XT250 - 4,444 Mile Review - The Good, Bad & Ugly 

So much fun. I commuted on mine today and bombed down some rutted out dirt rode on the way home. Would love a 6th gear. I go as fast as the XT will go at times and seems like a lower RPM would be better. Hey, if you’re gonna catch the moto bug, an XT is not a bad cure.

Good advice ... I'm a slow talker. :-)

Right on. A friend of mine runs the DG on a DR200 and it sounds so good.

Is that DG a slip on ? Does it off full exhaust system from the head ( like the FMF power bomb header and power core 4 muffler ?)

@@NorthwoodsNomad the DG is a slip on. The only full exhaust systems for the XT I’ve seen were on webike japan.

Ride on Mr. Hahn! The XT250 is a blast to ride on the roads ... as long as you're not expecting to do +65 MPH down the highway. It's nimble, turns quickly and has just enough power ... but not too much to get you in trouble. Welcome to the XT250 club and I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine.

I also live in Los Angeles drive from Whittier to Torrance that’s 44 miles round trip plus after work I drive to Vernon from Torrance then to Whittier six days a week so is my daily commuter bought it brand new 2 miles on it April 27 this year and have put so far 2,800 miles on it . This motorcycle loves the city life maybe more than me? My street bike can’t take corners like this dual sport and it handles the shitty Los Angeles roads and on it I barely feel the bumps on my street bike I have to dodge them and barely anyone rides in the areas cause the roads are so shitty anyway great motorcycle

Yo! Hey thanks for all your videos and keep up the good work! I'm sure many people find all your instructional stuff, viewpoints, tips, tricks really helpful. Thanks for sharing your journey. I really enjoy it.

Bump start. I’ve been very successful doing that even with the EFI - no problem.

I'm on my second xt250 and was thinking about buying the versy 300 also. What do you like better and not better about the versy 300

That’s awesome! Yep, dang good bike.

200,000 Miles? Wow, kudos to you, that's awesome!

Wow

@@mollygrubber Nah that would be kms here in the Philippines ,still 👍

The new Honda 300? Not as light, but lightened up a bit with more power.

It’s gone for the Asian market since 2020 & now the WR250R is discontinued worldwide - it’s going to be interesting to see what Yamaha does in the small dual sport segment.

Better rear spring is the less expensive answer ... I've started looking at them. Then you can look at the value upgrades. Good collection of suspension upgrades on procycle: procycle.us/model/yamaha/xt250/suspension The only aftermarket full shock replacement I know of for the XT250 is the Cogent www.motocd.com/product/yamaha-xt250-shock/

Mine is still rolling strong! Great machine!

@ B Neves: I'm still hunting for my unicorn of a used XT250. Found a mid 80's XT350, very clean, low miles, great price. Just don't want to deal with carbs anymore; F.I. only. Just sold my '11 VStrom, DL650, all geared out by last owner for touring, i don't do that. I want to simplify my next bike purchase, light weight, low maint, short height. Your 2012 still had a carb right? Let us know how that comes along in time. So my used XT250 hunt continues. May have to just buy a new one next spring. It seems it's still being made, so cool.

@@ernieD different style of carburetor, to the xt 225, it is physically smaller, but runs well, a bit lean, but that's to be expected, because of emissions standards. No complaints thus far.

Nice. Ride on my XT250 down under brother!

Oh yeah, sure I have ... but I'm really not that aggressive of a rider - I'm just a not a very skilled rider yet. Seriously, everything I wreck on, a skilled rider could do with ease on my XT250. You won't blast through whoops on the XT250, but you'll get down the trail. Don't get me wrong, I love the IDEA of a WR250R, way more HP, more travel, adjustable suspension, better brakes, 6th gear, way, way better going down the freeway. It's more capable in all ways than the XT250 and I may get one some day ... and if I were looking to have a lightweight adventure touring bike, the WR250R would be my choice without question (I love this build www.rockymountainatvmc.com/rm-rider-exchange/2015-yamaha-wr250r-adv-dual-sport-bike-build/ ) ... but, they're TALL. I've sat on them and, yeah, it's intimidating. I actually felt more comfortable sitting on a Husky FE 350 & 450, maybe because of the light weight ... oh my. But I still appreciate the long maintenance intervals of the Yamaha dual sports. Down the road, if a Husky/KTM was like that, I'd probably hate to spend the money, but I'd go that route. For now and probably for a long while, I'm so happy with the XT250 and enjoy it so much, I'll stick with the mtn goat.

Footpegs = www.dmospecialties.com/ I’m 6’ with 32” inseam … I like having the riser bars. I put on the Zeta revolver shifter and added an offset tip to get more room. It’s still snug but better.

@@XT250allday Excellent ! Thanks so much for your feedback and sharing this link . I’m 5’9” with 30” inseam ( short arm length) so maybe the Ricky Carmichael bend will enhance the riding posture without making drastic changes . So many options to choose from . I just want to get a set of bars that promote a natural riding posture , which reduces fatigue when standing on the pegs , and improve the overall riding experience.

