XR400 Parts
 

Am looking for a series of bits for a 2001/2 XR400. Bash Plate, Acerbis 23l tank, Hand Guards. I know I can get handguards from Off Road Only Etc, but I was wondering if anyone had anything floating around, or if there was a particular supplier around the Manchester area who I could get a good deal from?

Cheers

Dave

Try either www.xrstuff.co.uk or www.dirtbikestore.com as they are usually quite good. The best place of all is probably David Lambeth on 01892 853913 as he specialises in kitting out XR's for long distance rally's.

Dave
I inferred from your enquiry that you were in the process of equipping an XR400 for touring. Have you actually done any great distance on it yet and, if so, on what terrain? Some comments under another topic critical of the Yamaha XT600 and extolling the virtues of the XR400 got me interested in the idea of using one for long-distance touring but having now ridden one on an enduro track I question its balance when loaded up for touring - it seems to me that the front would be unduly light. Also, I imagine it needs quite a few mods which could be costly. I would be very interested in your experiences.
Neil.

get some back issues of TBM - Alex Marr rode one from London to Cape Town and back to Cyprus. he's on the front of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
I rode one to Corsica (loaded) and around Algeria (unloaded). I got up to 90mph down a hill with a big rucsac on the rear and it was "OK".
22 litre tank weighs the front down nicely!
I put stiffer fork springs in after riding it on an MX track, but I'm a fat bastard and you may not need to do that.
junk what you don't need and fit luggage to suit! ace bikes. will be getting another when I return to the UK

Thanks for the tips, Rich. I'm fortified by your recommendation.
Neil.

I'm no expert regarding XR's but I was lucky enough to take two of them from the east to the west coast of the the USA off road. We did 5000 miles in 5 weeks and carried (albeit minimum) luggage. Check out the website www.no2-online.net for details.

I was so happy with the bike I'm buying a UK model and equiping it for the Tuareg Rally in Morocco (March) with a view to letting my girlfriend use it as a lightweight desert touring bike when I'm done.

In short, I love 'em!!

Dave

Dave
I've just spent an hour and a half reading your Trans-Am diary. I should have better things to do - but I don't consider it time wasted! Great stuff. Re new XRs, is there any future in trying to buy one on the Continent and if so where? I've bought a bike before in Denmark at a fair saving but it seems they don't do XRs and in fact I can't locate any info on dealers in Europe generally. Do you have anything on this or any words of wisdom?
Neil.

To be honest it sometimes seems like the whole world has cheaper bikes than us! In the USA you can pretty much convert pounds to dollars for bike prices meaning you save 40%, BUT, you have to get them home.

My guess is that Europe somewhere would be your best bet, but I'm sorry, I dont know where. Best of luck tho' I'm looking myself at the moment.

Dave

I have also eliminated Holland as a potential source - the bike is not available there.

Any idea what gearing you're using? My enduro-spec XR4 tops out at about 65mph, which quite frankly off-road is plenty enough!

Also, what tyres give you a good combination of off-road grip and longevity?

Iain

I have an alloy bash plate and Clymer manual for an XR400. Let me know if you still need one.