I have owned over 54 motorcycles in my life time from Suzuki TS 90's, Harleys, BMW's, CZ's Jawa's, Kawasaki Vulcan Nomads and KLR 650's including a Chinese dual sport Lifan 200 and now my last motorcycle is a Yamaha XT 250 which I bought brand new in 2014. I am an old man now and cannot handle the bigger and fast motorcycles I used to ride, so I settled on this XT. It does everything I ask of it. I installed a larger primary sprocket on it to give me a few more MPH on the back highways of the Ozark mountains. It has a great turning radius and is very powerful for a small bike. It is truly a very well made product and I would recommend this machine to anyone who wants a very maneuverable dual sport motorcycle.
I'm looking for something as a backup commuter and to zoom up and down the beach (not in the dunes, except coming off and on the beach). Do you think the xt250 fits the bill?
@@benmitchell2537 Absolutely , light and neutral handling , power to keep up with traffic and enough suspension to deal with pot holes and tree limbs etc.
Viva XT250! I had one from 2015-2018, I took it to the Alvord Desert and the WABDR along with regular commuting in town, but I ended up selling it while keeping 2 other bikes. That was a mistake... so I just bought another one last month to keep at a family farm in NY (I live in Seattle). I just took it around the Adirondacks and in September will ride it around Maine and NE (sadly Covid goofed my plans to take it to Nova Scotia/Newfoundland). Next year I will use it on the MABDR/NEBDR. While I love my bigger bikes I really love this one for east coast back roads... there's something awesome about keeping off the beaten track at 45-55mph, not racing along but taking it all in. (Although it can be dialed up for back road twisties pretty nicely... but with all the deer out there I was happy putt along.) Now I think I'll have to ship it to Moab and play there before bringing it back to Seattle. Thanks for the inspiration. :)
No matter what the conditions, you should always use the front brake to slow the bike. You don’t need to grab it with your entire hand, just lightly squeeze it with one or two fingers and you don’t have to worry about doing a stoppy. Using your rear brake going down a hill is normally just to correct your line in case the motorcycle starts to get sideways, applying the rear brake wheel to straighten the motorcycle back out.
nice video 6 years ago. 61 just got the XT250 2023 (year old but new), New shock springs and rear suspension from Cogenics MC suspensions, New Seat Concepts, that make the most difference and small additions, perfect for a short horseman, ex park ranger, explorer, and chasing my boy around on his MC racing KTM 105 (85 big bored), and or his tricked out Yamaha TTR 125 trail toy. My perfect first motorcycle!
At this point in life (63 y.o.) I would be willing to trade my 1993 HD Electra Glide Sport for one of those. Lower seat height and lightweight. Not a race bike, but an explorer. Get back to my roots. Can run the backroads and act like beagle seeing a rabbit when I come up on gravel or dirt roads. "Look! A dirt road! zzzooommm!" That or a Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Appreciate the info. I like the idea of being able to toss on the panniers with the Himalayan and hopefully being able to run at 75 MPH (maybe with a sprocket change) for 30-45 miles. Around this part of Texas it's pretty much one way to get to the next town and if you can't run 75 MPH you're going to get run over by everything from sedans to F350s to semis. If I stick to my little town and the back roads doing less would be fine. Dropping from nearly 1000 lobs to around 500 lbs is lightening up a good bit. Relatively speaking, LOL. Still, I really do like a lot about the XT250. Toss on some kind of carry gear and if it could run road speed enough to get the Ranch Roads that would be ideal. I'm not going for hardcore enduro. Just some road running with the option to explore gravel and dirt roads. Maybe plod a trail or two. Except for the need to be able to get to the next town 35 miles away without getting run over, the XT250 sounds ideal overall.
@Hard Facts Have put 17,000 miles on my Himalayan, rode cross country on it last summer, 6500 mile round trip. Dirt and highway. No issues. Do you own one?
I rode my Suzuki DR650 on the Slick Rock trail. The 650 was too big for me and my skill level but I survived. I’d love to give it a try on something like the XT 250. Beautiful country, great trails.
Reminds me of whizzing across Tatooine on my speeder bike in Star Wars Galaxies. The XT250 is an amazing bike and, sad to say, it's the last year of its production.
NIce Job. I know my XT250 could handle that as well, but I'd prefer the suspension on my husky501 based on the last time I rode in dry rocky desert like that. Kinda looks like you are getting bounced around at bit, but my little XT250 is a remarkable machine which can take me anywhere. Cheers!
get Cogenics front spring upgrade and rear suspension made for your weight, gear and style of riding and aggressiveness. All made in house small business USA! HUGE DIFFERENCE!
