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Are you contemplating taking a look at or shopping for a Yamaha XT250 however aren’t positive if it’s the best bike for you? Whether or not you’re in search of your first bike or your subsequent, you’re in the best place!
On this overview, you’ll study what sort of bike the XT 250 is, why it could or is probably not the greatest filth bike for you, and what to anticipate when shopping for and proudly owning one so that you simply save hours from researching.
What’s the Yamaha XT250?
It’s a 250cc air-cooled 4-stroke twin sport bike, however what precisely does that imply? Properly, the air-cooled engine has sufficient energy for mainly any measurement rider, nevertheless it’s tremendous clean and predictable as a result of it’s low-performance, making it tremendous straightforward to trip.
Being a twin sport bike means it’s a road authorized filth bike that may legally trip on the highway whereas nonetheless being able to performing some off-road and gentle path using.
Who’s it for?
In a nutshell, the Yamaha XT 250 is an efficient alternative should you’re a newbie rider that wishes to trip round city and do some gentle path using however wants a dust bike that has a low seat top and is simple to trip. It doesn’t do something nice, nevertheless it’s an effective way to get began using on and off-road at an inexpensive value – however to study extra about what to anticipate when shopping for and proudly owning one, hold studying.
Engine – what to anticipate
The XT 250 engine shouldn’t be high-performance, however that’s why it’s so common – for the best individual. For those who choose simplicity, reliability, much less upkeep, and a motorbike with a really forgiving energy curve, you’re going to like this engine.
At 250cc, it’s a midsize engine for a mud bike, nevertheless it’s on the smaller measurement for twin sport using – that’s completely wonderful should you’re a newbie that doesn’t have to cruise at excessive speeds (over 55 mph).
Horsepower
The XT250 solely has about 20 horsepower on the crank (barely much less on the rear wheel), which is loads should you’re a newbie that’s using off-road or needs a small bike to cruise across the metropolis. As soon as you’ll want to hit the freeway and cruise at 60+ mph for greater than 5 minutes, you’re going to must wind it out at full throttle mainly.
Not solely is that tougher on the engine, however you’ll in all probability have numerous vibration – so don’t anticipate to be comfy cruising at excessive speeds on the freeway on this street-legal filth bike.
Prime pace
The max pace of a Yamaha XT250 is about 75 mph should you’re on a flat highway – this may be barely elevated with some mods, akin to a smaller rear sprocket (Amazon). It gained’t make an enormous distinction, however you would possibly get barely higher gas financial system since it would cruise at a decrease RPM.
Nonetheless, this may even make first gear taller, so that you’ll have to make use of the clutch extra at gradual speeds should you’re path using.
How dependable is it?
For a dust bike, the XT250 is about as dependable because it will get – it is best to be capable to simply get 10,000 miles earlier than needing to rebuild the highest finish, nevertheless it ought to final rather a lot longer should you do easy preventative upkeep.
Carb vs EFI
In 2013, Yamaha up to date the XT250 with a gas injection system, however is it higher than the older carbureted mannequin? For those who don’t like coping with cleansing a soiled carb after sitting over the winter months or having to re-jet if you trip at totally different elevations, you then’ll desire a 2013 and newer mannequin with EFI.
Yamaha claims that it will get about 5% higher fuel mileage than the carb model, however you in all probability gained’t discover a lot distinction.
Gasoline financial system – what to anticipate
The older carb’d XT250 will get an estimated 73 MPG and the 2013+ EFI mannequin has an estimated 76 MPG, nevertheless it actually will depend on the way you trip.
For instance, should you doing numerous low-speed using, akin to path using in 1st or 2nd gear, you’re not going to get that good of gas financial system – in all probability within the 40-50 MPG vary.
However should you’re cruising round city, not having to cease usually, and also you’re straightforward on the throttle, you may get 70-80 miles per gallon, supplying you with a few 150-mile vary earlier than needing to discover a fuel station to refuel.
Gearing points?
One of many downfalls of the simplicity of the XT250 engine is the transmission – it solely has 5 gears. Fewer elements to go fallacious, however 1st and fifth gear aren’t as huge as they may very well be.
That is solely an issue if you’ll want to trip at tremendous low speeds in addition to cruising at greater speeds on the identical trip. You’ll simply must compromise together with your gearing because it doesn’t have an additional (sixth) gear, however this can be a minor grievance.
