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Africa Twin XRV 650 RD03 « MARATHON » 2nd series - 1989     one of 5 Spanish Marathons     our Marathons ...       <- two photos of 6000001, still owned by Honda France. Note the opening for the filter, unlike any other, maybe it was a pre-series side cover -> the Marathon of Mirco the Marathon of Patrizia   the Marathon ex-Leguevaque the Marathon of Pietro the Marathon restored by Marco   the Marathon of Beppe the Marathon of Oreste the Marathon of Paulo the Marathon of Flavio the Marathon of Yves the Marathon of Roberto B the Marathon of Giuseppe (ex-Mazzali/Bonacini) the Marathon of Gualini, now of Francesco the Marathon of Philippe (ex-Basty) the Marathon of Valter the Marathon of Giovanni the Marathon of Mario the Marathon of Toni Boluda the Marathon of Pascal Maison ex-Dakar 91 the Marathon of Mario (ex-Matthias) la Marathon de Sam (ex-Andreu Gonzales) the Marathon of Stephan the Marathon of Riccardo a Marathon from France (now in Germany) the Marathon ex-Walter the Marathon of Tony Fowkes) is being restored by Alessandro the Marathon of Franco the Marathon ex-Angelo   a still unidentified Marathon in Italy! ... in action! Attilio, 2019 Morocco 2013, towards Dakar! Marco Asiago Plateau 2009 Patrizia! Marcesina 2012 Roberto in Tunisia the Marathon of Leguevaque, Lac Rose Dakar, 2-1-2014 Walter in Algeria       Microfiche of Honda Africa Twin XRV 650 RD03 Marathon (second series) vs. RD03 standard. * changes also common to the first set of 88 # To check if also present in the 1st series sx: XRV 650 RD03 -> dx: Marathon '89 ->   38/40lt main front tank, it weights 2,5 kg more than the rd03 standard one *4 threaded pins to put a tool and documents bag on the tank *16/17lt aluminium rear tanks * non-return valve on each tank caps # both tanks have bulkheads in soft sponge-like to restrict the movement of petrol * plastic side protection strips on tank GRP rear side panels to protect the inner rear tank *instrumentation including trip, compass and roadbook holder # simplified main ignition  . built in sensor to kill engine in the event of a fall   fan fuses, headlights and tail meter with more amperage   # built in air ducts . reinforcing bar connecting the front side fairings   * zipped rear seat access for location beacon . adjustable rings (instead of the first series plate) for attaching small luggage . *additional rally tail light  opening for quick access to the air filter on the left side cover #airbox more protected bigger air filter *additional storage on protection plate for water and tools  two tabs on the protection plate to better protect feet and levers . . *Engine has less compression (9.0 instead of 9.4) with thicker head gasket for low octane gasoline use. Alternator 12V-360 W instead of 12V-310 W  . #Kehin VDF8A carburetors (instead of VDF4B). Without enrichment capsule?  . Chafing between cylinders and air box . * both radiators with fans # additional radiator protection . *forks reinforced with additional adjustment   . . reinforced shock (derived from XR?) with external regulation and greater adjustment * missing chain slide and attachments  . . *CR250-500 ('88-'89) rear chain guide  . *latch mechanism on snail fork to enable easy wheel change/removal  . rear rim back to 2.50 instead of 2.75 rims are strengthened, the central rib is in fact more narrow and pronounced Hubs reinforced (on the right the standard AT front one)  * wider footpeg and modified gear lever *Wider foot on side stand for use on soft ground and no cut-off sensor  # additional side stand for right of bike to enable wheel change without centre stand * front of fork guard removed to quicken wheel removal without removing whole guard . * shortened front mudguard  . * reduced plate holder   lock for the helmet (required for approval in Italy only)   In Italy the Marathon was approved with 38 kw instead 42, to operate only with the driver (but not all!) and papers report the words FA.E Tipo Paris-Dakar in France was approved as "version B" to 40 kw, to operate only with the driver chassis serial number that begins with 6 instead of 5 . engine serial number starts with 6 instead of 5 . # declared weight (in French homologation) 255 kg in running order  .. Another small difference between French and Italian/Spanish versions: white front mudguard on the French one, tri-colour as for the standard RD03 on the other versions