I'm stuck on what to get... a honda xr200/250 or yamaha xt250? I'm more on street but sometimes I want to offroad... so I prefer top speed or acceleration. Please help
Can i ask? How do you find it at highway speeds, like 60mph+ and also, how do you find the suspension? I’m 190lb and was told these bottom out quite easily and have soft suspension. Thanks
fausto80 unless you love hitting jumps I doubt you’ll fully bottom out it’s softer then a WR250 and a drz400 but I think it’s probably a little bit better then a CRF250L but it’s the same thing with that bike you’ll bottom out if you jump it but just riding going over bumps and stuff you should be okay and you can always upgrade suspension if you feel the need
I'm 220, Bottommed on jumps and rebound over rogh terrain not pleasant. Replace with Cogenics front spring and oil setup, and custom to you rear suspension - HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! I'm jumping behind my son on his KTM 105 - he's faster though :) LOL
I've got a klr, looking to downsize it to an xt or dr200. The klr hasn't been enjoyable for me in the dirt as a new rider. It has taken me around Australia though so I can't knock it!
Xt..I've got an 81 250 with 1000 org.miles and 3. Xt 350s all under 5g miles ..think have a total of under 1500 into all ..all but one are running ..will get 5hat done soon enough .they are the best all around
I have owned over 54 motorcycles in my life time from Suzuki TS 90's, Harleys, BMW's, CZ's Jawa's, Kawasaki Vulcan Nomads and KLR 650's including a Chinese dual sport Lifan 200 and now my last motorcycle is a Yamaha XT 250 which I bought brand new in 2014. I am an old man now and cannot handle the bigger and fast motorcycles I used to ride, so I settled on this XT. It does everything I ask of it. I installed a larger primary sprocket on it to give me a few more MPH on the back highways of the Ozark mountains. It has a great turning radius and is very powerful for a small bike. It is truly a very well made product and I would recommend this machine to anyone who wants a very maneuverable dual sport motorcycle.
Thanks for the informative recommendation!
My XT enjoys the Ozark mountains as well :)
I'm looking for something as a backup commuter and to zoom up and down the beach (not in the dunes, except coming off and on the beach). Do you think the xt250 fits the bill?
@@benmitchell2537 Absolutely , light and neutral handling , power to keep up with traffic and enough suspension to deal with pot holes and tree limbs etc.
This bike or a 1990 Honda nx250?
Please help
5 years late...but that was simple and pure. Great job brother!
Viva XT250! I had one from 2015-2018, I took it to the Alvord Desert and the WABDR along with regular commuting in town, but I ended up selling it while keeping 2 other bikes. That was a mistake... so I just bought another one last month to keep at a family farm in NY (I live in Seattle). I just took it around the Adirondacks and in September will ride it around Maine and NE (sadly Covid goofed my plans to take it to Nova Scotia/Newfoundland). Next year I will use it on the MABDR/NEBDR. While I love my bigger bikes I really love this one for east coast back roads... there's something awesome about keeping off the beaten track at 45-55mph, not racing along but taking it all in. (Although it can be dialed up for back road twisties pretty nicely... but with all the deer out there I was happy putt along.)
Now I think I'll have to ship it to Moab and play there before bringing it back to Seattle.
Thanks for the inspiration. :)
I have an XT250, and for what it is, it is quite capable off road, it can't go fast like a dirt bike, but it can get you in just about as many places.
No matter what the conditions, you should always use the front brake to slow the bike. You don’t need to grab it with your entire hand, just lightly squeeze it with one or two fingers and you don’t have to worry about doing a stoppy. Using your rear brake going down a hill is normally just to correct your line in case the motorcycle starts to get sideways, applying the rear brake wheel to straighten the motorcycle back out.
nice video 6 years ago. 61 just got the XT250 2023 (year old but new), New shock springs and rear suspension from Cogenics MC suspensions, New Seat Concepts, that make the most difference and small additions, perfect for a short horseman, ex park ranger, explorer, and chasing my boy around on his MC racing KTM 105 (85 big bored), and or his tricked out Yamaha TTR 125 trail toy. My perfect first motorcycle!
The XT250 one of my favorite bikes to ride.
Facts
Thanks for sharing this very unique ride. Must have been invigorating!