Electrical or kickstart?
The primary era XT250 in 1980-1990 had a kickstart engine, however the later 2008 and newer fashions have electrical begin engines. There’s no backup kickstarter, however the electrical starter is dependable so long as you don’t let the battery go dangerous – a easy battery tender (Amazon) will hold it charged throughout storage.
Suspension
To make the XT250 inexpensive, Yamaha makes use of very fundamental suspension elements, however that’s not essentially a nasty factor. The forks and shock are mushy, which is nice for studying, nevertheless it’s additionally dependable and requires little or no upkeep.
Entrance forks
With slightly below 9” of entrance wheel journey, the entrance forks are adequate for using off-road however don’t anticipate to have the ability to sustain with quicker riders on path bikes. The inventory XT 250 forks are mushy and plush, supplying you with a cushty trip on the highway and at low speeds to soak up small bumps and obstacles.
When you begin using quicker, you’ll discover that the forks dive below heavy braking and can backside out simply should you’re using aggressively on the paths, particularly should you weigh over 200 lbs. There isn’t a exterior adjustability, however that additionally means there’s little or no to go fallacious.
Rear shock
The inventory rear shock solely has 7.1” of wheel journey, however that’s nonetheless sufficient to get pleasure from some gentle off-road using if you wish to have some enjoyable throughout your commute dwelling from work within the metropolis.
There is just one technique to externally modify the inventory shock. The primary one is the preload, which it is best to do on each bike – getting the right sag/trip top is tremendous necessary if you need your filth bike to deal with effectively and get good traction with each wheels
XT250 suspension mods
Happily, there are fairly just a few aftermarket upgrades obtainable to make your XT 250 suspension carry out rather a lot higher. One of many best methods to make the forks stiffer is with some heavy responsibility springs (Amazon).
Mix that with some heavier-weight fork oil (Amazon) and will probably be in a position to deal with extra abuse with out bottoming simply. Both that or you’ll be able to improve to some Race Tech emulators which take a bit of extra tuning however can carry out even higher.
Dealing with
With a low seat top and a brief wheelbase in comparison with most twin sport bikes, the Yamaha XT 250 handles very effectively at decrease speeds and tight turns. This additionally means it would deal with using within the woods higher than larger twin sport bikes, particularly because it’s lighter than most.
Nonetheless, the most important consider getting traction would be the tires. The inventory XT250 are DOT dual-purpose tires, that are made for on-road and off-road.
They aren’t nice for path using if you wish to be aggressive or trip in moist/slippery situations – you’ll need some 80/20 DOT tires (Amazon) which have some larger knobs should you don’t thoughts extra vibration and fewer traction on the pavement.
Seat top – what measurement rider is the XT250 for?
The inventory seat top is 32.7”, which makes it a great measurement filth bike should you’re 5’2”-5’6”, nevertheless it primarily will depend on your inseam size. For instance, should you’re 5’8” however have shorter than common legs, you then’ll in all probability match pretty effectively.
Can the XT250 be lowered?
Perhaps you actually like every thing about this bike to date – besides the seat top. If it’s onerous to succeed in the bottom, then you’ll be able to set up a reducing hyperlink and shorter kickstand (Amazon) to decrease the seat top by 2-3”, which may even have an effect on the dealing with.
This can decrease the rear finish of your filth bike, so that you’ll additionally need to decrease the entrance finish in order that it’s balanced or else you’ll have a poor-handling bike as a result of there gained’t be sufficient weight on the entrance.
With a reducing hyperlink, you’ll be able to all the time return to the inventory seat top when you’ve constructed up your confidence by reinstalling the OEM shock linkage.
Weight
The moist weight is 291 kilos, which is with the entire fuel and fluids so that you’re able to trip, however how does that evaluate to different filth bikes? Properly, a mean path bike weighs 240-260 lbs, so that you’ll really feel that further 40 – 50 lbs when path using, nevertheless it hides the load effectively as a consequence of its low middle of gravity.
In comparison with different dual-sport bikes, the XT 250 is one of many lightest choices. This makes it nice should you’re a newbie and need to trip on the highway as a result of it’s straightforward to lean, flip and deal with.
The downfall of a light-weight bike on the highway is that it’s not as steady, so that you’ll get blown round extra by the wind and different autos whereas cruising on the freeway.
