Stripping for shipping...
 

Well, I took the spanners to the Tenere today as a practice run for shipping it to the USA next week...

Fortunately I was able to blag an official Yamaha crate when I bought my bike, and the pallet base allows you to simply roll the bike on and strap it down. The sides and lid of the 'crate' are actually cardboard!, and yet strong enough to stack them 4 high in the warehouse - unbelieveable!

I strapped the rear of the bike using ratchet straps from the pillion footrest mounts, and a pair of soft ties around the fork legs above the bottom yoke at the front.

The bike is surprisingly simple to dismantle to fit in the crate - removed the screen (really to protect it), undid the two bumper cheeks (4 allen bolts) that locate the front indicators, and they pop off leaving the headlight assembly to be unbolted from the headtube (2 bolts), which was wrapped in foam/plastic and rotated 180� and strapped to the fork legs. The handlebars similarly just need unbolting at the clamps, wrapped in foam, rotated 90� and strapped to the right fork leg.

I put the mirrors and the front indicator cheeks in a box with some foam padding, and placed this inside the crate by the forks; while the screen is in a foam sleeve/plastic bag and bungeed on the top of the headlight.

It really is as if Yamaha designed it to be shipped - none of the wiring or cables need to be undone (other than the two front indicators), so reassembly will be very quick and straightforward...

Must remember to disconnect the battery and drain the fuel before it finally goes to the airport...

4 days to go!

xxx

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...x/DSC09278.jpg

But will it fit through that door

don't forget to let down tyre pressure to minimum

haha no bring in the mini diggar through the side wall.yeooo

It looks to me as if there is almost as much space available between those double doors as there is between some ears. I suspect JMo is far too experienced not to have an escape route planned for every situation.

Great colour JMo, all the best for a good trip, will you be writing articles for TBM again, you will have to keep us posted so we know which issues to buy.

Don't you worry, I'll keep in touch x

It is my intention to write about my travels on the new bike, I imagine it won't be out until early in the new year though...

I can't wait to get out there and get some sand under it's wheels!

xxx

Have a great Trip ,
looking forward to seeing your pic's and reading the report.
Safe Fun Riding .
Dazzer { Team Dipstick :icon_salut: }

Aha - small world! Just hope I don't get caught smuggling peanuts eh?!

xxx

So JMo where are you going..
 

What are your plans when you get there ? The USA is a huge place.

Good news is that in the past two weeks petrol prices have dropped from about $4.10 to $3.80 per USgal. (60p to 55p per litre). Except in Death Valley - 78p litre.
Attachment 2530

The exchange rates are going in the right direction too.

Yeah, at last... thing is, I bought my dollars two weeks ago when it was down to 1.76 grrrr... (couldn't bare to see it fall any lower!)

I was out in the western desert states last year on the XR - Nevada, California, Oregon, Arizona... this time I plan to revisit some of the best bits, plus head over to Utah (Moab) before the snow comes... then down to Baja for December (1000 race), then head through the southern states dodging the hurricanes to Daytona for Bike week in February, then back through Virginia perhaps (if the snow has gone) and pick up the TAT back west...

xxx

Lucky woman! Have fun and take care! Greetz, Hans.

Hi JMo,

I rode the TAT last year from Tennessee to Oregan - what a blast.

I still have the GPS tracks, and a waypointed route if you need them - I found the waypointed route a great back up to the official TAT roadbook.


Look forward to seeing some photos :-)

Hi Russ - I hoped there would be such a tome - where can I get a copy of the TAT roadbook and/or the waypoints?

I plan to buy Rand McNally maps of each state I'll pass through (usually good enough scale), but would like to mark the route onto them...

If you can help please PM me the details,

Many thanks,

Jen xx

Well, the bike arrived on Monday (actually it was in the hold on the same flight as me on the Sunday!) and I picked it up Tuesday, reassembled it and rode it home! Insurance was no problem using Progessive.com - they will insure both foreign machines (on the VIN number) and licence holders - result!

