XR600 vs. WR426

You'll probably get moved to the what bike to get forum, yet coming off an XR500 tractor and faced with the same decision I chose a KTM 520.

Before making my decision I heard alot of people disliked the wild snap in the 426 vs the smooth conitnual power of the EXC.

If you like the big, big bore bikes Beaudr'ys has a great price on a Husaberg 650. If that doesn't have enough JD grunt Idon't know what does.

Good luck:)

Hey,
I don't have any experience with the newer YZ/WR's. However, you are correct, they rev to the moon and the mid and top end is where they shine. They do have low end grunt, but I don't think the motors are happy like that, like the XR's are.

I share your appreciation for the John Deere stump pulling power of XR's. I've still got my first XR, an '87 XR200, and a '96 XR400, and now I have the '00 XR650R. Just coming off of my 400, I must say, the 650R handles quite a bit better, even in the tighter stuff. The forks/shock on the 650R is better than the standard XR suspension I'm used to. With the aluminum frame, the 650R would probably even feel lighter compared to your 600. I know for me, the 650R doesn't feel any heavier riding it compared to my 400.
The power of the 650R is true-blue XR power, with all the bottom grunt your arms can take, but with a real nice midrange pull, and it even seems like it revs a tad higher than my 200 or 400 ever would. On the occasional road section, the 650R will pull 70 almost all day it feels like, with a supposed top speed of ~100mph with the stock gearing (I believe it, but havent' tested it).

If you want a different bike, you would probably learn to enjoy the WR, just as I would. However, take a look at the 650R's, I got my '00 with very low hours for $3200. Good luck.

I owned a 96 XR600 just before I bought my WR. I loved the stump pulling grunt of that bike, but hated it in the woods. On the wide open stuff, it was killer. The low end was nice, but the weight of the bike, for whatever reasons, was a bit too much.

Since I couldnt afford the 520, I went for the WR. I thought it was the next best thing. It has proven over the last year that it IS next best to the KTM. My immediate feeling from day one of riding the WR was, much slimmer feeling, better ergos, less weight. This is with the stock tank/seat. Theres no question the WR is a much better machine. The power is amazing, feeling MORE powerful than the 600 ever did to me. From low-end to screaming rev's, it outclasses the XR in many different ways. First gear on the WR will get you up the nastiest, gnarliest hills you would ever try to climb, easier than any big bore. I noticed the WR did feel a bit top-heavy compared to the XR, but now that I have the YZ seat/tank the
ergos are much better. The free mods available for the WR improve the bike greatly. Most are simple mods that have been time proven to work. As I said before there is only one bike I would rather own than the WR, and thats the orange one. Maybe after I hit the next Powerball jackpot!

Dirt,
Do you think you'll seel the 600?

Just keeping my eyes open for a buddy on a budget. Looking for something under $1000. If you wait until spring you should definatly get good money for a good running 600.