Hi all,
i've just bought my 2001 XT600e which i'm now prepping for african adventure next Feb and am looking for the following: (advice also welcome on the subject).

Rack, top box and panniers
Sump guard (the factory fitted one look OK but i note that others have uprated theirs)
Centre stand.
Larger fuel tank-Thnking of buying the acerbis24l.
Screen?
Handguards.
Usefull spares

Plus anything else that folk may think is usefull. Thanks in advance for any replies.
Paul

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Some feedback. I went on a cheap and tired XT600E and it was great (mostly) but check out the following!

Good things to do;
Acerbis tank
Air filter socks
Pirelli MT21 tyres - excellent
Heavy duty inner tubes
See if Ohlins do a rear shock. Expensive I know but re-sellable.
Take clutch/brake spare cables tied to originals, fork seals.

Riky Cross produce some products including a headlamp guard - may include a rack, engine guards. Oil coolers are nice and work well but XTs just don't need them. Save the money for the trip.

Bad things;
Big mistake to fit a centrestand as I did - no ground clearance. Lean
the bike over if you want to take out a wheel!
Old fork seals were knackered after a week's good riding on piste.
Rear shock was knackered.

I kept the original engine protection bar but a plate would be better.

Check out other bike prep tips on this site. Try not to take too much stuff as this will spoil the pleasure. Leave your northern european mentality behind - travel light & if things go too bad put the bike on a truck to the nearest capital and DHL out the spares. Take a few days break from the bike while the parts arrive!

I arrived in Dakar after a hard journey fully loaded, very proud, when a Finn on a standard XT with just knobblies and a small back pack arrived after completing the journey. Food for thought.

All the best, David

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David

Oh yes - and Acerbis wrap around brush guards - worth every penny.

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David

Thanks David,

MT21's came with bike which is good, though the previous owner fitted a 130 (standard is 120) on the rear and 80 (standard is 90) on the front. Perhaps this is better in mud/sand? any ideas, is this safe on tar?

Isn't the centre stand handy for mending punctures and general fidling with the bike? I've just changed the tyres (3 hours! as i am a novice) and had to drop the bike.

Interesting about the shocks/suspension.......i've also read good reports of the factory fitted.

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hi there mate good to hear you are going down to africa, i did this trip some years ago on an old xt600, if you fancy a yarn give us a call on 07718905005 i also have some spares for a old tenere ,if you need some thing ,and i have it you are welcome to it , i still have my xt600 with all the panniers and extra fuel tanks if you fancy a look might give a few ideas laters freddy

[QUOTE=hurcomb]Hi all,
i've just bought my 2001 XT600e which i'm now prepping for african adventure next Feb and am looking for the following: (advice also welcome on the subject).

Paul,

Did you get sorted with a tack ? mine is still available ...

salut Matt

yes thanks Matt,
Splashed out on a touratech rack and panniers. I figured that 6 months in Africa would justify the expense, plus time is ticking away and i need to get sorted.

I fitted an 23l acerbis tank last w/e. Easy enough though a shame it does't come with a locable cap. Is that an issue???? Have people had petrol stolen?

Paul

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