Africa Twin XRV

[Mike Wilkins]

I have the chance to get a clean 27K late model 2000 I think. Any idea how much to pay, and what to look out for - any weak points ?
Cheers
MIke

 

[MarkShelley]

From a dealer you would be looking at around 4K, so privately I would guess between 3 and 3 1/2.

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

Have a look on here

Great bikes, lovely smooth power delivery, could do with a better seat though

 

[Timolgra]

I may have a mint '97 for sale soon. Only 16k miles, fitted with new crash bars, Touring Scottoiler, Tall screen, after market exhaust plus original and heated grips

New fuel pump, which can go wrong.

 

[Kenny]

I can vouch for Mr Timolgras bike..this is me pointing it out at last Saturdays Dragon Rally !! Still looked immaculate even in a muddy field !!

 

[Timolgra]

I parked at the bottom of the hill to stop you from nicking it

 

[Mike Wilkins]

xrv

picked it up Saturday, paid 2.4K and its only 23K miles. Discreet black / gold colours, very minor cosmetic blemishes (paint on alternator cover where laquer has ben stone chipped and mark on seat from ferry tie down. Few scratches on tank/fairing). Well pleased - pics to follow.
Have checked out the xrv.org site and know what I need to look out for - thanks Tim - Facet pump and spare reg/rect. I also want to get crashbars and centre stand. How the fe** to take the wheels off with no stand !!

 

[RickG]

How the fe** to take the wheels off with no stand !!

Sounds like a good buy. Until you get a stand, a plank under the sump guard and two piles of bricks worked for me. I did about 65,000 miles on mine, 100% reliable, great bike. Keep the rims protected from salt or it's gets under the anodising and makes a mess. Seat is a bit uncomfortable after 200 miles but you get used to it. Two up with luggage the brakes are a bit weak in the mountains but you just have to account for it and be steady. Swapped mine way back for a GS1100 which was a better bike but if you are riding solo there's a lot to be said for the XRV, especially the bulletproof engine. Valve clearance adjustment is fiddly on front pot, being a gynocologist would help.

If I was touring somewhere remote I take a spare fuel pump and rectifier but I'd rather be on a twin than a BM!

Enjoy!

 

[Mike Wilkins]

stand

thanks RickG - thats ok if you're at home (we have a MotoX stand) but what if you get a puncture when out & about !!
It feels quite sophisticated at the mo as I'm used to an airhead GS. I got this to take the heat off the GS, which is suffering from over-use and needs attention
CHeeers
Mike

 

[Timolgra]

I did a 400 mile round trip on my AT last weekend and used an Alaskan Butt Pad, a sheepskin cover which fits onto the seat.
It would have been painful without it

 

[STUBBS]

a nice tidy bike mike shame about that orange thing parked next near it at the pub tonight

 

[Mike Wilkins]

Thanks Ian - but neither you or I noticed the front tyre was half flat !!

 

[RickG]

thanks RickG - thats ok if you're at home (we have a MotoX stand) but what if you get a puncture when out & about !!

Mike

If it's the rear (which it is 90% of the time) it's easy to lean the bike right over on the side stand and then just wedge a big stick or rock under the swinging arm to keep it upright while you take the wheel out. If it's the front then rocks under the sump guard works OK

Much easier if there's someone to help you do this!

I'm not denying a main stand would be the best solution, just where needs must sometimes. In my view the bigger problem is fixing the puncture or whatever, once the wheel is off. The side stand makes a great bead-breaker and I'd carry a spare tube rather than a patch kit.

 

[richie]

I got my vara off of the XRV site and the guy I dealt with was a real gem. The site is not any where near as much craic as here though.

BTW

Pictures please always liked the AT despite buying a vara....

 

[Mike Wilkins]

Richie my mate from whom I bought the AT has gone for a Vara, for a Euro tour this summer. He found a new one with full luggage and centre stand extras for less than 7K. Lot of bike for the money, sounds a good deal

 

[Dazza2]

Just picked up a 52 plate with 21k on the clock,6 months tax & mot,full service history.£1600

 

[Decster]

...any weak points ?

Regulator IIRC is a known weak point on them.

 

[Annette]

The problem with the reg/rec is quite often down to the muck that gets all around it. It you keep it clean and all the terminals are well protected you SHOULD be ok.

They are great bikes. I forayed across to "the other side" and had an Africa Twin for a while. I just found that with the high up fuel tank it was too top heavy for me when offroad and slow maneuvering so went back to BMW.

Timolgra if you want a new and reliable fuel pump we've got them in the shop - here

Never had one of these fail.

 

[Timolgra]

Timolgra if you want a new and reliable fuel pump we've got them in the shop - here

Never had one of these fail.

I think you were out of stock when I needed one, then I was going get a Facet pump off Ebay but as usual I wanted it straight away so after just keeping the tank topped up for a couple of days had to bite the bullet and fit an original but probably get around to fitting one as it looks like I may keep the bike

 

[Mike Wilkins]

pump

Hi Timolgra, if you want to preserve your OEM pump, I thought this was an ingenious solution by French guy Fabienlegall. Its purpose is to stop the arcing which burns out the points. Also on xrv.com but here has better explanation
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12245376&highlight=diode#post12245376