Yamaha XT250 Brutally Honest Review, Is this the right Dual sport Motorcycle for you?

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Awesome supporters click here for more free content: www.patreon.com/MotorcyclesOffoad Our Merch: motorcyclesoffroad.com/store-page/ Motorcycle benefits for OLDER RIDERS kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3uqn4uNgJufhdU ---- NEW FB community group: facebook.com/groups/610565163851862 --- Amazon Store link: www.amazon.com/shop/EliteGamingHQ 5 tips to make you a better off-road rider instantly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqPPo3qAncdprck REVIEWS: DRZ 400 Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iX3HYqWCmNatkKc TW200 Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4i8YXuVop6dpZo CRF300L rally Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHbNXn6OlrepidU Tenere 700 review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2K1Y4pofNlsfc0 CRF300L review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGKwfmCVnq-bmKM CRF300L vs KLX300: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5aWhaNmmZ1pipI CRF300L vs DRZ400: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5apqnWDf9CAp7s CRF300L vs WR250R: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWG5imOti96gl7s CRF300L vs CRF250L: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ-Upq2FfbCBqc0 Tenere 700 VS 300L side by side comparison: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpvEgmp6nNWJotE

[@SecretSquirrel-et6dl]

I wish all these people with “$3000” xt250s would find out how to list their bikes online. I haven’t found that deal and have tried hard.

[@zauranxx7895]

How much have you seen them for? I just found a 2013 xt250 listed for 3500 that I was gonna see if they would take 3000. Not sure if its a good price or not, low miles and in good shape.

[@bkauffman0390]

I been watching for over a month and found a 2008 with 8k miles for 2800. Going to pick it up Saturday is the plan. I know the 2008 are carbureted tho

[@CMstorm2112]

I just got a 2023 with less than 400 mi on it for $3900, thought that was a fairly good deal, The dude was asking $4500

[@fyegarage5901]

Where are you located

[@theonehavingthekey5966]

Love my xt250. Not as fast and not too much power, but it will get the job done and won't disappoint; highly reliable. Thanks for sharing.

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

This is true, I was just mentioning above on another comment the same thing. We loaded it down with all of my daughters camping gear and rode 8hrs a day in offroad conditions.

[@chazlyle41]

XT225 was my first motorcycle almost 20 years ago! The XT250 is among some of the final bikes available in a long line of old school simple bikes that some of us love (The SR400, CB1100, VanVan200, and TU250X also come to mind). They’re sort of the final form, final evolution, and I believe the XT250 being the final available new, or simple air cooled bikes (that ended up with EFI) before their more complicated and modern siblings took over. The new 300LS would be a competitor and better bike for most, however there’s just something about these simple air cooled 80s to today bikes some of us will always love :)

[@PA96704]

It's a mountain bike on steroids. I love it!

[@Tony-zp8xn]

I like that you mentioned not having to deal with a carb. It seems like bringing this up online always leads to the die-hard XR/DR/DR-Z fanboys associating it with being mechanically inept. They never seem to consider the fact that the bike they ride hasn't been updated in 30 years and newer models are always FI. FI is just less hassle and more reliable.

[@EulogizingSleep]

I love the dr650 in theory and have always wanted one. I almost pulled the trigger recently. The deal was just so good and the bike as still nearly new and in mint condition. But it already was finicky on startup because the owner barely rode it and we are in higher altitude. Ended up passing on it as I just don’t think I want to deal with a carbureted bike as my go to bike. Oh well

[@Donnie-cj8tg]

​@@EulogizingSleep that's like passing on an early 340 dodge dart because it's got a carb. Upgrades that are way better than the originals are out their. Great video support on carb updates, tuning, repair and swaps not to mention learning to master carb technology is a great skill set to have.

[@PWalden762]

I have been fixing up a 1998 KTM 200 EXC. It has been great, but one thing I will say is that being carbureted is kind of annoying. When the air temp changes, I can feel the difference in power if I don't at least change the clip position on the needle in the carb to compensate. It's annoying and in general I kind of wish I had a "worse" (or at least lower performance) bike that was easier to live with.

