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XT660Z travelling in the USA
For those interested I made the following modifications to the Ten (many thanks to Jenny Morgan :signthankspin:for many of the ideas)....
SR Racing exhaust / Giant Loop Coyote bag and el cheapo tent and tool bag to the rear... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC04660.jpg Ebay footpegs and XR250 brake pedal mod (cut off the old fixed end and weld on the folding unit - easy).... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC04662.jpg Cockpit with homemade roadbook box (mounted on bottom of rear mudguard clipped to instrument panel frame rail); GPS mounted on tankbag to avoid damaging vibration; Wolfman Enduro tankbag; Oxford heated grips and control box; and keep right reminders!!!!.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05245.jpg Beautiful shiny new Dunlop D606 rear, DID 520VM chain, sprockets (14T front and 45T rear) http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05374.jpg Shiny new front D606 - sorry can't help myself - awesome tyres transform Ten's capabilities and rider confidence.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05375.jpg What happens with mud build-up and low front guards (this locked up the front wheel on a slippery descent - nice!!)..... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05849.jpg And the cable tie fix (almost factory eh??).... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05864.jpg And the only failure (excluding 3 sets of cush drive rubbers) after 30,000 kms (probably due to lack of maintenance by me - remember to KEEP THOSE NIPPLES GREASED)..... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05949.jpg Here's a pic of the little Ten in all its glory ready to start the trip in LA (Alloy bashplate still to be fitted).... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC04101.jpg And .... at the end 35,000kms, 6 punctures, 2 front tyres, 5 rear tyres, and 4 spills later (note the patched up front mudguard forced apart by build up of mud, and the grit abraded rear rim scoured by the same build up of mud.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC06051.jpg She never missed a beat - AWESOME. Thanks Mr Yamaha.:signthankspin: Cheers |
Just had a quick skim through, and it looks like a brilliant trip. Will definitely be poring over your photos in more detail later.
Nice one. |
That looks brilliant thanks. Can you briefly say what route you took - main 'join-the-dots' points as it were. Also, might sound a dumb question, but did you/could you take the equivalent of breakdown cover as a kind of 'peace of mind' option in the states? I ask because I see you weren't travelling alone and it sounds like you have technical nouse. I'd like to travel the states, but have little or no mechanical ability and would be alone. Cheers.
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Uberthumper - Thanks mate - much appreciated
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Great pics, looks like you had a good trip!
I love the fact that the tyres change to knobblies after the pic of the bike on it's side, brilliant! :respeck: |
Great to see the bike evolving fella. Good pics.
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Posts like this make me really consider the Tenere as my next bike especially for touring europe:luuurve:
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LOVIN IT!!!! :headbang:
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Great photos, looking forward to trip report.
The mud brought back memories of my TAT trip, the back wheel totally jammed solid every 100 yrds unless you rode like a mad man. Awesome. Do you know how much weight you lost with the mods you did to the bike?? |
Hey guys thanks for all the nice words