At this point in life (63 y.o.) I would be willing to trade my 1993 HD Electra Glide Sport for one of those. Lower seat height and lightweight. Not a race bike, but an explorer. Get back to my roots. Can run the backroads and act like beagle seeing a rabbit when I come up on gravel or dirt roads. "Look! A dirt road! zzzooommm!" That or a Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Appreciate the info. I like the idea of being able to toss on the panniers with the Himalayan and hopefully being able to run at 75 MPH (maybe with a sprocket change) for 30-45 miles. Around this part of Texas it's pretty much one way to get to the next town and if you can't run 75 MPH you're going to get run over by everything from sedans to F350s to semis. If I stick to my little town and the back roads doing less would be fine. Dropping from nearly 1000 lobs to around 500 lbs is lightening up a good bit. Relatively speaking, LOL.
Still, I really do like a lot about the XT250. Toss on some kind of carry gear and if it could run road speed enough to get the Ranch Roads that would be ideal. I'm not going for hardcore enduro. Just some road running with the option to explore gravel and dirt roads. Maybe plod a trail or two. Except for the need to be able to get to the next town 35 miles away without getting run over, the XT250 sounds ideal overall.
@Hard Facts Have put 17,000 miles on my Himalayan, rode cross country on it last summer, 6500 mile round trip. Dirt and highway. No issues. Do you own one?
I rode my Suzuki DR650 on the Slick Rock trail. The 650 was too big for me and my skill level but I survived. I’d love to give it a try on something like the XT 250. Beautiful country, great trails.
Xt250 the best little bike I have owned had 650 but keep going back to the Xt250 it's just a good motorcycle
That thing is just purring like a kitten. I own one myself and was curious about making a trip to Utah myself. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Brilliant vid. Felt I was riding it!
nice video! super cool
Great video.
Nice video I love my xt !
Looks like a cool place to ride.
Reminds me of whizzing across Tatooine on my speeder bike in Star Wars Galaxies. The XT250 is an amazing bike and, sad to say, it's the last year of its production.
yes !!!
great !
Utah! 😎
Took a klr650 then a ktm 1190r on those trails....great fun!
and subscribed...
I was hoping to see you at Murphys tomorrow
I think I'll drop a tooth, maybe two, up front after watching all of these videos. Getting mine in 2 weeks.
Got my 2023. Get the Cogenics front spring upgrade and their custom rear suspension and Michelin 90-10 dirt to street - SWEET
I was looking forward to see what the 250 could do in the sand. the only sand I saw was sandrock.
Where did you get your plastics kit for your bike
NIce Job. I know my XT250 could handle that as well, but I'd prefer the suspension on my husky501 based on the last time I rode in dry rocky desert like that. Kinda looks like you are getting bounced around at bit, but my little XT250 is a remarkable machine which can take me anywhere. Cheers!
get Cogenics front spring upgrade and rear suspension made for your weight, gear and style of riding and aggressiveness. All made in house small business USA! HUGE DIFFERENCE!
I'm stuck on what to get... a honda xr200/250 or yamaha xt250? I'm more on street but sometimes I want to offroad... so I prefer top speed or acceleration. Please help
Suzuki drz 400
Can i ask? How do you find it at highway speeds, like 60mph+ and also, how do you find the suspension? I’m 190lb and was told these bottom out quite easily and have soft suspension. Thanks
fausto80 unless you love hitting jumps I doubt you’ll fully bottom out it’s softer then a WR250 and a drz400 but I think it’s probably a little bit better then a CRF250L but it’s the same thing with that bike you’ll bottom out if you jump it but just riding going over bumps and stuff you should be okay and you can always upgrade suspension if you feel the need
I have a 2021 it does 65-70 fine but no more. I'm 230 and the suspension is kinda soft but nothing you can't fix by just adjusting preload
I'm 220, Bottommed on jumps and rebound over rogh terrain not pleasant. Replace with Cogenics front spring and oil setup, and custom to you rear suspension - HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! I'm jumping behind my son on his KTM 105 - he's faster though :) LOL
45-55 the sweet spot. get Cogenics suspension@@nicksmith4808
How’s it work in 3rd gear ?
Your engine sounds rough, do you have a pipe on it?
Wish I was doing this on the z
Does the clock stay on when bike shut off please help
I think not. Because the main display is off if the rider cut the power.
Is that trail meant for mountain bikers only?
No. Both bicycles and motorcycles.
I am thinking about the xt250 the dr200 and the klr 650 I am 5`6 which one should I get
Xt it's a frickin tank
I've got a klr, looking to downsize it to an xt or dr200. The klr hasn't been enjoyable for me in the dirt as a new rider. It has taken me around Australia though so I can't knock it!
I would get the XT250, more power than the DR and much lighter and easier to handle off road than a KLR
Xt..I've got an 81 250 with 1000 org.miles and 3. Xt 350s all under 5g miles ..think have a total of under 1500 into all ..all but one are running ..will get 5hat done soon enough .they are the best all around