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

Sounds like a plan to me. Just make sure to take your camera with you as we all like piccies

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Plough on

My UK home is in Banbury and my Spanish home is in the mountains less than an hour from Malaga. I shall be in Spain until June so if you need a stopover in southern Andalucia before then pm me and I'll give you a contact mobile number to call.

By the time you get here you will know what you are missing and I may be able to help you find it before crossing to Morrocco.

David

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I didn't want to mention that as an IT guy the only bits I've had the confidence to buy so far are the GPS (Garmin 60Cx) and the all important bullet cam! There'll be plain old stills too (I'll be tech'd up to the eyeballs).

Good man, motonacio.

Hi,

Project Thunder is whimpering quietly in the corner as I seem to have ordered stuff from several retailers that isn't in stock. Still, I have got some bits including a package from OTR this morning:

Pivot Pegz: OTR were loudly trumpeting "Neu Pivot Pegz" for X & R models and despite PP themselves not advertising XT660 versions I went for it. Of course they are the 16MK2 for YZ & WR models which I think others have said require a little grinding to make them fit an XT. Even more annoyingly (as I don't have anything to grind with) Worry Brother is flogging the same pegs for �75 in the For Sale section!

The Folding Gear Lever (look for "extra" on the OTR link above) is the TT part but I suppose at least it has turned up.

The Side Stand switch protector (look for "sidestand switch" here) is the TT part also.

The handlebar risers (on this page) are SW Motech.

There was a (very) small bag of Haribo too, to keep me going in the garage.


Separately, I've a set of Renthal Dakar High (613-01) bars next to me willing me to discover the joys of swapping grips and a Conti TKC80 set in the garage (from the Tyreguys) but only one tyre iron (so far). I'd heard the tyre guys do a better price direct but it wasn't true for me. They were bloody quick though.

Tyres brings up something that is a bit of an anomaly: inner tubes, or rather, (ultra) heavy duty inner tubes. There aren't any (obvious) ones for XT tyres. There are definitely no 17" rear inners that are remotely close to 130/80 with the nearest being 120/80-18. That they are for 18" rims is by all accounts only asking for trouble (the tube will self-pinch as there's too much of it flapping around) which makes me wonder what other people do (if anything). For the fronts you can get a reasonably close 80/100-21.

I've heard tell that people will use a 21" in a rear for emergencies so I've ordered the 120/80-18 and 80/100-21 and given that the 18" will be used in the Conti when pootling about at low speed mostly off-road I'll see how it goes. Flat, probably.

Now that something's turned up, it'll be nice to wield a spanner.

Cheers,

Ian

That's good news with the bars (I'm 6'0"). I've got the risers now as there's only a couple of days between my off-road course and leaving for Morocco and I wouldn't want to find I'm knackering my back for the sake of �30.

It's a good thought, mate, and one I'm still pondering on. I bought the R because it was a good deal and I thought the �800 saving over the Z would cover the cost of a 2-in-1 exhaust (~�300) and an after-market tank and give me a good excuse to get my hands dirty and learn something about "mechanicals". Except I thought the after-market tank would be about �200 whereas it's actually �900. Some piss-poor research there.

I don't like the angular features of the Z, though, so I still feel I'm winning!

Ha, good question. I'm an IT contractor at a company I used to be a permie at years ago. I was wont to say "sod 'em" but by coincidence there's a credit crunch on and there's talk of sabbaticals etc. I like to think I'm saving them money! :-)



Cheers,

Ian

Hey idf000.

Looks like some pretty well thought out mods you've got planned there. I've been looking at your list and can see no obvious flaws. Your use of logic and good research makes your trip half a success right from the start. Well done!

In the garage you've propably allready found out that the bike is a no-nonsense bike. Nothing more than common tools and a little bit of common sense is required to make the mods you plan.

