Tyre (and other) advice please?

[ghostridergary]

Hello Folks

Just bought myself a 2000 AT (having sold my '92 Blade which I've had for 7 years - what a change.....) and hoped that you learned people might be able to share your wisdom with a novice AT'er- I'm planning on a 3-4 month jaunt round Europe/ Middle East/ North Africa and would like some advice , particularly on tyres and spares. Current mileage is 20K.

She's currently shod with Metzeler Tourance's but these need replacing. Any suggestions? I guess it will mainly be tarmac plus gravel tracks, and the odd off road bit - not too much motorway I hope!

Also I'm servicing her before I go but any other suggestions on parts which are known to be unreliable/ breakdown after 20,000 miles (fuel pumps/ ignition) which should be replaced or taken as spares?

Cheers

Gary

[YEN_POWELL]

Most things that may go wrong won't stop you travelling. Silly little things that go wrong with ATs like minor electrical faults.

Learn to repair a puncture, get your spokes sorted before you go, fit new chain and sprockets, carry a spare fuel pump, a spare clutch cable and a spare throttle pull cable.

Tyre choice depends on what sort of terrain you want to ride on

[LaughingBob]

Agree with all the above. Advice re-spare fuel pump can't be over emphasized, if there is an inherent problem with the @ that's it. In addition it's worth checking the age and condition of the battery. If it's more than a couple of years old I'd change it.

Early bikes, which include the RD04, had a problem with wheel bearings wearing out prematurely. The problem seems to have been the lack of a shield on the original items. It would be worthwhile checking them out and if necessary changing them before you go.

The 'Tourance's you have fitted are a popular choice for @ & GS owners on RTW's, although I've not had them personally, they seem to last well and give reasonable grip. On my old bike I had the orginal Trailwings which lasted well, about 12000 miles for the rear, and gave reasonable grip in the wet. I replaced these with Metzler 'Enduro 2's. These seemed to wear alot faster than the Trailwings. Grip was good in the wet and they were more stable. The increase in wear may have been more noticable due to the increase in M-Way & A road riding I was doing at the time.

[YEN_POWELL]

Now you mention it, my original rear wheel bearing went at very low mileage. In fact it shattered during removal, it was so corroded. I always remove the rubber shield on new bearings and place a little extra grease inside. Then I replace the rubber shields and fit the bearings. This makes them last twice as long as usual and is well worth doing if you cross a lot of fords. My DR350 swears by it, which is a bit different to me swearing when they used to wear out so quickly.

On the spares front, I took spare brake/clutch levers. They fit under the seat along with a spare front tube, small tyre levers, toolkit, a hand pump, spare fuses and a puncture repair kit. It's a real struggle to fit them in as I seem to pack them differently each time they come out. This is most annoying because it's always to help someone else who hasn't got anything when they hit problems.

I taped the spare cables alongside existing. I now know that you can change a clutch cable fitted this way very quickly at 2am in the dark, by feel, although your new pale coloured motorbike jacket will never look the same again.

A little bit of cash in the airtbox for emergencies and taped in before rubbing a layer of grease around the inside to make your airfilter stay clean a bit longer.

Ian

[ghostridergary]

Thanks for the advice chaps - one final question.... can anyone suggest a good supplier of fuel pumps (or should I get one from Honda)?

Cheers

Gary

[ogri wannabe]

Hi Don't by the Honda one It's unrealistically expensive Call African Queens they will send you a mechanical(as opposed the the electrical one fitted) mikuni fuel pump, all for Approx £45 it is easy to fit(the instructions are in german!) and lasts for as long as the bike( I have one on my bike)
Hope this helps.
PS If you do get the mikuni PM me with any problems or advice.
Richard

[paultheold]

I will send for one of thoes as well,

[DaveS]

Would someone like to either provide me with some words and/or pictures and I will write an article on it for everyone to share.