The Setup

[Zukin]

Cheers for that

So I think a good compromise is a 14/48?
Hows does that sound?

Cheers Scott

[Zukin]

Well there is less than 3 weeks until I set off on a mini adventure ride

4 days of riding around the North Island somewhere

I will add my progress on this topic, the experts on here may not find it very interesting, but the noobs like myself may find some use out of it.

So how is the setup going

Attached is a photo of the XR250 as stock standard.
On the weekend I installed the 15 litre fuel tank and checked over a few mechanical things, all looks good!

Next on the list
Feet - Yep I have decided on the Tyres, I will put MT21's front and rear (due to the fact I cant ride fast and they are only on an XR250 so I should get some good mileage).
Gearing - I will change the front sprocket to a 14, that should help me out on the road.
Racks - I will install the Ventura Rack system and then weld some loops down the side for the panniers.

I will load a photo of the progress as it happens

Cheers Scott

[far queue]

I will add my progress on this topic, the experts on here may not find it very interesting, but the noobs like myself may find some use out of it.

I don't know how you class someone as an expert, but there's always an opportunity to learn from others. Sometimes new people can come up with new ideas and achieve new things because no one told them it couldn't be done. You seem to be doing well and have certainly done plenty of planning. Good on ya for getting out there and doing it. I'm looking forward to reading your progress reports and seeing the pics.

[merv]

Cheers for that

So I think a good compromise is a 14/48?
Hows does that sound?

Cheers Scott

OK you want some figures:

XR250 on stock 13/48 sprocket combo and 120 or 4.60 rear tyre at 9,000rpm will be doing 118km/hr or 7,600rpm at 100km/hr.

On 14/48 combo this translates to 127km/hr at 9k or 7,100rpm at 100km/hr roughly, so it'll knock 500rpm off the engine speed at the legal limit making for an easier and probably more economical ride.

If you could fit a 15 front sprocket that translates to 136km/hr at 9k or 6,600rpm at 100km/hr. This compares to the 13/40 combo that the new L runs giving 142km/hr or 6,300rpm at 100km/hr. Even at that the Honda because of its superior gear spread still has a first gear way lower than the DRZ allowing you to get into some tight going with ease if you go off road.

I presume your Mrs is missing this first trip. Let me know if you are coming close to Welly early in the trip, remembering I'm off to Adelaide after the 27th.

You never did tell me how tall your Mrs was. Stock seat height on a DRZ250 is 890mm compared to 875mm on the XR250L though I presume the latest Suzuki still has the adjustable rear shock mount allowing you to drop it 40mm.

The pics of your XR makes it look like its pretty good for its age.

Noob or not I'm happy to read your stories.

[Zukin]

I presume your Mrs is missing this first trip. Let me know if you are coming close to Welly early in the trip, remembering I'm off to Adelaide after the 27th.

You never did tell me how tall your Mrs was. Stock seat height on a DRZ250 is 890mm compared to 875mm on the XR250L though I presume the latest Suzuki still has the adjustable rear shock mount allowing you to drop it 40mm.

The pics of your XR makes it look like its pretty good for its age.

Noob or not I'm happy to read your stories.

She is about 160cm tall and is as light as a feather, but she is reasonably strong (see attached photo, she in the one on the side )

She wont be going on the August trip as I only decided to go a few weeks back (in the middle of changing jobs) and the other reason in the DRZ's wont have arrived in time.

Cheers

[far queue]

She is about 160cm tall and is as light as a feather, but she is reasonably strong (see attached photo, she in the one on the side )

Christ, bugger that for a lark. I've watched those mad buggers and always cringe. But good on her, she must have big balls

[Zukin]

Well the Ventura rack system arrived, so I installed that.
Man those guys make it so easy, a few bolts here and there and its installed.
I decided to go with the sports rack instead of the pack rack, just to keep the height down a bit.

Whilst I had the guards off, I made a holder for my fly tent poles
Why do you ask? As my tent is only small, I hate it when it rains and rains, so I will be taking a fly with my poles, so I can make a shelter that I can stand in if the weather turns bad.
The idea is to attach one end of the fly to the bike then drape it over the bike and the two poles at either end of the fly, the other side is pegged to the ground...Thats the idea anyway

I semi packed everything on including some panniers I found in the shop today, they were kind enough to loan them to me to try
Seemed to work ok, now I just have to make a loop system to stop the bag getting near the exhaust.

