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Old 9 Mar 2009
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Can an XR400 cope with roads
Do you rekon a XR400 can cope with being used as a road (Dual Sport) bike.
Thinkin of giving one a go. What would it need
Bigger tank- Acerbis
Roadish tires- say Trailwings
Gearing. Probably 15-42 could give a nice 60/65 cruise speed
Seat- definate gel insert, sod the sheepskin
What you peeps rekon, hairbrained or worth it
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Old 10 Mar 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wide Phil View Post
Do you rekon a XR400 can cope with being used as a road (Dual Sport) bike.
Thinkin of giving one a go. What would it need
Bigger tank- Acerbis
Roadish tires- say Trailwings
Gearing. Probably 15-42 could give a nice 60/65 cruise speed
Seat- definate gel insert, sod the sheepskin
What you peeps rekon, hairbrained or worth it
Why not? You wouldn't be the first.
I've got a 26-litre Acerbis tank on a Honda CRF450 but you don't need to go that big. I had an IMS 4 gallon (15 litre) tank on an XR400 which was range enough.

I used to run 15-45 on the XR which worked fine but I never really experimented with the ratios.

Tyres will depend on where you go, of course. I've just got amazing wear out of a set of Michelin Bajas doing a lot of road riding and then off into sand at lower pressures. They are fine on the road except when it rains so it depends on your location. I'm now trying out some Pirelli MT90 Scorpions on the CRF. They seem to be as good as the reviews I found on the internet indicated.

I'd go for flush mounted indicators if possible to avoid damage off-road.

As for the XR seat, well you do get used to it...
Stephan
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Old 10 Mar 2009
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Not the best bike for the job, but it works.

I have one in SM or stadard trim. Have only ridden it with the SM wheels so far. I crossed the Netherlands and Germany on it in a bid to catch the evening Rostock ferry. I say cruise at about 55mph, rather than 60, although it was good for 80mph with the SM gearing (smaller rear sporcket). I have had surprisingly good MPG from mine so far: 75mpg on the road (no doubt a lot less off orad), so even with the small tank ( I have the acerbis now) it had a respectable range of well over 100 miles.

Seat? Torturous. By all means use a gel insert, but I have the sheepskin and it really makes a great deal of difference: a good choice IMO.
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