Good UK source for XR650 Rally overland mods?

[LostSaffa]

Im sure there are other posts regarding this but I couldnt find them

Im about to buy a xr650 water cooled and before using it want to fit it out in basic rally mods. ie. Acerbis large fuel tank, rally front fairing, bashplates etc. Is there anyone in the UK who has done the same thing and knows of a good company that does these sort of items?

Im really struggling to track them down here, and last resort is to Ebay them in the US.....

Any help would be great and any pics of your similarly mod XR!

Thanks

Trav

[djorob]

Hi.
Not really used these guys for 650r stuff but I know they stock or can get a fair bit of equipment for it.
XR Stuff
Usually very helpful.
Hope it helps.
Dave.

[Oz]

hi
xr stuff is good for some things others such as stator upgrades etc you may as well buy on the internet from the states.(i just found ricky stator site, seems cheap as well) they love the 650r there and have got more upgrades bit than you could ever want for them. exchange rate is good but if you get unlucky sometime you cop for duty here. seems random in my experience, some items get caught, others get through.
check out this site, it will tell you all about what is likely to fail on the 650r and easy fixes for it.

XR650R points of attention

good luck
oz

[RichLees]

Originally Posted by LostSaffa

Im sure there are other posts regarding this but I couldnt find them

you lazy dog! if you really couldn't find any XRR threads on here, make sure you get some orienteering classes before you leave home ;-)

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by Oz

exchange rate is good but if you get unlucky sometime you cop for duty here. seems random in my experience, some items get caught, others get through.

In my experience, the bigger boxes always get checked, and if the sender's address is a business (which they have to put on US packages), then more often you get a duty bill too... jiffy bag size stuff usually slips through ok though, especially if they've kindly put a low value on the customs sticker...

If you get hold of the April/May/June issues of TBM magazine (shameless plug, I know...) then there are a few pictures of my XR650R in there that might offer some inspiration...

The Acerbis tank is the way to go, and if you order it from the USA (try the Thumpertalk shop) then the price is dollars for pounds, and even with duty paid, it will cost you around £100 less than most UK retailers sell them for...

If you want an electric starter, go for the one XR Stuff sells - but you might want to mount the battery better.

An off-the-shelf fairing kit is available from African Queens, but you'll need a mortgage...

A Breaking Wave 260mm floating front disc, braided line and decent pads are a good upgrade too; and a steering damper kit if you are serious about Rallye riding.

Hope that helps to be getting on with...

xxx

[LostSaffa]

I know this reply is horendously delayed (my lack of much interest in using a PC is to blame), but thanks for the help above as its guided me to many an addon over the last few months.

I must just say JMo that i have enjoyed reading every single one of your articles on your xr650r adventures, the most recent being your short hop over to Morocco in the December TBM! So much so that im looking at heading out there for a bit of fun in the dunes on my xr early summer.

I have decided against the electric start for now as i have learned to live with the kicker now and rarely need more than one kick to fire up the beast. Xrstuff does loads of great stuff though, including their sump guard which I bought. Acerbis tank is next and then the big one.....the rallye fairings!

Overall though what a bike the XR650R is!! I have owned various other road biased adventure tourers, and smaller dirt bikes but have to say the XR is by far the most adaptable and reliable, no matter what you wish to throw at it.

Anyways keep up the regular TBM articles Jenny!

safe travelling

Lostsaffa

[JMo (& piglet)]

I'm glad to hear you bought the bike - and no wonder it took you a long time to reply, as I guess you've been out riding it so much?!

If you want to fit a fairing, then certainly I'd recommend the Acerbis tank - it fits nicely and I thing improves the look of the bike... although there are often some good deals on the various IMS tanks in the US too (check ebay).

The e-start is by no means essential, but you will find that after dropping the bike in sand, or any time it's been over and is hot, you'll more than likely be working up quite a sweat! I certainly appreciated having it when the bike was loaded with luggage too.

As for a Stator - I've heard differing reports as to the quality of Ricky Stators - personally if you want to uprate the charging system, I'd go for the Electrex World 200w version (not a dual output 2x100w) and corresponding regulator/rectifier - you should be able to run all you need off that.

Other pointers you might want to consider - use a steel tooth rear sprocket - that bike eats regular Renthal aluminium chainwheels... I currently have a Supersprox rear, but Renthal also do a dual metal chainwheel.

