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Denver, CO to South America #134543 10/19/16 04:29 PM
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justin_lewis Offline OP
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Hi everyone. I am officially about 1,200 miles in on my ride from Denver to South America. It has been amazing. We have seen snow, rain, and plenty of sunshine. The little XT 225 (2006) is doing great minus hating high winds (30 mph+). It has seen its fair share of pavement and dirt. Follow along at www.elevationupgrade.com.

I have learned the limits of the little bike, but being a small dude it works great!

Justin


2006 Yamaha XT 225 - first bike
Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: justin_lewis] #134547 10/19/16 06:37 PM
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peejman Offline
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Sounds like a cool trip, keep us updated!


This shall pass, be still and know.
2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: justin_lewis] #134548 10/19/16 06:53 PM
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justin_lewis Offline OP
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Thanks. Will do. You have always been very helpful.


2006 Yamaha XT 225 - first bike
Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: justin_lewis] #136564 05/04/17 04:31 PM
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drbike Offline
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We just got back from a 12,000 km jaunt from Canada around mexico and back. The lady rides an XT. She loves the bike but hates any wind. Really really hates the wind. The bike held up well other than the need for valve adjustments it was a fine travel bike.

Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: drbike] #136875 05/29/17 04:49 PM
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justin_lewis Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: drbike
We just got back from a 12,000 km jaunt from Canada around mexico and back. The lady rides an XT. She loves the bike but hates any wind. Really really hates the wind. The bike held up well other than the need for valve adjustments it was a fine travel bike.


That sounds amazing. Glad you enjoyed. Mexico is still probably my favorite. We are in Panama now and will head to Colombia in a few days.

Cut her some slack...I hate the wind on my XT 225 too. It can be terrifying. Not looking forward to Patagonia with the wind.

Last edited by justin_lewis; 05/29/17 04:51 PM.

2006 Yamaha XT 225 - first bike
Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: justin_lewis] #136876 05/29/17 04:59 PM
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justin_lewis Offline OP
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Hi,

So here is some fun facts about our ride so far. We are a bit delayed on the blog, but should have it updated soon for Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We are in Panama City, Panama right now and should board our boat to Colombia Wednesday sailing through the San Blas Islands.
Taking care of the paperwork today and tomorrow.

A direct shot from Denver, Colorado to Panama City, Panama would have been about 3,800 MI (6,000 KM), yet we’ve managed to do almost 12,000 MI (19,200 KM) over 230 days!



Overall the bike has been good. Here is what it took to keep it maintained on the road. The XT 225 has nearly 23,000 MI (36,800 KM) on it now.
• Replace headlight socket wiring (Guerro Negro and Mexico City)
• Replace rear taillight bulb (SW Colorado)
• Replace gas cap
o 1 cracked (Baja)
o 1 stolen (Guanajuato)
o 1 cracked (Nicaragua) 
• Oil changes
o 1 in La Paz around 14,300
o 1 in Mexico City around 15,960
o 1 in Xela, Guatemala around 18,800
o 1 in Masaya, Nicaragua around 20,850
• Carburetor clean
o 1 in Mexico City around 15,960 (clogged)
• Carburetor Intake Boot replaced at 20,220 due to cracking
• Sparkplug
o 1 in Mexico City at 15,960
• Starter O-Ring
o 1 in Campeche, Mexico at 17,200
o 1 in Tela, Honduras at 20,000 (replacement in Mexico was poor quality)
• Front Brake Pads
o 1 in Bacalar, Mexico at 18,025
• Valve adjustment
o 1 in Lago Atitlan, Guatemala (with O-Rings) at 18,976
• Oil seals for shift lever and behind front sprocket at 20,062 in Sambo Creek, Honduras
• Full top end rebuild at 20,800 including: cylinder, piston kit, base and head gasket, timing gasket, and valves
• Lost 1 rear spoke at 21,420

Most of this is general maintenance and I typically do things as preventative with the exception of the top-end rebuild and oil seals. I just couldn’t get rid of my oil leak and went a bit overboard trying to find where it was coming from. This led me to do a top end rebuild and while I was in there discovered a bad piston and score marks on the cylinder.

Cheers,
Justin


2006 Yamaha XT 225 - first bike
Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: justin_lewis] #136930 06/03/17 06:06 PM
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Gery Offline
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Cheering for your great adventure Justin and wish your XT will favor your long journey. Will follow your post updates as I'm also planning to ride my XT to South America next year 2018.

Ride safe,
Gery


Gery XT-225
IBA # 18676
Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: Gery] #136968 06/07/17 07:22 PM
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justin_lewis Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Gery
Cheering for your great adventure Justin and wish your XT will favor your long journey. Will follow your post updates as I'm also planning to ride my XT to South America next year 2018.

Ride safe,
Gery


Glad you enjoyed. Check the blog for more frequent updates.

www.elevationupgrade.com

Last edited by justin_lewis; 06/07/17 07:24 PM.

2006 Yamaha XT 225 - first bike
Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: justin_lewis] #136975 06/08/17 12:28 PM
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peejman Offline
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Originally Posted By: justin_lewis


Glad you enjoyed. Check the blog for more frequent updates.

www.elevationupgrade.com


I hadn't hit your blog in a while.... Wow! Great photography, great story, and a great adventure!


This shall pass, be still and know.
2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
Re: Denver, CO to South America [Re: peejman] #136980 06/09/17 01:25 AM
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justin_lewis Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: peejman
Originally Posted By: justin_lewis


Glad you enjoyed. Check the blog for more frequent updates.

www.elevationupgrade.com


I hadn't hit your blog in a while.... Wow! Great photography, great story, and a great adventure!


Glad you enjoyed. On the blog you can subscribe to get updates.


2006 Yamaha XT 225 - first bike
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