African Queens (AfricanQueens - Spezialteile für Enduros und Reiseenduros.) do make a luggage/pannier rack for the XR650R - it braces back to the main frame to take the weight off the subframe too... They can supply it with or without panniers - the rack on it's own is quite expensive, but with the panniers looks pretty good value? Of course outside of Europe you will have to pay import duty etc. but at least someone makes something off the shelf eh?

As for the XRR being the 'best adventure bike in the world' - having done 18,000 miles on one this last year - over the US desert states, then Europe and Morocco (twice) including a full-on rally... I'd have to say yes, and no...

For serious terrain and flat out yee-haa riding, it really is awesome, but for big miles, especially at 60+ mph on the road, it really isn't that great...

If you can spend the majority of your time off-highway, then it is fine, but on the gearing that really lets it shine off-road, then the road miles murder it, and it tends to use oil...

I hate to agree with the Adv rider bunch (typically), but if it had 6 gears it would be excellent, as you could have the lower gears for gnarly conditions, and a cruising gear to keep the revs down at highway speeds.

An electric start is essential on an 'adventure bike' really (oh yes it is), but that can be fitted aftermarket at least. Decent lights would be nice too (although the Europe version is at least reasonable in that respect). And as you've said, it was never designed to carry luggage...

Don't get me wrong, I love my XR650R and it has never let me down - but as a race bike that you can do a bit of touring with... As an everyday, every way machine, it is a bit lacking, and having lived with it for over 18,000 miles now, no amount of wheelies and general yee-haa can make up for that... which is why I've bought a new Tenere...

xxx