Also, changing the fork oil for 2.5wt (at the regular level) is a good mod to improve front-end damping - it's more plush and progressive.

A steering damper might be a good idea if you plan to do a lot of high-speed off-road type riding (piste in Morocco for example), but to be honest the bike is actually very stable as standard when ridden at sensible speeds.

Any more questions, ask away...

xxx

[LostSaffa]

Thanks JMo for your continued replies and I enjoyed reading your most recent article in TBM as always!

I am looking into the Clarke 16litre and Acerbis tank, just awaiting a price on the Clarke from XRstuff before I decide. The Clarke is standing out at me because it still uses the original radiator covers and looks smaller and neater, but the acerbis I think is definately a good idea should I go with a front fairing similar to yours from Africa Queens. Either way im not too bothered as the increase in range is the most important thing really.

There is one more thing I would like your opinion on though, and that is aftermarket exhausts. Although I like the stock system, it is quickly rotting away like all Hondas, so I need to start looking for a stainless steel replacement. However, I am not wanting to make the bike any/much louder and I want a descrete system that just does what it is meant to really, kind of like the one on your XR. What system is that and have you any knowledge of any other systems worth considering?

thanks in advance!

Safe Riding

Lostsaffa

[Beserker]

Originally Posted by LostSaffa

Thanks JMo for your continued replies and I enjoyed reading your most recent article in TBM as always!

I am looking into the Clarke 16litre and Acerbis tank,

There is one more thing I would like your opinion on though, and that is aftermarket exhausts.
Lostsaffa

Lostsaffa...the Acerbis, as a tank, is great, and what is more, it offers great protection for your radiators. (Speaking from experiance)

For windshields, check SIDE - Simpson Detour, won't break the bank like the AQ, but ugly as sin when compared.

The Akropovic is a good alternative to the standard....performance pipe but compared to the T4, not as loud, very light...the others are competition orientated.

Check out a RR on a trip that I recently did (http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=25319.0) you will see most of the mods in action.

BTW, XR is great bike, reliable and something I will definately go back country with.

[JMo (& piglet)]

Hi Lostsaffa -

Like Beserker says, the Acerbis also protects the radiators (and looks the best x) - so go for that if you can...

I've just bought an 18 litre IMS tank for mine (so I can do the Baja thing), but I'd say the extra capacity and radiator protection from the Acerbis is the way to go for overlanding.

As for exhausts - the ProCircuit T4 is what the Baja guys use, but really only offers a significant improvement at the top end, and is noisy without the spark-arrester insert.

I have a White Bros full system on mine (although I think they may have gone out of business?) which has a removable spark arrester too, but an FMF Q2 would be a good alternative if you just want to swap out the end can.

The 650R does benefit from a bigger bore header, as the stock pipes are pretty weedy - but don't go stupid with money - if you can find a White Bros system, that got the best results with improvement across the power range, when a US magazine did a group test a while ago...

xxx

[dommiek]

Hi
XR Stuff are a good starting point for sourcing parts, the guy who runs it is quite helpfull so worth a call. David Lambeth is another good contact, he's based in Boston now and I think his co is called Rally Overland. I have used and reccommend them both........
Kev

[BDG]

I've used a 17 litre IMS tank in Morocco and it's a pain, to small so last time I went I upgraded to an Acerbis.

My mods include a screen made from a plastic bucket and a few bits of bent metal, total coast about 20 pence, and it works. Bar risers, Electrex stator and 2 small spot lights as the standard light is useless.

Siffer springs front and rear because i'm a fat pig.

Ims wider pegs, bashplate, Whipps rack, Dirtbaz panniers, Leo Vince exhaust but the carbon fibre mounting bracket is too weedy and breaks, but exhaust is quiet for UK trail riding, noise not an issue in Morocco so standard pipe is fine.

XR's Only case saver. Home made rad guards as you can still bend the radiator even with the big Acerbis tank, don't ask how i know (I've still got the scars)

Renazco seat is the best change i've made for long distance comfort.

I'm sure there's plenty of other small bits and pieces that i can't remember.

Most bits sourced from ebay/USA/ or various web boards being a vulture looking for used bits.

I run 15/47 gearing as a decent compromise for road and off road.

Here's an early pic, as i don't have recent ones to hand. Great bike, fun to ride.