Happy-trail racks on a XR650L, weak subframe...
 

I'm getting ready to buy the 'Northwest' racks from Happy-Trail.com for my '00 XR650L. I've looked at the subframe on my bike, and it looks awfully flimsy, and Tim, from Happy-trail also agreed that the bike had a really wimpy subframe. If I put a couple Jerricans on them and then stack cargo on the rear fender, I'm afraid that riding on rough terrain (i.e. Saharan pistes is where I'm ultimately heading) will just crumple the subframe. The bike's been run over by a car, which bent the frame. It's been straightened but that probably means it's a bit weaker than ususal as well.

So I'm thinking about maybe getting some braces welded on. My main concern is just the weight of the jerricans. Unfortunately my 5.2 Gal Acerbis tank still isn't even close to the amount of fuel I'll need to carry.

Anyone here used these racks or have any advice?

I've been considering just breaking down and getting a new f650 Dakar or getting a Tenere in Europe rather than doing this. But I do lots of trail riding and hare-scrambling, which makes me want to keep the XR.

Cheers,
Wright

Hi Wright,

Hope you are well. If got an XR600R which I have the same sorts of problems with (if anything the xr6 has an even punier rear sub than the 650!!). Anyway, I'm leaving for the western sahara on friday (yippee - second dose of desert biking this year!) and here's what I've done for luggage (for what its worth):

1 - 22 litre acerbis fuel tank
2 - spare tubes kept on front fender in 'fenderpack' from Cycoactive
3 - xrs only alu rear rack carrying 10 litre fule container - will be kept empty except where >22l of gas are needed
4 - captive nuts welded to main top frame tube - just above and behind the air box - then made up a sort of stainless steel d-loop which plugged into these (thru holes in the side panel) - fastened ortleib motorcycle side bag to this loop (will let you know if it holds together) and put spares and clothes in it.
5 - orlieb dry pack roll bag strapped to rear sear (for camping gear)
6 - cycoactive bar pack for travel documents

capacity for 11 litres of waters (5l in massive hydrador from touratech and 6 in collapsable platypus bag)

erm, that's about it really - it had better work out! best wishes,

Andy Bell

Hi Andy,
Good to hear from you again. Please let me know how that setup works out. Where are you going? Sounds like a pretty minimalist setup for a long trip.

have fun!

Cheers,
Wright

Hi Wright,

I'll let you know how I get on with that lot. The trip, btw is to Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal - hope to go to Chinguetti crater thingy as highlight. You're right, it is a pretty minimalist set up, but my philosophy is - the less you take, the less you have to keep picking up out of the sand!! R U still looking at going on Mr Scott's 2001 tour?

Best wishes,

Andy Bell