Back from Morocco

[mikedefieslife]

The xCountry survived a few days of full on Dakar piste without real damage.

Then blew off it's side stand and bend the handlebars

I thought the OEM ones on this bike were decent. I guess not. Which aftermarket bars have a similar height/sweep etc... as the OEM ones?

On a separate note, I used the xChallenge bash plate, and despite some harcore rocky, stony, boulder action, the oil line survived just fine.

 

[Losttheplot]

Handlebars were One of the first things I changed on my xchallenge when I first got it. Had the same renthals fat bars on there for 7 years now and they still look straight. They are available in various bends- well worth a look!

 

[mikedefieslife]

I think fat bars, pro taper, or magura ex bars.

I don't intend to be doing any pistes as tough as some parts in Morocco any time soon, but perhaps asphalt is worse.

On a separate note, I've lost the cap for the BMW diag plug socket.

 

[r1d3rg652gs]

Which fatbars are closer to the stock ones? RC high? KTM high or low?

 

[mikedefieslife]

The Enduro or the CR look closest to me. The KTM ones are too long.

I very crudely measured my bars yesterday.

785 total length
180 clamp area
80 rise
10 height
50 sweep

 

[r1d3rg652gs]

The Enduro or the CR look closest to me. The KTM ones are too long.

I very crudely measured my bars yesterday.

785 total length
180 clamp area
80 rise
10 height
50 sweep

Those figures refer to the stock handlebars?

 

[Timolgra]

The xCountry survived a few days of full on Dakar piste without real damage.

Guess you were just lucky

 

[mikedefieslife]

Those figures refer to the stock handlebars?

Very roughly yes.

Guess you were just lucky

I'm not a fast rider and still dropped the bike 5 times, and got stuck 3 times. Guess you won't see me in any top rallies for a while. But the bike did ok.

I lost a number plate, the mirrors vibrated themselves loose (would have taken them off, but had nowhere to put them), the rear bottomed out, and the self-made bracket for my aux tank failed, but no real damage.

 

[Timolgra]

I lost a number plate, the mirrors vibrated themselves loose (would have taken them off, but had nowhere to put them), the rear bottomed out, and the self-made bracket for my aux tank failed, but no real damage.

Good one

 

[mikedefieslife]

Still sorting through the pictures but here's one.

Just remembered I also lost my wunderlich fender extender, the BMW diagnostic plug cap, and tore my Kreiga fork seal protectors.

Good times though

 

[Timolgra]

Just remembered I also lost my wunderlich fender extender, the BMW diagnostic plug cap, and tore my Kreiga fork seal protectors.

Oh.....
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I'll let the rider tell the following incredable story

 

[mikedefieslife]

I thought snookers on ADV forums was the only known case of a broken swing arm?

At least my bump stop is still intact

 

[r1d3rg652gs]

Very roughly yes.

Thank you for your reply. Does the renthal fatbar fit to the Xchallenge without any mod? Does it match straight out of the box?

 

[Losttheplot]

Thank you for your reply. Does the renthal fatbar fit to the Xchallenge without any mod? Does it match straight out of the box?

I had no issues when fitting mine, but if you have rally guards fitted you may need a new insert kit for the fat bars.

 

[r1d3rg652gs]

I intend to fit the touratech ones. no handguards yet.

 

[mikedefieslife]

I ordered the Renthal Fatbars Enduro bend.

I haven't fitted them yet but offered them up to the bike and they are a good match.

The sweep is very similar. They are about 5-10mm wider, and maybe 25mm lower at the grips.

That last measurement might be a deal breaker for anyone thinks the stock bars are too low.

I've got touratech hand guards but they are actually from an F700. They fit just fine on the OEM bars, so I'll see how I get on with the Renthals.

 

[r1d3rg652gs]

I ordered the Renthal Fatbars Enduro bend.

I haven't fitted them yet but offered them up to the bike and they are a good match.

The sweep is very similar. They are about 5-10mm wider, and maybe 25mm lower at the grips.

That last measurement might be a deal breaker for anyone thinks the stock bars are too low.

I've got touratech hand guards but they are actually from an F700. They fit just fine on the OEM bars, so I'll see how I get on with the Renthals.

Very helpful input. I will be following your progress...

 

[r1d3rg652gs]

I think the closest to the OEM handlebars must be the RC high fatbars...

 

[mikedefieslife]

Alot shorter in the clamp area though, and a fair bit longer too.

Nothing is going to be the same, it's just about choosing something you're comfortable with, which can be hard when all you can do is look at measurements on screen.

I'll feed back on the Enduro bend ones that I have later this week once I get a chance to fit them and ride a few miles on road and trail.

 

[mikedefieslife]

Didn't realise there's a pin holding the controls in place on the bars.

I'm certainly not going to drill my new bars.

What's the easiest pain free method to remove the pin? Note; there's no chance at all to pill it out with pliers.