A couple of xt225s on the long haul.

So a friend and I brought an Yamaha xt225 each and plan on doing some touring on them. At the moment we are over on Vancouver island. The loose plan, if you can call it a plan is to head though the Canadian rockies then drop back down into the U.S and make our way to Baja. I will try to keep the posts coming, but don't hold me to it.

My $1100 touring weapon.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8943606644/" title="Mr berreman by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/8943606644_b5f96334cd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mr berreman"></a>

Took a hike and a wrong turn. Lost!!!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8943003457/" title="lost by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/8943003457_5be433d9bd.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="lost"></a>

Getting lost is not always a bad thing.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8943028307/" title="Vancouver island by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/8943028307_950deeb44f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vancouver island"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8943015191/" title="Vancouver island by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/8943015191_31d0e93b85.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vancouver island"></a>

Both the bikes.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8943040325/" title="The rigs by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/8943040325_d0399fbd7a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="The rigs"></a>

Wally happy at the days end.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8943033971/" title="wally by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/8943033971_a2da2099cb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="wally"></a>

A few words from Wally.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/67528449" width="500" height="334" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/67528449">wally</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/afewsketchymoments">afewsketchymoments</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Please do keep the posts coming. I'm interested to see how the bikes perform and any problems you might incur, as I have an XT225 as well. Good luck in your travels!

Wallys ignition coil failed all ready. Which has only around 2800miles on it. Our fingers are crossed that we will be good for a while now. Although I think my bike could do with a carb clean.

OMG....LOVE the purple....I think mine is a year or 2 newer, so it is the blue.....snore..........

Mine is a 95 (the one with the purple seat) Wallys is a 96 which has the blue seat.

Very nice, you guys should sign up on xt225. com and post this over there, any issues they will help you out with, and assist you in any way, tell em 150Ron sent you's, aiight.

Very well, looking forward to seeing your trip and pics.

Have a great ride guys.
I am a former XT225 rider. I guess it was my first small dirt bike. I really liked it, for the most part. It was very capable offroad and would go nearly anywhere. Gearing was perfect. 1st gear was a tree climber and 70 mph in 6th was no problem. Great gas mileage.
I did throw a rear spoke, which seems odd, but I later heard that others had loose spoke issues. Keep an eye on them. I also blew out a countershaft seal from too many wheelies and jumps. That was an easy fix.
The main thing that bugged the shit out of me about the XT225 was the angle of the seat and the serious knee bend to the pegs. The seat seems to keep you crammed into the tank and the peg to seat distance was tiny.
I can't see that being good for any male over a 30" inseam.
They really are great bikes. The seat issue can be remedied.
Have fun and thanks for sharing your adventures.

I luv the idea of low budget adventure touring... hope you keep us updated on your journey.

Oh... and I had a similar experience with my gear getting toasted on my exhaust pipe during my first long distance motorcycle adventure - it makes for a great story to tell your friends though

Subscribed. Have a great ride, guys!

It seems to be like a great bike. I am really short, 5,5'' so it is a good height for me. Wally on the other hand is 6 foot. So will be interesting to see how his knees go. So far he is loving the light weight and low seat height though. Although is not that happy about the comfort of the seat itself.
Spokes loose already.

Thanks. Should be a good time.

Will try my best with the updates. keep an eye on the blog if they are lacking here.

Safe travels. Keep on smiling!

Looks like a worthwhile mission!

Hey Matt, Good to see you here. Did you sell Mr Knowles? Keep the updates coming. Were leaving soon and might end up in Southern BC, will keep a eye out for you guys. Will be driving my truck&camper with one of my bikes on the front carrier. It's getting to hot here in Joshua Tree

Would be great to see you two again. Where in Southern B.C will you be?
Sold Mr knowles yesterday. Was a hard goodbye. Trying to figure out how to get all my stuff on to the new bike. With out that big rack which the CT had, it is going to be a challenge.

Have been creeping around there for a while. Great site.

Well I some how managed to fit all my stuff on.
Having not many tools and no access to a welder or drill made it a little difficult , however for now this will do.
Heading to Tofino today. Pics to follow.

Were headed to Ione, Wa., it's in the NE corner of Wa. then into BC headed to around Princeton. I have a friend there who's been asking for us to visit for years so were going to try. Plans are coming together but nothing is for sure yet. Will post here when things are for sure, is there a better way to contact you while you travel? I gather your not going North to Ak. The Canadian Rockies on a bike will be great. Do you still have our e-mail?

We headed out of Victoria with sunny skys, in search of some logging roads to ride, and with any luck some waves to ride also. I had already logged 1000 miles on my bike and not knowing how good the oil was, ( I was told it had just been changed) thought it high time to change it. Seen we where heading passed Kenco motorcycles in Sooke it seemed like perfect timing.
The guys at Kenco worked some magic on my Ct110 when I was riding around the island a few months back. Finding a store like this is a true blessing. Really nice guys and well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Here is a pic of a honda XR Baja model that was there getting some work done on it. Nice looking bike.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8992529534/" title="Baja by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/8992529534_9128b088bc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Baja"></a>

From there we took some logging roads to lake cowichan. Beautiful riding.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8991339667/" title="sunset by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8411/8991339667_27832341c3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sunset"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8992538440/" title="Suntrees by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/8992538440_493517b8cc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Suntrees"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclerust/8991484293/" title="river time by bicyclerust, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/8991484293_cb5726b409.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="river time"></a>