So, the X challenge

[Big Den]

Your knowledge is amazing, well I need to see one in the flesh then make a move. I asked my local offroad dealer his opinion and he said two local guys bought one but both sold within months as both could not get on with them, no specifics as to why

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Your knowledge is amazing, well I need to see one in the flesh then make a move. I asked my local offroad dealer his opinion and he said two local guys bought one but both sold within months as both could not get on with them, no specifics as to why

If you're used to Katooms (I've ridden a few 4 bangers and had the 2 strokes), then you'll find the motor a bit weird.................it lacks the low down grunty,stomp of a traditional enduro thumper

It certainly needs to go down to a 13/14t front sprocket from the stock 15t one..........................this helps the low down tractability in lower gears and is down to the fuel injection being different to a carb fuelled bike..............it tends to pulse on low revs and is a bit weird on downhills when you want to run zero throttle and trickle over obstacles - you have to intersperse a bit of braking

Plus the airshock can allow the backend to rise, when you unload the pegs and/or seat (due to no spring to control the rising )

Apart from that the ergos are good and on the level and uphill the bike is great, the faster you go, the better is goes..................I've had mine at over 80mph on sandy forest firebreaks

The only time I dislike the bike, is in tight rocky trial type terrain that we get in Yorkshire Dales and Wales................which you have to go slow and the bike won't go slow enough on engine braking, without using the brakes in addition and it's tall to have a dab too

But you can ride around this

On the road it is very good, it will sit on the motorway @ 80mph all day long and the little screen you can find in pic 2, makes a world of difference and only cost £13

Tank range is 120 miles and mpg is very good at over 70mpg

Next mod for me is a rear Ohlins - I rode a XCountry with a Sachs shock and it was a lot better on the road

 

[ONYERBIKE]

If you're used to Katooms (I've ridden a few 4 bangers and had the 2 strokes), then you'll find the motor a bit weird.................it lacks the low down grunty,stomp of a traditional enduro thumper

It certainly needs to go down to a 13/14t front sprocket from the stock 15t one..........................this helps the low down tractability in lower gears and is down to the fuel injection being different to a carb fuelled bike..............it tends to pulse on low revs and is a bit weird on downhills when you want to run zero throttle and trickle over obstacles - you have to intersperse a bit of braking

Plus the airshock can allow the backend to rise, when you unload the pegs and/or seat (due to no spring to control the rising )

Apart from that the ergos are good and on the level and uphill the bike is great, the faster you go, the better is goes..................I've had mine at over 80mph on sandy forest firebreaks

The only time I dislike the bike, is in tight rocky trial type terrain that we get in Yorkshire Dales and Wales................which you have to go slow and the bike won't go slow enough on engine braking, without using the brakes in addition and it's tall to have a dab too

But you can ride around this

On the road it is very good, it will sit on the motorway @ 80mph all day long and the little screen you can find in pic 2, makes a world of difference and only cost £13

Tank range is 120 miles and mpg is very good at over 70mpg

Next mod for me is a rear Ohlins - I rode a XCountry with a Sachs shock and it was a lot better on the road

To find that extra tractability it is worth fitting an aftermarket end can,lowering the gearing and removing the airbox lid.
Makes a big difference to the stock bike

 

[Gaz]

Just out of interest, Timpo

How would the XChallenge fared last weekend on the extreme HAF3 ride??

Research purposes only

We did one half mile section of pure ice road. It would have been a bitch to walk down. I took the CRM, only for weight reasons because I knew I would be picking it up a fair bit and so left the XCh at home.

We also did one mental hill climb in the snow. Louisdut got his 690 up it but he described it as a near death experience and didn't want to repeat it the next day

 

[Deleted account 190117001]

Common parts

Ok, the engine is a rotax, bike built at Aprilia. Is the engine fitted to any other bikes or unique to model ?

As far as common parts are concerned.
98% of the engine internals are interchangeable.

I've personally re-built a Xmoto using a 2004 Scarver motor.
(crank,valves,gearbox)

And i'm currently re-building a Xchallenge using a 2001 F650 Dakar motor.
(crank,rod piston,valves,balancer shaft)

One major difference is the cases,they are not interchangeable.
However I'm currently re-working an 01 dakar head
Gas flow+porting ect for the challenge motor.
It looks kind of funny.
Black engine with a grey cylinder head and a black cam cover.