Large tank or jerry cans: There simply is no "correct" answer to this question. Obviously, the more remote places you plan to travel, the more should you consider getting a larger tank. But if you only ocasionally plan to drive off the beaten track, a couple of jerry cans will suffice. But as someone else pointed out, this will cost space on your rack that could otherwise be used for other equipment. Let's face it, there's not a lot of room on a motorbike. Not to mention it is just easier to fill up the tank than to juggle three seperate containers around, while being hassled and pushed about by curious local bystanders and vendors.

And then there is also the peace of mind. You will have plenty of other things to worry about on your trip. Having a good fuelrange allows you to go where you want to. Not where you have to. Considering where you are going, fuel may not be as readily available as you are used to. Just because there is a town on your map, doesn't mean that it has petrol.

Having said all that (about now you are thinking if I am on commission from OTR) I have to agree that 900 Euroes is quite a chunk to take of the mod budget. And I agree, however reluctantly, that those money may be spent better elsewhere .

For my own trip I considered the handlebars at great length, and ultimately decided against them based on an ill informed notion that "it's not worth the trouble". Raising the bar gives you a more upright riding position as opposed to the more road-style bars that are fitted. Sitting more upright will give you an advantage when driving in sand or other soft surfaces. When you lean in on the stock handlebars, as you tend to do on the stock bars, the front wheel is more likely to dig in to the surface when you hit an unforseen softspot (sanddune, loose gravel etc.). Sitting more upright distributes the weight away from the front wheel. Which is what you realy want in conditions like that. Also, it may prove to be more comfortable on those long days where you ride for hundreds of miles on tar-road. I'm thinking you've made a good decision about those bars.

I've dropped mine on more occasions than I care to count, but never did I worry that the handlebars might break. I don't think the sturdiness of the stock bars should be a reason to change them. Just make sure that your handguards are of excellent and strong quality (I've got the Acerbis ones like you. But without the Yamaha sticker). Handguards is actually not an acurate description, imo. They should be called "lever-guards". At one point I was traveling with a southafrican guy who was riding a Honda600XL. He had those flimsy plastic handguards that are in fact only supposed to protect your hands from wind, oncomming bugs, bushes and branches. We stopped for a break and we were just standing around talking when he leaned on his bike and it toppled over. Very undramatic. But the result was a broken clutch lever (he had an extra and we changed it on the spot). The point I am trying to make here is this: If you have positioned your handles in such a way that the protecters don't cover both you hands and you levers, and you have to choose between the two, then choose protecting the levers. You'll be wearing gloves anyway.

Sorry for the long post. I got carried away (again).

By the way, let us know how things turned out with the handlebar and risers. I've heard of some people having a spot of trouble getting the cables to stretch long enough. Would be great to hear if this is just a rumor or if not, how the problem is solved.

Oh and let me add: That trip is freakin' AWESOME!!!! I'm sorry to say that we all have to hate you now. Would love to see the eastern part of the world. India is definately at the very top of the list. Hope you take some good piccies for the rest of us to drool over. Remember, every time you think about posting a picture and then decide not to, God kills a kitten!

Best regards

Torsten

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Oops, double post. Sorry.

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Then take a bow, McThor, you're at the top of the list of people I've copied!

Yes, I think this is the bit where only experience can tell you whether you've made the right choice. I've no idea whether I'll enjoy a few words with the locals or start screaming!

Most tankbags cover the filler cap and it's how they give you ease of access that is the sort of small thing that will give me annoyance.

Now that's just the sort of talk that makes me nervous (and gets you your kickback from OTR )

Currently I am thwarted by one of the wing mirrors refusing to come off. I know it's not absolutely required to come off but it's be nice to know that it does! Small steps.

If that means there's one less domestic cat then I might just have to not post every single picture from the album

Cheers,

Ian

Just a quick update here, the PP 16MK2 fit the XTR perfectly:


I like to think it took me more than a minute to do because a) I had to discover that all that holds the pegs on is a split pin and b) pushing against the brass spring whilst holding onto those sharp pointy bits on the top of the PP hurts!



Cheers,

Ian