Been busy doing a few admin jobs these past few days ready for the off next week, but got the chance to ride some desert trails this morning, and boy does that bike rock! The suspension is plush, stability great (I guess all that weight helps x) and even on the standard Tourance tyres grip was good on the dry desert dirt/sand/rocks... going to get a set of MT21's fitted next week though, just for added confidence in the dirt.

So just to p!ss you all off in rainy old England, a few pictures:

Built back up in about 20 minutes - started first time!
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/DSC09356.jpg

Heading for the Strip in downtown Las Vegas, baby!
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/DSC09365.jpg

The only Tenere in the USA (probably...)
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/DSCF0034.jpg

xxx

hi Jmo, enjoy! Curious, do you have a taller windshield? If so, how do you find it? Also, which airline that you flew with you bike? And if don't mind me asking, how much it costs? And how do you deal with the license plate registration? Happy travel.

Uh, those pics were pure evil, it's pitch black here at the moment and temp is below zero. Enjoy your trip! =)

Hi Josephau - the windshield is actually the standard one, it just looks tall in that wide-angle photo perhaps? I must say, I do get a bit of wind noise with the standard screen, although I'm not sure the taller one would help? I need to tape on a piece of cardboard and check before I order one...

The airline depends on the shipping agent, and the best price they can get at the time, depending on route etc. this time my bike went direct to Vegas on a Virgin flight, when I brought my XR back last year it went via Phoenix on a BA flight.

The agent I used in the UK was Air&Cargo based in Manchester (my nearest major airport that flies to the US), and the cost was a little more than last time - all taxes and customs clearance paid, it was $1800, so the best part of �1000... which sounds obscene (especially when I brought the XR back for around �700 last year, but that is due in no small part to exchange rates and fuel price increases unfortunately).

However, to put it in perspective - if you take the return ferry from UK-Bilbao and Tarifa-Tanger on a jaunt to Morocco it will cost you at least �500 before you factor in fuel, tyre wear and accommodation/food costs... so it's actually not bad for shipping your bike with the minimum of hassle half way round the world? And hey, this is America for goodness sake! - land of canyons and mountains and deserts and motels, and petrol at �1.50 a gallon!

Certainly if you are staying here for any length of time, renting a bike would be that per month, and you'd be limited on where you can ride it... and hey, it's kinda cool having the only Tenere in the States xx

As for paperwork, since it's come in as a 'tourist' vehicle, there is no need to register it - Progressive.com insure foreign vehicles (it is insured on the VIN, not registration number anyway) and non-us licence holders - in fact my insurance this time was less than my US registered XR650R last year! Then you can just hit the road!

xxx

Million thanks JMo. So where did get you get your tourist registration for the bike? And did you get it before you left UK or on arrival in the US? Or progressive.com took care of everything for you? Also, what's TAT in your previous post? Sounds interesting. Sorryabout bombarding you with all these questions.

No problem - it's what forums are for!

To clarify, I bought the bike in the UK before I left, and it is registered to my home address there with British licence plates. You don't need to register a foreign machine in the USA if it is just coming in temporarily as a tourist vehicle, so I keep it on the UK licence plates and the insurance documents are based on the frame/VIN number like all US vehicles are.

Progressive will insure foreign driving licence holders and foreign vehicles, so you are covered for an accident here.

If you wanted to bring your own bike from Germany to the USA, the procedure would be the same. All you need is a postal address in the US for your insurance documents and for them to base the policy price on.

The TAT is the Trans-America Trail - it is a network of dirt-roads and trails that cross the heart of the United States for 3500 miles - most of which is off-tarmac! There is a website and roadbook/maps available from a guy who has spent years researching and refining the route for motorised vehicles.

http://www.transamtrail.com/about/

Hope that helps!

xxx

You Go Girl
 

Jmo,

I just came back from Vegas, Mojave, Death valley etc and WOW, there is some serious space there.

