Hi guys,

It's time to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk and have some adventure on my XTR. The plan is to take three weeks bumbling down to Morocco and mess about off road in May then, subject to visas, take five weeks to ride to India in September/October (leave the bike at a mate's, fly back, remind everyone at work I'm indispensable, fly back out the next year) bumble around India for five or six weeks (leave the bike, fly back, ditto, fly out) and then ride the bike back to Blighty before the carnet is up.

So, I need to beef the bike up a bit, make a few mods, the following thoughts culled from many long nights reading:

Already Done:

• Handguards: Yamaha (which are patently Acerbis with a Yamaha sticker on the front if anyone wants to save a few quid and isn't sure).

Definitely:

• Centre Stand: SW Motech
• Bash Plate: which variant depends on the 2-in-1 exhaust option, if no exhaust change then TT large
• Alu. Radiator Grille: MM
• Kickstand switch protector: if I don't, I bet it fails
• Rear rack: Yamaha probably as it's only going to be keeping soft things off the plastic (famous last words)
• MX Footpegs: TT
• Replace handlebars: Renthal: something that won't bend when I fall off, I'm tempted to stick to 22mm rather than fatbars (but I don't know why)
• Handlebar risers: 3cm?
• Heavy duty Inner tubes: Michelin?
• alu. panniers: lordy, there's a debate! MM have the name and the TT sounded like biscuit tins but the saving on those biscuit tins could buy a lot of stuff. (The savings on using genuine biscuit tins could buy everything else!)
• Tank bag: for camera/camcorder etc.
• Dry Pack: Ortleib 30l

Probably:

• 2-in-1 Exhaust: MM/OTR -- it looks a lot better and saves kilos (but costs money)

Possibly:

• Large Screen: Yamaha: I don't seem to suffer so much (6'0") but then I'm used to a naked Bandit (and I am getting old)
• Brake Fluid reservoir protector: I get nervous about these things
• Foam air filter: seems like a good idea in very dusty conditions
• Headlight Lens shield: no-one seems to make one for the XTR so I would have to be inventive
• 3" square of metal welded to bottom of side-stand: homemade -- I always lose those plastic ones and I can't rely on someone having just finished a can of beer wherever I stop
• Folding gear lever: hmm, you never see a folding brake lever...
• Nobbly tyres: good idea for Morocco, not sure about the rest of my planned travels

Unlikely:

• Extra Large Fuel Tank: OTR: it's a lot of money and I'm not sure I'm going to be that far from civilisation that a couple of jerry cans can't cure. We'll see.
• Crash bars: not sure about these, the TT large bash plate might make them unnecessary
• Crash bungs: again not sure
• L/R heel protectors: the existing ones seem a little, erm, soft but how often do they get hit
• Steel braided brake lines: sharpen up the brakes and look snazzy
• Alu. chain guard: we'll see

Tools (over and above the basics for dismantling the bike then waiting for a mechanic to pass by):

• 12v air compressor

I'm sure I've missed off some things to consider (don't worry, the kitchen sink is in a separate not-the-bike list!) but what do you guys think?

Cheers,

Ian