rholbrook
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Kaysville, Ut
My first motorcycle was a 1978 XR 75 that I got new. My next bikes were pretty much all Yamaha since 1979 and since 2006 I have been trying to be patient with Yamaha hoping they would come out with something to compete with KTM for a great 6 spd trail bike. That has not happened so I decided I would jump ship but not until I gave Yamaha a phone call. After sitting on hold for nearly 30 minutes I was able to complain to them that they were losing a long time customer. They pretty much said that they will miss me. I was looking for a new light weight bike and I knew I was giving up atleast 40lbs to the KTM 300. It was time to join the orange gang.
Yamaha 4 strokes are the most dependable 4 strokes out there and there has been tons of articles in all the motorcycle magazines about how they are the most dependable rides. In the 8 years that I owned my WR450, the only thing I had to do to it besides oil changes, tires, a set of brakes, one set of sprockets and chain is once I adjusted the valves but only because I put a YZ450F exhaust cam in it so I figured I would check the valves at the same time. That was 4 years ago and just before I sold it, it would fire on the first kick. Nearly a month ago, I put it on KSL on a Saturday afternoon and by Monday, it was gone.
After a bunch of research I finally decided that I wanted a 2011 or newer 300XC because of the 6 spd and higher 1st gear. I really didnt care if I got the PDS suspension because I really don't plan on hitting whoops at high speed. After looking all over the place I finally found one in Pheonix that had the suspension done on it and already had a Rekluse zStart Pro which was on my list of things to add anyway. After finding transport from uShip for $250 its on its way here. The PO is a 63 yr old that is selling because he was buying a 2015 Husky 300 and in his garage is also a 2013 500 XCW. My friend Craig just happened to be in Pheonix so I asked him to go take a look at it so he did and ran it up and down the road a few times. He told me the guys garage floor and work bench were clean enough to eat off of the bike was in exceptional shape so I bought it. The funny thing about Craig taking it for a spin is the PO said to me that my friend really rode it hard up and down the street. He was really bugged that Craig rode it hard. That kind of tells me how he took care of it.
Plans:
I am going to have to rejet it and make sure that I am covered on jetting for the altitude and temperature.
I will get a skid plate and pipe guard and would appreciate your suggestions here.
Perform the mod on Starter that basically caps the breather and runs it up into the airbox and allows you to put some oil in it.
Some new bark busters and bar risers
Ox Left Hand Brake. The Rekluse LHB sucks. They never hold pressure and seem to not work more than they work so I am going to try the Ox.
When its too cold to ride, I will pull the head and get the bowl reshaped.
Spark Arrestor and when I dent the pipe, an FMF to replace it.
I have been in Atlanta for a bit and plan on coming home for a day this weekend so Harrison and I can go riding. Anyone is welcome to join.
Yamaha 4 strokes are the most dependable 4 strokes out there and there has been tons of articles in all the motorcycle magazines about how they are the most dependable rides. In the 8 years that I owned my WR450, the only thing I had to do to it besides oil changes, tires, a set of brakes, one set of sprockets and chain is once I adjusted the valves but only because I put a YZ450F exhaust cam in it so I figured I would check the valves at the same time. That was 4 years ago and just before I sold it, it would fire on the first kick. Nearly a month ago, I put it on KSL on a Saturday afternoon and by Monday, it was gone.
After a bunch of research I finally decided that I wanted a 2011 or newer 300XC because of the 6 spd and higher 1st gear. I really didnt care if I got the PDS suspension because I really don't plan on hitting whoops at high speed. After looking all over the place I finally found one in Pheonix that had the suspension done on it and already had a Rekluse zStart Pro which was on my list of things to add anyway. After finding transport from uShip for $250 its on its way here. The PO is a 63 yr old that is selling because he was buying a 2015 Husky 300 and in his garage is also a 2013 500 XCW. My friend Craig just happened to be in Pheonix so I asked him to go take a look at it so he did and ran it up and down the road a few times. He told me the guys garage floor and work bench were clean enough to eat off of the bike was in exceptional shape so I bought it. The funny thing about Craig taking it for a spin is the PO said to me that my friend really rode it hard up and down the street. He was really bugged that Craig rode it hard. That kind of tells me how he took care of it.
Plans:
I am going to have to rejet it and make sure that I am covered on jetting for the altitude and temperature.
I will get a skid plate and pipe guard and would appreciate your suggestions here.
Perform the mod on Starter that basically caps the breather and runs it up into the airbox and allows you to put some oil in it.
Some new bark busters and bar risers
Ox Left Hand Brake. The Rekluse LHB sucks. They never hold pressure and seem to not work more than they work so I am going to try the Ox.
When its too cold to ride, I will pull the head and get the bowl reshaped.
Spark Arrestor and when I dent the pipe, an FMF to replace it.
I have been in Atlanta for a bit and plan on coming home for a day this weekend so Harrison and I can go riding. Anyone is welcome to join.
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I only ask because I've been super tempted with a 200XC for a long time as a second bike (I need a first bike first though 
