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My upgraded Honda CRF300L Rally 2.0

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1 January 2023

After 43.000 kilometers of abuse to my little single-cylinder Honda CRF300L Rally, it was time for some maintenance. I had fallen in love with this motorcycle so much that I wanted to continue riding it around the world. Since the bike had to come pretty much entirely apart to change the worn countershaft, I figured this would be a good time to give the bike some upgrades. In fact, it would be now or never, because taking on a project like this while on the road would be impossible. 

So besides the normal wear and tear that could have been expected at this point in time, I did all the upgrades I thought were worth doing. In this blogpost I will list all the upgrades that I made to the bike in Alaska. Most parts, including all the Honda parts, I purchased myself. A few aftermarket products were given to me for free. To stay transparent, I'll mention the parts that were given to me for free.

Taller Windshield & Radiator Guard

SRC Moto makes all sorts of aftermarket parts and they supported me in the past with parts too. This time was no different and they supplied me with two parts for free: a taller windshield and a radiator guard

My length in combination with the bike setup results in some wind buffeting and that's why I wanted to try riding with a taller windshield to hopefully improve riding comfort for me. They only had a 'smoke' colored windshield left in stock, so that's the one that I received. 

Additionally, they also sent me a proper radiator guard, to replace the stock, plastic one. This is one of those mods I should have done ages ago, so I'm glad I've got that sorted now! 

Rear Sprocket 

Another company that helped me with some free parts, was Dirt Tricks. They sent me a chrome rear sprocket, which is 2.5 times stronger than stainless steel and should last much longer too.

Finding sprockets while on the road has proven very difficult in Central America so that's why I am hoping I don't have to search too much for them with this sprocket! 

Camel ADV Tank

My next adventures will be in a part of the world where I might have to cover long distances without petrol stations and that's why I thought it was time to expand my fuel capacity.

Camel ADV sent me this 5 liter camel tank, which mounts perfectly on the side of the bike, right underneath my luggage system

All the aftermarket parts listed from here on, I purchased myself and were not sponsored. 

Arrow Exhaust 

The first thing I bought was a different exhaust. My four (!) reasons for doing so: saving weight, lower running temperatures, better sound, and better look.

I bought the Arrow exhaust on Revzilla.com, but I can't link to it as the exhaust is no longer available. 

Seat 

Even though the stock seat of the Honda CRF300L Rally is much, much better than what I was used to on the RE Himalayan. I decided I could do even better.

I always had heard good things about Seat Concepts, so I thought it was time to put them to the test. I bought a Comfort Seat from them, which I picked up in Idaho as they don't ship to Alaska unfortunately.

Fatbar 

One of the main upgrades to the bike was a different handlebar. I didn't like the stock handlebar very much because it comes with a little bar in the middle, making it hard to mount cameras on the handlebar. The thickness and strength of the stock handlebar is also a little questionable.

I also added handlebar risers to get to the perfect height of the bar and improve my posture when I'm standing on the pegs. 

I bought a Pro Taper Evo Bar Adventure (part number 024026). 

Doubletake Mirrors

In Season 6, it turned out I was very talented in the subtle art of breaking motorcycle mirrors. In El Salvador, I managed to break the 'unbreakable' doubletake mirror.

Since I couldn't replace that mirror while on the road, I replaced it with 'normal' motorcycle mirrors, and I managed to break two more of those!

Ultimately, the doubletake mirrors should be superior (even though I also broke one of those) and that's why I decided to get a pair of these again for Season 7! 

Sheepskin Seat Cover 

When I started riding to Prudhoe Bay from Anchorage, I borrowed an Alaska Leather sheepskin cover for my seat from Bill. I'd never had such a seat cover, but I very much liked the look (and feel!) of it. I figured it would make a great souvenir from Alaska to buy one for myself, and that's exactly what I did! 

Barkbusters Hand Guards 

Hand guards somehow get abused and battered a lot on my motorcycles (I wonder why!). I've gone through a couple of them on my way to Alaska and it was time to replace them again for Season 7.