What?!? Brand new? Never heard that before. Yeah, I like having mirrors although to be legal where I am, you only need one. Hope you're seeing behind you and looking in front of you, riding soon!! Ride safe ET!

I’m so interested in what fills in behind the WR250R now that it’s out of production & the XT250 Serow JDM is no longer being offered so I can’t believe the XT250 is going to be offered in the US long term. Very interested in what comes next in the lightweight dual sport from Yamaha! Congrats on your ‘19 and ride on!

Ha ha ha - zero alcohol when riding. With 13K miles now, the XT is smashing right along and I just gave it a bit of a refresh, including a new header pipe- check it out!

replaced - found a used front rim, all good now and running an IRC TR8 Battle Rally front tire.

Direct ceramic composite plated cylinder uses “liner less” bores. > ceramic coating sprayed directly on the aluminum block, eliminating the liner & reducing weight > provides excellent heat dissipation for consistent power delivery > coating enhances the thin film of oil between the cylinder & piston, reducing friction & increasing power

Well, where I live, 80 mph interstates. So it's surface roads, which is fine.

@@XT250allday that’s max .. so you can ride at any reasonable. Speed below

@@billdrumming riding at 70 mph flat out on the XT250 when everyone around you is going 80 mph, not for the faint of heart. Super dangerous. I've done it. No fun.

@@XT250allday some people change the sprocket so 80mph all day on highway. The gearing is quite low. Great bike, but I see what you mean where you are

@@billdrumming Yep, bump it up to a 16 tooth front sprocket (which also corrects the speedometer) ... but no way do I want to loose low end so I've stuck with the stock config. And even with a 16 tooth, down the interstate with luggage, up a hill, in a headwind, to keep up cruising speed is just asking too much of the mountain goat. I've learned to live very happily within the XT250s capabilities.

Sorry to hear that - it’s down & dirty on XT250 All Day. One take, only take, no editing - it is what it is. Got any specific questions about the XT250? Be happy to drill in if you do.

FI on the XT 250 went into production starting in 2013. Yeah, the FI on mine (2014) has been flawless.

XT250 All Day lol yuh I had my facts mixed up there the 225 was the non fuel injected bike I’m pretty sure

@@jthebk3864 You are correct ... and the 250 was carbureted as well until 2013.

Said the guy with a welder & skills.

Thanks for pointing out how far behind I was on those rumors! I noted my own bad rumor spreading in the video description.

I didn’t, but it’s pretty straight forward. I didn’t have to rewire anything - just played with the routing a tiny bit and all good. I did need to rotate the brake cable off the front master cylinder down and that made enough free play available for he front brake cable.

@@XT250allday Thanks so much

gary murphy: No way to put a kick starter on the XT250.

bubba 2,500 or 25,000?

Simply happenstance. 🙂

Nice. Ride on!

I'm now running a 120x90x18 Tusk DSport rear and a 3.00x21 IRC TR8 Battle Rally front.

Currently running an IRC TR8 Battle Rally on the front ... seems to be wearing better than the front D606 did. I'm about to replace the rear D606 with the new Tusk DSport.

This list is almost all "check this" or "lube that" as far as action to take ... I'd say the maintenance requirements for the XT250 are very light. The things I've had the dealer do are check the intake value -- it's always been in spec -- and adjust the preload on the rear shock - a one-time job. Yeah, I wouldn't let that list scare you. I have a buddy that rolls on the DR200 and I've ridden it quite a few times. Does not have the power of the XT250 but it's lighter.

XT250 All Day I ended up picking up a 2018 XT250 and I’ve only put 15 miles on it but I couldn’t be happier great bike and I can’t wait to get it out to the deserts of SoCal

Ha ha ... yep, I noticed that as well. ;-)

Hi Elisha - so if we're talking about a new KLX250, with fuel injection, then I'd have to say you should ride them both and see what you think ... especially when it comes to how it fits you with the seat height. I've never ridden a new KLX250 ... but it's getting very good reviews. I'm a big fan of fuel injection ... carbs not so much. The new KLX250 is a bit heavier than the XT250, coming in at 304 lbs vs 291, but it has a sixth gear and looks to me like it's suspension is more off road capable than the XT250's -- has a nicer front fork and more rear shock travel than the XT250 and they're adjustable, so that's cool. Things I don't much appreciate on the KLX250 spec sheet is the seat height is 3 inches higher than the XT250 and the gas tank ... only 2 gallons? I actually think, now that I've been riding three years, I'd really like the KLX250 ... I'd choose it over the CRF250L for sure. I would have to believe the KLX250 is more capable off road than the XT250 ... but, it's 80% rider 20% bike as far as I'm concerned. I've seen experienced riders ride an XT250 like a bandit. Have fun deciding!

Thanks for the tips I went and took a look at the bikes and messed around with them both a little this past weekend and I liked them both the suspension was different between the 2 but I felt like I had much better control of the Yamaha so I picked it, look forward to many years of service. Nice video and thanks again.

Welcome to XT250 life!

Pro Tip: listen at 1.5 speed

I’ve now got 10K+ miles on that back rim … but. I might try to bash it out someday. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Gained some hp also. It's a beast now

I need to check those out. Just slipped it on, yes?