XT600 prep: How to lighten the bike...
 

Ok guys, a while ago (when I was going to buy a DR) I got together a list of mods in preparation for the Long Road - mainly for DRs - some generic things.

Now - I need your help, to make a "Definitive Bike Prep" list for XT600s, since we've bought two, and will be prepping them this year.

Soo - first question is:

What modifications have you done/ would you recommend, to LIGHTEN an XT600?

Please tell me whether you've done it, did it work, what products you used etc....

I will, again, collate all the answers and hopefully make a definitive list (for our purpose) but publish it here too, so all the ideas are in one place.

Thanks!!

Go on a diet.

He speaks the Truth.....
 

Not that any of us are suggesting your overweight......But he speaks the Truth....There is not a lot you can do to an XT.

Maybe...... if your keen....

Remove rear passenger Footpegs & Hangers (If no pillion to be carried)
Remove Helmet lock if fitted
fit alloy renthal handlebars if steel ones fitted

That should save you about 2lbs!:thumbup1:

after that, pack light & yep, Diet!

Martyn

'What modifications have you done/ would you recommend, to LIGHTEN an XT600?'

My XT is ready to go, but I think my mods have made it heavier than it was originally.

The only ones which saved weight are Renthal bars, and alloy wheels.

All the others:

Big tank,
Bigger bashplate,
Racks and panniers,
Getting rid of any cheesy bolts,

Actually gain weight.

Lose your standard rims, and that will get rid of a load of rotating weight, that is probably the most useful weight you could lose. Other than that...?

Oh, useful to keep your kit light, so less weight is high up.

Happy Riding

Joel

Have you tried helium in your tyres???:thumbup1:

Tom:cool4:

Very usefull then...
 

[ Sigh! ]

I didn't have this much trouble with the guys on the DR forum...!

Must make a note that XT Riders Don't Play Nicely with Others. :devil2::devil2:


:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:


Fine then....







7. Replace rims with alloys and that will get rid of a load of rotating weight, that is probably the most useful weight you could lose [Birdy]


9. Replace some bolts with Aluminium in unstressed locations -

• may not be a good idea for serious offroading, due to differing metal strengths [Lovely DR riders]

10. Replace odometer

• Digital Panoram / Sigma BC800 bicycle computer [Lovely DR riders]

11. Replace factory pipe with good aftermarket pipe [Lovely DR riders]

12. Remove 1/2-3/4" from side stand [Lovely DR riders]

13. Swap stock indicators for smaller, lighter ones [Lovely DR riders]

14. Replace stock seat with Corbin (comfort and weight saving)[Lovely DR riders]

The way things are
 

He he he....... this thread is funny:thumbup1:

There simply aint much you can do to lighten an XT. Simply because there aint nothing you can remove from them.These are very basic bikes to begin with,and what ever is on them is there for a reason.

Changeing exhaust and rims are probably the only thing that will save you some weight,what ever you gain from it will be marginal and you have to take a look inside your wallet and figure out if you think it´s worth it:cool4:

The rims are probably the best thing to have a look at since they can start to "chip" on the inside due to corrotion, and that will give you a puncture when the inner tube rubbs against it.
And if you are having them replaced go for a set of Heavy duty spokes to keep your wheel nice and tight.

Modifying the XT is more about makeing it more comfortable and fit to your needs than saveing weight, at least that is how I see it.


Good luck and have fun (at the end of the day that´s why we ride isn´t it?):cool4:

OK - I think I get the message...
 

:thumbup1: :thumbup1:

Obviously we'll have to balance cost with actual value -- but we're girls. And even a 2lbs saving, means we can take MORE MAKE-UP!

Ofcourse, we're dieting too. :rolleyes2::rolleyes2: But would prefer to make the bikes lighter, and eat more chocolate!

ahaa.....
 

So that´s why there are so feve female riders, chocolate. :cool4:

Sorry to barge in, but ....
 

There is a lot you can get rid of, like:

- E-start: remove the starter motor, relais and install smaller battery. Install kickstart of course

- Plastics: the silly airscoops on the tank come to mind

- Aftermarket exhaust iso the standard one

- Indicators? Wo needs indicators?

