After we returned from our South America trip, we bought new bikes with
the goal of making the best XT-250's we could with the lessons we
learned from the road. These bikes are setup specifically for each rider, compared to our previous bikes which were much more generic.
Wendigo - 2018 Yamaha XT250: $4,100.00
This bike has storage options from front to back, capable of carrying up to 111.25 liters. It is also often used to carry our dog Zero on our adventures. It's been armored with a heavy duty skid plate, tough hand guards, pipe armor, a headlight grill, and a rear brake master cylinder guard. The suspension has been upgraded by Cogent Dynamics to improve the ride significantly. It may not be the fastest but it is our most armored bike with the highest carrying capacity.
Upgrades:
Cogent Dynamics Modoc 250 Shock - $771.90
Cogent Dynamics DDC Complete Fork Upgrade Package - $407.95
Ricochet Aluminum Skidplate - $119.95
Qiilu Motorcycle Headlight Grill - $22.59
Giant Loop Lift Strap - $15.00
Moose Racing Pipe Armor - 42.95
Moose Racing Rear Brake Master Cylinder Guard - $44.95
Seat Concepts Tall Comfort Seat - $174.99
DMO Specialties Footpegs - $56.00
Barkbusters Jet Handguards - $85.90
HySpeed Handlebar 30mm Riser Kit - $20.95
PSR Dualsport Mirrors - $50.00
Ram Mounts Brake Clamp Base - $21.99
Kickstand Enlarge Plate Pad - $18.04
Lamin-X Headlight Cover - $13.46
Luggage/Other:
Immix Racing XT250 Cargo Rack - $84.97 - (reinforced with custom side racks made in Peru)
Giant Loop Fender Bag - $65.00 - 3.5 liters
Giant Loop Zigzag Handlebar Bag - $44.00 - 1.5 liters
Giant Loop Pannier Pockets - $119.00 - 3.5 liters
Giant Loop Diablo Tank Bag - $250.00 - 6 liters
Giant Loop Motortrek Panniers - $198.55 - 42 liters
Giant Loop Possibles Pouch - $60.00 - 3.5 liters X 3
Giant Loop Mojavi Saddlebag V2 - $299.00
Giant Loop Cactus Canteen - 1 Gallon - $99.00
Kuryakyn Grand Pet Palace - $196.00 - 44.25 liters (or a 10lb dog + accessories)
MiiR Climate+ 20 oz Bottle - $39.95
Wolfman Luggage Tool Roll - $29.99
Ram Mount - $46.99
Rok Straps - $21.11
Kryptonite Keeper Disc Lock - $33.95
1 DrySpec Tool Tube carrying engine oil - $16.99
Total carrying capacity = 111.25 Liters
Front Tire: Heidenau K60 Scout 90/90-21
Rear Tire: Heidenau K60 Scout 130/80-18
Wendigo: $3,616.11 in accessories
Sasquatch - 2017 Yamaha XT250: $3,750.00
With a lowered front and rear
suspension custom made by Cogent Dynamics, low profile light-weight skid plate, and headlight guard meant for a Yamaha Serow 250; it's light but tough enough to get anywhere we need to. We removed the side racks from Peru and opted for a heavy duty but much lighter rear rack, combined with a Giant Loop Coyote Saddlebag for maximum carrying capacity and balance.
