Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 25 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Posts: 26
I highly recommend the XT350 for crossing Africa. It's an extremely durable and reliable bike, and very easy to handle in difficult (dirt road) conditions. My wife has ridden more than 85,000 kms on her 1985 model on several trips across Africa (she bought it second hand with 5K kms on the clock), and it never let her down once!

Her second XT350 is a 1994 model which she has ridden across the Australian outback, also without any hiccups. She is so fond of her XT's that she'll probably never sell them, as they are perfect for long-distance travelling in remote areas. The XT350's are very economical with fuel, usually 320 - 340 kms before hitting reserve. With an auxiliary tank or small jerry can of 5 or 10 liters you can cover more than 500 kms between fill-ups.

In terms of reliability, my (Dakar)rallye-prepped R80G/S was a POS compared to the XT350's. After riding across Africa for a few years, my dad wondered if my wife actually rode her bike, 'cause he couldn't understand why I only asked him to send parts for my R80G/S, and never for the XT.

With hindsight, I should have bought an XT350 as well for our African journeys, but I was lured into buying a G/S by the BMW marketing machine at the time. It's way too heavy for many parts of Africa. And I'm talking about the first generation R80G/S (!) which are light-weights compared to the stupidly heavy juggernauts that followed in the GS lineage.

My wife and I crossed the rain forest in Congo (then still named Zaire) on several occasions and I can assure you it was quite a struggle for me (and I was a young, fit 85kg/190cm athlete at the time with lots of on & off-road riding experience!). The BMW's cylinders would scrape over the earthen 'banks' when riding in the muddy ruts, to the point that the bike would start pivoting on the cylinders with only one of the wheels touching the ground. Which meant my wife had to turn back and help me lift the heavily laden Beemer out of the muddy ruts. Then I would try to ride the top of the 'middle bank' until I slid back into a rut, and the whole ordeal would start all over again. I was exhausted most nights after struggling with the beast all day, while my wife (58kg/174cm) would dismount her XT 'fresh as a spring flower'.

We also own a KLR650 (1995, bought 2nd hand in 1998), which I rode across the Australian outback, and while it is a much better bike for riding dirt roads than any Beemer (except for the new GX650Challenge), it's still a lot heavier, more complex, less reliable and less fuel-efficient than a XT350. The fact that it has water-cooling is a disadvantage in terms of reliability.

Based on my experience (5 years & over 150,000 kms in Africa), my advice is to keep it as simple as possible. On a trip across Congo (Zaire) I once came across a German KLR650 rider who was stuck for 6 weeks in a remote village waiting for a new radiator and water pump to be shipped to him. Even today, I would not hesitate taking one of our old XT350's for a trip across Africa.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tripper View Post
I do remember noticing iron filings in the oil when i changed it...so I was thinking that something was failing at that time..however the bike just kept working like a clock until the season was over and I moved away.
Don't worry about finding small metal flakes in the oil filter. My wife's two XT350's always showed small metal particles in the nylon oil filter at oil changes. I used to do the maintenance for four colleagues and friends that rode XT350's, and all four of them showed small metal particles in the oil filter/screen at oil changes, and they all did over 50,000 kms without any problems at all.

The thing to check on XT350's is the double rubberized intake that connects the two carburettors to the cylinder head. When they get old, the rubber cracks and the engine will draw air through the cracks, which of course leads to a very lean mixture.

Just check your XT thoroughly, check steering and swing arm bearings (good thing on the XT is that it has grease nipples on the swing arm bearings) for wear. Valve clearance adjustments last a long time before having to do it again. In my experience you can easily do 20K kms between valve adjustments.

Don't put too much weight on the luggage rack as it will cause the rear part of the subframe to break. Better is to reinforce it before the trip. Or put all the weight on the saddle (side panniers and roll-bag on saddle).

Just go! You'll never regret it. You will if you don't go. Africa is the ultimate 'last frontier' for those seeking true adventures. My wife and I still reminisce about our years riding across Africa.
cheers!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 25 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Posts: 26
One more thing, Tripper. You can put your concerns about air cooling and highway speeds to rest. As she had to keep up with my R80G/S, my wife would ride her XT350 at full throttle for days on end when we crossed the Southern part of Africa where there's long stretches of sealed roads (Sth Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, etc.). She really flogged her XT350 and I was actually waiting for the engine to blow up, as it had 85,000 kms by the time we reached Cape Town. All I had to do was top up the oil on a regular basis, but nothing dramatic. Upon returning to Europe I took off the cylinder to measure the wear , and it was not out of spec yet (after 85K kms ridden hard in Africa!), but getting close, so I decided to have it re-bored and put in a new piston and valves, as I had it open anyway. And today the bike is still going strong!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 25 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Just wanted to say thanks for those interesting and informative posts Gypsyrider; great experience there that should expel any doubts about the durability of XT350s!
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 26 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 29
yeah awsome comments. Its funny you mentioned the rubber, as that was something that was going when I last used the bike. it was cracked. All comments were good, martynbiker, gypsyrider....and all others for sure.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 26 Dec 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
quick repair.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tripper View Post
yeah awsome comments. Its funny you mentioned the rubber, as that was something that was going when I last used the bike. it was cracked. All comments were good, martynbiker, gypsyrider....and all others for sure.
to repair the rubber if its cracked use windscreen fitting adhesive, the black stuff, or even just silicone if you cant get that, smear it into the cracks then wrap them with the Black self amalgamating rubber tape that Satellite dish installers use. this stuff bonds to itself. its so good actually you could even forget the sealer! ( OK you have to take the carbs and the rubbers off to do this)
not a permanent repair but one i know has lasted over 11,000 miles!


Martyn
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 29 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Posts: 26
re: quick repair

Martyn, thanks for the tip about the self-amalgamating rubber tape and windscreen fitting adhesive. Great idea! I have done temporary repairs with silicone in the past, but I'll definitely apply your idea next time, as the OEM XT intake manifold is quite expensive. A roll of self-amalgamating rubber tape is going to be part of my on-the-road repair kit on my next ride. I can see it coming in handy in quite a few applications, especially since it doesn't bond to the substrate, so it can be cut away and peeled off without leaving a sticky mess behind on the substrate (i.e. if one needs access to wires, tubes, etc.)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Yamaha mechanic in sydney ? DukeXTZ Australia / New Zealand 0 19 Nov 2007 09:47
Yamaha front fender support Chris of Motocross Africa Yamaha Tech 1 16 Jul 2007 12:50
Yamaha XTZ750 luggage Cheekster Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 2 2 Jan 2007 21:06
Honda xr650l or yamaha xtz660 tenere mjp.xrl Honda Tech 2 15 Sep 2005 14:09
Yamaha Original Parts and Mechs - Turkey? AC Europe 4 2 Jul 2004 16:48

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:25.