Its hot too.....

Attachment 2605

I retire in 18 months and intend to tour arond the US with SWAMBO on our Tenere. (Unless they make a bigger one).

Have fun and keep us updated ya lucky sod.

Off to the Alps on Tuesday looking for the first snows with my Tenere and tent.

Ray

I know - 36�C still this week... luverly!

I was out here last year on my XR650R, and as you say, it is fantastic... my plan is revisit some favorite spots - Death Valley, Black Rock and up to Oregon, but first I'm going to head over to Sedona AZ and up to Moab in Utah before the weather turns...


Sounds like a good plan! I'm planing on heading down to Baja in December, then heading through the southern states to Florida for Daytona in February, then coming back along the TAT (Trans America Trail) in the spring...


Don't worry, I will x


It is beautiful there - I was there at the end of July and there was still snow on the peaks! I can certainly recommend the ride from Grenoble to Moutiers via the N91, D526, D927, D123. And the N90/S26 via the Col du St Bernard into Italy of course!

Pack your thermals mind!

xxx

Jmo, wow you make me jelous those pics by the canyon look amazing have a great trip looking forward to the write up.

Fantastic! Really Really many thanks. The info is extremely valuable. I was under the impression that it was not easy to ship the bike to the US. The TAT looks really interesting, I will have to do that one day too. Enjoy your trip, and may the brilliant weather be with you along the way. As others say, send pics and trip reports to make us jealous :039:

Jenny

I know it's a bit of a while ago for you now, but I'm doing the TAT in Sept this year and I have a few of questions....

Was there much single trail - (I have the option of using an XR400 or my Tenere) - if there is lots of technical stuff the XR would be better - however you may know different - comments please.

In the sandy conditions of your Heros trip and previously the USA, what did you do about chain lube? I'm considering a Scotoiler for the TAT. When I ride single trail in NZ in sand, a proprietary chain lube sure turns the cack into grinding paste. I have for a long time now been using my own made up spray mix of 3:1 petrol / gearbox oil for both my XR's and its fine for the worst off road day rides, although not suited to touring work - a bit messy to carry and mix up. Again comments please?

My Tenere speedo is woefully inaccurate... GPS v (Indicated): 50kmh(55); 60(65); 70(77); 80(88); 90(99); 100(110); 110(120); 135(147). Did you find this on your machine and did you do anything about it?

I temporarily mounted a hand held GPS (Garmin eTrex Summit) above the Tenere instrument cluster and no matter what I did the vibration was such that the unit switched off as soon as I moved off. (Had to strap the bloody thing to my arm for the above test - 135kmh one handed to compare speeds was interesting). Did you get vibration on your gear and was it a problem and how resolved if so?

Finally (for now) what tyres did you use on the Tenere on the TAT off road bits and how much life did you get out of them?

If you can shed any light on the above it would be much appreciated.

ta

No problem, I'll do my best!

There really is a bit of everything - from muddy 'logging trails', rocky piste tracks, sandy two-track, and some narrower rocky trails too - but virtually all are wide enough to take a 4x4 on... Certainly the sections in the Colorado mountains can be tricky - watermellon size rocks in some places, but I managed them all on the Tenere (it was only the Rubicon Trail in northern California that beat me... this time anyway). I'd say that because of the distance involved (over 3500 miles if you do the whole length), the Tenere is preferable for comfort, fuel range etc. It is also much easier to carry camping kit on the bigger bike (I have an XR400 too btw.), and there are places you WILL want to camp for sure... Guys in the US do it on everything, from small trailies, to KLRs - although unless you are a riding god, anything bigger than a 650 is going to take some work in Colorado and Utah/Nevada deserts...

