Prepare my XR250L?

**maximondo** · #1 11 Oct 2007

I have brought a XR250L 2005, and i want to prepare it for 20,00km of south east asia and russia.

Im a shortie so i am lowering it at the moment and i have decided on soft panniers. Thats pretty much as far as ive gone! - except replacing sprockets, chain & break pads.

Can any one please tell me what modifcations i should be doing?

**Martynbiker** · #2 11 Oct 2007

Get a mechanic or if your mechanically minded give it a PROPER looking at.......you DO NOT want to break down in the middle of Africa or Russia!
Check Electrics, make sure that fork oil is changed and engine serviced up before u go, the usual stuff..... change the clutch cable, you would be suprised how "slick" a new one is...... keep the old one as a spare, make sure that your tyres are new, take a spare rear if spares are an issue, a spare innertube wont hurt either..... while the tyres are off check the spokes,nipples, double up on rim tape and use old tubes as 'protectors' on your innertubes, (cuts down punctures by half)

by reading these threads you should have some idea of tools and kit to take with you. if not GET READING......

If your not familiar with changing tyres and fixing punctures, start NOW, you will be glad you did.
Basically think to yourself.... would I be HAPPY to trust my life to this bike in the middle of nowhere......because that is what you are doing.

GET IT ALL PREPPED NOW its too late when your half way round your trip.

I see your from Brisbane.......mmmm nice and warm there...

, well in Russia, it gets VERY VERY COLD

.... Make sure you prepare for that!

Happy Riding!

**jimmy46** · #3 11 Oct 2007

I used ine of these for touring Cambodia and Lao, great bikes!!! I didn't carry much as I hoteled it every night. I did fit a metal Baja tank 15 litres I think?. ( the honda tank was the only one I could get though I believe IMS make one) the large tank gave me a range of 300km. The seat is pretty uncomfortable!!!!. The rear after frame is known to crack if overloaded so watch the weight on the rear rack.

Regards Jimmy

**maximondo** · #4 12 Oct 2007

Thanks very much for your comments.

Ive been practicing the tire change! I will follow up with your suggestions.

In regards to the weight i will be carring max. 35 litres per side plus 10 litres of petrol.

**Stephano** · #5 12 Oct 2007

The Baja metal tank is heavy.

If it's bigger that what you've already got on - you can fit an XR400 tank. (It might need some work to do it, I can't remember.)

For an extended trip, I would definitely buy a stainless steel oil filter. Lasts forever so you can forget about sourcing, carrying or buying filters.
Stephan

**Rossa** · #6 17 Oct 2007

Hello,
i crossed siberia and mongolia last year on an old xlr250r, may i recommend you take as little as possible in terms of gear,
good advise above about inital servicing, spare clutch and brake levers are essential, cut notches in them so they break there instead of right up close, tubes and filters too,
everying else aside from bike essentials is a luxury... well a sleeping bag an mat but they are only a small bike and youll be so glad of having very little,
i carried about 13 to 15 kilos.. but minimalism is i name,

Keep the oil changed my friend, an the old girl will see you through,

rossa

**maximondo** · #7 18 Oct 2007

is also my middle name!
i have competions with fellow friends on how little we can take.
Then after reflect on what we missed out on......

I will not be filling up my pannier with extras!
I have to invision my self carrying this stuff on my back.

**Scoobie Doo** · #8 12 Nov 2007

If your carrying that much weight on the back then you'll need to uprate the rear shock - better spring. Also when carrying new tubes just get all 21" as they'll double up on both wheels. Also run your spare cables along side your old ones - or as near as dammit - to save time when one breaks.

I think it may have been mentioned, but you can get a stainless steel oil filter that you just wash out and re-use. I use them on my XR250 and 400.

Try and change all the fasteners to one size, etc to cut down on tools - just do as much as you can to cut down on weight.

Bigger tank's a must though, or you'll be on reserve around every 100 miles.

Good Luck.

**Martynbiker** · #9 12 Nov 2007

Ultraseal Tire Sealant fantastic stuff......especially in a tubed tyre!

just stops the need to fix punctures completley...........

**HendiKaf** · #10 15 Nov 2007

I did most of SE Asia on a XR250L and also all SA, my advice for you is to get the largest tank,soft luggage ,change the light bulb for better one, maybe a set of cable, handguard and you should be set. mine came with rack for luggage. I did about 60000 mile it and not one problem, if the bike is old buy a used CDI as they have tendency to fail . Are you going to camp in Mongolia..?

**maximondo** · #11 15 Nov 2007

i plan on camping through mongoila and russia. As im trying to keep my cost down. on the standard tank my petrol ranges from 200km on 90 octane gas to 230km on 98 octane. I was thinking about carrying 10l of fuel with me. But it seams like everyone is telling me to install a larger tank. I want to keep my bike as light a possiable, hence not having a larger tank all the time - I know in south east asia that petrol is every 200km, so there i should be fine, its just in mongila and russia, that i have an issue.

Im planning on leaving ozzy half way through jan. so i have plently of time to still change things over. I have pretty much completed most of my prep on the motorbike... although in saying that ill find out about something when i leave that i should have done!

Thanks everyone. Please if you think on anything else let me know!

**Bernard** · #12 16 Nov 2007

Just because you have a big tank doesn't mean you have to fill it.

**Falcon Rust** · #13 10 Feb 2008

what brands are out there?

thanks.

FR

**Stephano** · #14 10 Feb 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Rust

what brands are out there?
thanks.
FR

There's a thread here on 3 of the most well known. It's for a 650XR but do your own googling and you'll find the sizes for a 250.
IMS vs. Clarke vs. Acerbis
Stephan

**charapashanperu** · #15 13 Feb 2008

Maximondo,

I suggest you forget the saddlebags . I started a South American trip on an XR250 with the soft bags and had to repair them EVERY NIGHT! Then when they finally "gave up the ghost" we got rid of 3/4 of our stuff, went with small hard cases on a rear rack and a small back pack on the tank. Narrow is the way to go. Keep anything heavy (tools and parts) down low on the frame and volume (bag and clothes) in the upper packs. Around the Block 2007 |

Toby

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