I will post some photos on the weekend

Cheers

[Wolf]

I semi packed everything on including some panniers I found in the shop today, they were kind enough to loan them to me to try

So did you lie it down, try to pick it up and work out what stuff to leave behind?

[Zukin]

Haha - Nope not yet, but then again I do travel light anyway

I went with slightly smaller panniers, so I cant overload them, the only thing I haven't really accounted for is if I have to remove clothing for whatever reason, I may not have room in my panniers to put it anywhere But then again I will probalby take a small dry sack, so that I have a place to stash things and at the same time it will allow for easy access.

Scott

[Zukin]

Hi All

I am struggling with the racks to mount onto the XR

I have attached 2 pictures below
1. Is a picture of a similar bike with the Ventura rack on it, I need to add some pannier racks to the side, and because I am not mechanically minded, I am struggling to see how to fit some up

2. Is a picture of the same bike but with an idea of how I would like the panniers. (yellow square)

or

3. Is the same picture but with a different design?

Now I like Clints Idea, but again I am stuggling to see how to mount them onto the side securely?? (Dont suppose you have a closer image Clint?)

You will see on the XR, there isnt really anwhere on the frame to bolt anything to (there are no passenger footpeg holes) there are the exhaust mounts on one side, but my concern is will the heat transfer up the rack?

There are two bolts (allen key heads) that hold the side plastics on, maybe I could use something here??
The only other option is to use a clamping system onto the frame (by the engine) and also onto the Ventrua rack system? Would this be ok? But again I cant see how to build this.

I welcome any suggestions

Cheers Scott

[clint640]

For the front mount on my pannier rails I used the pax footpeg mount. It looks like the lower bolt on the sidepanel might be in the best place for you - if it is strong enough. You could also just get a tab welded onto the frame, best to get it done by a certified welder in case you get asked for a cert at wof time but if you make it look factory it probably won't be noticed. In the rear I'd go for a socket on the ventura bar that the side rail fits into & is held in by an R clip or similar.

Cheers
Clint

[Zukin]

Thanks Clint

Are you still keen to meet up at the end of August to join in my ride?
Do you have to work on the Friday? If you do I could meet you somewhere on Friday night or Sat?

Cheers Scott

[clint640]

Thanks Clint

Are you still keen to meet up at the end of August to join in my ride?
Do you have to work on the Friday? If you do I could meet you somewhere on Friday night or Sat?

Cheers Scott

Yep, still keen. Hopefully we'll be able to hook up Friday night. A workmate might be having his leaving do that night however so it may be Saturday, I'll find out & let you know.

Cheers
Clint

[Zukin]

Greetings

Well I thought about putting this under the suspension topic, but then I thought the others may not understand what I am trying to ask (then again I dont think I know anyway )

I have set the XR up for my adventure ride at the end of August.
Now whilst I think I am travelling light, the bike doesnt think so!!
So with the extra weight on the bum, should I adjust the suspension?

If your answer is yes - then what should I do? Wind it down or up?
Do I need to adjust the front?

So many questions!!!

Cheers Scott

[merv]

All you'll need to do is wind on a bit more preload on the back shock - if it feels bouncy then stiffen up the damping by adjusting it a bit too. Don't bother touching the front - it should be fine.

To adjust the preload loosen off the lock thingy, if you've got the C-spanners use them if they fit, if not just use a punch and hammer to bang it around - munts the thing a bit so try to go easy, then use the same tools to tighten up the spring and then finish by tightening up the lock thingy again.

While I say use C-spanners if you've got them, I have a set but the '83 XR200RD was the last bike I owned that you could use them on without having to remove something like the airbox. My late model bikes all have stuff in the way so I've resorted to be a butcher with hammer and punch these days because I usually only adjust them rarely. It would be nice if dirt bikes had an easy preload adjuster like my VFR has. On that you just put a small socket on and wind it around as it has a cable driven adjuster.

p.s what should we call the adjuster thingys on shocks - they aren't really nuts as such but castellated threaded rings?