SW Missouri Templar X
 

I've been off dirt scoots for a LONG time. Grew up riding dirt but then took a long break from anything motorcycle related.
Started riding street in '12 with a '91 Nighthawk 750 and have been through a number of different bikes since then.
Current street bike is an '09 Bonneville 900 that I've got setup for light ADV and touring but the dirt roads always beckon.


Ordered a blue Templar X from the usual suspects (PSM) on 2/13. Shipment arrived in good shape on 2/22. Naturally I was out of town for work so I had to wait to check it out until I got home.


Spent Sunday working on getting it assembled. Blue loctite on everything that needed it. Generally happy with the fit and finish, plastics needed some massaging with a dremel, holes in the side plastics for the rear rack are pretty nasty so I'll fix that at some point.


Planning on making some extensions for the upper headlight mounts to move it into a more upright position and help with aiming at things that aren't the top of trees. Also going to get some aux lighting installed and a few other minor personalizations.


40mi into the break in so far. I'm impressed!


Threads are useless without pics so here we go.
https://i.postimg.cc/jw2RpDpp/image000000.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/jWsxhgZd/image000003.jpg


Also did my first mod since I had the Dremel out.

https://i.postimg.cc/KKJZpPH7/image000001.jpg

For the record, my MCO arrived marked as "Off Road Motorcycle" but I had no issues with titling/tagging. Just to be safe I went the extra mile and got a MO Safety Inspection but it wasn't needed.
Insured through Geico, had to call in to get it manually entered. I had an existing policy with my Bonneville on it, insuring the Templar X was dirt cheap. Only added $10 to my annual policy premium.

Good luck with it, they really are a great price/fun ratio.

I ordered the same blue version at about the same time as you. I've got about 50 miles on mine. My bike arrived with some damage to the front rim and headlight bracket. PSM sent me out another rim and I bent the bracket back into shape. My plastic panels were a bear to get lined up. My rear tire is at the end of the swingarm so I need to drop a link or two. I've upgraded the battery and placed the rear wiring in some plastic wiring split-channel from Autozone. Haven't tried the DMV yet to title and license. That's a great idea for the key mod!

Also did my first mod since I had the Dremel out.

https://i.postimg.cc/KKJZpPH7/image000001.jpg[/QUOTE]

GREAT idea. I'm going to do this today. It's a needlessly tight fit on mine otherwise.

Just ticked over the 50mi mark last night after work.
Planning on getting the bike up on my lift on Saturday and re-checking all the bolts. Sunday afternoon looks good for getting out into the woods and running some forestry roads.


I saw some conversation in the main Templar X thread but has anyone found a USFS approved spark arrestor insert for the stock exhaust?

This is the one I'm looking at.....it's the one from the youtube video from I think it's "Oregon Trail Rider". I'm hoping other people offer up less expensive options.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...NPUD7ZM4&psc=1

Got out on some local logging roads this afternoon.
https://i.postimg.cc/0KDQZS8Y/IMG-20...241871-HDR.jpg

Added some Amazon universal hand guards yesterday.

https://i.postimg.cc/vDPC5qTV/IMG-20...-112233964.jpg


JFG RACING Motorcycle Universal Handguards Dirt Bike Hand Guards For Sur Ron ATV Pit Bike off Road Motocross Enduro MX- Black
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also added a FISCH Moto size 30 dual arrestor recently. Wasn't able to get it to sit flush with the tail pipe, will likely wind up removing it, cutting the stinger off and reinstalling flush against the back of the muffler can.
https://i.postimg.cc/PPfJzng4/IMG-20...436562-HDR.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/kVNPpB8t/IMG-20...421657-HDR.jpg

FISCH MOTO Spark Arrestor USFS, UNIVERSAL (Dirt bike, ATV) (KIT 30 (29.5mm-35.4mm / 1.161”-1.394”) Tail pipe) https://a.co/d/002TVfI

Got around to cutting the rear fender extension down yesterday.
Cut it off just below the license plate mount and drilled a couple of new holes in the plate. Tucks up nicely under the tail light now. Also added a bunch of silicone to the wires on the taillight.


https://i.postimg.cc/6TF14WRF/IMG-20...5792-HDR-2.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/CzDrj3s5/IMG-20...5289-HDR-2.jpg

I'm not seeing any photos? This happens to me in a lot of threads, but mostly older ones. Does anyone know if there's a setting I need to change to be able to see photos? I'm pretty good with mechanical and electrical stuff but computers befuddle me sometimes.

Not sure mate, pics are showing OK for me on both my PC and Android phone.
You may be able to view them directly by opening the image in a new tab/window? Either a long press on the image (if you're on mobile), or RMB if you're on a PC.
Here's the direct link to one of the pics from my recent post

https://postimg.cc/CzDrj3s5

As it turns out, they show up fine on my iPhone! Thanks for the tips!