To answer some of your questions.... ROUTE LOOPYDOG ...My route was in the USA went something like this .....(Solo) LA / Death V / Yosemite / Lassen NP / Crater L / Mt St Helens / Seattle / Spokane / Glacier NP / Lolo / Wallowa Mts / Sawtooth / Teton / Yellowstone / Bighorn / Estes Park / Moab / Cortez / Durango / Black Canyon NP / Aspen / Royal Gorge / Gunnison / Taos / Socorro / Jornada Del Meurte / Demming / Gila NP / Mexican Hat / Monument V / Page / Hurricane / Zion NP / Grand C Nth Rim / Hoover / Joshua Tree NP / LA .....(Side trip - fly / car) to Sturgis rally / Rushmore / Crazy Horse / more Sturgis .....Trans Am Trail (TAT) feeder (solo)... LA / Pheonix / Payson / Socorro / Oklahoma City / Little Rock / Selmer (TN) .....TAT (with two others)... Selmer / Helena / Ozarks .....Sante Fe trail detour solo... Springfield / Olathe / McPherson / Dodge / La Junta / Trinidad / Raton .....TAT (with same two again)... Trinidad / La Veta / Salida / Doyelville / Lake City / Monticello / Moab / Green River (4 days with side trip solo to Skyline drive / Wasatch Plateau) / Salina / Kanosh / Baker / Eureka / Battle Mountain / Mc Dermitt / Lakeview / Crescent / Grants Pass / Port Orford .....Solo again... Port O / Arcata / Klamath Mts / Redding / Lassen / Fort Bragg / San Fran / Sonora Pass / Fallon / Austin / Tonopah / Beatty / Death V / LA .....Side trip (fly / car) Niagara / Sandusky for some rollercoasters then LA and home. INSURANCE / COMMUNICATIONS I didn't take any breakdown insurance and I did most of the riding on my own. However and this is a big one, I strongly strongly advocate the use of a personal locator unit if you do any solo riding. I my case I used a SPOT2 and my better half back in NZ became my support crew. Every day she was able to see where I was and respond if anything ever happened (i.e ring the local police / state troopers etc.) I set it up with several messages that could be activated with single button pushes and each is accompanied by GPS LAT and LONG coords and are publically viewable on a website... 1 - I'm all OK 2 - I've got a problem nothing serious and am fixing it (then I'll push No 1 again when back on track) 3 - I've had an incident, I'm ok but I need some assistance - i.e. bike damage and can't ride. 4 - I need medical assistance 5 - Send out international rescue - life and death situation It's important to keep this unit on you personally within easy reach incase of a spill where you separate from the bike and are stuck. I am reasonable mechanically competent and reckon I can fix most things - beyond that I'll first see if locally I can get help then I'll use the SPOT as above. Don't bank on your mobile phone working as many places don't have coverage. AT&T has the best service through the USA and I recommend you get one with them when you arrive in the USA. I met a guy out there doing a similar trip and he recommended joining the AMA for breakdown cover and I would seriously consider this if you have any doubts about this matter. Finally the bike choice was a significant factor - a near new Tenere is a reliable unit and looked after will give miles and miles of trouble free service. Take some spares though... Clutch cable; inner tubes; tyre patches; brake / clutch levers and gear shift pedal and some engine oil. Most everything else doesn't matter if it breaks and you will be able to ride to some help. Also the USAers are more than helpfull and often stop to see if you need assistance - especially so in the remote areas. TYRES TENERE DOUG.... You're not wrong about the tyres. I thought the Dunlop K750 tyres (OE on KLR650 and cheap as chips in the USA) I put on would be good for the rough stuff - WRONG. They were OK in all dry conditions except sand (useless) and mud (see picture). Rider ability might had a part to play as well though!! There is no way I would tackle the TAT on anything other than full knobbies DOT rated (D606 / T63 / MT21) and the Dunlops are the most readily available of these three (often held in stock in dealers) TENERE CHOICE MAXWELL....To tour Europe if you want to do a combination of dirt and tarseal then IMHO the TENERE is one of the best bikes for you if not the best - what more can I say - an AWESOME machine. WEIGHT LOSS BART....Unfortunately I didn't loose any weight - damn. However the bike lost a fair bit in the exhaust area, but gained some with the centre stand and bashplate. Overall, probably not much of a change. Practically, when loaded I was at my limit to pick her up on my own after a spill - and this is IMHO one of the most sginificant factors in bike choice for a dual sport trip - if you can't right her after a fall on your own without giving yourself a hernia or putting your back out - stay off the dirt - simple as that. |
Hey LOOPYDOG - just read your post again.