I didn't use any chain lube on Heroes' and only lubed the chain in the US when I had a big road section to undertake. As you say, any lube which is sticky is going to attract dirt and sand and quickly wear the chain and/or sprockets. As for using your petrol/oil mix - I'd be careful as the petrol may damage the o-rings of the chain, letting the grease inside escape? An alternative might be to use GT85 - which has PTFE in a fine spray oil (bit like WD40) - I know a lot of people (including me) use that on mountainbike chains. It is also perfect to stop squeaks etc.

As for chain wear with no lube - I fitted new steel sprockets (Supersprox on the rear) and a DID 520VM chain at the beginning of Heroes, and 8000kms later, the rear sprocket was still in excellent condition, as was the chain (adjusted maybe once or twice over the course of the rally). The front sprocket had started to hook, but had plenty of life left in it also. I only changed the chain when I got home as it had turned to rust during three weeks on the ship, and the front sprocket to save wearing the new chain - the rear sprocket is still on there, and will be for a good time yet I imagine!

They are all the same! As you say, it is optimistic by around 10% - I just bore that in mind. From what I understand, the odometer though is pretty accurate, so it seems the speedo 'ratio' is slightly skewed to help us keep our licences? As for the milages in the TAT instructions, I think the stock Odo should be fine, and in conjuction with a GPS, you should have no trouble.

For info, I bought a Garmin 2610 when I first went out to states (you can still get them manufacturer refurbished via ebay.com etc), and the City Navigator mapping software is excellent - many of the dirt roads are on there, as are fuel, hotels, banks, restaurants etc. Definitely get a GPS that can run the US City Navigator maps - it will make your life so much easier!

The problem with virtually all battery driven GPS units on a bike is the engine vibrations make the batteries jump on their contacts, and they eventually carbon over, braking the current. The best thing to do is use a 12v power supply hardwired to the bike (either direct to the battery, or via the sidelight circuit for example - the little 2-pin connector behind the panel below the instruments is switched with the ignition, and fused with the sidelights). Also, take the batteries out until you want to use the unit off the bike, otherwise they will still vibrate and carbon over, and not work when you disconnect the 12v supply!

I would also mount your GPS on the handlebar/s cross bar above the yokes, as it is far less susceptible to vibration there.

I used Pirelli MT21s initially (as TKCs were on back order), then TKC80s exclusively for the rest of my trip. I'd say the TKC is the best dual purpose tyre for the Tenere, as it is far more predictable on the road, and lasts significantly longer too. Another popular choice (with a 17 inch rear) is the Michelin T63, or in the US particularly, the Dunlop 606.

I rode over 23,000 miles in the USA, and used three front and five rear tyres, although the last set were still less than half worn by the time I got back to the UK. If you are just riding the TAT, then you could feasibly do it on just one set, however, I would budget for changing at least the rear in Moab (Utah) for example, as you'll appreciate the grip for the desert in Utah, Nevada and the forests in Oregon.



I trust I have done so!

Any more questions, just ask!

Jenny xx

Hi Jen,

Yes I am looking at the detail....

What were (roughly) the shipping details ???

Cheers OGR

Hi Ray -

When I took the Tenere to the US and back, I shipped it by air - when it came back from Dakar it was on a boat for three weeks...

It used to be relatively cheap to ship by air to and from the US (particularly from), but with the exchange rate and last year's revisions to the 'dangerous goods' legislation from the US (Ironically, it was easy to ship my bike to the US - it even went in the hold of the same plane I was on, which is a distinct no-no as far as shipping out of the US is concerned...)

The shipping (by air) is based on volumetric weight, but since the bike weighs more than the volume ratio, it's based on weight... my crate was listed at 300kgs I believe - that includes the weight of the crate, and my luggage/camping gear I stuffed in there as well, although it wasn't that much, that was the band it fell in... it cost me $1800 USD one way (to the US) which at the time was about �1000. Unfortunately, it was significantly more than that to bring it back, as the agent I had used didn't want to handle 'dangerous goods' after all the regulation changes in March last year...

