Thanks for the responses everyone, so nice to have advice from people who have actually done this and aren't just guessing!

I always carry a 1L bottle for top ups, but I was just hoping that I wasn't going to have to lug around enough oil for like 2 changes, glad that I may have to occasionally carry an extra 2L but not very often, and I suppose not a big deal to keep 2/3 filters in a little corner of my tool box and buy them whenever I can.

I've noticed quite a few people who ride these bikes saying that the owner manual's recommendation of 600miles/1000kms is a conservative guide based on competition use with oil quality available in the mid 90s. The argument being that if you are thrumming along on a steady throttle and using much more durable modern oils, the bike shouldn't need such frequent changes but still important to keep an eye on the level and not let it get low. Don’t mind doing it more frequently if the oil is available but what’s your take on that?

Regarding the shortfalls of the bike, I’m thinking sheepskin on the plank, up rated stator and HID conversion (along with Reg/rec and capacitor for LED tail light, indicators and maybe 12v socket - if the uk bikes don’t already have that stuff), not sure about brakes, maybe sintered pads and braided lines? No E-start could be a pain occasionally, especially at altitude like Jmi points out, but the added simplicity and reduced weight is attractive.

I know I know, I’m trying to polish a turd and I should definitely buy an XT600E, but looking at photos of properly set up XRs there’s just something that makes me go...