I've got to say that I was apprehensive about doing a trip on my own in a foreign land. HOWEVER.... after a couple of days riding I realised how unjustified this apprehension was. When riding on my own I talked to more locals then I ever did when riding in a group and they were all brilliant and made me feel welcome every time. Never met a bad one in the whole trip. I got bought lunch twice, had recommendations of good roads to ride almost everyone I met, and had no end of "Hey buddy - where did you get that cool machine from - I want one" conversations at traffic lights , fuel stops and bike shops, and even had a babe compliment the bike with a knowing look (I still had my helmet on - otherwise she would have run a mile I reckon). So take the plunge, prepare and plan and get out there and enjoy. |
Mucho thanx, Tuscan! Great pics and good info on yer mods and such! I'd like to see them faces of the "hardcore" bikers down in Sturgis, when you showed up with the Tenere......probably had a ball, did you? I agree, it's a great bike and perfect for such a trip!
Greetz, Hans. |
Dallas - Unfortunately I had to fly to sturgis due to logistics of the TAT, but I reckon they wouldn't have known what the Ten was..."Hey buddy thts a mity fine lurkin motorcicle - yur not from round here then??" etc.etc.etc.
A couple of Sturgis pics for you..... Hopefully not required..... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05171.jpg I love Harley riders.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05169.jpg Tatoo shirts.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05165.jpg 60yr old lady taking the piss..... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05162.jpg US diplomatic service was well represented... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05150.jpg Yes Di is NOT wearing a shirt - she just got up in a hurry.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05132.jpg Tricky engineering - awesome.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05124.jpg The best 'economy' hard luggage and trailer yet.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05115.jpg |
Thanks ever-so-much for all the information and suggestions. It all made sense and that route looks awesome. I'm going to spend some time looking at it properly and carefully now. Your positive comments give confidence though and, hey, that's what we mean by 'adventure' isn't it?
Thanks man. |
Pleasure mate - let me know if I can be of any more assistance?
Some more photos to whet your appetite..... Endless riding in early evening - sweet... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC04610.jpg Waiting for passing storm to pass (lightning make you a bit vulnerable out in the open).... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC04769.jpg Couldn't find Bugs Bunny or Roadrunner..... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05208.jpg Miles of riding above 9000ft (Wasatch Plateau) - superb..... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05700.jpg Pinned in 5th from horizon - got the heart thumping (West from Crystal Peak Utah)........ http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05761.jpg Practice this...... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...DSC05856-1.jpg and this...... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC05928.jpg Have fun |
really great shots
You didn't seem to have much stuff with you. Just the saddle bag, tank bag, and small back pack?
Roughly how many days between a change of clothes??? |
Wootenboy.....thanks for the compliments.
I travelled ultra light figuring I wasn't going to attend any black tie dinners any time soon..... I have this thing about keeping weight to a minimum and packed gear came under the knife to keep things at absolute bare bones level. Pair of shades, wide brimmed sun hat, three moisture wicking / quick dry polo shirts, three pairs of jocks and 5 pairs of socks, polar fleece, pair of shorts, pair of thongs / flip flops, MX boots, neck warmer, riding jacket, riding pants, gloves and waterproofs - end of story. What else do you need? If you forget something - Walmarts have everything and are everywhere. One shirt would last 3 - 4 days, then swop for the 2nd one keeping the 3rd for evening wear after a shower every day somewhere. Washed clothes overnight in motels after 2nd shirt was dead. Socks changed every 2 days or so. Change of jocks is my business!!!!! Never