skyrider Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Hi how do you rate the xr400 and is it much heavier/higher than the 250 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Tag him.... @boboneleg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Blimey Lionel, It's a long time since I rode either of those models. Fred @Sir Fallsalot has a XR400 so he may be better placed to answer that question. Remember that they are both kickstart though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Fallsalot Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 58 minutes ago, skyrider said: Hi how do you rate the xr400 and is it much heavier/higher than the 250 ? I have one its about 6kg heavier and 10mm taller than the 250 haven't ridden the 250 but i love the 400 its a good do all bike but it is tall there are lowering links available. Biggest issue with buying one is the prices are soaring as with all the XR range 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 1 minute ago, Sir Fallsalot said: I have one its about 6kg heavier and 10mm taller than the 250 haven't ridden the 250 but i love the 400 its a good do all bike but it is tall there are lowering links available. Biggest issue with buying one is the prices are soaring as with all the XR range yes thanks i will have to go in to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 1 minute ago, skyrider said: yes thanks i will have to go in to it so it's about 114 kgs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Fallsalot Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 1 minute ago, skyrider said: yes thanks i will have to go in to it If your thinking of trail riding, it wont be as manageable as the Serow in the rough stuff but you can kill yourself a lot faster on it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 2 minutes ago, Sir Fallsalot said: If your thinking of trail riding, it wont be as manageable as the Serow in the rough stuff but you can kill yourself a lot faster on it not wrong 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Fallsalot Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 2 minutes ago, skyrider said: so it's about 114 kgs I've just checked and its 106 dry and the 400 is 116 dry and 125 wet so about 10kg difference cant find a wet weight for the 250 though but it carries the same amount of oil and fuel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 1 minute ago, Sir Fallsalot said: I've just checked and its 106 dry and the 400 is 116 dry and 125 wet so about 10kg difference cant find a wet weight for the 250 though but it carries the same amount of oil and fuel i think the 250 is 108 kgs the same as the serow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Don't know how relevant it is, but a nicely set up 400 has the kind of bottom end chuggyness that means you can just never stall if you keep it on a little bit of throttle, and crawl through most things in the first three gears. Sometimes that makes a bike easier to ride. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 3 minutes ago, skyrider said: i think the 250 is 108 kgs the same as the serow i cant manage heavy bikes my arthritis in my shoulders wont let me 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Fallsalot Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 3 minutes ago, skyrider said: i think the 250 is 108 kgs the same as the serow We are both wrong it surprised me the serow is that heavy my mate was always bleating on at me how light his was the xr250 is lighter at 104kg https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_xr250r_01.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 2 minutes ago, Pedro said: Don't know how relevant it is, but a nicely set up 400 has the kind of bottom end chuggyness that means you can just never stall if you keep it on a little bit of throttle, and crawl through most things in the first three gears. Sometimes that makes a bike easier to ride. yep that's what i was thinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Fallsalot Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 5 minutes ago, Pedro said: Don't know how relevant it is, but a nicely set up 400 has the kind of bottom end chuggyness that means you can just never stall if you keep it on a little bit of throttle, and crawl through most things in the first three gears. Sometimes that makes a bike easier to ride. Yes your right about that i remember the guys i was riding with saying they thought i was going to stall when going up a steep climb i went down to almost tickover to reduce wheelspin and then pulled away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 2 minutes ago, Sir Fallsalot said: We are both wrong it surprised me the serow is that heavy my mate was always bleating on at me how light his was the xr250 is lighter at 104kg https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_xr250r_01.html its probably the electric foot that ads weight to the xt, i still find it light though when i ride it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Fallsalot Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 9 minutes ago, skyrider said: its probably the electric foot that ads weight to the xt, i still find it light though when i ride it Ahh right, they do an electric start xr250L as well not sure how available they are though, the 400 has a knack to starting it once you get it it's easy to kick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Concerning the XR400, if there is one thing that is sometimes challenging is how aggressive the steering is. I think it is made for tight turning, and to me sometimes feels unstable when slowing down from higher speeds on loose surfaces. You really have to pay attention to prevent the front from digging in. This won't be so much of a bother if you never ride in sandy surfaces, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 10 hours ago, Pedro said: Concerning the XR400, if there is one thing that is sometimes challenging is how aggressive the steering is. I think it is made for tight turning, and to me sometimes feels unstable when slowing down from higher speeds on loose surfaces. You really have to pay attention to prevent the front from digging in. This won't be so much of a bother if you never ride in sandy surfaces, though. I totally agree with you there Pedro. I mainly rode XR's when I had DR350's and the trail of the XR was much steeper in comparison to the Suzuki. The only reason so many DR350's sold in the UK Over the XR was when it got an electric start. I will never understand why Honda didn't put an electric boot on the 400 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catteeclan Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 5 minutes ago, boboneleg said: I totally agree with you there Pedro. I mainly rode XR's when I had DR350's and the trail of the XR was much steeper in comparison to the Suzuki. The only reason so many DR350's sold in the UK Over the XR was when it got an electric start. I will never understand why Honda didn't put an electric boot on the 400 So many XR owners I know sold or traded them for DRZs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 Most XR400's are a peach to start, mine never gave me any trouble except when I forget to follow one of the three or four steps while it's cold for it's first start in months. Not following those easy steps and then having to kick for 5 minutes is a great way to warm up in a freezing morning, too ... - ignition on and fuel open, increase tick-over a smidge and close choke - decompression open and throttle open, and kick through 2 or 3 times - decompession open and throttle closed, kick 2 or 3 times - find tdc, raise the pedal and kick all the way through, job done, open choke and adjust tick over On that same day it will easily start first or second kick every time, unless you drop it when riding and shut the engine laying over (which you should!), then it's best you just take your helmet off and enjoy the fresh air for a bit (great chance to smoke if you like to ), and then it´ll start first kick. I don't ride it often, I like that it is more reliable on the trail after being left for 1 year stopped than anything modern with a small battery and race derived high engine compression. But the comfort of the button sure would be nice if on a long trip or indeed on those days you try to start it with the ignition off and then it's gym time! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catteeclan Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 People used to say the same about starting XL500, never had a prob at all. Leccy start is much nicer though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 43 minutes ago, Catteeclan said: People used to say the same about starting XL500, never had a prob at all. Leccy start is much nicer though. and the prices of those things have gone through the roof for a decent one too 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Fallsalot Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 11 hours ago, boboneleg said: I totally agree with you there Pedro. I mainly rode XR's when I had DR350's and the trail of the XR was much steeper in comparison to the Suzuki. The only reason so many DR350's sold in the UK Over the XR was when it got an electric start. I will never understand why Honda didn't put an electric boot on the 400 I've been trying to get in touch with a company that make electric start kits for the 400 and 650r located in Poland. the mechanical part can be fitted in 30 minutes just leaving you the wiring to fit I've messaged them but they haven't got back to me. https://www.facebook.com/314380265706363/posts/sweet-option-for-honda-xr-400r-electric-start-kitall-parts-for-engine-and-12-dc-/679746072503112/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Sir Fallsalot said: I've been trying to get in touch with a company that make electric start kits for the 400 and 650r located in Poland. the mechanical part can be fitted in 30 minutes just leaving you the wiring to fit I've messaged them but they haven't got back to me. https://www.facebook.com/314380265706363/posts/sweet-option-for-honda-xr-400r-electric-start-kitall-parts-for-engine-and-12-dc-/679746072503112/ probably bank holiday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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