Hi everyone, well I currently own a 97 Honda XR400 which I have owned for 7 years and probably havent done more than about 15000 miles on.

This has been stored in my garage for 2 years now but I am debating on giving it an overhaul or just selling it and using the proceeds for something a little bigger and more comfortable and with a magic starting button rather than having to kickstart, something like an XT 600E.

I will be planning to use the bike to go to the Spain this year (Picos etc) and then next year going C2C in Canada and then hopefully in 2 years time something big like Alaska to Argentina.

Cant quite decide so opinions/recommendations would be most welcome.

We had a bigger bike (R1150GS) for our South America trip. It got written off and I bought an XR400 of about the same age as yours with the insurance pay out and pocketed the rest.

As you know its a cracking little bike. Mine came with an Edelbrock Quiksilver carburetor. Whether the reason or not I have readily acheived 75mpg on that bike. WIth a 22litre tank that is a lot of miles. So in one sense this ia great bike for overlanding: can cruise at 50-60, can off-road etc.

However, its not all roses and these are the points that make me question the XR. Comfort: the saddle is a b!tch!! That said, a sheepskin thrown over transformed it, so £15 from Ikea could resolve that issue. The other issue for me that is not so readily resolved is the oil change interval. I've heard anything from 1000 miles to 600 miles for oil change intervals.

Granted this is based on it being used as a race bike (it's original purpose) or blasting down greenlanes etc, not pootling along (you could change the rear cog to stress the motor even less). Still, I would not be happy leaving the oil in there for more than 1500 miles even on Fully Synthetic oil. SOme have done so and claimed no ill effects and I'm sure that is true: Hondas are robust.

So this is what you'd have to ask yourself: can you live with that on a trip that will be about 15,000 miles (ten oil changes), instead of 5 or even 3 with some models?

My XR is not my main trip bike as it can carry neither pillions nor dogs, so I can live with this for short hops into the neighbouring countries. On a longer trip though, I have to say that better road manners would curry a lot of favour: after all how much off-road do you plan to do?

If you can live with these limitiations (and a number have on here and seem to be very happy with their bike's performance) then I say keep wht is a good little bike. If you want fewer maintenance restrictions, and better tarmac behavious, then perhaps a bigger single is better for you...

Here endeth the epic sermon!!

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Hi XRChris

My two pennth.....

I won't go into the pros and cons of any particular bike.

If you have doubts and thoughts about changing your bike. Do it.

If you don't get on with your new bike, change again.

I know it's easy to say and there is a cost involved but hey it's only money and we only come this way once.

Once those seeds of doubt about keeping a bike are sown they will germinate.
You will only prolong the inevitable.
You are no longer be satisfied with the XR.

You know deep down it's the right thing to do.

Don't ask me what bike to get though :-)

Go with what you really fancy.
Heart choice over head choice every time.

Best wishes

__________________
My mind to me a kingdom is.

xrChris,

I've dropped you a quick PM

cheers

Dick

Thanks for the comments guys - I am used to doing trips of 300 miles in a day on the XR but never got used to that saddle although the sheepskin is an interesting idea to try.

My main problems lie with the oil changes and that its only a kickstart as an electric start makes things so much more pleasant.

My XR has had a few mods to it such as a Mikuni pumper carb and the former owner swapped to a larger 15 ltr tank. I also changed the stator to one capable of twin 100watt outputs.

As you say it is a fantastic bike but i have reservations regarding long distance usage.

Took a look at 2 XT660E's today and looked pretty nice althogh i would probably prefer something a little more simple like the older XT600 or Honda equivalent.

Hmmmm.....Decisions......

If you bought an XT, you'd have to change your username...

Surely no bike is worth that?!?!

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)