Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
Unless you go back to a 1980's XT500 or early XT600 or some early XL Hondas, I'm not sure many kick start dual sports are currently around past mid 90's or so. I'm sure they're a few ... but would those old nails be ideal travel bikes?
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Thanks for your feedback Molly, but the Yamaha Xt 600 was made until 2004 and I can get a very recent Honda Xr650L. From my research it is relatively easy to retrofit a kickstart to both models, therefore you get a bike which is not ancient with a kickstart. Also you don't loose the ability to electric start, so you have the best of both worlds. It's very well saying you can bump start, but on sand in the desert I can't see this happening.
I completely hear what you say regarding unreliable air cooled engines, that's why I started looking at these two bikes which both have a proven history of making Africa trips. I do understand the Honda does run hot and wonder what it is like when pushed to the extreme? Do you think fitting an oil cooler would be enough to avert any fears? As for the Yamaha, don't know how hot this runs? I did hear it burns a lot of oil, but don't know how true that is?
Thanks prop for your suggestion of the TT600R Belgarda. What advantage do you think this bike has over the two models I am looking at? What made you go for this option? How hot does the bike run and how will it cope pushed to the limits in the desert heat?
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