[@ausforce1]

The WR250R was and still is the king of lightweight adventure bikes. Yamaha lost its mind discontinuing that bike 🤦‍♂️🤡

[@thewrdudes4536]

I always tell em to make a wr350r

[@CollinMac96]

Wr had poor sales compared to the other dual sports. People keep saying they should make a 350 or 400 but don’t realize the bike will cost 12 grand lol. Then they will complain it is too expensive

[@thewrdudes4536]

@@CollinMac96 the wr came out before adv riding got super popular

[@ausforce1]

@CollinMac96 what you said is exactly correct. However, the market for light dual sports is completely different now. The WR250R was king bit came to soon, and cost to much in the minds of buyers who were use to rock bottom budget bikes in the category. The WR250r pathetic the way and got cancelled right when all it needed was a capacity bump and to enjoy the money pouring in. Such a missed opportunity 😪

[@CollinMac96]

@@ausforce1 I think yami dropped the ball by making it too good of a bike for the competition. Too pricey! Buying the klx or crf 250 and modifying it would still be cheaper than a new wr with similar performance

[@plokmko0]

Thx for the video, keep up the good work. Would like to see how the KLX 230 ABS vs the XT 250 compare, haven't ridden a bike with ABS in the sugar sand and wonder what your daughter thinks of it.

[@kurthedgecock6313]

Another good video. Watched til the end.

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Thanks for the support and watching until the end

[@adamlanglois563]

The XT is a nice simple little bike.

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Yeah I agree, a small air cooled machine.

[@ShinyKnife]

New subscriber here. Watched until the end. One thing you forgot to mention is the XT is made in Japan. I think the crf300l and KXL are made in Thailand. I’ve always had good luck with Japanese bikes.

[@PineyRider]

Always nice to discover channels that are based in my backyard! I ride the Pine Barrens as much as possible. I live right in Manchester. I ride a TW200, most frequently in Colliers. (Just realized I commented on your videos before. Subscribing)

[@jrodriguez8216]

Love this review since I really want this motorcycle. I also enjoy when you see the bike and rider from different angles but I understand that takes a lot more time to film and edit.

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Ohh for sure. It took 8 hrs of editing on this video not counting the footage. That's script, voice over, and general video editing.

[@TheXTLife]

Outstanding review 👏 on the xt250. Love that bike 🏍.

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

It is a fun and very manageable little bike. I can also speak on its reliability. For the trips we took it on the worst that happened is 2 bolts on the front headlight backed out at some point. And this was 8hrs a day of riding loaded down wither gear. So I would have to say it gets a positive mark when it comes to durability.

[@briiiick]

Great video, thanks! Could you please provide more details on the exhaust and airbox mod? What else would you recommend to get a little more HP out of the engine?

[@chillinchevapchichi]

thanks andrew!

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

No problem, thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@karlfonner7589]

Well done video. Thank you sir.

[@flyovercounty1427]

Mori san has a video on his Mori TV channel showing the trials side of the XT’s design. The best “mod” I have on mine is large footrests for stand up riding.

[@geraldmccabe9023]

Another great video Andrew! My wife just bought this bike new last year. She likes the bike but hates the stock tires on it. She says the seem wobbly to her and she doesn’t trust them. May I ask what tires you are running on your xt250? Thanks again for another informative video!

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Well sure, firstly tho what are you looking for? Would it be used more on road or more aggressive offroad?

[@geraldmccabe9023]

@@MotorcyclesOffroad ty for the reply. We are currently looking for some lite trail riding locations to ride on. We tried reading outdoors but it is too aggressive for my wife. I ride there with my buddy but it is stressful for me also since we are both in our late 50s . We are just looking for nice forest roads or trails to ride on and most likely we will have to drive far to get to them. But I would like her to have a tire that can handle some rough patches in the chance we might encounter some on our adventures. I currently am running the d606 on my rear and the mt21 on my front for my crf300l and I like them a lot but I’m not sure she needs that on her bike.? So any help you can give in choosing a good tire for her would be appreciated. Ty

