I am at the very start of my planning of a around Africa trip, aiming for 2010 and im not sure which bike to use. After some research, i have come almost done a full circle. I narrowed it down to three bikes - the XR250 (again) XR400 (older version) or the XR400Motard. I am worried about the XR400 as it is only a kick start, and when it was getting below zero camping in the middle of Siberia, i could not kick start my xr250 - battery was flat and i had to flag down truck drivers to help push start my bike! What are your thoughts on the XR400 motard or fitting out the normal XR400 with a kick start? or do you have any other suggestions.

For my first trip through South East Asia and Russia and Mongolia, I used a XR250L but in the end i had a few problems, with piston rings, the cam chewing out the rocker and a few other minor problems that would come with using the bike 8 hours a day for ten months! It was a perfect bike in the sense, that it was light and not to height for me (not to put my self down or anything but I'm pretty short!). The only time, i felt like it wasn't responding how i would want it too was, when i was in Russia heading along the main road to Moscow - it didn't have the power for the motorway, i was full throttle, which i imagine will cause more wear and tear on the engine.

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Ehhh?

do you mean to outfit with electric start or ??

that won't help when the battery is flat

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Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !

Haha.. yes that is what I mean.
I have heard of people fitting out their XR400 with electric start.

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Yes available here, at a price !!

XR Stuff

I don't have a XR yet, but I bet that a can of diesel star at 3£ is as effective. I always use that for my Honda generator and my trackbikes in the spring, after standing for 1/2 a year during winter.

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Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !

Hi Maxi
Take the 400! Why would you want an elec start for a big trip across Africa? It's just another thing to go wrong. Despite all the gossip about xr400s being difficult to start, after owning one for 8 months I now dissagree. There is a knack to starting them....mine starts every time now on the second kick when cold and first kick when hot. Excellent bikes!!
Kev

Oh I agree the 400 is a great starter once you learn the knack of your own. Strangely what works for one seems different to another. Check valves when needed and plug and its all good.