Been mulling over the next bike as the DRZ whilst a lot of fun simply lacks the power for my less than svelte (:w00t:) frame. Looked at a FCR carb and new rear shock but then thought I might as well get a proper 'moto as I’m only going to use at the weekends and try to get on the occasional track day now that secure parking has disappeared from my work place. That does mean the DRZ will in all probability be going soon so anyone interested drop me a PM otherwise look out for it in the for sale section when I get around to it.
Now on the next bike, been looking at 660smc’s but also reading a hilarious thread over at the the KTM forum about kick starting which makes me re think owning. Comments such as “I used to drive to petrol station fill up a Jerry can then put fuel in at home so I didn’t have to turn the fu<£€r off” Is it really that bad?? It might explain why they are cheap to pick up though. believe Mad Dog used to have one so will wait to hear from him or others that may have witnessed/waited for him on rides whilst he started it!!
Would love a 690 SMC but can’t justify as too expensive for a weekend toy (Superduke as an alternative was also taken off due to this), know the 525/625’s are rated but can’t seem to find any around at the moment.
Loved my 660 & had a few times getting trouble started on a very hot day but was rare to have that. There seem to be good and bad ones or the rider never got the knack of kicking over lol
if its between a 660smc or a 525exc id choose the exc for the reason the exc was so much more easy to use on the small lanes & not much less speed on the straights. All depends on the deals you find to choose between them really.
or you could go for a 625 that has the electric start but more grunt than the 640
Also the twin pipe version looks the best… a bit like mine
And no kickstarting it ain’t that difficult once you get the hang of it… I now can do it in trainers quite easily. From what I read and have experienced, as long as you keep it serviced correctly, kickstarting is easy…
I think kick starting is like putting a bike on it’s centre stand, it’s all about technique. Those old chaps in the days before electric starters used to do it with a rollup in their mouths so it probably doesn’t require much effort once you know how.
Very much so. Years ago I was at a pre 1965 trial with a mate, we watched as a competitor almost had a coronary trying to start his Norton. My mate says can I have a try, I used to have one like it. Bloke nearly falls of bike in exhaustion, my mate tries and one prod and away it goes! I swear the owner had tears in his eyes.
I’ve been using the kick start on my exc for ages cos.the battery is totally f’d and its even more easy than the lc4 cos you don’t need to kick over till you hit TDC. might know of a exc going for sale, will find out for you. if its track only a crf might be ok but on the bcr not so good because you’ll feel it revvy and the worry of it going bang lol
Don’t worry about the kick start, I know few people that used to own 660smc and everyone will be happy to buy one again. Stadard one will have more power then modified drz…
Cheers fella do let me know. Been stalking a XR600 recently but worried I might get mistaken for some other dude who rides around these parts…:Whistling:
I used to have a 1992 CR500 , came home one day to find my brother and his friend lying on the floor and couch in the living room . Whats up with you pair I asked … Took your bike out they said … Ahhh hard work riding that thing innit I laughed … We never even got it started they said … I took em outside hopped on the bike and started it 2nd kick … There ya go have fun … They declined saying they were to tired now from kicking it to ride it … Wimps .