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Do you mount them yourself? My favorite 50/50 tires are Shinko 244 with rim locks. When you mount them use rim tape and put weights equal to the rim lock weight on the inside of the tire but on the opposite side. Makes it much easier to balance. Then offroad depending on the terrain I would modulate the pressure. Sand I would go like 12/10psi on rocks I would go like 15-16psi. Then back up for road use. If you dont have rim lock holes you may have to drill them. I think I have some information on this on my Patreon. If I dont I can make a video dedicated for it. The reason I asked if you do them yourself because I may be able to do it for you (at my mechanic rate) since you dont seem to be too far away. Other places to look to ride in Lost trails, a ton of the higher trails are marked green. I heard bald eagle state park but have never been there. Then also the pines where I ride a lot, I do exploration tours for people in the summer at no cost.

[@geraldmccabe9023]

@@MotorcyclesOffroad thanks for the offer to mount my tires for me but my buddy does it for me since he has all the tools required plus it only cost me a case of beer lol…I watched a couple of reviews on the Shinko 244 they look like a great tire and aren’t real expensive so I think I will take your advice and try them out on her bike and hopefully she likes them. Thanks for the tire pressure advice, I just bought a portable pump so we will have to try these numbers out. Thanks for the tips on places to ride but unfortunately my wife doesn’t like to ride her motorcycle long distances on the major highways she says it is to dangerous with all the crazy drivers out there and the 18 wheelers speeding by passing her terrify her. So I’m gonna have a hard time finding places to ride where she feels comfortable and within a half hour ride from the house. Unless I break down and buy a trailer to haul the bikes to the farther location but for me that defeats the purpose of having a dual sport. So maybe I will have to spend the time on mapping out back roads to get to some of these places that way she won’t feel so insecure in having to ride in the heavy traffic and will ride farther with less traffic. Plus the scenery will make the ride nicer and more enjoyable. What us men won’t do for our wives lol Ok thanks again for the advice and keep up the great videos!

[@thejoatmoo]

@@geraldmccabe9023 I’m sure you’ll get the same job for a case of beer.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

As an older rider, I would love to just once watch a POV ride without a damn phone on the bike.

[@enzostrada4705]

Saw this vid from facebook ! Cool vid im from nj too

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Nice, what do you ride?

[@robinbanks610]

An awesome bike👍. Thanks for the vid……

[@johngaller278]

The XT reminds me of the Suzuki SP 200 I had in the mid 80s. It was a blast to ride. Now youve got me thinking ....hhmmm.

[@MARKCANEER]

Good video, Thank You for the info 👍🙏

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Thank you for watching!

[@kriskjellquist1758]

FWIW we have a 2020 XT250 with Dunlop 606 (90/10) full knobbies and have no issues with the front fender.

[@seawench555]

Thank you for giving ur daughter the opportunity to play, just like the boys, wish more Fathers men would do the same.💜🇦🇺🤘

[@rodneybutler7939]

Thanks !!!

[@montanalorente2074]

How much weight can it hold?

[@codejunky6244]

Hey thanks for the review. Question though, you mentioned seat height is 31.9in but the specs say 32.7in as did the visual you threw up of the comparison to other models. I'm prolly missing something but can you confirm which is correct?

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Sorry for the confusion, the seat height of an XT225 is 31.9" but an XT250 is a 32.7".

[@NKeller2]

what navigation app did you use for the for the TNJT file? North Jersey CRF300L rider myself!

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

I have been making it myself, I have been using rever on my phone after I make the maps on desktop.

[@nelyat3892]

How does this bike compares to crf250l?

[@theburger_king]

Had it had any mechanical changes whatsoever since 2013? Some places I’ve found say some model years have slightly different seat heights but that’s all I could find, I found a 2013 I want to buy but I’m worried it might not be as good as the newer models since it’s the first year of fuel injection edit: i bought it its a w bike

[@dougupah8778]

At my age I usually ride strictly street but I'm going to CO this year and I want to ride some of the passes, black bear, Imogene......I don't want to spend a lot of $$$ on an adventure bike that I wont get my moneys worth out of it, I'm experienced but just looking to have some fun without breaking the bank, would this bike be a good choice? When I'm done I'll give it to my son that's graduating college next year and it'd be a good bike for him to have some fun on and decide if he wants to move up

[@BrianSmith-ql5nj]

I want one for my daughter to learn on and ride with me on my 2024 kawasaki klx 300

[@wallymcguire2033]

I taught my 19-year-old daughter how to ride on my XT 250. She had never been at controls before, but picked it up pretty much instantly. They are light and super easy to ride.