Upgrades:
Cogent Dynamics Modoc 250 Shock - $771.90
Cogent Dynamics DDC Complete Fork Upgrade Package - $407.95
Rikizoh Skidplate - $93.66
Polisport Armadillo Head Pipe Guard - $62.09
Zeta Headlight Guard - $68.35
Cycra Probend CRM Handguards - $120.56
HySpeed Handlebar 30mm Riser Kit - $20.95
Ram Mount - $46.99
Seat Concepts Comfort Seat - $174.99
DMO Specialties Footpegs - $56.00
Moose Racing Rear Brake Master Cylinder Guard - $52.95
Doubletake Mirrors - $136.00
Accessory Charger Port/Plug, Dual USB - $27.95
Cyclops Multi-Function Turn Signals Kit - $119.95
ProCycle Tidy Taillight Kit - $119.95
Kickstand Enlarge Plate Pad - $18.04
Lamin-X Headlight Cover - $13.46
Luggage/Safety:
Wolfman Enduro Carry All '12 - $69.99 - 2.75 liters
Giant Loop Buckin' Roll Tank Bag - $99.00 - 1.5 liters
B&B Offroad Engineering Top Carry Rack - $201.95
Giant Loop Coyote Saddlebag Roll Top - $399.00 - 39 liters
Giant Loop Possibles Pouch - $60.00 - 3.5 liters X 3
Giant Loop Tillamook Dry Bag - $130.00 - 48 liters
Wolfman Rollie Bag Medium - $69.99 - 8.5 liters
Wolfman Wolf Bottle Holster - $24.99
MiiR Climate+ 20 oz Bottle - $39.95
Giant Loop Armadillo 2 Gallon Fuel Bag - $124.99
MoTowWhee Motorcycle Bungee Kit - $69.99
Rok Straps - $21.11
Kryptonite Keeper Disc Lock - $33.95
Master Lock Python Cable Lock - $16.14
Total carrying capacity = 110.25 Liters
Front Tire: Pirelli MT21 - 90/90-21
Rear Tire: Heidenau K60 Scout 130/80-18
Sasquatch: $3,796.79 in accessories
The Wild Hunt - 2016 Yamaha XT250: $6,163.50 - Donated to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in October 2019
The Wild Hunt has been beaten, bashed, overloaded, sideswiped by a van, and even drowned in a river. But despite all that it still runs strong. With a heavy duty skid plate and tough handguards, it may not be the fastest but it has been ridden over 27,000 miles in 15 countries across two continents.
Upgrades:
Ricochet Aluminum Skidplate - $119.95
Immix Racing XT250 Cargo Rack - $84.97 - Cracked in Guatemala, Colombia, reinforced in Peru.
K-Factory Front Guard Carrier - $133.25
Cycra Probend CRM Handguards - $120.56
HySpeed Handlebar 30mm Riser Kit - $20.95
Luggage/Safety:
Rok Straps - $21.11
Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffle Bag Large - $144.99 - 47 liters
Wolfman E-12 Saddle Bags - $172.99 - 25 liters
Kryptonite Kryptolok DFS 10 Disc Lock - $41.62
Total carrying capacity = 72 Liters
Front Tire: Mitas E-07 - 90/90-21
Rear Tire: Mitas E-07 - 130/80-18 (we use a slightly larger than stock tire in the rear)
Previous Tires:
Front:
Dunlop D605 90/90-21 - Original on bike - rode over 5,500 miles
Shinko E700 300-21 - Bought in San Diego, California - rode over 8,188 miles
Heidenau K60 Scout 90/90-21 - Bought in Bogota, Colombia - rode over 9,000 miles
Mitas E-07 - 90/90-21 - Bought in Austin, Texas - rode over 4,625 miles
Rear:
Dunlop D605 120/80-18 - Original on bike - rode over 5,500 miles
Shinko E700 300-18 4.60-18 - Bought in San Diego, California - rode over 8,188 miles
Heidenau K60 Scout 130/80-18 - Bought in Bogota, Colombia - rode over 9,000 miles
Mitas E-07 - 130/80-18 - Bought in Austin, Texas - rode over 4,625 miles
The Wild Hunt: $860.39 in accessories
The Blue Monster - 2016 Yamaha XT250: $6,228.50 - Donated to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in October 2019
Even with the lowest seat height of any dual sport bike on the market, we knew The Blue Monster would need to be lowered for a 5'4" rider to be comfortable on while riding through variable conditions every day. With a lowered front and rear suspension, a heavy duty skid plate, and tough handguards, this bike has been ridden over 27,000 miles in 15 countries across two continents. It has survived several rough crashes, but keeps going.
Upgrades:
Ricochet Aluminum Skidplate - $119.95
Immix Racing XT250 Cargo Rack - $84.97 - Cracked in Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, reinforced in Peru.