Bill ordered some Barkbusters for me, and I'm not quite sure which type they are exactly, but they have aluminum bars in them (I never go for just plastic, way too weak). I am just hoping that these ones will last a fair bit going into Season 7. 

And that's it. These were all the aftermarket parts that I've added to my trusty Alaska. I can't wait for the new adventures to begin! 

Comments
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I have been following you since your visit of my country Zimbabwe! Keep up the good work! Looking forward to your new adventure

Kris C  | 

Thanks, Kris!

Noraly  | 

The bikes looking good almost new again.

daveyrb  | 

Thank you, she does look great!

Noraly  | 

Congratulations on the rebuild and for getting her exactly the way you want her. You must feel very proud 😊. Here’s wishing you health, and happiness in 2023. I am looking forward to seeing your new adventures- wherever they may be! 🎉🥂🍇🏍️

humphreyg  | 

I am very happy with the rebuild:)

Noraly  | 

Happy new year, und ein gutes Rutsch ins neues Jahr!
That sheepskin should be good to sit on, and if you're going where I think you are, then there should be plenty of spare parts walking around if you wear it out. ;)
Will be very interesting to see how that new rear sprocket works and lasts. When it comes to hard metals that stand up well against wear, it quite often means that that very same metal can be brittle.

Jonas E  | 

Happy New Year Noraly!! Great upgrades for both performance and comfort, that little 300L deserves it, puppy love =)

Where petrol is hard to find across vast distances, hmm I’ll throw in my guess as the Outback of Australia 🇦🇺

The very best of wishes for 2023, looking forward to Season 7, and here’s to more sponsorships especially from one big company, deservedly! Be safe.

AugustO  | 

Alaska looks a stonker in her new dress! 🤗
Can't wait to see her put to new uses! I have been making bets with myself for weeks already which the next journey will be, apparently lost one already.
If you get bored sitting in the Netherlands (Oh yeah, Jürgen. Noraly doesn't have enough things on her agenda…) maybe take a closer look at reanimating Dannho, now that you cut your teeth in the engineering side of motorcycling?
I remember how you sat in your hotel room in Peru worrying your head off about her. Would be a nice project to breathe life back into her, who had been declared dead. That could do for a couple of videos to bridge the hiatus a bit. Just a thought. It's not me being greedy or needy for Itchy Boots videos. Noo! 🤭 I could stop watching them any time, really! I am not adicted!!1! I am… 💥🤯
…and Itchy Boots keeps getting new facets, now it's engineering and subtle arts added! 🤗
…and I start to wonder if there is a missing era of human evolution in the known record of our species, seeing all the bikers enjoying and wanting sheep skin on their seats… Trees, bipedalism, savannah dwelling, sheep riding? 🤔 Is there something in our genes? Instinct? 🤔²

Zweispurmopped  | 

Happy New Year Noraly. Alaska just looks amazing now, WOW WHAT A BIKE. I've always wondered why people are particularly interested in big adventure bikes instead of the small ones? We need more small capacity bikes. The barkbusters, i could be wrong but they look like the type called Storm. Thank you so much for taking us on your adventures around the world. Of pure curiosity do you know the danish adventure rider Henriette "for the love of whells" she is following you. I'm Looking forward to season 7.

Lund  | 

Tell me where you're going next and I won't tell anyone.

lobosolitario  | 

Ha ha, it's a surprise!

Noraly  | 

Hi Noraly, happy new year, with your new plans and Alaska 2.0. The bikes look really good ! I guess Australia could be the new continent you will explore, looking forward to that. Only one thing : je nieuwe logo lijkt erg veel op die van Max Verstappen…..
Succes !!

PanamaJohn  | 

As your trails seem to be getting rougher and subsequently leaving the bike unexpectedly I have been working on my
new "Crash No More" riding suit. Basically It inflates by a ripcord attached to the handlebars and you bounce safely down the trail until you come to a safe halt similar to a Macy Day Parade Balloon.
There is a slight problem when riding on mountain trails of bouncing down the mountain but I am working on that.
Looking forward to your next adventure.

autochrome  | 
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