[@zoltanplaszko3190]

I need it

[@monoshock57]

Do you have a link to the fuel injection mod/chip? I think I would put a 300cc big bore kit and pipe if I buy one.

[@Crvmbs]

i'm working on the tnjt myself. so far have done 200 miles of it. What version of the gpx are you using?

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

@@Crvmbs i used old prints and made my own from my knowledge of the trails using rever ap.

[@Crvmbs]

@@MotorcyclesOffroad It's certainly much more complicated without prior knowledge.. maybe i'll see you out there

[@PrejudicePain]

As someone who is 6'2 (190lbs) I was wondering what kind of dual-sport Motorcycle you might recommend since you mentioned people taller might have trouble with comfort on this bike?

[@wallymcguire2033]

I'm 5'11" and it's fine for me. I have two larger motorcycles (a Suzuki C50 and a Harley FLHTK) but I use them mostly for highway riding. I ride my XT more than either of them.

[@andytheindividual3862]

Question,I am 6'5, will I fit on this bike? 🥺

[@JohnDoe-dj6qw]

NO. I was slightly cramped at 6'.

[@ericroman9126]

Is that the Pine Barrens?

[@wadesafool]

Can you pop the front tire off the ground on this bike using throttle only? Does it have enough power for that?

[@wallymcguire2033]

I can't, but I probably don't have enough skill to do it anyways. I've fallen off motorcycles before and at my age I prefer not to be falling off on the highway or a trail. First is geared pretty low for trail riding but I don't think it pulls hard enough to lift the front.

[@shadowdance4666]

I believe that 150-300 is all that you will ever need for a true dual sport. Otherwise it is just something else

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

I agree but I would say draw the line at 350cc I loved my Dr350se.

[@shadowdance4666]

@@MotorcyclesOffroad how heavy was it? Is it a 2 stroke?

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

@@shadowdance4666 4 stroke, 286lbs. 6 speed transmission

[@shadowdance4666]

@@MotorcyclesOffroad that’s lite for a 350. Well done

[@wrenchmonkey3920]

getting 76 mpg on my stock rally. wouldnt mind an XT to get better with trail skills. Plenty of state land in southern tier NY. hi from the 'cuse.

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Nice, im in NJ myself. I haven't been out to check out NY yet.

[@ronaldhenry5129]

I did not look at all the comments , what state is this ? It looks similar to where i live in Florida

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

New jersey

[@autismion]

vs. my WR I like the lower weight, simplicity and torque. But it felt kind of like a toy, too small for a tall rider. Perfect for a shorter one. And the suspension just isn't as good.

[@onlineyong]

Mind if I ask how tall your daughter is? I'm pretty short for a guy at 5'6'" tall. I'm just wondering if she's able to flat-foot while sitting on the bike. Cheers.

[@johngallo8914]

I believe he states in the video she's 5'4"

[@onlineyong]

@@johngallo8914 Thanks. I watched it again and he did say that. 👍

[@joseraiseddante7521]

32km/lí awesome

[@jedeckert8912]

Where are you riding in this video?

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

I ride in a bunch of areas in south jersey, the pine barrens, and the mountains is PA.

[@ConnaEdits]

Where are these trails ?

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

@@ConnaEdits new jersey mostly

[@johngallo8914]

​@MotorcyclesOffroad can you be more specific? I live on Mcguire AFB and just got a '25 xt250 end of August and wanted to look for legal off-road spots. I ride the base ranges, which all have fire roads, but have to watch out for military training and hunters.

[@dirtroadjim5970]

I ride a xt 250 for 4 year only off road in the worst offroad you can do Hunting with rifle .. don't be fooled by low hp .. I can climb near straight up hills Never let's me down ..

[@ogoshikimura5621]

Does the low seat hight mean tall people can't ride it?

