Touring on an XR400?

[Sparks!]

I've got an XR400, well technically its an XR440 with mikuni pumper carb etc if that makes any difference for touring..

I want to go touring, but can't really justify buying a new bike right now as I'm saving for a house...

Today got me thinking , rode the XR for a good 6 or so hours and the only thing that really stopped me going much longer is the uncomfortable seat and the low gearing.. both easily solveable...

So I'm wondering about taking the XR "adventure touring" i.e not neccesarily all on the roads.. just wondering if anyones done similar with the xr400 or simialr small enduro bike (i.e not an africa twin or something!)

Theres a few other issues too like luggage, lighting and power .... i.e being able to charge phones if necessary when riding... XR has no battery, can I fit one?? could do with upgrading the headlight and maybe some extra spot lights if I plan to ride in the dark... I'd probably need some type of dual-sport tyres too really if theres extended road work. I'd probably need to fit an ignition as well as it's got no security at all right now but thats nothing major to do.

So, is it worth sorting the gearing, seat, luggage etc or is it just a bad idea? To be fair i don't plan on doing anything epic distance wise....

The bikes been pretty reliable engine wise so far for trail riding and an enduro race.
____________________
Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[yen_powell]

There's been one or two people who've ridden round the world on XR400s. I think they usually beef up the rear subframe and fit a comfier seat and that's about it.
____________________
Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[silky666]

This guy travels around large parts of South America on his.
From what I can tell the most beneficial alteration was to fit that sheepskin to his seat for comfort.

https://flightoftheplatypus.blogspot.com/

Drop him an email .... he will reply.
I had a few email conversations with him when I had my XR.
(he has some useful articles of XR maintenence on there)

https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c231/individual61/lagunas%20del%20santuario%202/IMG_1631-wmk.jpg
____________________
There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[tatters]

I rode the more fragile XR650R all over scanidnava to russia and back through europe with no problems.


Dont worry about extra lighting as you never ride at night when touring, you will need a sheeps skin for the seat which makes a big difference, if you want to fit a rack dont worry about renforcing the sub frame as its very strong as it is (steel not ally like the 650R). you will need a bigger fuel tank the 25L ones are quite good.

soft luggage is fine and better for lighter bikes, easy to fit a key switch for the ignition though l left my bike for 4 days in st.petersburg with just a disc lock on and it never got nicked

The charging system has enought capaity for a gps and phone charger, anymore and you need to rewind the stator which l did on mine for extra lighting which l did,nt really need.




go for it
____________________
Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[eddclarke]

Do what I did, fit some lights of a XR Baja


https://bikechatforums.com/files/new_lights.jpg

https://bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=68329


https://bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=68328
____________________
Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

[Sparks!]

Was hoping you'd reply to this Alex

The 650 is more fragile than the 400?? didn't know that..

Few questions..

where'd you get the sheepskin seat cover from, the headlight, and the tank luggage stuff in your pics?

Was a bit concerned about how much stuff I'd be able to actually comfortably carry on the XR....

So I can wire in an accessory charging plug to the standard system and it'll be fine? cool.

Edd, your pics aren't loading.
____________________
Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[eddclarke]

[Sparks!]

[eddclarke]

Ugly? I love it, makes it look like some mad robot!

When the electrics are all sorted, they should be pretty bright, but I may need to upgrade the stator.
____________________
Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

[tatters]

[Sparks!]

With the sheep skin.. does it have to be real or can it be fake?? and do you mean literally just a sheepskin rug for example big enough to cover the seat with?

i.e this

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-SHEEPSKIN-SHAPE-WASHABLE-FUR-FAUX-RUG-70-X-100-CM_W0QQitemZ390096682832QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Rugs_SM?hash=item5ad392ff50&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

It's fake and its a rug... does it matter if its real/fake?? should I put some sort of padding under it when recovering too to make it even softer?

Quite a lot of memory foam available on ebay for cheap
____________________
Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[tatters]

Only used real ones on my bikes but fake might be better as you cant wash the real ones that well.
____________________
Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[PiedPiper]

The 650 is much better for this sort of thing. You can fit the massive acerbis tank on the 650.