Originally Posted by mollydog

The NX 250 is a good little bike but that is a long distance to cover with only 250cc. (larger fuel tanks from Clarke and IMS available in USA)

Since you are probably got going to be doing much off road exploring
I would go for a bigger, faster, more comfortable bike. Any old standard inline four or twin would be fine for this trip. Do a 3 day test ride before you go to test out bike for problems.

IMO, you don't really need a dual sport bike, since your route will most likely go up the coast through Chile and Peru', then through the Andes into Ecuador on mostly paved roads. Same in Colombia. Central America, if you stay mostly on CA 1, is all paved. Same for Mexico and USA. So why a dual sport bike?

The XT is quite old. But if the motor was re-built and the bike checked over carefully it could be OK.

I would look for a younger bike for LESS money. Find a foriegn traveler on a KLR and buy that, but only pay $2000 or $2500 and take all the hippy stuff off.

The important thing since you are only taking two months, is to pick the spots carefully you wish to visit or explore.

Also, make sure the bike has NEW and very durable tires to begin, new quality chain and sprockets and a NEW battery. (Yuasa brand if possible). If you don't have these things you may have some long delays.

!Buen viaje!

Patrick