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

It just means your knees will be at a bar angle and uncomfortable after a long ride. It will feel cramped

[@jhackett9482]

3000 is cheap! They are high priced in IL. New they are 8000 new here. More than a klr650 or dr 650.

[@DavidWade-fm3pb]

5500 in Mississippi

[@row911sc]

end :) Great vid as always. I'm considering an XT250 for my kids to join me out on the trails.

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Well I will say it's a good starter bike and very easy to maintain.

[@johnmclaughlin4802]

👍

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

👍🏍

[@njphotoman]

This video is perfect timing as I am considering placing a deposit on either the TW200 or the XT250 in the next few days. Fact of the matter is that I own a 2009 KLR 650 and a 2023 Trail 125 and live in North Jersey in Jefferson Twp. Though I love my little CT125, it is very limited in it's ability to jump over logs or maneuver through rocky terrain. Just this past weekend, one of my twin sons purchased a 2024 DRZ400, though he's 32 1/2 years old and I'm turning 71 in April. So, this review really ticks off all the concerns I have as to it's beginner friendly off-road capabilities! I'll be riding 600 miles of the CPAT in June with a friend and his family and though I know the Trail would likely be fine, I'd be the slowest rider in the group unless I rode the KLR instead. Interestingly, my other twin son's first motorcycle was an XT250 fitted bt a mc mechanic with the 350 motor. Wish he jept that bike! Thank you for an outstanding thorough review Andrew!

[@SigmaSheepdog]

Great video! I currently ride a WR250R and a Gen 3 KLR, and this combination really works for me. But, last year, I rode an XT250 for the first time and I was quite impressed with it, and now, I want one. At 5'11" , 220lbs with gear I feel a tad bit big for the bike, but it hauled me around just fine. I really like the relatively low first gear, the sharper turning radius, the high ground clearance, and EFI. It's a great bike!

[@AzPauly]

fwiw, I'm almost 60, have a XT225 which I changed fork and shock springs+ Seat Concep;ts, and a XR650L, the XT is like a mini version of the XRL, very capable with the same size wheels, but the low seat and light weight make it SO MUCH EASIER to deal with on the trails, it only lacks on highway jaunts-55 to 60-65max flat where the big XR is 80+..put 300 miles on the XT in Moab, Ut a few weeks ago and did everything I asked it to..keep in mind the XT's are mellow capable trail bikes, not KTM enduros and embrace them for what they are..👍

[@nevillemanno4912]

Nice Vid, I after having a couple of bikes with fuel injection< I would much rather a Carby. There have been too many problems with Gummed up Injectors. True that EFI is good if you are changing altitudes often, but other than that, carby is still the way to go!

[@markhall3434]

I think the KLX300 is the new Rip Off Bike.. $6K is just too much.. is it inflation or greed? Heck the KLR650 is just a smidge more than the KLX300! Something up at Kawasaki. Yamaha, can you do a KLX killer for a better price? Same weight, maybe a few more ponies.. as good of suspension.. maybe a 300ish twin? Water cooled please.. is Kawasaki "DFI" real direct injection? The big thumpers are just a bit much.

[@AwesomesMan]

What about the crf300l?

[@AwesomesMan]

Or crf300ls

[@AgnesCarpenter-p1o]

Harris Jose Robinson Sandra Moore Betty

[@sainaeffct6828]

Instead of the dude, just saying, the bike is good. He rather wastes all of our time on advertisements on his own Amazon. So does that mean he did not like the bike since he had to put in thousands of dollars to make it run differently

[@MotorcyclesOffroad]

Doing KZbin is interesting because mostly you get positive people but sometimes you get this foolish human. So I guess most people like the video since it has a 98.5% positive like to dislike ratio. And "thousands of dollars to make it run differently" you should have payed attention to addition in 3rd grade math since I didn't even put in 500$ to "make it run differently" as well as I had to do exhaust since the previous owner drilled holes in the silencer and it was running lean as a product of that. Maybe one day you can be a better human, maybe even a functional member of society but you have a lot to work on sainaeffct6828 😘

[@Bruno-my9uf]

There in never been that xt 250 here in canada . ! Just the limpy 225 .