You can still use someone like Motorcycle Express (they charge around $2000 USD each way), but have limited port of entries - basically east or west coast (which made it harder for me as I wanted Vegas, baby). They are very efficient from what I have heard - you basically deliver the bike to them and they crate it etc. And on the whole, you bike will be there on the date you want it.

The other option is to send it by sea - either in a container if you can find a carrier sending a load of stuff, or using Wallenius Wilhelmsen who ship vehicles back and forth from the far east, via the USA. It is significantly cheaper (around �700 each way when I got a quote) but does take three weeks. It is essentially a huge ro-ro ferry, so you just drop them the bike - no crating etc.

There is one stop on the east coast and the other at Ventura near LA - you might have to pay storage at the port for a few days unless you can coordinate your flights exactly... still, spending a bit of time in California ain't that bad...

Hope that helps,

J xx

Jenny

Light well and truly shed - thanks.

The bike choice is a poser.:017: From your TAT trail descriptions, if I were living locally to them, then I'm guessing the XR400 would be my choice (with long range tank) due to it's unbustability, less weight when it lands on top of you, and ease of recovery after a spill. However the XTZ is such a gem for distance work that it's a real dilemma. I suppose I'll have to get down and dirty with the Ten and not fall off.:icon_burnout[1]: Now a light weight, air-cooled Tenere would ................

Dreams Dreams

Many many thanks again for your time - You're a star (Especially now I know you have an XR400 and a Tenere).:signthankspin:

Glad to help Tuscan!

If you are shipping a bike over and back, then it might be worth seeing how much of a price difference it is - probably not that much as the crates will be a similar size...

Like you say, an XR400 with a big tank (and maybe a luggage rack) is really all you need - I took mine to Morocco in 2006 (trailered the bikes to southern Spain, then rode the whole way to the Sahara and back, 2000kms in 11 days)...

However, as you know you really need to keep on top of the oil changes with the XR, and there are a lot of eastern sections of the TAT (and especially getting to the start from wherever your bike is shipped to) that the Tenere would win hands down comfort wise.

Either bike would be excellent - hell, a ten year old Super Sherpa would be a blast - the TAT is a fantastic ride on anything! But having done it on the Tenere, I'd suggest that would be my #1 choice... even if parts are readily available, you really shouldn't need anything other than tyres (and maybe sprockets)... and hell, if you could bare to part with it, any number of Yankees would bite your hand off to buy it off you when you're done!

J xx

TAT bike choice
 

Jenny

I'm going as part of a group of about 8 - and we are shipping bikes to / from NZ in a container to LA then riding to Jellicoe via I40 and I75 in the first week. I'm considerring shipping my bike over independently to do 4-5 weeks New Mexico to Washington State as a warm up - so I think the choice is made really as those early weeks will mainly be road based and the XTZ will be perfect. Plan is then to meet the guys in LA and strip the bike of unnecessary stuff and do the TAT and container back to NZ.

What I need to do is throw the Tenere down in the dirt somewhere to get that first scratch on it eh? Still too shiny to consider as a propper enduro machine.

tony :icon_smile::icon_smile::icon_smile:

Flippin' eck - have you tapped into your GPS how long it is from LA to Knoxville on the I40 - take an ipod that's all I can say!

If you get a chance, do ride Deal's Gap (Hwy 129) south of Knoxville before you head up to Jellico - an awesome road (318 bends in 11 miles!), and I believe the TAT route passes close by to Lynchburg in Tenessee - home of the Jack Daniel's Distillery of course - again, definitely worth a visit (the tour is free)...

I'd also recommend heading down to Durango Colorado once you've done the Alpine loop section of the TAT (Hwy 550 from Silverton south) - fantastic scenery and a cool town - if you have a day off, take a ride on the Steam Railroad from Durango to Silverton - one of THE great train journeys in the world!

Also, try and factor in a couple of days at least around Moab - there is so much to ride there, awesome!

