Bikes for adventure touring?

**thepom** · 16th September 2009, 19:52

The worst one is the chain being too tight and wearing out the drive from the gearbox which holds the front sprocket,if I had a dollar for every time some one said my chain is loose I,d have eight bucks!!!

then there is the reg/rec which cooked my battery on the way back from Hamilton,after market one bought and no more probs.... .

and of course the fuel pump-they use an old contact breaker type which shits itself any time you never expect it to. If you have a full tank of fuel you can get home slowly by gravity feed.

Solved by buying an after market solid state pump( facet) or a mitzi one.I have the facet and have no more worries.

There are no probs with corroding brake calipers or wheel rims as they don,t salt the roads here, aaprt from these few problems and the heavy weight it is still the best fun bike I have ever owned....I,ve had bmw 650,s xt600,s and transalps and this is still the best bike yet,.....and it smoked an st3,a sv650 and a gs1100 last weekend on the twisties with trail tyres ,on the way to kaikoura......hahahahahaaaaaa

**Alpha Solo** · 17th September 2009, 11:27

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...d.php?t=107883

**CRM** · 17th September 2009, 15:29

Originally Posted by peachvw

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...d.php?t=107883

Swap for an XR600? Deja vu?

**CRM** · 17th September 2009, 15:52

Originally Posted by jim.cox

Me?

I'd keep the adnoH.

Its better than all the alternatives

I'd put dual purpose tyres on it; road gearing; soft panniers and preferably a fly screen

And I'd ride it EVERYWHERE

"Only one bike" you say? well this is prefect...

Okay I'm coming round to this... I had a guy come and look at it today so polished it up nice and shiny, put some fresh oil in it and went out for a last blast and its going great (runs off the end of the speedo) so I'm thinking this is a great bike - why am I selling it when I've just done all this engine work on it? So the guy looked at it, had a ride, liked how it went but I think the age and scrapes and war-wounds put him off a little - said he would get back to me on it which probably means he'll make me a lower offer which I won't take

.

List of stuff I would need:
- put on the big tank
- soft panniers (already have)
- rack bag (already have)
- lockable security mesh net thingy ($120)
- black sheepshin ($85)
- Ricky Stator ex XR's only to give 200W ($130US)
- Decent light ($? any ideas?)
- Lowering link ex XR's only ($99US)
- Screen (dunno - any ideas?)

So for another $7-800 she could be good for the trip

Should do it? Probably have to replace the tyres and maybe chain as the current ones are pretty well past their use-by anyway.

**BMWST?** · 17th September 2009, 22:15

why the lowering links

**NordieBoy** · 17th September 2009, 22:35

Cause he's a shortarse?

**CRM** · 18th September 2009, 08:38

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Cause he's a shortarse?

Yep - just trying to maximise comfort. With the rack plus panniers loaded up and a tankbag on it can be awkward to swing your leg over - especially with MX boots. And maybe getting the COG a little lower might feel better and more relaxed on the road.

**Alpha Solo** · 18th September 2009, 10:19

Originally Posted by CRM

Swap for an XR600? Deja vu?

Like you I'm not even sure why I'm selling it as it is the ultimate adventure bike! I have a DRZ and love the size and weight, the KTM is great but a bit of a beast for a shorty like me, hence the sale. I'm gonna ride it again at the weekend as I love the power etc, watch this spare as I might keep it...!

**warewolf** · 18th September 2009, 22:01

Originally Posted by CRM

- Lowering link ex XR's only ($99US)

Originally Posted by CRM

Yep - just trying to maximise comfort. With the rack plus panniers loaded up and a tankbag on it can be awkward to swing your leg over - especially with MX boots. And maybe getting the COG a little lower might feel better and more relaxed on the road.

Epic FAIL!!!

Lowering links totally root your rear suspension action, making the ride harsh and prone to bottoming.

Friends don't let friends ride lowering links...

**NordieBoy** · 19th September 2009, 09:13

Originally Posted by warewolf

Epic FAIL!!!

Lowering links totally root your rear suspension action, making the ride harsh and prone to bottoming.

Friends don't let friends ride lowering links...

You sound bitter?

You've tried them havn't you

**CRM** · 19th September 2009, 15:39

Originally Posted by warewolf

Epic FAIL!!!

Lowering links totally root your rear suspension action, making the ride harsh and prone to bottoming.

Friends don't let friends ride lowering links...

Yeah I've heard that - but I thought XR's Only were the performance people and would know better?

Anyway you're probably right - carrying a step ladder and abseiling gear isn't that bigger deal

.

I put all the bags on this morning and she's looking good. Also got a pacsafe bag protector so I can lock up my gear on the bike. Light and effective.

I'm doing a test run up to Kerikeri on Monday to do some training with some clients.

Still not sure what to do about the lights. Apparently they put out 35W stock which is not fantastic. I'd like 100 or so - so maybe have to go to the Ricky Stator option. Anybody in NZ do these or do stator rewinds reasonably priced and reasonably quickly?

I'd love a screen too. Wondering if something like this would work? It looks like I could extend it quite a way forward which I think would be best for the XR as you're already quite close to the handlebars. Any ideas?

**NordieBoy** · 19th September 2009, 18:01

Originally Posted by CRM

I'd love a screen too. Wondering if something like this would work? It looks like I could extend it quite a way forward which I think would be best for the XR as you're already quite close to the handlebars. Any ideas?

That's basically what I'm running.