- If installed: engine crash bars, I already do 5 years without

- Mirrors: one is enough

And of course, pack less!

Auke

I played nicely!

*Joel feels like retarded kid looking for a pat on the head*

• 'Digital Panoram / Sigma BC800 bicycle computer [Lovely DR riders]
  
  12. Remove 1/2-3/4" from side stand [Lovely DR riders]
  
  13. Swap stock indicators for smaller, lighter ones'

These mods will save weight, but we are talking about a couple of grams only. (Probably the difference of taking an extra pair of shoes, or a Marks and Sparks make-up bag over a Vuitton.)

You won't notice the difference of these mods, except in your wallet. I still say switch your wheels and lighten your luggage. Sorry, forgot about changing the stock exhaust system.

Happy Riding

Joel

9. Replace some bolts with Aluminium in unstressed locations -

• may not be a good idea for serious offroading, due to differing metal strengths [Lovely DR riders]

Carefull with aluminum... it's alot softer/ more liable to shear ( as you've mentioned above) but also steel and alu don't mix.... you need to isolate them, when aluminum and steel are in direct contact, accelerated corrosion will occur.

When looking at the cost of replacing parts for aftermarket/lighter weight ones; concider the weight savings compared to the fatc that an extra 200-500 GB pounds is another few weeks on the road.

Also as others say, look at the gear weight. Have a google search for lightweight hiking and "thru hiking" some good resources there for you clothing and cooking, sleeping kit. etc.
Some of it is a bit extreme but have a look and saving some weight in one part so you can carry a more comfortable something else (i.e. sleeping mat - gotta get a good nights sleep) or whatever.
Protential for some massive weight savings. Some of it will be pricey ( worth it????) some won't be.

Get a set of electronic kitchen scales and start weighing everything (tools etc as well) It startes to give you a greater idea of exactly where the weight is and maybe where you can (and can't ) save weight.
By doing this i was able to get my hiking pack down to just under 6 kilos ( plus food) for a 6 day hike. This included my clothing , pack, cooking pots/cooker, tent, sleeping bag the lot.

Just depends on how keen you are about it. A good balance for you is there somewhere

For a tutorial on lifting a dropped BM GS just follow the links from this page:

Pink Ribbon Rides

Cheers!

Wow, this is nuts! :)

What on earth is the point in saving a few grams on a bike that weighs, what, 165kg dry? :) And that's before you load it up with luggage and petrol and oil! I would put money on you not being able to tell the difference between a loaded XT that weighed even five or ten kilos less and one that hadn't been stripped down by riding them!

Personally I'd keep the steel wheels as they are strong and easily fixed in the middle of nowhere. But I have no experience of ally wheels, so... :)

Not to badmouth the DR boys, but cutting down your side stand to save weight sounds totally daft. In soft sand/earth the increased incline of the bike is just going increase the chances of your bike toppling over. In fact the sensible thing to do to your side stand is weld some more flat onto the foot to give it more stability in soft ground, a mod I will eventually get round to ;)

The bars though, definately worth getting a good set, I finally got some renthals after destroying two sets of Yamaha OE bars.

Dieting: A joke, but actually there's a good point here. Don't diet but do some strength training. This'll help you control an inevitably heavy bike in the soft stuff.

Removing a mirror? Well, it's all personal I suppose but in many parts of the world I'd want as much of a view of what was charging up behind me as possible! :)

I reckon at the end of the day the way to save weight is to take less crap in your luggage. I took WAY too much stuff on my big trip. Think about what you REALLY need and what is just pointless luxury or being over cautious in terms of tools and spares. A time honoured way of limiting your guff is to buy smaller luggage, time hounored because it does actually work!

Matt :)

PS- Pointless modifying is a common hobby amongst all sorts of enthusiasts. (You should see the twatting about mountain bikers get up to). But you should ask yourself whether you are doing it for fun or because you really need to, what the associated costs are and what you could more usefully spend the money on.

Lightweight rules
 

Good going there Steve - you've worked in selling this stuff, so what kind/brand of kit were you carrying?
Just in general, without repeating the long threads about "best tent" etc

Cheers,