I love the west coast - Oregon is beautiful, and so is California if you stay away from the traffic and tourists... If you ride one area, head for Death Valley, and then through Yosemite (on Hwy 120, Tioga Pass) - and San Francisco is a blast - do the tourist thing there - Alcatraz, Golden Gate, Teatro Zinzani (google it) - you'll have a ball!

Hee hee - when it happens (and boy, it will happen), you'll feel so much better!

J xx

TAT bike choice
 

J

Not my idea to do I40/I75 in one hit, but some of the boys want to do this in 4 days then get stuck in to the TAT. I'm an iron butt of old - so we'll see who croaks first eh?

Thanks for your suggestions - I have all of them on my pre-TAT route except for Deal's Gap area. My initial trip included the Eastern States and Newfoundland / SE Canada, but then the TAT opportunity came up - so it'll have to wait for another time.

Got a little ride up the length of NZ on monday onwards, then the mods / weight reduction , planning for the Ten will really start. Oh joy.

Did your Heros mods significantly reduce the overall weight - I'm guessing that the wheels / forks / exhaust must have accounted for a lot?

Did I read somewhere that you are thinking of a full Dakar race entry - or is it a dream? What bike if so?

tony:HappyRoll_ANPIUI:

The first part of I40 through CA and AZ I'm familiar with (having dipped on and off it at times) and as you are probably aware, the AZ section follows the old Route 66 (you can deviate off it to Segilman, Williams etc - good spots for food!)... obviously it is more fun on the more minor routes, but you coud spend your whole trip making deviations and that is not really the point as you say... there is still plenty to see (or at least pass through) on that trip - hell, any trip on a bike in the sunshine is great!

If you do get the chance, do spend a day riding that area around the Cherohala Skyway, Hwy 28 (the snake) and Hwy 129 (the dragon) - it will make you love tarmac again after all that I40!

Ah, but that's half the fun?! (well, if the modifications work it is of course!)

I wouldn't say significantly, but noticeably yes... My bike probably weights in around 10Kg less (with all the rally nav gear fitted)... the wheels were lighter, but then fitting Michelin Deserts and mousses put a lot of that weight back on - running something like TKCs and HD tubes would be a noticeable improvement I'd say...

The exhaust saved 5Kgs - likewise just taking off stuff like bar-ends, pillion peg brackets, the rear light assembly (why is there a hunking great metal plate under there?!)... but ultimately the engine and frame (and tank) are the key heavy parts, and you can't really change them.

That said, even the stock bike rides a lot 'lighter' than the spec sheet suggests as I'm sure you'll agree, and I only up-specced everything because of a) 'racing' conditions, b) I like a challenge and c) I have too much money for sh!t like that...

I took a stock bike to the USA, with just a set of KTM plastic hand guards and some pivotpegs... take the weighty accessories (and exhaust) off by all means, but you really don't need to upgrade the shock/forks/wheels unless you particularly want to...

Erm yeah, see 'c)' above x

I've just bought a WR450 and the JVO rally 'lite' kit (front fairing, fender and twin 10litre tanks, plus all the nav gear mountings)... The Tenere is a fantastic bike (well, mine is) but it is heavy in comparison to the 450cc based bikes... the WR has the same (or more) power, and weighs 2/3rd the weight (that's 60Kgs, or three jerry cans full of fuel!) - even with the rally kit fitted, it will be at least 40Kg lighter than the Ten...

Of course the WR will need a lot more maintenance, but it is a dedicated race bike, and by all accounts, it seems the WR is the 'strongest' of all the 450's at the moment... certainly a high proportion of the Dakar finishers on WRs this year did it on the same engine, including the guy who won the marathon class this year...

The idea this year is to race the NPO series (that is the FIM Tunis and Maroc rounds, plus the Sphinx Rally in Egypt), and enter the Dakar next January... however, it is proving a lot more expensive than I envisaged, so we'll have to see - but yes, the Dakar (which is confirmed in South America again btw.) is the goal for next year...

