I’ve been more of a silent member since I joined last summer. But with the weather becoming warmer; finally I have something to post!

Last year I was only able to find the time to muster 400km’s on the odometer before I had to stow my blue beauty away. Over the winter id collected items i wanted for my bike; using recommended items from the posts here on the xt225 forums and what I’ve seen on the street. Over time; I slapped on bills trusty giant pegs, mounted a "Rack-it" cargo rack and wrestled with my moose-racing hand guards. A lesson learned; I picked up a set of mirrors I thought id like from a bike shop, only to realize they were too low and didn’t have the strength to maintain there position during a ride. Forum hopping; I’ve discovered that folding mirrors seem to be the best choice. I’ve recently ordered a pair and look forward to using them next week. But in the mean time, excuse my dorky mirrors in the pictures.

So yesterday I figured id do an oil change, lube my chain and try to lose my way in the back roads of northern British Columbia. Couldn’t have been a better day! I went armed with my trusty GPS and picked an old logging back road and just kept riding. I don’t think it was merely the oil change, but this time I couldn’t help but noticing that the bike had a lot more power. I suppose that the bikes now starting to burn threw its break in period; and with wide open bush roads in front of me, it was a dual sports dream. I guess I went a little too far; didn’t think it was possible but on the return ride home, I almost got lost! Thank god for Garmin.

Man I had to scrub that bike. I had mud on and in everything. You know it’s a good trip when you get home and you’re so dirty you have to strip outside. Ha ha…
Finally got a good camera and brought it along anywho~ I figured id post the pics of the mods and of the trip. Hope you enjoy!

Mods:

• Bills trusty pegs, what a difference! (Occasionally available from “ devilman934 on ebay.com)



• Moose-racings aluminum hand guards. There blue is a perfect match to the ’06!



• Yamaha "Rack-it" cargo rack from http://www.promotobillet.com. It looks fantastic, well built and I'm sure it will last forever.



• Pocket Strap Mount Tank Bag and Universal Tail Bag from http://www.motopakluggage.com. I got mine threw the eBay merchant (digicam11). Threw bidding i ended up saving money, and its sent from the main factory anyways. Came with nice bungees/ straps and luggage covers (they came in nice lil black reusable nylon baggies). Always nice when they go that extra mile.



• Bikemaster Folding Mirrors from http://www.chaparral-racing.com. In the mail!



• All that’s left on my wish list would be pants, a jacket, and some kind of slip on exhaust cover to hide my bikes weenie spark arrestor. I don’t know if its just me but with that silly looking 1-inch of black metal; I’m worried what the ladies will think.

Beautiful British Columbia:

• I like calling this the “before” pic…



• Ill just dump the landscape pics here, next weekend I hope to head off with a friend and cover a mountain side.




• That point just beyond my bike is a ledge that drops about 800 metres into a river… don’t slip!



• Once in awhile; I’d stop to enjoy the view, and what I rode in on!



• Last but not least… the “after” shot. If you saw me you’d figure I jumped off and rolled around in mud for the fun of it.



Thanks for viewing all!

Regards
etchCDN

Hi Etch,

your so lucky having such wonderful trails to play with.

Nice machine you've got there.

etchcdn......Your bike looks great. Looks like some beautiful scenery there. Keep on with the rides and pics this summer....

Check out the pics of my bike (on my web site) that show the back of the exhaust pipe - you should have bought a bike made for the New Zealand market

The ladies only laugh at the state of the rest of my bike.

Your bike looks superb - great mods. Looks like you had a good fun ride through some beautiful scenery.

Thank you for "delurking" in such a spectacular fashion. Keep the rides and the pics coming.

hi etchcdn,
From the photo's I'm guessing you hail from the Prince George area or Fort St John? Lots of nice scenery and logging roads. Short summers though!

Best wishes

Paco

Hi Etchcdn,

Your bike looks great. You had said "excuse my dorky mirrors in the pictures" .. I think those rectangle ones look slick! The stock round ones with chrome stems look dorky to me. All black rectangle mirrors are on my wish list.

SierraGal

Thanks all! Yeah I am really happy to own a XT and to also have assess to such a wonderful website! I'm a first time rider myself and without the resources you've all provided id be very lost. Thank you for the wonderful comments and ill certainly post the pics as they come!

Wolf: Great site you have there. In regards to your exhaust pipe mod; it appears you trimmed it off all together correct? Up here in BC its law to keep that spark arrestor on because of the forest fire danger. Looks good thou, but ill have to keep looking for a different solution.
While i was reading your site i came across your xt review; good thing... im a lil embarrased to let you know that i even had this problem. You detailed the speeds of what the XT could reach and maintain; my bike was only topping out at 95km. *cough* Yeah, then i read that you had 6 gears; i only had 5... So with no general mechanical experience i decided to call the "old man". Yup etchCDN senior had the answer. Turns out that "someone" fiddled with my bike. Wasn't me and the bike was purchased from the dealership new. But long story short...



Yeah that wasn't at the suggested 90' and was more at 110'. So i popped that back out and wallah~ a sixth gear, 110kms cruising speed and 120kms at top rev's.

Thanks again wolf... ha ha

Paco: This is just east of Radium, but next weekend i hope to head up to Castlegar and do some mountain exploring!

SierraGal: Yeah, they look good but the ball joint on 'em bites. Not far into a ride they lose there position and have to constantly be moved if you ever want to use em. That and me at 6'1'' there too low and i always have to duck down. The set i have coming can be tightened and folded down when i go off road. Amen.

Etch
LMK what you think of the mirrors. I need to get something other than the stock ones.

BTW, I have the same helmet!
Todd

Sure thing Todd. They were shippped on the fifth of April so im hoping they arrive by the end of next week (3 weeks usually for my US orders is the trend). Ill post the pics and review in this forum to keep it clean.

**lol, I've seen that helm in a few member pictures so far. Matches the '06! ha ha

For what it's worth.. Those mirrors (also known as Ken Sean Mirrors) are awesome.. Takes a bit
to get them set up properly (where to put the notch and adjust the tension on the ball joint so it
will pivot.. but not move while riding).. Once they are set up.. When you get to the single track
riding area.. Just fold and pivot the mirrors to a safe spot till you hit the road again.. Cheers

NOTE: The left hand side mirror on yamaha is universal fit with a 10mm thread.. The right hand
mirror on yamaha has reverse thread.. You must order the proper mirror for the right hand side..