Trail bike, (pre 93), 500cc to 650cc MUST have electric start. Suggestions?

[Viper666]

As above. I am looking for suggestions for a trail bike 500cc-650cc that has an electric start as even when young I had a devil of a time kicking my 81 XT500.

Prefer Yamaha.

What's peoples thoughts?

[cyclegod]

XT600 was electric start from the early 90's, the didn't change much except cosmetically and complying with new ADR's such as "compulsory lights on" made right up to 98 I think

[LWC82PE]

Electric start came on 86 Yamaha XT600Z Tenere (1VJ)

[crossedup2]

The Belgarda TT600E in itself wasn't a bad bike except just heavy!!!!! They were just border line trail bikes and more road orientated. I realise it might be younger than you 1993 limit. The TT600R was the better option.

What about putting a Belgarda 600E motor into the earlier (92 or 93) TT . (From what I have just read it fits!)

http://www.dirtbikeworld.net/forum/showthread.php?t=68803&page=2

The electric leg option is starting to look good for my XR600. I've had them since 1994 and I would hate to part with the current one but the thought of kicking it on the side of a hill just doesn't do it for me anymore.
Peter B

[LWC82PE]

92/93 is the last of the old TT600's that still looked like the original 83 models. I dont think the the Belgarda  electric and non electric start engines fit those older frames. I know someone who tried yrs ago. He had a Belgarda motor and wanted to put it in an 80's frame.

What probably would work is putting the electric start Belgarda motor in the non electric start Belgarda chassis that has the better Ohlins/Paoli? suspension.

[dont]

I know you prefer yamaha but i think in that era I'd go a honda, they had less suspension travel from memory but that let them run closer to the ground with a lower c of g and less work in tight stuff. I figure you're not after something to jump logs and climb endless rock steps so loss of a few inches travel and clearance won't hurt. A left field alternative is perhaps a dt200r?

[Tex]

1993 Yamaha XT600


1993 Kawasaki KLR650

Tex

[Ekka]

I'm general a Yamaha man but have a nx 650 good all round bike

[LWC82PE]

Some KLR600 also had electric start. Also XL600 around 86/87 had electric start too.

[Viper666]

Great, thanks fellas. Doesn't have to be Yamaha, just prefer as worked on them 99% more than anything else.

As "dont" said I don't (Pardon the pun) need heaps of suspension as probably most riding will be on roads (Sealed & unsealed)

I go on a few road rides with the club on my RX1000 but I am not a road rider, never have been, & it's as heavy as all f*#k so I'm looking for something I can go bush but will sit on the speed limit, plus a little more if needed, without screaming it's head off.

So has to be 4 stroke & have an electric leg.

So I'm looking at XT600, 660, XL600 & KLR650?

Which is the lightest & by how much?

[Butcher]

an xl 600 engine in an xr600 frame cheap and plenty available

[dont]

Nx 650 too, just a slightly newer xl but a bit f a fairing. I think it would be my pick if all else equal.I know I'm in the minority but I don't like the klr 650, one of those illogical "feelings"

[80-85 husky]

ol mate is adventure riding an old nx, very happy with it

[GMC]

Depends on how 'bush' you want to go.
I had a DR600 many years back, there was no way you could just give it a quick jab to start it so I can fully understand the usefullness of electric start.
I took it on a few trail rides under sufferance when I didn't have a 'real trail bike' on hand, took it down some tight tracks and it wasn't a lot of fun.
It wasn't that great on the road either but it was definitely at home on outback style dirt roads (rode it to Burke)
I imagine the later models (any brand) would be a lot better and smoother and I wouldn't mind one myself but I can't imagine any of them being any fun on the trails.

Ended up trading it in on a GPX 600 and couldn't believe how much faster and smoother the 4 cyl 600 was

[80-85 husky]

the DR's are the commodore of the dirt roaders, not overly spectacular but will do the job while the xt's are the ford falcon. same job done