J xx

J

Some of us have to work for a living eh? I'm surely envious of your plans - I always wanted to do the Dakar since I used to watch the teams set off in Paris in the mid eighties - but I have realised I don't have the off-road skills necessary to race. Bike injuries are taking longer to heal as each year goes by! Your Heros trip was a shot in the arm though that I was unaware of and suddenly that dream no longer looks so unobtainable. Maybe in 2011....

Proposed mods for US are exhaust, tailpiece tidy up, decent footpegs, hanguards, MM lowering kit, nav gear and soft luggage - and that's about it.

Why is it that the manufacturers can't make the perfect bike - light, reliable, low maintenance easy & comfortable to ride. So often they tick most of the boxes but miss a couple of key ones - both the XTZ and Super Ten have missed the point on weight. Most of us aren't riding gods. What I would give for an XR400 with electric start, 450 power output, alloy frame, decent wheels and suspension, reliability, low maintenance, Tenere type tank, fairing and decent seat - it can't be that difficult???

I hope all goes well with your lead up rallies. I tried to drive a special stage of the 1986 Atlas Rally in a Fiat Panda - what took the riders hours took me a day and that was only part of the stage. Big respect to all who compete in these rally raids let alone finish with a decent placing. Good on you

tony:icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin::icon_biggrin::ico n_biggrin:

Tell me about it... I am currently skint!

I think that is a close as is realistically possible for most of us... it is the right mix of tough, but not too tough - I mean from the logistics point of view (timing etc, and more importantly timing out and being excluded) - don't get me wrong, it is very challenging physically, but as long as you make it to the next bivouac (either on the stage, by road or on the sweep truck), you are allowed to start again, and thus have a far higher chance of finishing for your entry fee!

Do it if you can, it is a fantastic experience!

Sounds good to me - certainly soft bags are the way to go. I used a couple of 35 litre drybags (Ortlieb) strapped to the back seat, but another nice piece of kit is the Wolfman Expedition bag. I'm not sure the Giant Loop style would fit so well on the Tenere as there are no (enduro style) side panels, but there are loads of options...


It pains me to say it, but the Suzuki DRZ400 is close to what you are asking - hence their popularity with overland travelers who want a smaller bike...

Fit a big tank (Aqualine do a 17 litre and also a huge 28 litre one) and a top screen if you want... Alloy frames are not always best for overland use - if they get damaged, they are harder to repair by a bloke in a shed, whereas steel can be welded easily...


Many thanks Tony - I'll be doing my best for sure!

J xx

Yeah - steel frames are the go - what was I thinking. Still they don't have to be built like the Forth Bridge (See KTM - did I really say that)

DRZ4's have concrete seats and worst of all .... sticky out radiators. My trials bike has a central radiator and if manufacturers thought about tilting the engines backwards (a la new WR - or blow me down - like the rear cylinder of a v-twin) then with a bit of trickery I'm sure our Oriental buddies could engineer a neater solution. The penny will drop one day. Better still - go back to air cooled.... or fuel injected two stroke??????????????

Anyway focus focus focus - I have an XTZ. I have an XTZ. I hav.......

tony

Pains you? They're not that bad ;)


Anyway, mostly chipping in to wish you luck with the WR, shall look forward to hearing how it goes!

Thanks Uberthumper x

I must admit, if I were looking to buy another dual-sport bike over in the US, it probably would be a DRZ400SM - fit a 19 inch front rim and some TKC tyres, and an Acerbis tank, and that would be it - corking little bike with more than enough poke for trail riding, and not too bad on the [minor] highways either... although the seat might be an issue, I'm used to my XR...

J x

Hey Jenny... I've got your TBM issue with the America part 2, love the pics and the story, well done girl.

If anyone has missed on this issue, better get themselves a copy while they are still on the shelves. I enjoyed reading it and looking at the pics.