From '84 XL250 to XR400?

[pw455]

The last bike I rode was an '84 XL250 Honda, which I sold about 10 years ago. It was OK except the suspension was too soft and it was very under powered. I would really like to get either a 400/520 EXC, TE450 Husqvarna or something similar, but don't want to spend the money if it ends up sitting in the garage. I also would like to see most of the reliability issues worked out of them. Whatever I pick needs to be green sticker because I'm in CA.

Anyways, I'm thinking about going with an XR400 as a starter bike and want to know how it'll compare with my XL250.

Will it have much more power?

How will the suspension compare?

How difficult is the 400 to start? I didn't have to follow any routine with my 250 and it would start in 2-3 kicks.

The riding I'll be doing is mostly trails, hills and a few jumps here and there. I'm 5'11 and 165 lbs. Most of my friends are on 250 2 strokes. Will i be able to keep up with them in this terrain?

Thanks,
Pete

 

[CPT Jack]

Well you definitely don't want to jump into a 250 MX'er. You'll be on a first name basis with the local Emergency room staff! The XR4 should hang unless they're really fast and if that's the case you probably won't hang no matter what bike your on, being new (no offense). I've spent 1 1/2 yrs growing into my XR4 and the first 6 months were tough. It's heavy & I dropped it a lot. Good thing their virtually indestructible (and don't have radiators). I add a pumper carb & b/w that & the aftermarket exhaust, it's got a good amount of predictable power. Climbs anything. Find a good used one - they're 'bulletproof'. I like mine a lot but I've got new bike fever & plan on upgrading soon, but it's a great bike that I could continue to ride. I'll be selling mine darn near what I paid for it - they retain their value well, esp. used. Great bike for "testing the waters" .

 

[stangmata23l]

The XR 400 is an excellent starting bike, and one you can grow in to. This is my buddy's first season riding anything and he has a 96 XR400. He drops it a bit but it is infact indestructable. I ride it a lot and let me tell you, I hate four-strokes because of the sluggish feeling, but this one gets there nice. It comes into the power very nice and jumps very well. I can manuever it through tight trails like crazy, very agile. Climbs and crawls with absolutely no problem. The bike itself will have a lot more power than the XL will. The suspension on the XR has been very impressive, nice and firm. $-strokes in general arn't the nicest things to start, but find TDC and go. There isn't a huge guidline to follow, usually a couple good kicks will fire them right up. Keeping up with the 2-trokes....in the straight you'll be left behind, but when it comes to woods and rough terrain (depending on your ability) you'll be right with them. Any question email me at [email protected]

Ian

 

[KTM_rdr]

I'm just coming off a XR400 and onto a 250 EXC. What a difference!!! The XR400 was a great bike to learn on & when the going gets tough/nasty, it leads the way. I found it much more predictable/forgiving than the 2-stroke, but it still has plenty of power & low end torque. IMO, you can't go wrong with it for trail/woods/rock piles. Wouldn't recommend it for MX though.

In any case, good luck with the bike hunt. Hope you get one soon & enjoy the season!