XR 250R Extreme Makeover

Hermit shows off what all he's done to spruce up that old beat up XR250R he bought for $1K.
Front Fender:
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/...
Headlight:
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/...
Hand Guards:
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/...
Brake Light:
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/...
Seal Savers:
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/...
Grips:
www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/...
Burrito Tube video:
• How To Make a WR250R B...
DRZ400 Makeover video:
• DRZ400 Walk Around
Hermit DaVlog App:
play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Follow Hermit DaVlog:
/ hermitdavlog
/ hermitdavlog
/ hermitdavlog
/ hermitdavlog
Bikes Hermit rides:
DR-Z 400S (DRZ400)
WR 250R (WR250R)
Gear:
Helmets:
Icon Variant - www.amazon.com/dp/B0079VKTN6?t...
Speed and Strength SS2500 - www.amazon.com/dp/B00EFMR3WM?t...
Camera:
GoPro Hero 3+ Silver - www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3F0EIU?t...
Mic:
Sony ECM PC60 - www.amazon.com/dp/B0058MJWJK?t...
-------------------------------------------------------
"Corncob" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@ChaoticDetour]

I like how it turned out. That exhaust note sounds nice too. Makes me want a small 250 again.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Do it!

[@johnmccoy1887]

Nice Job, it feels great to take pride and personalize any thing. You have a good eye for the right stuff

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@keithhoward3116]

I love the old xrs it takes me back to the old days

[@TortureTestMagazine]

My XR looks like poop and I love it that way LOL

[@HermitDaVlog]

I get it. It's kind of like rat-rods, right.

[@natemercure1770]

Frickin Jim's Frickin Adventures same mine is all white

[@jimbeaver27]

Mine has patina and I like it :)

[@HawkGirlMistyV]

Looks great, what a difference that made, awesome job!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@dgubler]

Great video. I have an '01 Xr200 that is being neglected. This is motivating me to get it fixed up and looking nice.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Do it!

[@eveRide]

Looks awesome man! Great work!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks. I'm going to be really sad when you destroy it.

[@howardferguson1281]

The whole time I'm watching this video I'm wondering why you're breathing so hard.

[@colinr6912]

Same..

[@sesh3508]

Or he just got off the bike and riding is known to get you breathing especially off road

[@NicholasMaietta]

I'm really considering getting into a dual sport or cruiser. I've never rode a bike before but this seems to fit my lifestyle. Thanks for the vid.

[@jackrabbit8703]

Sounds and looks great. Nice job.

[@usernaame316]

love the black/red design. it looks very cool, i definitely prefer it over white/red combination. good job! 👍🏻

[@BACK40ADVENTURE]

Holy guacamole that a sweet looking bike. Looks brand new. Great job herm

[@HermitDaVlog]

+BACK40ADV Thanks!

[@JacobRshepard]

I love coming back to this video. A great example of what someone can do with just a bit of work on an old bike. I also like eveRide's video on the Blue Angel, even though he went really far on that one! Currently am going through MrDuhfactor's KLX rebuild playlist and am looking forward to overview of the XR400.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks. Sounds like we have similar taste.

[@MawaMaverick]

Sound majestic.

[@atiger4716]

Very well done! I like it a lot, congrats!!!

[@Oni76]

Like the transition, as it really brought it to a much more current look. I love the air-cooled bikes. They run like clockwork, and make great torque right off the bottom. They're lightweight and most of it is lower in the frame. I've run my wife's CRF150F many a time with buddies on bigger bikes and even in a race last year, and people are surprised by just how well they perform. The one thing I'd throw out as cautionary are the seal savers. While the dust boots help to keep dirt away from the seals just like the seal savers, they also protect the fork legs from getting scratched, chipped, or indented from tip overs or debris such as rocks and roost. But it seriously looks good - nice work!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Great point. I think I'll at least get the longer ones.

[@Oni76]

Ha, they always appreciate the longer ones!

[@lloydwellington5271]

You did a stellar job there. Don't fret, I ate enough pizza for the both of us.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Ok, good. I was worried about that.

