2024 Yamaha XT250: Great Beginner Bike for Some, Not For Others!

[@travishall67]

These are GREAT all-around bikes. I completely understand that they're under-powered by today's standards. They are still great all-around bikes. I used to own an XT225 but sold it after a few years. I missed the bike so I bought a '17 XT250 with 206 miles on it in 2017. Rode it a couple of years, then sold it. Still not sure why. A few weeks ago I stumbled onto an ad that was selling the exact same XT250 I sold about 5 years ago. I bought it back and have been riding the hell out of it. I've been riding a little over 35 years so far. I've owned about 25 bikes during that time including stuff like FJR1300ES and MT-10. I understand the appeal of the more powerful bikes. But the simplicity of the XT250 and the all-around capability it has makes me think I'm going to hold onto mine until they bury me. I rode mine about 185 miles today just for fun and enjoyed every minute of it. Oh, and I only stopped for gas once. I got somewhere around 65 mpg riding today and a lot of that riding was at 60+ mph. This bike is close to perfect for me. 👍🍻 PS - I still have a Suzuki V-Strom 650 sitting in the garage beside the XT250. The V-Strom is also a GREAT bike in my opinion. But I haven't even started it since I bought the XT250 back a few weeks ago.

[@John_Caravella]

I considered selling my '17 XT250 a few times, but I knew I'd regret it. This bike can go everywhere and requires next to no maintenance.

[@lovingmylifeasIage6741]

I have a 2015 bought new. I love this bike for city riding and back roads. Easy gravel road riding and camping. So easy to maintain. It will give you a life time of fun. This is a bike you buy and keep. Insurance is almost nothing. Fuel milage is around 70 mpg. Great for the environment and wallet. I get more looks and 👍then on the other bikes I ride and they are 2 Harley's and a ZX4RR.

[@wallymcguire2033]

Same here. My 2017 XT gets way more compliments than my Suzuki C50 and my Harley Davidson FLHTK. Everybody seems to love it, especially young guys

[@John_Caravella]

The two strongest selling points of the XT250 are reliability and simplicity. I bought mine new seven years ago as my 1st bike after passing the MSF course and I still ride it almost every day. With each year that passes, I appreciate this bike more. I doubt I'll ever sell it. Another bonus: It only costs $400/year to insure.

[@carllinden533]

One detail I love about my XT250 is the way it illuminates the license plate with a clear lense on the bottom of the taillight, yet again, *simple*

[@josephthornton8560]

Current issues with E5 and E10 blended fuels, Fuel Injection is the only way to go.

[@jjacoby1010]

I've been riding dual sports of all kinds for decades. This is my favorite bike so far!

[@glenndelacruz2906]

in Japan, this is very commonly used a adventure bike. It's called Serow 250 in Japan

[@jimbroen]

I live where potholes can be otherworldly. The XT might be a good starter bike for road only use in Edmonton where we know how to cultivate an off road experience in the middle of the city.

[@beardannyboy]

Highly interested in this bike as a new rider. The goal is to explore. I'm much more interested in the adventure side of things than the sport bike go-fast side of things. Plus the simplicity really appeals since I want to do as much of the wrench work as I'm able. Plus I'm 5'7", so the seat height is a positive. Given the above this really seems like THE bike to start out on. There are a few runner up bikes, like the klx 230 or a used 250, or a Honda CRF, maybe a cb500x if I want to go long distance on mostly pavement, but maybe I get that bike after a year or two on the XT250

[@John_Caravella]

You might find that the KLX and CRF are too tall for someone who's 5'7". With the XT you'll be able to put both feet flat on the road when you come to a stop. You can also flat-foot just about every street bike that I can think of.

[@capefear3297]

Great for the sorts of trail and secondary road riding that I do. I can escape onto the shoulder or other option easily enough if necessary. Simple maintenance , tough, and reliable. I'm a returning rider after 40 years.

[@WIImotionmasher]

I always assumed Id want an adventure / dual sport bike if I ever got a motorcycle. But you make a good point... I dont even know where the trails are near Fredericton. I always imagine highway driving and winding roads. Maybe I dont even want an off roader

[@zaffo757]

after YZs and a old XL250, buying a 2022 with fuel injection has been a great experience. Great around town bike.

[@56Spookdog]

It’s an all around good bike for dirt and street. as “beginner” bike you’ll learn more about handling in some dirt than you would in street riding. The tires are a compromise but work well on the pavement. I get the aspect of it being a beginner bike but the XT is so much more than a beginner bike and the dated simplicity is part of the appeal for experienced well aged riders. It’s not perfect but what it’s made for it works well.

[@hi-mx3pk]

I've had this bikes since 2008 and havnt had any problems- starts everytime and can run on the side of the road as fast as it can on the street

[@John_Caravella]

Have you had to replace the exhaust header?

[@hi-mx3pk]

@John_B52_HEMI No but I've repainted it and I bought a skid plate a while back that protects the very bottom it.

[@IdahoEagle77]

This bike is far better if you like to off-road at all. It gets 70+ mpg. Amazing.

[@BlackArroToons]

Nice review of this XT250.

[@lanarkwanderer]

Good review. You should have shown the riding position sitting and standing.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Did I not do that? I'm sorry. I almost always do! Unless you mean standing while riding. I didn't do that, and I can in a future video.

[@josephgeorgeejr7039]

I think everyone drops their bike is usually related to off road riding not so much on road

[@leopardhunter7491]

انت تبذل جهدا كبيراشكرا جزيلا لك اتمنى لوتتحدث عن المواصفات الفنية للدراجات مثل عدد الاحصنة وعزم الدوران وحجم خزان الوقود ....

[@herrtomas6729]

Hi Peter; that's a nice looking 'ordinary' bike. Just what some people look for.

[@furthereast6775]

With pirelli scorpions my Xt does everything except deep mud and sand. Or interstate freeway; but that’s not what it’s for. It’s more fun than my 650.

[@G-Man01]

I really wish someone would compare the Yamaha XT against the Honda AG, Suzuki Trojan and Kawasaki Stockman. I also wonder why noone converts these to Supermotos.

[@ronbang]

What if you just put street tires on it or smaller rims and street tires???

[@IceMastaChristopher]

Can anyone help me with this bike? I have a 2013 that is leaking oil after I changed the head gasket, and makes a chain like noise near the stator case

[@likeabug]

Peter Lowe 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@leanit5756]

If you are cross shopping this with the TW200, the XT250 is a much, much better motorcycle, both on street and on dirt.

[@PeterLoweOne]

The TW200 is a legendary small bike, a lot of people learned to ride on those and have great memories on them. I do agree with you though, objectively, spec sheet to spec sheet, the XT250 is a better bike. But I also continually warn people never to buy a bike based on a soec sheet. A bike should bring you joy, and sometimes a simple bike can bring just as much joy (or even more!) than an objectively better bike.

[@vogelwild382]

Well,i spent 15 min lifetime to a wanna be worldchampion in fastspeaking to find out weather this bike is something for me or not! To be honest ,i don t know! All what was important for a dessicion you left. Things like: wheight,fuel consumtion,tank capacity,suspension travel and adjustment,horsepower,tork,tube wheels or not!price!so what?

[@PeterLoweOne]

I cover things that the basic website doesn't cover. Literally everything you're asking to find out is on the spec sheet on the Yamaha website. This channel may not be for you, and that's ok.

[@thumpbackmale]

Ugly tail light