Cycra Probend CRM Handguards - $120.56
HySpeed Handlebar 30mm Riser Kit - $20.95
Luggage/Safety:
Wolman Day Tripper Enduro Saddle Bags - $138.74 - 12 liters
Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffle Bag Large - $144.99 - 47 liters
Wolfman Rollie Bag Large - $84.99 - 12.5 liters
Rok Straps - $21.11
Rotopax 1.75 Gallon Fuel Pack - $72.87
Kryptonite Kryptolok DFS 10 Disc Lock - $41.62
Total carrying capacity = 71.50 Liters
Front Tire: Pirelli MT21 - 90/90-21
Rear Tire: Mitas E-07 - 130/80-18 (we use a slightly larger than stock tire in the rear)
Previous Tires:
Front:
Dunlop D605 90/90-21 - Original on bike - rode over 5,500 miles
Shinko E700 300-21 - Bought in San Diego - rode over 7,405 miles
Golden Boy SR 244 (Shinko 244) - Bought in Cartagena, Colombia - rode over 4,459 miles
Pirelli MT21 - 90/90-21 - Bought in Huanuco, Peru - rode over 2,979 miles
Continental TKC80 - 90/90-21 - Bought in Santiago, Chile - rode over 5,380 miles
Pirelli MT21 - 90/90-21 - Bought in Monroe, Washington - rode over 1,635 miles
Rear:
Dunlop D605 120/80-18 - Original on bike - rode over 5,500 miles
Shinko E700 300-18 4.60-18 - Bought in San Diego - rode over 8,188 miles
Heidenau K60 Scout 130/80-18 - Bought in Bogota, Colombia - rode over 9,000 miles
Mitas E-07 - 130/80-18 - Bought in Austin, Texas - rode over 4,200 miles
The Blue Monster: $850.75 in accessories
Other Info:
We also carry a number of spare parts including:
Spare front tire tube
Spare rear tire tube
Tire Levers (3)
Oil filters (2)
Motor Oil
Spark Plugs (2)
Chain Lube
Motion Pro Slack Setter
Clutch Lever
Brake Lever
Clutch Cable (2)
WD-40
Spare Fuses
In March of 2016 we sold off our other bikes and purchased two new 2016 Yamaha XT250's. We wanted to get more into off-roading and moto-camping, with the eventual goal of riding to South America on them. We chose these bikes for several reasons:
1. Weight. With a wet weight of 291 lbs, it's one of the few bikes that JB1 would be able to lift on her own if needed. There are endless debates online regarding bike size and cost, and we determined these were the best for our needs. For an example of this debate, check out this link:
The Debate. Big Vs. Small. Cheap Vs. Expensive
2. Air cooled engine. This equals less weight and no chance of the water pump failing, making the bikes more reliable.
3. Low seat height. The XT250 has one of the lowest seat heights of any bike in its class (31.9 inches). This was a very important factor for JB1 to be as comfortable and confident as possible on the bike since she is only 5'4". Her bike has been slightly lowered as well.
4. 2.6 gallon tank. These bikes have a slightly larger than average tank meaning more fuel capacity than many bikes this size. We've augmented this with a 1.75 gallon rotopax fuel can, giving us an average range of 150 - 216 miles (assuming 60 mpg).
5. Electronic Fuel Injection. Of the 9 bikes we've owned, 2 of them have had a carburetor. And those 2 were always unreliable, and required constant maintenance. Breaking down on the side of the interstate is a terrible experience, and doing it in a foreign country is even less appealing. We've heard all the arguments against EFI, but our own experiences plus the recommendation of several experts on the subject has convinced us this will be much more reliable in the long run. For more on the argument about EFI vs. carbs check out this link:
Adventure Bike Selection - EFI Vs. Carburetor
In the end we purchased identical bikes so that we would be able to share parts in the event of a breakdown, and all maintenance procedures would be identical. While plenty of people may disagree with our decision for a number of reasons, these bikes meet our needs and goals. In the end, it doesn't matter what bike you take, as long as it's the right one for you.
Click here to see our previous motorcycles.