Which Model...How Much?

[jonsvba]

Hi Guys, newbie to forum. After some info........surprise surprise! I am after an AT as i understand they are an excellent all-rounder. Also they look the biz! I have bought the Haynes manual to try and suss out which model (apparently L through 2) and there seems to be very little differences. Is this correct. Also, are there any things that i should look out for/avoid like the plague. I have seen several references throughout the forum to RD04's and RD07's 'scuse my ignorance but what does this refer to?
Final thing....'onest. What can I expect to pay for a good 'un. Is it worth me buying a dog and overhaulin' it.....parts availability etc

[StumpyFingers]

Welcome to the forum.
The designation RD4, RD7 is mainly the same bike but with updates due to the later being newer.
Price depends on the condition, but keep an eye of the for sale section of this forum for the best deal.

[fatowl]

Welcome to the madhouse!
Check out http://www.xrv.org.uk/wiki/index.php...#Modifications
for some pretty pix...

[Whealie]

RD03 the original 650 single front brake model.
RD04 early 750 hard as nails work horse
RD07 pretty boy, changes sprockets, forks, design, more economical but still capable.

The older ones are slightly more difficult to get parts for but not impossible.

Getting a wreck and doing it up is fun, will cost more but at least you'll know how rock solid it is. The engines will run and run. I have RD04s with 60,000 and nearly 90,000 miles on them.

[tedmagnum]

Expect to pay around £2000 for a high miler late 90's machine which will probably need 200 quids worth of tidying up..

Mint low milage machines go for £3000 +

Not many about now so theres a fair bit of competition keeping the prices high...

I personally cant see the point of spending £3500 on an AT though (some go for that), when you can have a BRAND new Tenere for £4800 !!

[BobA]

Hello Jon

Welcome to the best resource on the web for XRV's

The first AT was the RD03 produced from late 1988 I believe, through to about 1990. This bike was a 650cc, only available in Red, white & blue livery, and it's most noticeable feature is the large white shroud over it's single front disk.

The next bike was the RD04 which was a 750cc, and production overlapped with the earlier 650 bike. RD04's were available in a lot of colours, and the later ones also had the trip computer.

The RD03 and RD04 are VERY similar. The frames are basically the same, and aside from 100cc difference capacity, the 04 got twin front disks, an oil cooler, and slightly different bodywork.

The RD07 was the final variant of the Africa Twin and features a different frame (silver) and bodywork. The mechanical differences are mainly carbs and the ECU (I think), aimed at improving the AT's touring credentials.

If you are looking to buy I would suggest the following...

Look around, there are pleanty of AT's out there.
Pay as much as you can afford for the best bike.

Parts are available for all models, but are obviously a bit harder to get for the older ones.

The main bits to watch out for are;

Corrosion on wheel rims. If they are corroded outside, they WILL be corroded inside. Rim replacement is the only costly option.

Gearbox output shaft failure. This happens if the chain is incorrectly adjusted, and causes the front sprocket to shear the slines off the output shaft. This is a MEGA expensive repair, and most people just end up buying a replacement second-hand engine. Look for overtight drive chains, and whip the front sprocket cover off to check if you can.

There are other problems which can pop up, like fuel pump and rec/reg, but these are easily swappable by anyone, and if they are faulty on the the bike, it wont run anyway!

The most common gripe for AT's is a sticking choke mechanism, and this will show in the idling and running of the bike, but is repairable by anyone.

All AT's are beginning to enjoy a cult status, and the earlier bikes, especially the RD03 seem to get snapped up quick.


Take your time, and be prepared to walk away until you find the right bike. It's well worth subscribing for a measly £10 so you can post in the Wanted/For Sale part of this forum, and then you may pick up a good well cared for bike from a forum member.


Good Luck


Bob

[Andy13B]

I just bought an RD04 myself... First @ and i love it!! Went for it rather than the RD07 as its bulkier and looks better imo...

[BobA]

Sorry, I forgot to mention


XRV650 J & K are RD03's

XRV750 L, M, N are RD04's

both have white frames



XRV750 P, R, S, T, V, W, X are RD07's

which has a silver frame




Bob

[chronyx]

Ey up, I'm not far from you (Addlestone) and our very own BIGROG is in Ascot

[xrv_jim]

Just to confuse matters a little more there are two variants of the '07.

RD07 ('93 to '95). Has air forks (like RD04), four coils (one per plug).
RD07a ('96 to '03). Slightly revised bodywork (different screen and nose fairing), revised ECU/throttle position sensor on the carbs.