Summary:

A new 4 stroke engine, mated to a slick 5 speed transmission, allow the Yamaha XT250 to act as a country cruiser or a city commuter.  However, this bike is not recommended for those that will be doing a lot of highway riding.

Engine Size: 249cc
Price (new): $5,499 CAD/$4,680 USD
Comparable bikes: Yamaha WR250X, Suzuki DR200SE. Yamaha TW200, Honda CRF230M

Our Yamaha XT250 Review:

There are a lot of dual-sports featured on BeginnerMotorcyleReviews.com.  This is due to the fact that a dual-sport, in our estimation, is probably the best style of motorcycle for a new rider to get acclimated with.  They are generally very forgiving, suited for both light trail riding and city commuting, and are good on gas.

Our experience with the Yamaha XT250 has been relatively limited compared to some of the other bikes featured on here, but we are confident in our impression of this bike.  During our ride we experienced outstanding fuel economy- over 50mpg.  While today’s fuel prices aren’t as bad as a year ago, there’s no denying that the price of fuel is only going to go up.  A bike like this exudes practicality and simplicity, and the gas mileage screams frugality.

Yamaha touts the transmission of the XT250 as a “wide ratio 5 speed”. Many people are quick to criticize the lack of a 6 speed transmission, but we don’t see why. With 16 hp and 12 lb-ft of torque, the XT250 doesn’t need another gear. We found that we were able to keep up with traffic relatively easily, and in some cases, our frugal funster outpaced the flow! Not bad for a few bucks under $5,000.

But, therein lies the problem. It is a dual-sport, and that means that you’re sacrificing sporty looks (such as the Honda CBR125R or Kawasaki Ninja 250R) for function. A dual-sport should be able to take trails just as well as it handles the street, and while the XT250 felt quite competent on the trails we didn’t like it nearly as much as the Yamaha WR250X.

We actually don’t mind the looks of the XT250, and the engine is a bit of a pleasant surprise. However, we would have liked to have seen perhaps just a smidge more power out of it as someone over 200lbs may find the bike to be rather sluggish on the street and unresponsive on the trails.

The Bottom Line:

There are lots of dual-sports to choose from, so shop around before settling in on one. The Yamaha XT250 is a good bike, but we’re not convinced that it’s the top in its class. It’s a good entry, and one that we recommend you check out.

Related posts:

1. Yamaha WR250X
2. Yamaha TW200
3. Yamaha FZ6R

Summary:

It’s important that you recognize that the Yamaha TW200 is not a motocross bike, but rather a potent and capable dual sport.  Once you realize that it’s not a tourer or a crotch rocket you will come to see it as a comfortable bike that can hold its own both on the road and off of it.

Engine Size: 196cc
Price (new): $4,799 CDN/$3,990 USD
Comparable bikes: Yamaha WR250X, Suzuki DR200SE, Yamaha XT250, Honda CRF230M

Our Yamaha TW200 Review:

One might think that with “just” 16 horsepower and a 5 speed transmission that the Yamaha TW200 would be a slow, underperforming motorcycle that had little use outside of some occassional off-road fun.  One might think that, but you’d be wrong- dead wrong.

The TW200 is a well balanced dual-sport that is openly inviting new riders to hop on and take it for a ride.  Its low gearing means that cruising over 50mph isn’t exactly an ideal option, but under and up to that speed the TW200 is a puncy, peppy machine with a reliable engine that sips on fuel (we travelled 200 miles on less than 2.5 gallons of gas).

Where this bike really shines is off the road, where trails and hazards would prevent road-going bikes from venturing.  The Yamaha TW200 has wide tires (for its size) and has plenty of grip- you’ll find yourself becoming more and more comfortable with just how much grip this bike seems to have in nearly any situation.  Sand?  No problem.  Gravel?  No problem.  No trail?  No problem.

However, this bike is not without its limitations.  First, it’s lacking a 6th gear.  We found that its top end was limited mostly by gearing, but having 16 horsepower certainly didn’t help that situation.  A bit more power and another gear and this bike could probably do 70mph all day long.  Speaking of all day long, don’t expect to do that on a single tank of gas- the Yamaha TW200 features a pint-sized 1.3 gallon tank.  Sure, it may only cost you $7-$10 to fill, but you will be stopping every 150 miles for fuel.