Mannequin yr historical past & adjustments
The Yamaha XT 250 initially got here out in 1980, however the newest model restarted in 2008.
Since then, there haven’t been many adjustments, however right here’s a fast breakdown of the XT250 historical past:
- 1980: First yr of the XT250 twin sport (enduro) mannequin
- 1990: Yamaha discontinued the XT250
- 2008: The XT250 is made once more, changing the XT225
- 2013: First yr of gas injection
Any widespread points?
There may be little or no that goes fallacious with these bikes. So long as you maintain them with common oil and filter adjustments, in addition to utilizing contemporary fuel and preserving the chain correctly tightened, there aren’t any main widespread issues with the XT250
The commonest difficulty is normally when it gained’t begin after sitting in storage. That is usually as a consequence of dangerous fuel or a weak battery that doesn’t have sufficient energy to crank it over and begin the engine.
XT250 Specs & dimensions
These are the fundamental specs from Yamaha’s web site:
| XT250 | |
| Producer | Yamaha |
| Engine | 250cc air-cooled 4-stroke |
| Transmission | 5-speed guide clutch |
| Seat Peak | 32.7” (83cm) |
| Suspension Journey (Entrance/Rear) | 8.9” / 7.1” |
| Weight (Curb/Moist) | 291 lbs |
| Horsepower | 20 HP |
| Prime Velocity | 75 MPH |
| Value (New MSRP) | $5,299 |
How a lot does the Yamaha XT250 price?
A brand new mannequin retails at $5,299, which is comparatively cheap for a twin sport bike, however there are normally loads on the market within the used market as a result of folks improve inside the first couple of years.
You may normally discover a used XT250 for $2500-4500 – the greatest components that decide the worth are your location, the situation of the bike, and what yr it’s.
Is the XT250 the best filth bike for you?
Nonetheless can’t make the “proper choice” on what bike to get? Listed here are some fast professionals and cons of the Yamaha XT 250:
Execs
- It’s a road authorized filth bike
- It’s light-weight in comparison with most twin sport bikes
- Low seat top makes it straightforward to begin & trip should you’re below 5’8” tall
- Air-cooled engine is easy and dependable – requires little upkeep
- It’s cheaper than most road authorized filth bikes
- Electrical begin – so that you don’t have to fret about kicking it over at a cease gentle
- 2013+ has EFI, so no carb to cope with
- Provide and demand of used fashions are normally good
- Good fuel mileage (70+ MPG on the highway)
- Inventory tires can deal with pavement and gentle off-road using
Cons
- Suspension is mushy should you’re aggressive or over 200 lbs
- Not good for cruising above 55 mph
- No wind safety (because it comes from the issue)
- Inventory tires aren’t nice for path using/filth/gravel
- No backup kickstart on the 2008+ fashions
XT250 vs CRF250L
They’re each twin sport bikes, however the primary distinction is that the CRF250L has noticeably extra horsepower, a taller seat top, extra suspension journey/efficiency, and is a liquid-cooled engine with radiators.
For those who choose simplicity with barely extra low-end torque proper off of idle, then the XT250 be the higher alternative, however the Honda 250L positively has extra total efficiency, which is why it normally prices extra within the used market.
XT250 vs TW200
The XT250 has common 21/18” wheels and twin sport tires, whereas the TW200 has smaller diameter wheels with fats tires which might be higher for journey using on virtually any terrain.
The TW200 has barely much less energy, however the seat top is even decrease (1.6” shorter)
XT250 vs XT225
The XT250 is the newer model of the discontinued XT225. The 250 has barely extra energy, and the 2013 and newer years have EFI, in any other case these two twin sport bikes are pretty related.
XT250 vs DR200
The Yamaha XT250 has barely extra total efficiency in comparison with the Suzuki DR200, which isn’t offered new anymore in America. The Yamaha additionally has a barely taller seat top (0.8”).
Discover ways to path trip with confidence
One of many greatest errors I see new riders make that trigger them to crash and get damage straight away is making an attempt to determine every thing out on their very own. Beginning on the best bike, akin to this XT 250, is the primary necessary step, however should you don’t type optimistic using habits, you then’re extra more likely to lose management since you gained’t have as a lot traction and steadiness whereas using.
Because you made it this far, I need to offer you a fast information to get you began right this moment for FREE – seize this information right here.
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