We are both riding Yamaha XT660R's, we wanted the same bikes, and these seemed to tick all the boxes. We didn't want hard core off roaders, as most of our trip will be on sealed or formed roads, but we wanted them to have the ability to cop some ordinary stuff when they had to. We bought Lyn's as a repairable right-off from an auction in Townsville, and mine came from a guy in Melbourne who changed his mind about a trip he was planning. They are both 2009 models.
Modifications
Suspension
We have replaced the standard rear shocks with Wilbers units, and lowered Lyn's bike 50mm at the same time. The front springs were replaced at the same time, also with Wilbers springs to suit the rear units.
Handlebars
Mine already had tapered alloy bars fitted, while Lyn's had badly bent standard ones on it when we got it, so they were replaced with tapered alloy bars as well. After a few trial rides, Lyn decided the position was wrong, so some Harley pull-back risers were modified to suit, lifting the bars about 120mm, and bringing them back closer to her, to keep her back straighter. A longer clutch cable had to made to fit. Barkbusters are fitted to both bikes.
Seats
Lyn's was modified by a local upholsterer, making it a little lower, and putting some softer foam in for a bit more comfort. At present mine is still standard, we'll see how it goes...........
Luggage
Lyn didn't want hard panniers, as she was worried about getting her foot caught under them in a fall, so she has Wolfman Expedition soft panniers, but an aluminium top box, so things can be locked up inside. I preferred the aluminium panniers, which will contain the tools, spares, some of the camping gear, and other stuff that can stay on the bike overnight, and I am taking a Dririder expandable soft bag on the rack on the back. It and and the soft panniers will go the rooms at night, leaving the lockable aluminium stuff to provide some security for the gear on the bikes. The aluminium panniers & top box came from Lockie at MTD on the Sunshine Coast, a local guy who rides and uses his own gear, and is now supplying a lot of riders and hire companies both in Australia, and overseas. Good gear, and competitively priced. His website is www.mtdtours.com . The frames for both I made myself. The rear rack on Lyn's is a B&B, while mine is one I made.
Bashplates
As my bike has a Metal Mule 2 into 1 exhaust fitted, it also has a Metal Mule bash plate, as this mounts up closer to the engine with out the exhausts under there, whereas Ly's has the standard header pipes (with GYTR cans) under the engine, so a B&B bash plate was fitted to hers.
Others
I made up some engine protection/highway peg bars for both bikes, after seeing how effective they were in protecting the engine when Lyn crashed her Harley in 2008. Hopefully they will do the job should they be needed on this trip.
Both bikes have Metal Mule radiator protectors, and the tall screens from Yamaha accessories.
I also made up a mounting plate for 12v power outlets on both bikes, along with a switch for an LED light. A separate fuse box was mounted ender the seat to power these items, along with heated grips to be fitted later (we won't need these in Asia!).
Both bikes also have Kev mods and O2 sensor mods fitted. I also made up some mesh headlight protectors for both bikes.
Modifications
Suspension
We have replaced the standard rear shocks with Wilbers units, and lowered Lyn's bike 50mm at the same time. The front springs were replaced at the same time, also with Wilbers springs to suit the rear units.
Handlebars
Mine already had tapered alloy bars fitted, while Lyn's had badly bent standard ones on it when we got it, so they were replaced with tapered alloy bars as well. After a few trial rides, Lyn decided the position was wrong, so some Harley pull-back risers were modified to suit, lifting the bars about 120mm, and bringing them back closer to her, to keep her back straighter. A longer clutch cable had to made to fit. Barkbusters are fitted to both bikes.
Seats
Lyn's was modified by a local upholsterer, making it a little lower, and putting some softer foam in for a bit more comfort. At present mine is still standard, we'll see how it goes...........
Luggage
Lyn didn't want hard panniers, as she was worried about getting her foot caught under them in a fall, so she has Wolfman Expedition soft panniers, but an aluminium top box, so things can be locked up inside. I preferred the aluminium panniers, which will contain the tools, spares, some of the camping gear, and other stuff that can stay on the bike overnight, and I am taking a Dririder expandable soft bag on the rack on the back. It and and the soft panniers will go the rooms at night, leaving the lockable aluminium stuff to provide some security for the gear on the bikes. The aluminium panniers & top box came from Lockie at MTD on the Sunshine Coast, a local guy who rides and uses his own gear, and is now supplying a lot of riders and hire companies both in Australia, and overseas. Good gear, and competitively priced. His website is www.mtdtours.com . The frames for both I made myself. The rear rack on Lyn's is a B&B, while mine is one I made.
Bashplates
As my bike has a Metal Mule 2 into 1 exhaust fitted, it also has a Metal Mule bash plate, as this mounts up closer to the engine with out the exhausts under there, whereas Ly's has the standard header pipes (with GYTR cans) under the engine, so a B&B bash plate was fitted to hers.
Others
I made up some engine protection/highway peg bars for both bikes, after seeing how effective they were in protecting the engine when Lyn crashed her Harley in 2008. Hopefully they will do the job should they be needed on this trip.
Both bikes have Metal Mule radiator protectors, and the tall screens from Yamaha accessories.
I also made up a mounting plate for 12v power outlets on both bikes, along with a switch for an LED light. A separate fuse box was mounted ender the seat to power these items, along with heated grips to be fitted later (we won't need these in Asia!).
Both bikes also have Kev mods and O2 sensor mods fitted. I also made up some mesh headlight protectors for both bikes.