The Bottom Line:

The Yamaha TW200 is not a highway capable bike, with a top speed of roughly 50mph before the bike starts to complain.  However, around town and especially on the trails is where this bike shines.  If you find yourself in the market for a bike that can go just about anywhere you point it, the TW200 could be what you’re looking for.

Related posts:

1. Yamaha WR250X
2. Yamaha XT250
3. Yamaha FZ6R

Yamaha FZ6R Video Walkaround

Scroll down for our comprehensive review of the Yahama FZ6R.

Fast Tube by Casper

Summary:

A detuned R6 motor from the last generation R6 provides plenty of power and torque throughout the rev range, and a solid suspension setup keeps this bike stable when it counts. New riders may find the FZ6R a little intimidating, but those who take the time to master it will find it to be a rewarding and enjoyable ride.

Engine Size: 600cc
Price (new): $8,799 CDN/$6,990 USD
Comparable bikes: Suzuki SV650S, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Kawasaki Ninja 500R, Suzuki GS500

Our Yamaha FZ6R Review:

Most of the competition of theYamaha FZ6R pack their mid-range sport bikes with v-twin or parallel-twin engines (the Kawasaki Ninja 650R and Suzuki SV650 come to mind), so it’s a somewhat odd choice for Yamaha to give it’s new-for-2009 FZ6R an inline 4 that has been taken from the last generation R6 (Yamaha’s 600cc super-sport model).

Not that it’s a bad thing, as the 600cc former-R6 motor is excellent and has all of the latest features, including digital fuel injection. Some may note that Yamaha has had the FZ6 on the market for some time, and that’s true, but the all-new faired version of the bike (aptly named the FZ6R) is brand new for 2009 and a serious contender for this segment. The Suzuki SV650 had enjoyed being the de-facto standard for a while (despite intense competition from the Kawasaki Ninja 650R), but the FZ6R promises to take a substantial chunk from Suzuki’s bottom line.

This bike could be the perfect bike for someone looking for something sporty, easy to ride, and capable on the highway. Moreover, the suspension has been designed to remain as responsive on a mountain road as it is in big city traffic. It certainly feels taut, though it is also quite comfortable. Every time we get on one we find ourselves blending right in with the bike- a very good trait to have.

Yamaha has been very hush-hush about engine specifications, though we suspect that this bike has roughly 75-80 horsepower and around 45-50 ft-lbs of torque. Yamaha claims that maximum power delivery is at 10,000 rpm and we agree- this bike feels at its best in the middle-upper end of its power band. Riders used to torquey v-twins may need to take some time getting used to the FZ6R’s power band, but once you are comfortable with it you suddenly find that the power is very easy to take advantage of.

We prefer the SV650’s motor to the one in the FZ6R as we find that it is less peaky, and hence more suited to city riding. Of course, we also share a bit of a bias having plenty of experience with the SV650. The Ninja 650R also rallies right on in with the FZ6R, though we prefer the looks of the Ninja. With that in mind, the FZ6R does have a more aggressive appearance, and it has a larger selection of color schemes than the Ninja.

Once you’re on the bike and comfortable with it the bike becomes very predictable. It’s a very solid bike to ride and one that new or even experienced riders will enjoy. Riders that are looking at the Ninja 650R or SV650S would be doing themselves no justice in overlooking Yamaha’s sporty and exciting FZ6R.

The Bottom Line:

The FZ6R is a great addition to the middleweight section by Yamaha, and one that new riders looking for a middleweight bike should definitely consider. A powerful inline-4 and sporting suspension combine to make a solid platform that anyone can appreciate.

Yamaha FZ6R Update – July 30, 2009

It was by chance that the yellow-decaled 2009 Yamaha FZ6R sat before me, propped ever-so-gingerly on its kick-stand.  I’ve always been partial for the “twins” when it comes to a good all around motorcycle that a beginner could feasibly hop on and ride without too much fuss.  The Yamaha FZ6R, with its inline-four cylinder engine and relatively peaky power band (compared to the Kawasaki Ninja 650R or Suzuki SV650) didn’t seem like the kind of bike that we’d be gung-ho over.