had any complaints and wasn't a health hazard to anyone or barred from any establishments, so must have worked. Backpack contained 3litre water bladder (essential for those 125deg days in Pheonix), sun hat, spare clear safety glasses in case of visor damage, waterproofs and snacks for the day. Tank bag contained maps, mobile phone, first aid kit, electrical accessories and chargers, camera, ready access items (tyre pressure guage, LED torch, pens etc.). Spare documents, money, passport etc in waterproof bag under seat. Tools & spares were all in the tool bag on the back or under the seat and the rest was in the Giant Loop bag or tent bag. Tyre irons, valve tools and bike pump became ready access tools at the end due to the frequency I was getting punctures (19,000 miles not a sausage then bang.... 6 within two weeks??? and one in a brand new D606 - I nearly cried). The Giant Loop bag I can't speak highly enough about - held everything, water resistant, mounts / dismounts in no time, has unbreakable mounting straps made of titanium or something just as strong, doesn't break your leg / ankle when the bike lands on top of you, and provides protection to the bike in the event of a spill - and best of all is virtually indestructably made of some form of Kryptonite material - A1++++++. Hope this answers |
as the song says
Remember, you can wear your underwear 4 times without washing: forwards,
backwards, inside out forwards, inside out backwards. So there was also a sleeping bag and some cooking gear for the camping stage hiden away as well? Amazing, I went away for only three and half weeks and I would of had 3 or 4 times that volume. Admittedly I carried 70% of my food from day one (don't ask why), only on a xt660r so I also had 12 Litres of fuel and 12 litres of water, I didn't have a tent, just a cotton canvas swag complete with 50mm mattress. I only had four pub/motel stays one of those was unplanned (Broken Hill they really shouldn't be allowed to put a pub next to the the laundromat particularly when the wash dry cycle take 2 hours and the bar maid has a nice smile). The only thing can honestly say I took and never touched was a book. |
If you had 3 - 4 times that amount of gear - I'm baffled as to what it all was??? Did you enjoy your trip - at the end that's all that matters. Lots of gear or no gear, modern bike or old bike - as long as
you had a ball who cares. I hope it was a success for you.
For me I was pretty anal about weight as you might have picked up by now and this is how I did it.... In the Giant Loop bag was a sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, inflatable pillow, plastic bowl, cooking pot with propane stove inside and utensils etc, plus the bags for clothes / shoes, the bike spares, tyre irons and pump, bike lock chain, crossword book and novel. (Most of the camping gear had been refined from years of hiking in the back country, where weight and volume is at an absolute premium). In the tent bag was the 2 man tent(!!), ground sheet, emergency survival bag, 12V camp light (modified car inspection lamp), rope, pegs etc. As it turned out, I only camped a handful of times as motels could be found almost as cheap as tent pitches and you get TV, shower and a comfortable bed - no contest really. For the TAT section of the trip we planned not to camp as we expected to be properly knackered at the end of each days off-road riding and not wanting the hassle of tenting - it's what happens when you get old - civilisation beckons. I always ate out (you meet more people that way) so never needed to cook although I had the necessary gear to do so if required. After one week on the road I unpacked all my gear in a motel and posted back to New Zealand anything not used or surplus to requirements - souveniers, excess clothing, maps and documentation not to be needed again etc. I did this three times on the trip and was absolutely ruthless about carrying unnecessary items. Seemed to work well for me and the trip was a success - after all I came to ride the Tenere in a far off land and wanted as little as possible to detract from that objective. |
Man, this is awesome, you are one lucky fellow.
If I had 2 months off and no wife,mortgage,dogs,bills and so on I would love to do that trip on a tenere. (not mine though,it's too clean still):paranoid: Thanks for sharing Al |
Awesome Trip mate... how easy / costly was it to send your bike to the US ?
