So I'm looking at a 1999 FS 600 with just a little over 600 original miles (ie almost brand new and it looks it). I'm well aware that parts are pretty scarce for these bikes but my question is how reliable are they? This one happened to be bought as an over stock item a few years back by an older gent and he obviously did not ride it much so at the moment it runs great and needs nothing. It currently has the standard dirt tires and wheels on it, Price is pretty reasonable and I'm really only looking for a bike to play in the hills with that's plated. I'm experienced with the bigger bore bikes having raced XR's & CR's when younger and I currently have an 04KTM 525sx. So whats the general thought - worth it or not? Thanks for any insight that you guys can provide. MTMopar
Joined May 2011
700 Posts | 3+
Wisconsin, U.S.
I love my 600, yet to find a bike to keep up (although I havnt raced a berg 650 yet haha)....met a guy on a modified supermoto drz400 yesterday who had it geared down for wheelies and the 600 would pull away during acceleration and had a 20mph faster top speed......mine has been reliable so far, recenty had a engine rebuild but hey its 15 years old and I know mine has way way more hours that the recommended interval states to replace the conrod. maybe I was just lucky. frequent oil changes are the key I have heard, also high rpms should be stayed away from, I would totally buy another one with low hours, parts are scarce but still can be found new parts harder to find than used but the used market is good since nobody buys the parts anymore they can be had cheap......maybe I shouldn't tell you this since you may be trying to buy these used parts out from under me someday :lol:
edit: fwiw my engine not totally stock anymore either so don't expect that one to be as fast
edit: fwiw my engine not totally stock anymore either so don't expect that one to be as fast
Joined Nov 2001
17K Posts | 774+
Ely, England
I can do pretty much every part still except plastics and decals. they are reliable for sure and there are some excellent upgrades you can do to make them run sweeter!
depends if you want to touch it or not but here are some excellent mods to do:
sledge mod: change the kickstart plate for a full contact swing which turns the motor from top to bottom of the kick.
auto decomp: fitting the later auto decomp bump makes starting a lot easier but isn't cheap. the cam sprocket wants to be changed to steel from alloy and the cam shoulder needs grinding back 2mm. then you just kick it like a 2T.
if you're short in the leg the later kickstart arm is an inch shorter.
the valves over the years are prone to hammering into the seats. softer valve springs cure this.
but everyone Iknow who still runs them loves them!
regards
taffy
depends if you want to touch it or not but here are some excellent mods to do:
sledge mod: change the kickstart plate for a full contact swing which turns the motor from top to bottom of the kick.
auto decomp: fitting the later auto decomp bump makes starting a lot easier but isn't cheap. the cam sprocket wants to be changed to steel from alloy and the cam shoulder needs grinding back 2mm. then you just kick it like a 2T.
if you're short in the leg the later kickstart arm is an inch shorter.
the valves over the years are prone to hammering into the seats. softer valve springs cure this.
but everyone Iknow who still runs them loves them!
regards
taffy
Well I bought it... She purrs like a kitten at idle and roars like a lion when you open her up, should be a really fun bike. So who sells graphics for this old girl? I'll post a couple pics this weekend after I clean her up some.
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