You see it used all over China as scaffolding when building work is being done. I'd consider making the next set of pannier racks for my 125 out of it if I could work out how to reinforce high stress points.

A few more XSR pics here.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Use steel - twisted wire or bent nails - rammed into the ends of the bamboo to act as the joints between the straight sections of bamboo; set it all up to match the layout of the bike including dealing with how the bamboo is attached to the bike (therein lies another ?). Then coat each of the joints with the fibreglass mix (using as much matrix glass as you deem appropriate with the resin).
Perhaps coat all of the bamboo with resin thereafter, depending on other characteristics; could even glass fibre wrap the bamboo sections also.

(I've just been using fibreglass for bodywork repairs on a 4 wheeler when this idea came to me. The resin was many years old and worked just fine with newly purchased hardener).

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Dave

Do you ever wish you had some wind protection?

For the 3-day ride to Marrakech I used a small screen then took it off for the few weeks on the piste where we don't ride that fast for long.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Nice job on the Yamaha! May I ask who did the conversion to a 19" front wheel/single disc? Love that idea ... and I imagine going to one disc saved quite a bit of weight? Love the under exhaust too.

Can't believe you run it in restricted mode ... 48 HP when you've got about 100 HP lurking in there unused. Travesty!

My main worry off road would be radiators ... maybe someone makes guards? But I guess in most falls your Bark Buster and maybe Frame bobbins would take the hit, not the rad?

Also quite surprised of the Porky-ness of the CB500X RR. I knew it was a heavy beast (you can see the bike's bad reaction on Jen's videos in rough going), did not realize it was 221 kg. That's a load!

Loved Maroc pics on your site. Fantastic! This is more the bike Yam should make ... but with the P twin, not the triple. But I guess with the T-7 on the way ... ain't gonna happen unless one were to get a kitted Scrambler like you did.

https://adventure-motorcycling.com/2...-morocco-pics/

In defense of the WR250R and other light weights ... I think suitability could depend where rider emphasis lies. One could load up the 250 on a Ferry to avoid long, fast runs on Peage to get to Santander or even further South ... then not so much high speed highway through France and Spain getting there.

Once in Morocco, on the dirt tracks riding conditions you show, indicate a 250 would not be a bad option if going at a moderate pace.

Would love to do your Morocco tour someday!

Thanks

Me and ebay ;-D

Amazingly not, iirc – XVS wheel was heavy. But maybe I should recalculate.

That is standard XSR with a do-nothing-much bit removed.

As I was just writing today - road or trail, never missed the full 70-odd hp.

I bought the bike all smashed up down the right hand side - but not a mark on the rad guards. I guess an unlucky fall could get them.

CB500X RR @ 221kg was mine with heavy bash and racks and stuff.
But even wet, my XSR (14L fuel) measured 14kg lighter than my CB-X (17L).
I do believe though that quality suspension (and maybe other factors like balance and weight dist.) can make a bike feel lighter than it is (on the move).

I wonder if, with the T7 or World Raid/whatever being so rallyish, they might see value in scrambling the basic XSR7.
Similar makeovers haven't done Ducati or BMW any harm.
Everyone digs a Scrambler - always have, always will!

At 1100-km, the trans-Spain schlep is still a long old schlep, especially when it's 3-4°C, like last weekend. I found the colder it got the faster I went to get it over with.
On a 250 there wouldn't be much choice.
But again, as I observed today, the WR was an ideal bike for exploring unknown routes for the book (as I did in March), but the XScrambleR was fine on my known tour routes last month, mostly. And it ate up the ride home without a murmur. The WR got vanned to and from Malaga.

A 50-hp travel bike @ 170kgs wet but not a big single would ideal. Suggestions on a postcard, svp.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

[QUOTE

A 50-hp travel bike @ 170kgs wet but not a big single would ideal. Suggestions on a postcard, svp.[/QUOTE]

Chris, I've just built such a machine, it's on here on a different thread. It's a real shame that Timbuktu is out of bounds as I would be bang up for one of your trips with a comparison aspect, say half a dozen of the big manufacturers brands but with an added overlanding twist..!! (I'd blag the Honda stable mind) and keep it 50+ (Old dog new tricks style) riders..??

Mez

I do like triples - very smooth motors. If 'they' would just make a small one .. say 300cc? Yes it will be heavier than a single but it will be more pleasant on the highway and smother dirt roads - a sacrifice in the tougher stuff. Honda did a 400cc four.. so it is not too hard.

That 500L looks great, Mez. Had a little spin on Andy's one the other month.
Like you say it can be done. I hope the order book is filling up ;-)

You need the tape they now wrap around limbs to support broken bones. Neat light and sets strong with I imagine some flex?

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have fun with your helmet!

Awesome review! Do you think the 700 Tracer would be an even better base?

Years ago we would swap out worn knobby tires on our dirt bikes. No problem off road and gave several more rides before having to buy new tires.

This won't work well for tires ridden on the road. Once you start having funny wear pattern on road handling won't be at it's best. Add water on pavement ...
things can go bad quickly. Off road, swapping around a tire makes good sense and does work OK.