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Ilkleyal
It was 3 months not two, and I have no job (currently being rectified urgently). The better half was told not asked - I went without for a while there but the trip was worth it :icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin:. (I've also got a mortgage, sheep, cats and chickens but that never stopped me doing things - i'm paying for it now though, but so what - I did the trip). I figured I ought to do the trip right now, or one day when the stars lined up, perhaps I would be too old, in a wheelchair or afflicted with a unsavoury disease. Take the plunge mate and do it now while you can and want to. Enjoy your shiny machine and get it dirty - she'll love you for it. |
Sysie
Shipping to the USA was a right PITA, but now I have done it once it's not that hard. On the way out to the US I shipped on my own and had to pack the bike so that it could go in with general cargo in a container and have stuff loaded on top of it. This cost around NZD2,500 On the way back I hooked up with the eight other Kiwi guys who were doing the Trans Am Trail and all the bikes went into a single private container and thus did not need the same level of packing and protection. This cost the same as the outward trip, but had I travelled with the Kiwis both to the US and back that cost would have covered both directions. I essentially had to pay for the reserved space I didn't use on the outward journey. This only came about as I wanted to do a lot of travelling around the States prior to the TAT which was the objective of the rest of the Kiwis. The physical bit was the easiest... Had to box up the bike to protect it in transit. (Crate can be got from a local Harley dealer free or for a small fee), and I added external bracing and wrapping myself....... As it shipped out to the US.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC04095.jpg and stripped of plastic wrap ready for unloading... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC04098.jpg I found that the Ten strips down pretty good and can get under the 1050mm or 1150mm (can't remember which) height restriction without taking the front wheel off. Essentially I took off the front guard, inserted a prop and pulled the bike down onto the crate with ratchet straps. Then removed the indicator pods, and undid the two bolts holding the front fairing / instrument assembly on. By easing a few cables and turning the whole front assembly upside down, it can be rebolted back in place and the whole thing is securely attached but lower than the top of the fuel tank - bingo - nice one Mr Yamaha. http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC04078.jpg Finally, took off the bars and again by easing cables etc, I was able to strap the assembly with suitable protective packing along the top of the tank and again keep it below the minimum height. The battery had to be disconnected and the fuel tank practically empty - just enough to get me to a fuel station the other end. For the return trip the packing was less and took about two hours from riding into the freight depot to walking away leaving my soul mate of the past three months to the hands of the shippers.... This time I strapped the bars along the right hand fork leg after removing brake assembly.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC06053.jpg and again.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC06059.jpg The paperwork side of things was a little more stressful. IMHO it is essential to use a shipper who has actually shpped a motorcycle to your destination and is familiar with all the hoops that have to be jumped through. I thought I had done that, but the staff members at each end were bike virgins and I repeatedly had heart failures when I thought everything was sorted and I kept getting phone calls ... "Urm we need some more documents otherwise the bike can't go on the boat next week, tomorrow, this afternoon ...etc..etc."!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It didn't stop there. I even got the phone call...." Hi .. you know that bike we were shipping for you, well it can't be unloaded tomorrow and clear customs unless ....more sodding paperwork etc. etc." and this hours before I'm getting on a plane for three months away. The documentation is all pretty straightforward and can mostly be done online and then sent hard copy to the shippers, but do it in plenty of time and there will be no stress. I started dreaming of my trip in November 2009 (I didn't own a Tenere then) and by the time I had researched bikes, bouhgt it, modified it, planned the trip and arranged all the details, I only just made it to LA for a 1st July 2010. Allow 3-4 months beforehand minimum to get quotes and arrange shipping and documentation. Then allow 1 week to deliver the load and get it consigned to a shipment, 3 - 4weeks from NZ to LAX and a further week to clear customs etc. in LAX and take delivery. Then go for a ride and enjoy. Hope this answers. |
Excellent report and pictures Tony!
And it looks like you got to ride pretty much every pass in Colorado - certainly a highlight of the trip I imagine? I'd repeat what you've said - to have a fantastic off-road road trip, you need two things - a Tenere, and a ticket to the USA! Rock on! Jenny xx |
Everywhere from Trinidad to Crater Lake on the TAT was the highlight for me - unbelievable riding , scenery and get away from it all country. The rest was only a smidgen behind though - Glacier, Yosemite, Grand C, Monumnet V etc.... know what I mean?
