Very Low Mileage X Challenge to Convert to RTW. Pitfalls and Cost

[EyeCake]

I am semi retired and just had Hip replacement. I have done about 60.000 km on 08 GSA around Eastern Europe, Balkans, near Russia and Scandinavia in the last 2 years.
I am inspired by travel to exotic locations and next might be Stans, Siberia, Mongolia but not quite as extreme as BAM and Road of Bones.
While the GSA has been very reliable it is too heavy for more challenging conditions, mud and sand but also for me to pick up fully loaded Iam looking for something smaller and more suitable. list would probably be BMW650 or KTM 690
I have found a 07 X Challenge ind a layer of dust in a warehouse with 4000 km, cosmetically very good but no service stamps since 09. It starts perfectly but rear air suspension needs pumping up. Chain is stiff and slack but sprockets look ok. Allegedly original tyres still have 50% life but light mud covering 40% of radiator
What do people think would be main problems arising from not using a bike for so long, e.g., dried seals, bearings etc.
The second question what would the cost of converting to long distance traveller and where to get it done as my mechanical skills are fairly basic.
Luggage/ frame, bags
Suspension (do I need to modify front as well back and which do you recommend)
Screen or console with extra protection
Handguards and levers
Heated grips,( is power system capable of running this and other accessories
Lights (Zenon or LCD?)
Fuel range ( how large tank without destroying balance and advantage of light bike
Seat looks very uncomfortable for long distances, (recommendations)
Anything else I might have forgotten.

Lastly is this worth all the work or should I buy the KTM and replace the fuel pump

 

[Timpo]

Neiher the XC or 690 are rtw bikes from the crate. It purchase price of the XC will be less than that of a 690, then the moeny saved can go to mods.
The mods you list are basic nuts and bolts mods, easy and if you have already travelled where you say, the incidents you may or experienced should have given you enough knowledge to make yourself a bike up.
My XC has had a couple of tweeks, and i reckon £2500 it would cost to do it again. That's with the Ohlins rear unit and 690eR forks, etc.
But there is also the 650GS which has great road characteristics and some trail capability, or are you aimed at a full-on assault 'off-road'......?

Timpo.

 

[Losttheplot]

You will need to sort the seat as well! the standard item is an implement of torture.

From what you wish to have done, it may be worth taking the bike to Holland.

Baz at hyperpro has done several of these bikes, both front end swops and supplying rear shocks.
rear shock price £350 for basic emulsion shock up to £900 for the all singing all dancing version with hydraulic preload adjuster. Forks could be as little as a set of springs, a Marzocchi shiver conversion or a full KTM WP swop.

Eric at hot rod welding is also in that neck of the woods. Eric makes up good quality fairing and dash assemblies for the XC bikes. He also makes Luggage racks and the x tank, and would probably fabricate anything else you might like.

Rayz saddles is also over that way. His work isn't cheap, but it's so comfy, and worth every penny IMHO.

Basic mods to mine (WP front end, x tank,rayz seat, and rear shock) stand me in at around £2700.

The brushguards, bash plate, case saver and TT chain guide another £300 give or take.

HTH.

nathan

 

[EyeCake]

Neiher the XC or 690 are rtw bikes from the crate. It purchase price of the XC will be less than that of a 690, then the moeny saved can go to mods.
The mods you list are basic nuts and bolts mods, easy and if you have already travelled where you say, the incidents you may or experienced should have given you enough knowledge to make yourself a bike up.
My XC has had a couple of tweeks, and i reckon £2500 it would cost to do it again. That's with the Ohlins rear unit and 690eR forks, etc.
But there is also the 650GS which has great road characteristics and some trail capability, or are you aimed at a full-on assault 'off-road'......?

Timpo.

Thanks for reply. No not a full on assault like Walter Colebatch's epic across Russia by tracks only but making a safe, light reliable bike with off road capabilities without spending a fortune as would have no theft insurance for many of places I want to go.
my main concern was possible problems through lack of use or love as reliability is very important to me.

 

[EyeCake]

You will need to sort the seat as well! the standard item is an implement of torture.

From what you wish to have done, it may be worth taking the bike to Holland.

Baz at hyperpro has done several of these bikes, both front end swops and supplying rear shocks.
rear shock price £350 for basic emulsion shock up to £900 for the all singing all dancing version with hydraulic preload adjuster. Forks could be as little as a set of springs, a Marzocchi shiver conversion or a full KTM WP swop.

Eric at hot rod welding is also in that neck of the woods. Eric makes up good quality fairing and dash assemblies for the XC bikes. He also makes Luggage racks and the x tank, and would probably fabricate anything else you might like.

Rayz saddles is also over that way. His work isn't cheap, but it's so comfy, and worth every penny IMHO.

Basic mods to mine (WP front end, x tank,rayz seat, and rear shock) stand me in at around £2700.

The brushguards, bash plate, case saver and TT chain guide another £300 give or take.

HTH.

nathan

Thanks for such quick reply and details of where to go and approx prices.
The seat is very important for long days on rough roads for someone of my age.
Taking the bike to Holland for conversion would probably be the best plan
Do you have a picture and price for seat as some others not as complimentary about Rayz seats although I have no experience

 

[mhsnowy]

I'm off to Holland at the end of February to get my rear shock serviced by Bas and a preload adjuster added.
Will also pop into see Erik while I'm there to see whats new on the X mods.

I went to Holland when I first got my XC and visited Erik to fit a front fairing kit and an X-tank. Very helpful man.

It's worth the journey in my opinion.

 

[casperghst42]

Actually the xChallange out of the box will work just fine - the major thing is if you can live with the air shock, the rest is just things which makes it easier to live with.

From my experience; the clutch can be either good or bad, fixable to a certain degree, but it really depends if you want to play around with changing the clutch and clutch cover.

Otherwise go for it, they are tremendously fun to ride.

Casper

 

[Bliss]

Curious how this plays out.
Keep us posted!

 

[rocky burns]

Here's my custom built xchallenge, Didn't cost a fortune to build, and done in my spare time..

And it works great

<a href="http://imgur.com/urYg1Ng"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/urYg1Ngl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>

<a href="http://imgur.com/MwVNiXs"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/MwVNiXsl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>

Main things i'd change are,
Seat
Front forks, Marzochi shivers do the job,
Rear shock, get rid of the air shock,
Large tank,

The rest i could live with..

 

[Zorro]

Agree; I've done many of the mods mentioned and you end up with a great bike. Surprisingly I'm still with the original seat - it is hard... must add to the to-do list. What is the risk with an unused bike? I'd say very small - these XCs are bullet proof. Fantastic bikes!

 

[mhsnowy]

Ive just got a replacement seat from Seat Concepts in USA. First impressions are that is is really good.

 

[Robster]

Here's my custom built xchallenge, Didn't cost a fortune to build, and done in my spare time..

And it works great

<a href="http://imgur.com/urYg1Ng"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/urYg1Ngl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>


That KTM fairng really looks awesome on there... you could sell a few of those on here I'm sure!


<a href="http://imgur.com/MwVNiXs"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/MwVNiXsl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>

Main things i'd change are,
Seat
Front forks, Marzochi shivers do the job,
Rear shock, get rid of the air shock,
Large tank,

The rest i could live with..

That KTM fairing looks really awesome on the bike... you could sell a few of those I'm sure!

 

[rocky burns]

That KTM fairing looks really awesome on the bike... you could sell a few of those I'm sure!

I have been asked by 2 different people, must have done something right,
Just wish I had the time