converting a hyosung gt 250 to an overlander
 

I am trying to convert my Hyosung gt 250 a.k.a. comet to an overlander. I used this bike for two years an been to Syria , Iraq and Greece nearly stock but now I feel that I can improve the handling abit. Up to now I've aded a screen, changed tyres for the Kenda K761,raised the handle bars,ordered the hand guards . Upgraded the luggage racks.built a gps stand and atttached two 12v outlets. I'm planning to make a skid plate usingg 2 mm alu. ı also think that adding a centre stand would be nice. Do you recommend addding a skidplate to the stand too or would it be overkill?
I 'm changing the headlight and place a Ford D1210 headlight. I did it to my 150cc bike too and works great on 35/35 bulbs, even better than xenon.
Should I raise the fender too? The bike shall look ugly with a cross style fender what do you suggest me to do ?

And no thanks ,I am not interested in another bike. Please no advice on that

Hi ethemhakangencer,

If your front fender works fine, no need to raise it. The fender bracket helps keep the forks aligned. Although it is easy to shim the fender off the bracket with spacers if it bothers you.

I checked out a picture of your bike on google and it does have low clearance and a custom skidplate sounds like a fine idea.

Rather than a center stand which would reduce clearance under the bike you may want to make something like this:

Liftstick jack... - ADVrider

It makes fixing flats easy without a center stand.

Just some thoughts.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

Dear John Downs. Thank you very much for your reply. Do you suggest changing the forks for a better clearence? I folowed your adventure on advrider and it was great .

Best regards
Ethem hakan Gencer

Hi Ethem,

No bike is perfect. Changing forks would likely be expensive and change the balance of your Hyosong 250.

I find it cheaper to accept the limitations of the bike I own, change the things that are low cost and make sense, and spend more money on gas and food.

I am glad you enjoyed my travel story.

eğlenmek,

John Downs

Yes tht's exactly what ı want to do and why I stick with my hyo. Thanks for the advice. By the way do you have any idea how can I make my seat more comfortable without spending a fortune. :oops2:

Everyone is different. Just like hiking many miles in the mountains, you will be sore until you get used to it. Eventually you can go longer before getting sore.

Before I could afford a motorcycle I rode long distance bicycles. Some saddles are more comfortable than others if you have money. I didn't have much money. After a few thousand miles I got used to what I had. Doing nothing was the cheapest solution. When I got sore, I stopped and took a break.

I cut a sheepskin to fit the size of my current motorcycle seat and attached it to the sides with zip ties. I like it. It makes a slight improvement. I still have to stand on the pegs and shake out my legs from time to time and get sore after a few hundred miles.

People spend a lot of money trying custom seats, gel pads, padded bicycle shorts, wooden roller balls. Maybe they help, I don't know. I'm not willing to spend the money to find out.


Cheers,
John Downs

thank you for your advice. I'd rather keep the money for gas food and visas. Yes they are expensive.

I'll try the shhep skin as I already have one. Thanks again.

I did a 3 day trip withh the raised handlebars and they are reallllly more comfortable. Now decided that hadguards are a must too.The wife didn't like the look of the handlebars and doesn't want them on the bike but stones on the road constructions are hard . I got hit threee times in three days.

Pictures ?


Saludos.:thumbup1:

I couldn't manage to add pitures so here's a link to my site with the latest picture I could find.

culsuzgezgin.tr.gg - KEND0M KEND0ME BOSAK 0ST0LASI

the site is in Turkish but I'll add an Eglish page soon, I hope.