Long-Term Update

LongTerm Update

HONDA

XR400R

Reward offered

IT'S A CRIME WE CAN'T PUT MORE MILES on our long-term Honda XR400. Sadly, the bike that won its class at the Nevada Rally, that finished a 6-hour GP at Glen Helen Raceway, that never left anyone stranded, that provided plentiful thrills and spills, was stolen upon return from an outing in Baja, Mexico. As mentioned in previous updates, we fixed the carburetion with help from American Honda's off-road racing department, and Scotts (818/ 248-6747) provided a well-rounded suspension set-up. Then, we added Baja Designs' Dual-Sport Kit ($390), making the bike street-legal without inhibiting its off-road aptitude. Baja Designs (619/792-0213) also rewound the stock stator, which allowed fit ment of an 8-inch PIAA headlight ($279). The race-quality beam easily outshined everything in our "Baja Cannonball" dual-purpose shootout (CW, April 1997), even pulling dou ble-duty when one bike's headlight burned out.

We kept a tight leash on mainte nance, changing engine oil and clean ing the air filter every other ride. Mineral-based oil seemed best-suited to the clutch. Stock plates and `97 XR400 springs were the preferred set up, but compared with other mass produced dirtbikes, clutch life was short-lived. To our pleasant surprise, the valves never required adjustment.

With approximately 7500 miles on our XR, we grounded it for a com plete once-over. Cosmetically, the bike was beat, so we spruced up the 3.4-gallon IMS gas tank ($200) with a set of Pro's Choice tank decals ($50). We also replaced the tattered brushguards with Acerbis' Rally guards and spoilers ($67). The out-ofround rear rim was exchanged for one from Sun ($140), and Dunlop tires (K 139 front, $95; K695AT rear, $92) were spooned on along with heavy duty tubes. The IMS footpegs ($65) and oil-line guard ($28) remained up to the task, but there wasn't anything we could do for the caved-in lower frame tubes, aside from recommend ing a good skidplate.

Our favorite memories of the XR400 include desert trail rides and weekend trips to Mexico. Competition was fun, too. Considering what XRs have tradi tionally stood for-durability, low maintenance and off-road excitementour bike fit right in. Even though we'll probably never see it again, frame number 0019 is surely making some dirtbag happy.

Total miles . 7950 Next service: na Maintenance costs $1265 Repair costs~ $14.35 Average fuel mileage 27.0 mpg List priceS $5099 (1996)

YAMAHA

YZF600R

Blue beauty

NOT MUCH TO REPORT ON THE Yamaha YZF600 front as the odometer spins merrily toward 6000 miles.

Initial tune-up was carried out by our local dealer, who nicked the cor porate coffers by $131 for an oil-and filter change, carb synch, general re-torquing of nuts and bolts, and a lube/adjust of the shift linkage, which had been hanging up on downshifts. We did the 4400-mile service our selves and saved about $100.

Our one problem has been a clattery clutch, more nuisance than real calamity. We're tempted to chalk this up to the bike's road-test flogging at the dragstrip rather than a design flaw, but first we'll replace the clutch plates and see if the problem persists.

For participation in February's 600cc sportbike shootout at Buttonwillow Raceway, the YZF's stock Bridgestones (pretty good on the street) were levered off in favor of track-worthy Michelin Hi-Sports, which are wearing well with about 4000 miles showing.

As the photo shows, we've just fitted a snazzy color-matched seat cover from Second Look (916/331-5665). Too early to tell about durability, but we'll let you know.

Total miles~ . 5547 Next service 8200 Maintenance costs $162.38 Repair costs $0 Average fuel mileage 43.3 mpg List price $7399