[@Jockmystilo]

I couldn’t get past one minute with the breathing. Cool bike

[@IRQ1Conflict]

This is great! Really inspiring. Now I wanna wrap my 2005 quad lol.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Do it, and send me the video.

[@smokesandalloy9487]

Many great tips and links. Thanks.

[@Tankerman]

Very well done. I really like what you done with her. Stay safe

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks! Stay safe

[@nicholaszakrajcek9704]

Nice bike mate, really looks like a good amount of time and care has been put into the old girl

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks. It was really a satisfying project.

[@minitstop]

I used to have a red bike...but then I took an arrow to the knee. Good job on that XR. Looks hermitastic!

[@HermitDaVlog]

I think you would like this red bike. You and I have both ridden the WR250R on the trails I'm riding in this video and I actually like the red bike more. It doesn't have as much overall power, but It's smaller, lighter and the torque is in down low instead of high. You should come try it out. I even have an extra seat we can hack up.

[@shawn1388boy]

looks like a totally new machine! nice job

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@danb37]

Thanks for sharing Just did my 99 up. Used the 97 tank graphics

[@markkus1134]

Just got a 2003 XR 400 mint with street lighting kit and titled love it!

[@border411]

I really think that looks just about perfect!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@sheepdawg6946]

I just bought my first dirt bike and it is a 2003 XR 250R. Yours is a hottie for sure.

[@mikelyons7511]

Nice bike. The slow down take a deep breath enjoy.

[@oldschooldirtbiker]

Been watching all this series great stuff I love it!! Old bikes are my passion, hence the name Oldschooldirtbiker..

[@HermitDaVlog]

Well, that explains it.

[@sarcasualindividual]

if o;d bikes are your passion i jsut bought a 92 dr 350 and needs parts any good website

[@BlakeRTyler]

Nice video, that bike looks really good!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@bigair0176]

NJ dude. XR's are great bikes. I miss mine dearly.

[@simplelife4six956]

Great video. Great looking bike. Been really thinking about getting one of those to compliment my KLR. It would be nice to have a smaller bike once in a while. Keep up the great work sir.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Highly recommend it as a KLR supplement.

[@danodbdb]

Very nice job! Looks bad ass! The xr250r is a great bike!

[@HermitDaVlog]

It sure is!

[@paulcondie2520]

Looks sharp!

[@J0mama1]

Looks great!

[@tymorgan952]

Thanks for the links just picked a clean xr250 for $700

[@abhisheknegi2030]

very nicely restored and modified..

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@theninja001]

Sweet bike, these XR's are so underrated! I would love a 400 and a 250 !

[@HermitDaVlog]

I think if I knew then what I know now my first to bikes would have been a 250 and a 400.

[@mjrybread]

I have a KZbin page where I ride mine and it is fun ,,fast and light xr250

[@mrclean6796]

That is without a doubt one of the coolest bike transformations I've ever seen. I love the color scheme of black and red as they look awesome together. Great job! I may be a little biased since I have an '84 XR 500R.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks! Working on an XR400 over this winter. Hoping it turns out just as good.

[@maliamaxcy7065]

Looks great. The XR 250 deserves to look decent, it may be the worlds greatest off road bike in a grin for dollar competition, have run these for years, not the fastest, best handling but fun for the dollar they have no equal.

[@theimaginarygarage]

She looks great - bikes a credit to you!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@papafred501]

How do you not have more subscribers?? This channel is awesome!!!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Hey, thanks! Love hearing that!

[@peasandphilshudprice1752]

nice vid really like the older bikes

[@HermitDaVlog]

Me too.

[@tommykawasaki9676]

Gorgeous bike !

[@aimusoorii4484]

You should have put telescopic fork covers on this bike like the one in the DRZ

[@markgunnison]

Great job!

[@HermitDaVlog]

+Mark Gunnison Thanks!

[@danp4203]

Looks awesome man

[@HermitDaVlog]

+Dan P Thanks!

