OnAnySunday

Big Pig
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 20, 2000
998
3
lost in the deserts of NM
Just a couple of piddly queries for you experienced or former BigRedPig owners.

1- Is my fork oil REALLY going to turn into "road tar" or is my leg being pulled?
2- I remember when the 650R first came out in 2000 that their were rumors of carb. choke plates snapping off. :scream: And there was a company offering a reinforced aftermarket plate for sale. Was this recified by '02 (ie: is the stocker safe?) or is my plate possibly made of silly putty? (anyone ever have one snap???)
3- Is it safe to use a conventional (masterlink) chain or do i have to invest in a staking tool? I imagin that mebbe a superduty RK or a sidewinder should be able to handle that much tourque........right? :eek:
 

BigBore

Member
Jun 16, 1999
693
0
1 - Yup, the fork oil turns to snot. Mine was awful when I installed stiffer springs.

2 - Haven't heard anything about the choke plates coming off. I know it was a problem on the 600, but I didn't know of any 650's with that problem. I rode mine for a year without trouble.

3 - I honestly can't say. Whether you would actually break a conventional master link, or if its just Honda's way of covering their ass and being over-cautious, who knows. I'd say you'd have to be riding damn hard to break a master link with it.

So how are ya liking that thing so far?
 

OnAnySunday

Big Pig
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 20, 2000
998
3
lost in the deserts of NM
BigBore, it's been great!
I'm finally beginning to get used to the power.
And for such a heavy bike (it dont feel heavy at all though) it stops mighty dang quick!
Much better ride than "ol'Flash-2" for out west.
I think it'd be diferent back in the woods though.
I know this sounds crazy, but the 650 just doesnt seem to have the old 500's low end grunt.
Or perhaps i should rephrase that.
It doesnt have that "old fashioned" low end grunt.
Yea it could yank a D9 Cat out of a hole, but the 500 seems to have that "just- let -out- the -clutch -and -idle -over -that- giant- boulder -in -front -of -you" trials bike kinda torque.
It's kinda hard to put into words.
Mebbe cuz of the XL's smaller carb.
Still, it sure is fun getting used to the "newfangled" torque though! :p :) :yeehaw:
 

BigBore

Member
Jun 16, 1999
693
0
That might have a lot to do with the gearing. They come from the factory geared to just about touch 100mph on top. I noticed mine was quite a bit more hyperactive in 1st than my 600 was with the same 14/48 gearing. I know of a lot of guys that went to a 52 tooth rear sprocket for woods.

You're right about the power though. It was quite a bit different than the 600. I thought it would be just like the 600, with more power everywhere, but the delivery was totally different--nasty bark right off the bottom, wicked mid-range, and it really revved out nice for a 650.
 
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