However, as you could tell from our review, we quite liked the FZ6R.  When we reviewed it back in late-January we found it to be a responsive, peppy machine that any rider, regardless of experience, would enjoy.  This, of course, brings us back to today.

At a local meet and greet I happened to come across a rider who, ironically, had read a review of the Yamaha FZ6R on this website (I didn’t think beginner motorcycle reviews was that popular yet).  As you can imagine, after a bit of conversation and some analysis into what a beginner motorcycle truly is, I quickly found myself sitting on a Yamaha FZ6R.  The fellow I had met took the reins of my Suzuki SV650.

Not only that, but a friend of mine who owns a Kawasaki Ninja 650R happend to be there as well (read our 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650R review).  It didn’t take long before the three of us were out on the highway.

I’d like to officially change my opinion on the FZ6R, having found it to be an exceptional motorcycle that any new rider that feels confident, or any experienced rider looking for some inexpensive fun, will have have a blast riding.  Through the corners the FZ6R feels taught and refined, with suspension that’s quite stiff – if almost too stiff – and incredibly responsive.  I was able to throw this bike around and, like clockwork, know exactly how it was going to respond.

Acceleration is slightly behind the Ninja 650R or SV650S in the lower portion of the rev band, but once you hit around 8,000rpm it takes right off.  Though it didn’t leave the Kawi or Suzuki in the dust, it did pull on both bikes through most of third and fourth gear.  Very, very cool.

At the end of the evening, when I was forced to return the Yamaha FZ6R to its rightful owner, I found myself wishing for its smooth power delivery and excellent riding dynamics during my ride home.  It’s official: The SV650 has been replaced by the FZ6R as my favorite all-around motorcycle.

Hell has apparently frozen over.

Related posts:

1. Yamaha XT250
2. Yamaha TW200
3. Yamaha WR250X

Summary:

Unintimidating, undaunting, and uncomplicated, the WR250X may be the ideal bike for someone looking to commute during the day and carve some corners at night.

Engine Size: 250cc
Price (new): $7,699 CDN/$6,190 USD
Comparable bikes: Suzuki DR200SE, Yamaha TW200, Yamaha XT250, Honda CRF230M

Our Yamaha WR250X Review:

A lot of people don’t find the look of a naked bike appealing, yet every time I look at the Yamaha WR250X I can’t help but appreciate the aesthetics. Its rugged appearance is also very indicative of what this bike is capable of: this bike can go off-road just as well as it stays on them.

Many new riders don’t consider dual-purpose motorcycles, instead opting to look at the sport bikes. It’s a shame, as a good dual-purpose bike can be as much, if not more, fun than a trimmed down sport bike. If you ever plan on hitting some back country roads, a sport bike may not even be a feasible option anyway, and that’s where the WR250X shines.

It can, and will, do whatever you tell it to do. You say left, it goes left. You say right, it goes right. You say jump, and it will ask you how high. As far as communicative and obedient bikes go, a good dual-sport like the WR250X is hard to beat.

It’s no slouch compared to the “sportier” bikes (Honda CBR125R, Kawasaki Ninja 250R) in its class either- with 17.7ft-lbs of torque, it will get you going wherever you need to be. It’s relatively small 250cc engine is definitely not the best for highway riding, but that’s something that’s common of smaller bikes. However, that smaller engine also makes the WR250X lighter, more agile, and much more forgiving.

Many motorcycle training classes use dual-sports as the primary bikes the students use, and when I took my place I actually rode a WR250X. It was the first motorcycle I had ever sat on, and over the next 7 days it would take me from extreme newbie to competent new rider, and it did it comfortably and without any fuss (even when I dropped it once or twice).

Since it’s naked, dropping it isn’t the end of the world as there is minimal body work to worry about getting damaged. As well, its light weight minimizes any damage that it may receive when a new rider inevitably drops it.

The Bottom Line:

Get on and ride wherever you want to go. Point the WR250X in a direction and it will take you there, even when the pavement stops. For a new rider looking for a bike with utility you can’t do much better than the Yamaha WR250X.

Related posts:

1. Yamaha XT250
2. Yamaha TW200
3. Yamaha FZ6R