[@khalidfazil6209]

nice job dude

[@ranchrampers]

a friend of mine just got one in a package deal that im going to buy :) thanks for the inspiration! you should do a xr250 vs wr250 video

[@HermitDaVlog]

+Dillon Nafziger Great idea!

[@dylandualsport1462]

you made that bike beautiful dude

[@unclequack5445]

Stock exhaust looks good on this build.

[@jsxelmalade]

Looks good!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@wesbuhr548]

hermit you're a genius

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@parkers7009]

your bike looks awesome! i had an 03 xr100 at one point lol. id like to make a 250 street legal some day like you did.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Do it. It's worth it.

[@SteelHorseman]

Nice hand guards!!

[@HermitDaVlog]

I really like them!

[@03bonneville]

Good job looks killer

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@chico280]

nice job! thinking about making over my 91 now

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks. It was a fun and pretty cheap little project.

[@ColoradoDualSport]

You went to rampart without me? jerk! Also, nice job on that title card. looks like something eveRide would come up with. I'm glad you got that new break light, that other one was way way to dim.

[@HermitDaVlog]

You would have hated it. It was on a Tuesday, and nobody was there, the trail was dry, it was 72 degrees... Come to think of it, I probably should have told you I was going.

[@waynes.2983]

chewed up handguards always look the best.

[@koehlerrk1]

Looks great Hermit! Job well done. And it doesn't look like a butt! :-)

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@hillbillydualsport]

Looks realy good

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@eshibui]

Thank you for making these videos. After watching your videos and some other ones about the 1996-2004 Honda XR250R, I am looking for one out here in California. What speedometer and tachometer are you using on your XR250R?

[@JacobRshepard]

Performance tip: red paint makes it go faster!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Got it!

[@mortengammelgaard929]

Sweet.... I`m doing the same to a 650r right now 👍

[@p7ayboy]

🤘 Rock on!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Rock on!

[@tincuppassracing]

Looks good

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@evanraynor7147]

Rocky Mountain ATV actually does sell a mx style rear fender for the XRs. I got one for my xr400r a couple weeks ago, its made by Polisport.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Yep. Can't get it in black though.

[@stevebmoto4858]

Great makeover. What exhaust do you have on that bike? I noticed the DRZ had the same one, so i figured it's one you prefer. Always enjoy your videos

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks for watching! I have stock exhaust on both those bikes. On the XR I removed the baffle out of the tip. It sounds good and performs as well as anything aftermarket. Some bikes have really corked up exhaust and can really benefit from an aftermarket pipe, but not the XR or DRZ.

[@SNxr400r]

Great Job...Miss your vids... I'm looking at a XR400 & XR250....since you have had both do you think one is better then the other? I sorta like the 6 speeds on the 250....but the 400 is such a torque monster....

[@tyhackathorn2878]

Wow nice job on the old xr my son found a 91 on Craig's list it's in pretty good shape they're asking 900 dollars for the bike I don't know much about them other than their reliable and nimble

[@HermitDaVlog]

My rule of thumb is if I can part it out for about what I bought it for and fix it up for less than I bought it for then how ban can it be?

[@johnmaciejewski4]

Oh ok looks like you covered the tuneup I guess I missed the that video. I was just wondering? My bad. Thx

[@Jpizzle925]

its a beauty

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@mikem5475]

beautiful

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@border411]

I just got a 2003 XR250R.....so nice! Come to find out...per Racetech....the stock springs are perfect for my weight (180#)

[@robertgoldbecker6689]

Great job! Looks like new. Since you have so many bikes now I don't need to bring my XChallenge down when you invite me to ride with you and CDS!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Dang it!

[@robertgoldbecker6689]

I'm joking of course. I hope I'm not offending or annoying you guys by joking around. Well............annoying would be ok! Keep up the great videos and I'll see you at thanksgiving.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Robert Goldbecker If you're not offending somebody, you're boring everybody. Keep up the good work.

[@MrMoo-kb7rl]

love the bike i have a dr350 its awesome

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@Cowboy4737]

looks great,Just did a 06 KTM 450xc,Its fun watching them transform into nicer bike.