Hell I wish I could go back right now - but have to earn a living etc.etc. Tiresome details. :disgust::disgust::disgust: |
Hi Tony,
Your tenere looks awesome, I'm hoping mine will be as good when I've finished doing my mods. I was wondering if the single SR Racing exhaust you put on was orderd from 'Off The Road' as I am thinking of putting one on aswell. For long distance touring was it overly noisy? I am currrently getting my Black 2010 Tenere ready to ship to the US to start a trip from LA to Argentina in February 2011. P.S. Glad you had an awsome time on your trip, and Great photo's |
Hammer 1
Thanks for the comments - you need to post some pics of your mods - I'd be keen to see them??? Yep it was from Off the Road and was the "short version" as used by Jenny Morgan on her machine. When I ordered it, I don't think the noise baffle was standard, but I asked them to include it and I used it in this form all the while, and no it wasn't an issue for noise. Without the baffle it might have been though. IMHO I reckon the SR Racing single can is the best on the market for looks and build quality - far superior to Leo Vince unit which has a feeble strap going round the can - and way better than any twin can unit. But that's just my opinion. I did however fabricate a better frame mounting bracket for the end can from a piece of mild steel flat bar and the finished installation was rock solid and didn't fail over 35,000kms. I used a little propane burner to heat the flat bar to cherry red colour and then with a hammer carefully bent the flatbar into the necessary curves. I left the bracket in this "softened" state in order to avoid brittle failures / cracking later on and enable it to be bent back into shape without cracking, in the event of a fall. Finally heated the unit (still able to touch it) and sprayed it with black paint - heat makes the paint stick. Job done. New bracket in situ....... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC06369.jpg The new bracket bolts to the same mounting nuts in the frame cross rail that the original exhaust bolts to.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC06373.jpg The removal of the original exhaust leaves a gap in the under seat tray which allows mud and crap to spray up and eventually over the electrics. I then fabricated a small piece of stainless steel to hold down a piece of inner tube to cover the gap and fit up under the plastic cover over the tail section to provide a weather tight seal to the undertray area - it worked in all the worst weather that I threw at it..... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC06368.jpg And the same from under the tail.... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC06374.jpg Hope this helps.:icon_salut::icon_salut: Hey I would be interested in your plans for the trip to Argentina and how you get on. What's your route and are you doing it on your own? All the best mate |
XT660Z Tenere Rooted head bearings....
Just got the bike back from the shippers and after going over it with a fine tooth comb, found that the head bearings had a definite "detent" notch in the straight ahead position. I stripped the assembly down and found that the lock nuts had been overtightened by a gorilla at the factory, the steering stem was corroded, the bearings were virtually dry (little or no grease from the factory), and the inner races were marked causing the detent. Put new bearings in (a right PITA - no thanks to Mr Yamaha :076::076::076:who couldn't have made the job of punching out the bottom outer race any more difficult), generously applied grease and lightly tightened the bearings - and the steering was restored to an orgasm of mechanical perfection.:blob10::blob10::blob10: Anyone going on a long trip would do well to dismantle their steering assembly and check it is properly greased and not over tightened. Wouldn't want some bush mechanic in Hicksville to have to do what I did today to change over rooted bearings. Have fun |
I had a similar problem with my head bearings, they tend to collect water too.
Strip and grease to death.... |
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the info and photographs of the bracket mods on your single can, very helpful. I have a black 2010 tenere with 750kms on the clock. so far I have added: - 'Off The Road' bash plate - B&B radiator stone guard - Guard-IT rear luggage plate (not sure if i'll keep it) - Oxford heated grips - Bark Busters - 12volt power outlet - Garmin zumo 660 gps (hard wired) - 'Off The Road' centre stand Stuff that I have orderd but am still waiting on: - Excel rims (front & back) - SW Motech side racks - Andy Strapz soft panniers (4 pocket) Stuff that I still have to do/get: - Ohlins rear shock - Ohlins internals (front) - SR single can like yours That will just about do it. I am going to leave tuning standard for my trip as I want reliability and fuel economy while I am travelling. I will be leaving Australia at the mid to end of January 2011 (not long now!!!!) and flying to LA where I will uncrate my bike and begin my ride south. I have decided to cross the mexican border at Tecate as it is apparently a lot quiter than some of the other crossings. After that I will head down Baja and ferry it across to Mazatalan. This is where my plan ends after this point I will just make it up as I go as I have no real time constraints but eventually want to end up in Argentina. I will be travelling on my own until July/August when a friend from Australia will be shipping his bike to South America to meet me for three months. you should crate that bike of yours up again and come for the adventure!!! |
