Hi,

We're currently 7000km into our trip on 2 XTR's and agree with everything above. We've found the bikes to incredibly tough despite a few drops and being hit by a cab!

I'd recommend some Barkbusters id you haven't already got them. They're really very strong, we got them and didn't bother carrying spare levers.

I'd also advise upgrading from the stock bashplate as the stock one's rubbish.

If you can get hold of some Slime to stick in your tubes, I'd definitely do it.

And as has already been said above, loctite your bolts, particularly those on any pannier frames etc you might attach as they will rattle themselves loose surprisingly quickly!

I'd also look at padding the seat as we've found it's not the comfiest especially after a few hours in the saddle. Seat hawks are apparently good but bloody expensive, personally I'd opt either for some sort of gel seat or simply get a sheep skin. (we're about to get them for ours) - you can even get them in the living hell that is Ikea if you're brave enough to venture in!

Other than that, the bikes are practically bullet proof and you certainly won't regret your choice. Get in touch if you want to know anything else.

Good luck!

Thanks Bob,

Yes we have Barkbusters fitted and Metal mule bash plates. Great minds think alike - we have bought a black sheep skin but not made our covers yet.
Good nod on the locktite on the racks - i had forgot to do that. Do you know what mpg you averaging ?
Do you have a blog? what is your route?

Thanks again


Paul and Angie

On my england trip i averaged between 60-78mpg all depending on city or open motorway traffic all day. got 78mpg when i filled up and just spent the full tank on the motorway at 65mph.

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Plough on

with the k&n air filter and the iridium spark plug i do about 15-20 miles before the fuel fight goes on( comparing with the original air filter and plug)

Radu I do 130 miles before the light comes on,, 15 to 20 is really bad.. what size o tank have ye,, are ye sure its not a fairy liquid bottle painted up...

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1st post of 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2014 gold star award

ha ha, i do 15-20 miles more then with the normal filter and spark plug, which i think is so-so for london (about 120-125 miles/tank before the light goes on)

Thats better............

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1st post of 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2014 gold star award

Hi Paul & Angie,

Sorry for the incredibly late reply - a combination of excuses but mostly my crapness!

To answer your questions, we tend to get about 30km per litre (sorry we're runnnig mettric as once you leave the UK it all is) fully loaded which doesn't seem to change much weather cruising on tarmac or in the dirt on mountains so our light comes on at about 260-270km giving us a little over 400km to tank (we also carry a plastic 5 ltr jerry can for those places where we need it.
Our route is UK - Turkey, Caspian Sea - Stans - China - Pakistan - India (where we currently are) Nepal - SE Asia to Singapore and who knows where after that!

And yes, we have a blog, feel free to have a look and pepper with questions you might have. It's motoventurers.com