[@HermitDaVlog]

That's a cool bike. I like the KTM frames a lot.

[@Cowboy4737]

Coming from many two stoke 250's this four stroke 450 is a monster.

[@Bleek_AMG]

I like what you did Im trying to figure out what to do with a 1973 Honda xl250 I might just sell it

[@aseredy]

Wow, talk about a makeover! Looks great. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of white bikes either, but I am a fan of being seen. So I made my bike white.

[@aseredy]

Not as nice as Motonosity's... but she's mine. plus.google.com/108886863274854304479/posts/dWYPQ1qess1

[@HermitDaVlog]

That ain't too bad, I'd ride it. I hear you about being seen. On street I wear hi-viz even though though I think it looks ridiculous.

[@garrettanderson7803]

This is basically what I need to do with my WR250f

[@HermitDaVlog]

Go for it. It aint that hard.

[@DaleJacaway]

Love the bike curious where are you looks like an awesome place to ride

[@ronin99999]

Excellent video,did you make it street legal or was the original bike a dual sport?

[@caryjellison7741]

I have a1984 xr350r that I will be adding some better looking parts to. I really like what you did to your 250. great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@Dickfatkins87]

im doing the same thing with my xr200r there's not much out there for it...bike looks great

[@HermitDaVlog]

Thanks!

[@67JD110]

I know your at a higher altitude but how is your carb tuned? main/primary jets,needle valve and mixture screw? great looking bike bud keep putting out these great videos!

[@HermitDaVlog]

I'm running 125/42 jets and it needs choke just to start cold and runs between 200 and 230 so I think that's right.

[@67JD110]

+Hermit DaVlog ok thank you for answering that's is a very nice bike bud good job on the transformation! be safe and keep the greasy side down

[@shaunsavage1726]

Nice bike

[@yoboo6167]

Let me first say thank you for sharing all your videos, your always giving good info and advice for us mortal riders and your entertaining to watch! It's seems you have a lot of experience with different bikes. I was looking seriously at buying a wr450 until I saw you highway riding it... "stupid, stupid, stupid!" Lol, that cured me of wanting to buy one haha. So to get to the point, if you had to choose one good 75% trail/25% highway bike, which would it be? xr250, xr400 or wr250? Thank you in advance for your opinion.

[@HermitDaVlog]

So my WR450F was an 08 and it's really not fair to compare that to a 2016. If you check out +revZoot 's videos you might reconsider the WR450F. For sure I wouldn't go with the XR250. I think everyone should have one of those, but as a second bike, not as an only bike. Still would make a great first bike, but just until you figure out what you really need from a bike and not if you have to actually get on the highway and go 70mph for more than a mile. I haven't been able to give the XR400R a chance yet. I know it's going to be my best bike on the trail, but I haven't put it on the highway yet. Seems like I'm at least going to like it on the road more than that WR450F, but I can't tell by how much the WR250R is going to best the XR on road. The WR250R is an incredibly versatile bike. It's nothing like a WR250F though, so make sure you understand that. If I was going to have one bike and I was buying it new and had to stay around $7K, for sure I'd take the WR250R. Used I wouldn't pay the $1K premium they seem to have over the DRZ400S, and at the moment I wouldn't pay the $1,500 premium the DRZ seems to have over the XR400R. So if you're OK with an old bike that you might need to fix up and will have to kick, I'd go with the XR400R, but I don't fault anyone who want's something a little more sophisticated and opts for the DRZ or the WR250R. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching.

[@yoboo6167]

Hermit DaVlog , that helps a ton! my initial budget is in the $2k range but if the wr250r was worth it I would save up the extra 1500. I have thought about the 250f as a more serious trail bike but honestly I like the the simplicity and reliability of the xr400, plus its always fun to get a bike that needs a little work and to do it yourself. The last dual sport I had, I bought for my wife. It was a '08 xt250. It was still to tall for her haha (she is 5'3) so she only rode it once and it was way to underpowered for me. Being a working stiff, I can't budget buying a new bike and don't have the funds to dance around buying and selling to find the right one, so your opinion is valued and I thank you very much for it. The type of riding I like to do is tight, twisty, rutted up trails through trees and sometimes strait up the mountain so I'm looking for more of a pack mule than a racing thoroughbred. And my highway miles are limited to simply getting to the trailhead. I just finished watching your vid on the differences between the wr250r and wr250f and wow! I had no idea! Thanks again for the great advice and happy riding!

