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RSE BRP

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  1. Thanks for the video Moses! Thought I would share my cold start/dump the bike over and warm re-start procedures. I've had 30 years of practice, including dual-carbs to work through in order to get this right. I am average height at 5ft 8in, and at my age of 53, you can be certain I try to conserve energy for picking this pig up; not wasting it kicking at that foot lever! For a little perspective I've been perfecting this procedure since my first BRP...the 1983 XR500R, then a 1987 XR600R (owned for 14 years until 2002), 2001 XR650R (owned since 2002 and still have it), and lastly, the new (for me) 2002 XR650R Dual-Sport BRP Road-Hog (BRRH!). The following procedures may seem lengthy, but once you've learned them, the savings in personal energy and frustration will be worth it. I can restart from any of the following situations in a matter of seconds. Consistency is the key: Rule #1: Never apply throttle when trying to start...EVER! The bike will flood and you will have to kick it forever, or "clear its throat" before it will start. Rule #2: Always refer to rule #1...never use the throttle in cold start, tip-over restart, or warm start. Otherwise, kick, kick, kick... Rule #3: Always when cold starting, tip-over restarts, or just in doubt, CLEAR YOUR BRP's THROAT. This means, turn off the fuel, open throttle wide-open, pull compression release, and easily run the kick starter through 5 to 10 kicks. I don't like to call these kicks because that sounds like a lot of work. Make these a casual run through with your butt on the seat...easy full length run-throughs with the kick starter. Cold Starts: Keep fuel off Clear your BRP's Throat (Rule #3 above) Turn up idle thumb screw (clockwise) 1/2 turn Turn on fuel valve Put up choke to full closed (lift up all the way to detent #2) Slowly push kick starter down until it gets hard (this may take a couple half strokes), then pull compression release lever to get the piston just over top-dead-center (TDC), let go compression release, then push kick starter lever again until TDC, pull compression release and move kick starter so piston has just gone past TDC, let go of compression release. Cylinder is primed with fuel at this point. Now you are ready to start your BRP...DO NOT USE THROTTLE! Let your kick starter lever return to top then give it a good, clean kick! (I usually do this without having to lift my butt off the seat, but when tired, put your kick stand down and do this procedure from on top of the pegs!) Your BRP should start... Immediately lower your choke to level number one. The only time my BRP's die on first kick is when I don't get the choke lowered quick enough...even in freezing weather! If your bikes dies, leave choke on level 1, push the kick start through as before to load the cylinder with prime (using compression release as before at TDC), and give it a good, clean kick. On very rare occasions I have to go back to full choke...very rare. Leave choke on level 1 for no more than 20-30 seconds, move choke lever down to off position and use/blip the throttle to get her warmed up. These things are little cold blooded but I don't like to let them warm up to long before riding (to keep from loading up). Ride for a few minutes and turn off to check your oil (unless you did this the day before). BRP's need to be really warm to get an accurate oil level reading. After 10 to 20 minutes, go ahead and turn your idle screw back down (counter-clockwise) the 1/2 turn. I prefer to leave idle a little high so I can get consistent and easy starts, especially when I lay the big girl down. Restart Warm: Prime kick starter slowly until piston is top-dead-center (TDC), pull compression release and push kick starter just past TDC, let go compression release and give it a good clean kick (DO NOT USE THROTTLE). My BRP's almost always start first kick. If your BRP doesn't start in 3 kicks, refer to rule #3, then redo this procedure. Tip-Over/Flood Restart: I ALWAYS refer to rule #3 on tip-overs to make it easy on myself. CLEAR THE BRP's THROAT with 10 kick starter run-throughs. Again, these are easy run-throughs with the fuel off, throttle wide open, and compression release lever pulled. Turn on fuel, prime with kick starter to top-dead-center (TDC), pull compression release, push kick starter just past TDC, let go compression release and give it a good clean kick (DO NOT USE THROTTLE). Almost always starts first kick. After 3 attempts at prime/TDC, I refer to rule #3, CLEAR THE BRP'S THROAT procedure again. Although all the above sounds complex, once you get it down, the consistent and easy starts are impressive. Hope this helps someone out there, whether a BRP veteran or a newbie BRP owner! RSE BRP
  2. Moses, thanks for the warm welcome. I have always wanted to put my 2001 BRP on the road but you know how difficult it is to get a plate for dirt bikes in Oregon. I wasn't really looking for a second bike but came across it while keying thru Bend's Craigslist (pretty much a daily ritual and has turned into a BAD habit!). Anytime I can buy a clean low mile toy, play with it for a while, and when it's time to sell I can still get what I paid, I usually jump on it. This bike had so little use I knew it would be a fun adventure. Now I'm in trouble though...can't imagine selling it! I have two sons (21 and 25) who are also nuts for 2 wheels (actually anything with an engine) and we are considering going to Washington to convert the other BRP or the WR250 2 stroke the oldest owns. I have to be careful as I really don't want them on the road with traffic, so we may re-direct the "dirt BRP" to a sand specific machine. Growing up in Florence and riding the dunes for years (starting in the 70's), I think a BRP "fatty tire" paddle conversion is in order. We ride at Christmas Valley a lot and that would be fun out there too. Put a 10 paddle on an XR650R and there is no place you can't go...it hooks up like you're riding on pavement! The big Honda is such an incredible machine. We ride dunes, desert, and woods, but my favorite is hill climbing. You probably have enough experience riding to know these big thumpers are a secret weapon when riding with others. The torque makes it so tractable, and if you can maneuver the weight by helping steer with the rear brake, they really are an easy bike to ride. I tell my friends I'm cheating by riding the BRP...they just can't get over the weight issue to give it a try. I'm 5ft 8in 185lbs and its one of the easiest bikes I have ever ridden. Great to talk with you and I look forward to your adventures! Scott
  3. Hi, Moses! I fell across this website recently while researching some pieces of aftermarket hardware that are on the 2002 plated BRP I purchased here in Bend, OR recently. Saw the bike on Craigslist and thought it looked like fun on the road! I also have a 2001 BRP that I purchased in 2002 which has been lovingly flogged for 12 years now. Reading your blog and many others, It appears the XR650R is a cult classic...Guess I was not aware how good of a bike I had! I too am a graduate from the Univ. of Oregon, 1985. In 1983 I bought a new XR500R for commuting Eugene to home in Florence on the weekends. I had this brilliant idea to take a dirt bike and convert it to some highway fun. Found a motorcycle wrecking yard in Springfield and put all the necessary used parts on the bike to make it street legal and get it through DMV for a license plate. Ran everything off the magneto and used my rear brake as a way to dim the head light for oncoming cars at night. Crude but it worked! I was the terror of campus and nothing was off limits...The girls loved it! 3rd floor dorm (Tingle) I used for parking when it was time for maintenance. Had fun for almost 2 years until "the terror of campus" was stolen. Since then I have had numerous bikes (including a new '87 XR600R owned until the 2001 XR650R), but always wanted more fun with a road worthy XR. So when I saw this converted 2002 BRP, I knew I had to have it. And what fun to re-live old college memories and make new ones. This bike HAULS BUTT on the road and satisfies this mid-life crises. Absolutely the most fun OTR (on the road!) I have ever had. Thanks for the XR650R review for racks, rebuild, and tires. I will be following your BRP experiences. BTW, cold start procedures are a one-kick affair, and if I lift my rear off the seat to do this than I'm trying too hard! S. Ellson
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