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the info and photographs of the bracket mods on your single can, very helpful. I have a black 2010 tenere with 750kms on the clock. so far I have added: - 'Off The Road' bash plate - B&B radiator stone guard - Guard-IT rear luggage plate (not sure if i'll keep it) - Oxford heated grips - Bark Busters - 12volt power outlet - Garmin zumo 660 gps (hard wired) - 'Off The Road' centre stand Stuff that I have orderd but am still waiting on: - Excel rims (front & back) - SW Motech side racks - Andy Strapz soft panniers (4 pocket) Stuff that I still have to do/get: - Ohlins rear shock - Ohlins internals (front) - SR single can like yours That will just about do it. I am going to leave tuning standard for my trip as I want reliability and fuel economy while I am travelling. I will be leaving Australia at the mid to end of January 2011 (not long now!!!!) and flying to LA where I will uncrate my bike and begin my ride south. I have decided to cross the mexican border at Tecate as it is apparently a lot quiter than some of the other crossings. After that I will head down Baja and ferry it across to Mazatalan. This is where my plan ends after this point I will just make it up as I go as I have no real time constraints but eventually want to end up in Argentina. I will be travelling on my own until July/August when a friend from Australia will be shipping his bike to South America to meet me for three months. you should crate that bike of yours up again and come for the adventure!!! |
Tony,
Very trivial but I am having trouble deciding whether to go with black Excel rims or gold. I have only just orderd them and they haven't shipped yet so I still have time to change my mind. What do you think looks better? One other thing, I have just talked to the guys from 'Off The Road' and they said that if I orderd the short version of the SR can and had a baffel put in like yours it would actually decrease power. For best power gains the longer can is recommended. Aesthetically the shorter looks way better IMHO. |
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Hi JMo,
It was your bike that made me think of gold rims in the first place. I'm Just not sure how it will look without the WP forks, maybe they will come later. |
Hammer1
Didn't notice any decrease in power - bike had enough grunt for me both before and after the switch to the SR short exhaust with baffle. It "looked" as though it had 100Hp more than before so must have been faster!!!!!! The gold rims will be even faster - yeehaaa!! When I modified my rear rim - courtesy of some mud, it took some of the paint off...... http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC06051.jpg ...... I reckon if I can be bothered, that I might polish the sides of the black rims to bare alloy - it might look pretty trick (and cover up the scratches from my cack handed puncture repairs):002:. Having said that, I have Jenny's second set of gold rims with black hubs waiting to be installed in some WP forks. Mate - that'll add at least another 300Hp and save 100kg - what a machine it'll be then:evil::evil::evil: I reckon the gold rims on the black bike will look sweet - go for gold my man! Your mods sound spot on and you should have a blast on that trip. I'd pack up and follow you, but got to earn a crust now and then:089::089::089: |
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Tony,
turns out I was a tiny bit too late to change my mind on the rims. I rang Thorsten from OTR and they had just sent the order so it looks like black rims for now. I'm not too worried it will still look the part!! I'd Love to see some photos of yours when you get the gold rims and WP front end on. I will get some photo's of mine posted soon, at the moment I am away for work so unable to post any. Was your single can stainless or titanium? I'm thinking of going stainless so if something happens to it I can repair it on the road more easily. Have you got any idea what a set of new WP forks are worth? thanks again, don't work too hard and make sure you leave yourself enough time for the fun stuff ie. RIDING!! |
:bling::bling::bling:
Lovin' it people! :002: |
Hammer1
The can was Titanium (weight loss reason again) with Stainless (i think) link pipe, and it didn't need repairing on my trip. If you bin the bike that bad that it stuffs the pipe behind your luggage, then I reckon you might have other things to worry about :icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol: I got my WP forks off Ebay in the US. They were from a 2004 450EXC and cost way less then new. They were unmarked and after a service by my tame local WP fork guru they will be another orgasm of mechanical perfection:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo: Have a good trip mate.:thumbsup::thumbsup: |
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