That's just in need of some more persuading. ;)

I may take another look at it over the weekend :tup:

You were completely correct. Put a piece of 2x4 against the insert to protect it and slammed a 20lb dumbbell against the wood a few times. Much better!
https://i.postimg.cc/G8q1WW6C/IMG-20...-115209143.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/V0vcm7cb/IMG-20...220492-HDR.jpg

If you haven't already noticed and tried it, there is an adjustment screw below the headlight to aim the beam.

Yep, first thing I tried the other week. Maxed out the adjustment but it was still pointing too high.
Wound up getting a nylon spacer, some washers, and longer screw. That got it pointed down far enough to work.

I didn't know that! Thank you.

Just got my Missouri title in the mail today. Took longer than normal but proof you can get a MO title (and tags) on a Templar X even if the MCO says "Off-road motorcycle"

My buddy in town just applied for his yesterday (same situation on the MCO), and they let it through as well.

Title? yes- MCO and bill of sale will get you a MO title. But plates? Did you get it registered for road use?

As I understand it, it must say motorcycle in the "vehicle type" field on the MCO to get it plated/registered for the road.

MO also wants proof of financial responsibility (insurance) and receipts from personal property tax for the past two years for plates/registration.

Both mine and my buddy's are plated in MO, yes.
I've been licensing vehicles in MO for years so I do know what is required in terms of Insurance and personal property tax info.

I got a safety inspection just to make sure I didn't have to go back to the DMV if they bounced me. They didn't even want to see the paperwork because it was a brand new bike and considered exempt from inspection for the first 10 years or 150,000mi (https://dor.mo.gov/motor-vehicle/add...resources.html).


My buddy did not get an inspection at all, they ran the application and handed him a plate.



It all depends on the mood of the clerk at the DMV office. I was expecting to get rejected for plates without the inspection because of the MCO but apparently Ozark, MO license office doesn't care.

Wow. This is proof that they are all different. No way in KC area

Out and about this evening with my buddy.

https://i.postimg.cc/bd3rrdmD/IMG-20...354631-HDR.jpg

35 miles of forestry roads today.
https://i.postimg.cc/bdJ3SLqk/IMG-20...7-BURST019.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/1fVBJtnz/IMG-20...-152147133.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/BtVNTDvy/IMG-20...-155442984.jpg

Minor update, finally got around to taking pics of my headlight modification.
I had some pre-drilled stainless strap laying around, pretty sure it was in the hardware kit for a basketball goal I put up recently, that I used to tilt the top of the headlight plate forward so I could adjust the headlight better.
Used the factory bolts plus some of the ones from the shipping crate to install.
Much better! Headlight isn't pointing off into the top of trees any more.

https://i.postimg.cc/fJJD6m6F/IMG-20...232950-HDR.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/yJXHFPZJ/IMG-20...251626-HDR.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/MfXJJJrR/IMG-20...256000-HDR.jpg

That is essentially what I did to mine. Makes the key a lot easier to access as well. :tup:

I solved the key problem on day one by trimming the round part off so it's more like a regular bike key.
I think I may have enough room between the dash and headlight plate to store a small toolkit now though

Great way to kick off the weekend!

https://i.postimg.cc/Z0yZ1V5C/IMG-20...4792-HDR-2.jpg

Got out into some more challenging riding today. Was obviously punching above my weight class as I had a minor miscommunication with the bike regarding which direction we were supposed to be going.
Few minor scuffs on the plastics, bruised ribs and sprained left wrist, but I got home in one piece! Time for a beer and some ice on the wrist. Thankful that I installed the handguards as that definitely saved my clutch lever and probably my fingers as well.

https://i.postimg.cc/BLfq3zrc/IMG-20...634421-HDR.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/9wWCR7FD/IMG-20...644654-HDR.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/MXDWkddV/IMG-20...419726-HDR.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/YhCttYsV/IMG-20...424306-HDR.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/NLYgPW7Q/IMG-20...427905-HDR.jpg

I've had a few of those on the Storm and on the Templar X! Glad you survived well enough to hoist a beer. The bike looks OK too. My go to is ibuprofen for the anti-inflammatory effect.

Today, a workout with a chainsaw and two trailer loads of fresh maple from a construction site inflicted the wound. I need a gin and tonic :tup:

Took Aleve when I got home. Couple of beers with dinner, ibuprofen and half a muscle relaxant just now before I head to bed.
Bike is just fine, I was way out in the Mark Twain down towards Forsyth, had to get myself back up out of the holler and then ride 20 miles home
Ignored the clutch most shifts because of the wrist but I've done worse to myself (25 years ago when I was still young and stupid instead of just stupid)

Minor update. Finally got around to cutting down my kickstand. Took around an inch off and added a larger pad so it's less likely to topple when parked on softer ground.
Few interesting things - the wall thickness on the kickstand is impressive and I was surprised to see a pretty deep notch already worn in the upper spring mount. Will definitely be keeping an eye on that over the next few rides.


https://i.postimg.cc/mcHdHyKS/IMG-20...-135839008.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/phMsYnHM/IMG-20...-071953452.jpg