Hi,
Me and a girl friend of mine are planning a RTW trip and we pretty set on a pair of XR 650r's. What I need to know is how to make it lower for her. Even with a lowering kit it going to need to be lower. I have been told you can fit smaller wheels and this does not affect the geometry of the bike. I don't know if that is true and it also dawned on me that a decent set of tyres might be alot harder to come by?

Also the fact that XR 650r has no electric start could be an issue. The kits seem very expensive and I was wondering if there is a way of doing it more cheaply?

Thanks

copy of post in bike prep thread:

Hi Tamlane -

Why have you got your heart set on the XR650R particularly? (especially for her) as it the modifications you are considering will reduce some of it's greatest attributes - that is the off-road performance and ground clearance!

The 650R is a fantastic machine, but it is essentially an open-class race bike, so not the ideal choice for an overland tourer - especially if you are planning to go RTW. Yes the bike is awesome everywhere, and especially off-road in the desert and on trails... but it's not really suited to slogging long distances on the tarmac at a constant throttle for example... which is going to be a proportion of your trip at least.

Fundamentally, the oil capacity is only 1.7 litres, so what little oil there is is working hard. Ideally you'll need to change the oil at least every 1500 miles (not tricky in itself, but disposing of the used oil legally/conscientiously can prove to be a faff).

Also, the luggage capacity is not the greatest - of course any bike can be modified, but other than a very expensive pannier rack from African Queens (that is if they still make it), you'll be looking at a custom fabrication. Sure you can travel light, but if you are going all the way around the world that will mean taking a wider range of clothing/camp kit at the very least - unless you are going to ship stuff ahead and back home of course...

You mention the electric start. I'd suggest that if your partner is going to have problems with the height of the bike, then she is certainly going to be in trouble trying to kick start it fully laden with luggage, especially if it's been over on it's side in the dirt. There is no cheap way around this - Baja Designs have stopped producing their 'cheap' kit, as it didn't work. In fact the only one that does is the Boechat kit from XRStuff in the UK. You have to decide if nearly 2500 pounds is worth it to kit out both bikes...?

Security may or may not prove to be an issue - the 650R has no ignition key or steering lock as standard. Of course these are not failsafe on any bike, but a handy deterent if you are away from the bike briefly.

Buying smaller wheels will typically mean getting a set of 17 supermoto style wheels made up (there is nothing off the shelf that will fit) - pretty expensive, and as you surmise, will limit your choice of tyres considerably - particularly if you want off-road tread pattern, especially in far flung places abroad.

I'm not saying don't do it (I did it - rode 18,500 miles in less than nine months on one), but then I wanted a pukka off-road machine first, and was prepared to put up with the on-road compromises so I could enter the odd rally... however, I now have a XT660Z Tenere which is a better travel bike in every respect, and not much worse off road (in trail riding conditions) to be quite honest!

If you're intent on both having the same machine (which is a good idea), then while a DRZ400 may not be quite as glamourous as a 650R, it satisfies the shortcomings I list above, is very competent both on and off tarmac, can be bought cheaply, and is physically not as intimidating for your other half...

Just an idea...

JennyMo xxx

JennyMo
Who's to say that the they are not both women.
While the DRZ400 is a great bike its weight and height can be a hand full and would also need to be lowered. Thus giving the same propblems as you pointed out on the XR. The DRZ has no strearing lock and only takes 1.8L of oil against the 1.7 of the XR

The DRZ400E is forsale in the UK brand new with a 4 grand price tag on it. It would be my bike of choice for a RTW trip however it is very tall and i would need it lowered. It is a fantasic bike and has electric start and will do what ever you throw at it. I have a pal in spain who has a few of these bikes and each has 30000 miles on them and he's only needed to replace chain and wheel bearings.

Like any forum people are quick to tell you what you need to buy - do - change. at the end of the day its up to you, and what works best for you.

Julie

They could indeed both be women, but the hight issue only seems to be a problem for Tamlanes girl friend, not Tamlane themself?

I agree the DRZ would need to be lowered too, but there are kits widely available for this (not sure about one for the 650R). It comes with a electric start and decent sized battery fitted and is still lighter than the 650R comes as standard.

I believe the DRZ400S version (the road legal trail version) does have a steering lock fitted in the steering tube, and although it does have a small oil capacity as you say, the service intervals between oil changes are 4000 miles, not 600-1000 miles as the 650R handbook suggests.

I'm not telling anyone what to buy, just pointing out the short comings of the 650R as a long distance travel bike, and recommmending they look at an alternative, which as you agree, is a proven and reliable machine...

xxx

Im with you !!

Having owned an XR650R as an enduro and a supermoto, I would not recommend it for a RTW trip.

DRZ400S for a rough trip or XT600E for more reliabilty would be a far better choice.

The XR can be an utter bitch to start with the kick, and its very uncomfortable at all on the road too and theres not much out there commercially to prep it for overlanding. Weak alloy subframe needs bracing for luggage and it needs more maintenance than most too.

Its not light either and is very tall. I spent a serious amount of money prepping one for South America and after doing all the sensible mods, it still made no sense so I used an XT600E instead and i'm sure I made the right choice.

Fantastic for the desert and a great fun bike, but for RTW...hmmm no !!

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.