[@Evil_Morty2000]

Looked better all original,but to each it’s own

[@TysonKlose]

Awesome Bike. I have an 2000 XR200r. Do you know if I am able to put the disc brakes from the XR250r onto my 200r?

[@Sam-jd7mc]

looks great. I am in the process of making my 04 xr look new and street legal. I tried a set of graphics however the tank graphics bubbled up bad because of fuel vapor through the tank. Is yours doing that?

[@HermitDaVlog]

A little, but it is perforated so I just need to smooth out a few bubbles every once in a while.

[@Sam-jd7mc]

my graphics were too. Even drained the tank before putting them on. It would be cool to get a tank of the xr from overseas with the shrouds.

[@Dropbackdurbin_ocs]

that fender only comes in blue now

[@ryanhamel1071]

Did you do anything special to the stock electrical to add the head light and tail light

[@HermitDaVlog]

No, I just used LED on the tail light. First with the stock socket and then with the whole new assembly in this video. Talked a little more about it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIqTgWuceqxnick

[@mikekitts6595]

just a tip if you don't like your brand name on your forks covers pull them inside out I did it on mine great they just all black now no shirty acrebis name on wat you can see

[@HermitDaVlog]

Why didn't I think of that. Face palm.

[@ramonorganiz564]

How did u wire your headlight? When I order mine I didn’t realize the wiring would be different!

[@TheMrGladius]

What was the process for painting the side fender? I've got a 93 XR250L and i'd like to make it look more modern than it currently is, i like the 90's look but the color is just dulling out, not shinny.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Wet sand with 400 grit once, then 600 grit a couple times. Get some Krylon Fusion (red pepper for honda) and hit it once with a light coat. It should be dull after the first coat and it's ok if it's not completely covered. Let it dry for 24 hours. Then do a second coat to get it covered well. Again dry 24 hours. Third coat should be heavy enough to be glossy but not run. Fourth coat if you're just that kind of guy. Might want to let it sit a few days to totally cure. I don't think it will keep on font and rear fenders, but it seems to hold up for a few seasons everywhere else.

[@johnmaciejewski4]

Hey good job on fixin up your bike it looks real nice! I was wondering if you are going to go thru the motor? Maybe a tuneup? No offense But you can put lipstick on a pig to make it look pretty but it's still a pig! Oh yeah the ol dim tail lite ride behind me excuse thing CDS just don't want your dust on his new AT!! Lol thanks again for the videos

[@HermitDaVlog]

I adjusted the valves to spec, replaced the plug, rebuilt the carb and jetted it properly. I also replaced all the fluids including fork and shock and set the nitrogen to spec in the shock. Doesn't seem to need anything else.

[@MrDistrictGaming]

How did you wire the headlight up? I just bought the same one you have to my 93 XR250R. Did you use an adapter, different wiring other than from the stock headlight? As mine stands, my stock wiring doesn't wire correctly to the new headlight.

[@HermitDaVlog]

I just figured out which wire was ground and power for the old light and spliced in some connecter bullets.

[@MrDistrictGaming]

Okay cool, thanks for the reply! If you're ever across Reddit at all, we have a group of people with XRs/XLs. www.reddit.com/r/Honda_XR_and_XL/

[@sorushranjbar]

Did you touch the stator at all or add in a rectifier to add those custom lights? Thanks.

[@HermitDaVlog]

Nope. LED rear and ah horn with it's own battery. Working so far. Here's some info on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIqTgWuceqxnick

[@motomoto8360]

hey mate could i do this to my 1985 honda XL200 i want to put a plastic fuel tank on it but at the moment it has a dented metal fuel tank