Hi all

Just completed a gruelling 5 day NSW offroad trip on the XTR

All together we covered 1500km with about 80% offroad

Conditions were hot to miserable cold and WET...

My XTR performed well but here are my observations:

1) Best thing fitted - Bark Busters - these take the brunt of any falls

2) Locktite all bolts when servicing and before a ride. Its amazing how much vibration the bike has to endure and I lost a couple of important bolts.

3) Really .. Really strap everything down tight and double strap and strap each layer. I lost my tool bag and rear bag (thankfully found them) but they managed to come loose

4) The XT handles a dunking in the water surprisingly well.. Dropped in in a river and a few deep pudles and it started up first time

5) I need to buy some crash bars...

6) Tyres used are/were Michelin T63's. Was really impressed with these and after riding 200km in the wet on dirt and bitumen.. I am much more comfortable to lean them over now.. :-)

7) I used the stock screen but I think a bigger one would have been good

8) The XT doesnt really like long distances on the Tar..

9) Ive gotta get a non paper filter its absolutely shagged.... need some advice here please

10) Side stand.. the pathetic little base doesnt go well in the mud.. have to get a bigger one

More to come...

Marc

Sounds like a big ride, any photo's?

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Hi mate,

looks like you have had some fun there

regarding your query
"9) Ive gotta get a non paper filter its absolutely shagged.... need some advice here please"
I think your place to shop is OTR as they offer foam filter for the purpose. Comes handy in dusty conditions, I recon
hope this helps

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that is how i feel about my XTR
Mods so far:
Hyperpro front springs; Hyperpro rear shock spring; modified air box; LED tail light; LED indicators + new relay; YZ pegs; Lucas aluminum bar; brisk spark plug; snorkel removed; DNA stage 1; second hand DynoJet O2 mod; crash bars; front and rear steel braided brake lines; soft EBC brake pads; mitas 07 tyres, 2in1 Metal Mule exhaust, Blocked AIS, tall OEM screen, OTR bash plate

Marc

Some comments below ...

1) Best thing fitted - Bark Busters - these take the brunt of any falls

Agreed ... haven't had to "test" mine much but they do seem strong enough ... I also fitted a Renthal Fatbar at the same time and have also been very happy with that as well

2) Locktite all bolts when servicing and before a ride. Its amazing how much vibration the bike has to endure and I lost a couple of important bolts.

Interesting ... can't say I've had much trouble in that area ... however I have fractured an exhaust mount

3) Really .. Really strap everything down tight and double strap and strap each layer. I lost my tool bag and rear bag (thankfully found them) but they managed to come loose

I'm a fan of both Andy Strapz and Rok Straps for that very reason

4) The XT handles a dunking in the water surprisingly well.. Dropped in in a river and a few deep pudles and it started up first time

So far I've managed to keep away from that test process but I'll take your word for it

5) I need to buy some crash bars...

I use the Hepco & Becker option and unfortunately can also confirm that they work bloody well when you manage to throw it down the road

6) Tyres used are/were Michelin T63's. Was really impressed with these and after riding 200km in the wet on dirt and bitumen.. I am much more comfortable to lean them over now.. :-)

My understanding is that the T63's are a similar tyre to the D606's that I've used previously ... but that the T63's are better onroad and the D606's a little more aggressive offroad

7) I used the stock screen but I think a bigger one would have been good

I have the bigger Yamaha OEM (Smoke) option ... it keeps a few more of the bugs and crap off you but it's not really a lot more protection

8) The XT doesnt really like long distances on the Tar..

So what you are saying is that you not a real BIG fan of that wonderful combination of vibey single coupled with the hum of knobbies on tar ... a bluetooth music link and tenacity can help ... our last trip was around 8,500 kms ... it doesn't really get any better with distance but you can kinda get used to it

9) I've gotta get a non paper filter its absolutely shagged.... need some advice here please

I've been using a DNA (cotton filter) replacement for sometime now ... kinda expensive but works well ... just use the proper DNA oiling kit

10) Side stand.. the pathetic little base doesnt go well in the mud.. have to get a bigger one

Hmmm ... there's not a lot of options out there for the R ... I've tried the OTR one and wasn't too happy with it ... at the moment when riding offroad I carry a piece of scrap timber as well as my old trusty cut down cricket stump that I use to prop the rear end up when required

Hope this might be of some use ...

I'm over Hallam way so not too far from you ...

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Regards
Pete

expat Kiwi - now living in Melbourne - now riding a XT660R and a XT1200Z

Hi Pete

Nice to meet you

Yep - just ordered and received two sets of ROK straps - that'll sort out my strap problems..

I checked out the D606's in Ringwood a couple of weeks ago and agree they look a bit more aggressive then the T63's. I'm tempted to try a set next.

Only reason I was thinking of replacing the screen is to help with longer stretches on the bitumen. I found this guy who does a decent heavy duty screen.. just gotta decide if its what I want.. http://www.screensforbikes.com/

Where did you order your Hepco and Becker from?

On the subject of the side stand.. I read another post on here about a guy that just cut off the base and welded on a larger one.. My wifes away but as soon as she get back (and I dont have any kids to look after) i'll be out in the garage cutting my side stand up :-)

Perhaps we could get together for a day ride ? Gembrook and Toolangi are not far from us.

Regards

Marc

Sounds like the kind of trip I'd like to do when in Aus next year
Can't argue about the Barkbusters and your other observations, but after a spill on hard dirt road (slipped into a rut/ditch) my SW Motech crash bars caused unnecessary damage to the bike due to the mounting plates that bent, shifting the bars over to one side and causing damage to the tank, radiator and engine cylinder side plate. I opted not to replace the crash bars even though insurance would have paid for it.
For falling over on a paved road without sliding forward for the bars to catch on something, they will protect those cheap tank plastic protectors on a Tenere.
For attaching spots or side bags and increasing weight they serve a purpose. But sorry that's just my opinion and for the XTZ

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2014 XT660Z - Barrett pipe, DNA stage1.5, Barkbuster hand guards and handlebars, Pivot pegs, Teknik suspension, Guard-it engine protector combo, B&B rear rack, Trax topbox.