bought mine.
Some really good bargains there.

[jasonbc]

You looking for an argument jasonbc? Lol


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NO mate not at all, promise to go and stand in the corner like a naughty boy for next 30mins

[Pieeyedpiper]

Witham specialist vehicles in Lincolnshire(?) are auctioning off ex MOD XR400's with electric starts at the moment.

Welcome to MOD Sales Online - Military Vehicles for Sale - Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale

When did you notice them? Nothing on their website now.

[stueydo]

The tender auction ended yesterday, that's why there not on there any more.

It might be worth giving them a ring to see if there are any more. I found my bike there, it was hiding around the back of some sheds, I think they must have forgotten about it, I paid £500 for mine, and it was in great condition, just green all over