Ryan and Lottie
rosa del desierto and I each own an NX400 Honda Falcon and we have ridden the two bikes through 8 South American countries for 55,000 K. I think your XR400s have the same engines?

If so I am pleased to report we had zero mechanical problems with the exception of crossing the Andes more than once at 5,000 meters altitude. Paso de Jama.....Argentine/Chile. If you are riding the Silk Road you will also be at altitude.

What I did was ride until the lack of oxygen inhibited forward progress to the extent that our top speed was a hesitating 40 K per hour. Of course each bike was fully loaded. Solution - I removed the air filter from each bike - this helped a little - at least enough to increase our forward speed to about 65 K per hour. Normal cruising speed is 100 - 120 K per hour.

We were climbing and once we summited, the speed remained about the same - it was only on the downhill that we picked up speed and I was able to re install the air filters. Chewing cocoa leaves and making cocoa leaf tea helped us withstand the cold and lack of oxygen. Even with that rosa did pass out and I had to recline her upside down on a bank of the road so more blood went to her head until she recovered.

Finally in Bolivia I found a mechanic who was able to re-jet our carburetors to enable more air and less fuel and our next crossing at high altitude went better. It is also a good idea to acclimatize yourself for high altitude crossings by overnighting at lower altitudes for several nights - increasing altitude slowly.

Fuel injected engines do not suffer from altitude - but our indestructible NX400s sure did.

xfiltrate. safe travels. One big advantage of the NX400 is the "touring seat" is very comfortable. This seat sealed the deal for us when selecting a bike.

PS rosa del desierto's first South American bike was a Honda XR250 Tornado, but she very soon upgraded to a Honda NX400 for greater touring speed and more comfort. You can see photos of us - her XR250 and my NX400 at our web site: www.xfiltrate.com or go to our ad on the HUBB.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M41_highway. - "The highway then passes through the 4,655-meter (15,270 ft) high Ak-Baital Pass and past Lake Karakul before crossing into Kyrgyzstan to its terminus in Osh. The stretch of road between Khorog and Osh attracts a small amount of tourism due to its rugged natural beauty."

X any trouble with clutch slippage?
thanks

Caminito, my NX400 has over 55,000 K - and I have replaced the clutch twice. I would say that considering my 200 pounds along with all my gear - soft luggage, tail bag and tank including camping gear and wind screen... that the clutch is strong. When it begins to slip, it is time for an adjustment or change. Not sure about the adjustment other than check cable tension.

I am continually amazed how the NX400 has handled all conditions, including about ten % off road. After falling in the Andes destroying the wind screen and bending the gear shift, breaking the clutch handle, all I had to do was straighten out the gear shift and replace the clutch handle.

I suggest using cubre manos to protect both clutch and break handles. And, make sure you install a bash plate.

The NX400 is a great overland bike for South America - parts available everywhere as it is manufactured in Brazil for Honda. Great gas milage and
very dependable.

xfiltrate