Yamaha XT250
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:
As the reviewer of this bike for the site I have a few comments to make on top of the review:
1) The bike WILL do highway speeds, but not very happily.
2) Compared with other dual-sports, I prefer the looks of the XT250.
3) While it’s NOT a dirtbike, it handles itself pretty well on country roads, dirt roads, and trails.
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Cool, Danke f
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I own a 2008 Yamaha XT 250, which I bought new in July 2008.
After nearly 3000 miles now, I can properly assess this machine in its pros and cons.
To begin, lets look at the 2010 Yamaha XT 250.
It is mechanically unchanged from 2008, or 2009 model years, with the exception of graphics.
The 2008 has a black, grey, silver and white motive.
The 2009 has a black, blue, silver and white motive.
The 2010 has a black, red, silver and white motive.
Prices for the bikes have changed since 2008, with a starting price of $4399, which i felt at the time was very reasonable.
However, for 2009, the changes in graphics also raised the price $300.00 to $4690.00 and the 2010 went to $4890.00.
I will mark down the 2010 for “price” because I dont believe its quite worth nearly 5K new regardless of being the same mechanically to the 2008 and 2009.
Overall, the bike is a quality, in town or light commuting machine with easy road manners, low maintenance and great fuel economy as well as great style for a small bore dual sport machine that anyone can ride, and not be upset with its performance.
Rated at 16Hp, and 13 lb/ft of torque, (the writer was off, its not 12 lb/ft) the engine provides decent power and good low RPM grunt that works for most riding situations.
At 271 Lbs, this bike isn’t super light, but its light turning, trials spec rake and trail make it a nimble turner.
What this bike falls under is a light duty, “jack of all trades” machine that can be used for light duty trail riding, but still have enough speed and power to handle an in town ride to the store to grab a few groceries after that ride in the woods.
Although the bike can mostly just handle fire roads, (its suspension and tires aren’t made for heavy off road use) you can go where no sport bike or tourer can go, and be light enough to actually have fun doing it all while getting fantastic fuel economy.
The bike averages close to the advertised 73 Mpg when broken in, but if you ride easy on the throttle, you can improve these #s somewhat.
My personal highest recorded was 80 Mpg weighing in at a hefty 250 Lbs with primarily 80% freeway (under 60 Mph) and 20% city (35 Mph).
So, if you are a light rider, this # should be easier to achieve.
The bike seems to be sprung for people under 180 Lbs, so if you are over this, expect the front forks to be very soft, and the rear to sag a little.
The tires will need to be at 25psi rear and 22 psi front.
If you want to hold a better weight load over 180 Lbs, change the fork oil to a 15W from the factory 10W, and bump up the preload on the rear shock slightly.
Much less fork dive under breaking as well as better uneven road surface bumping and a more composed rear are the result.
Ok, pros and cons:
Pros: Easy handling, good torque, nice appearance, very easy maintenance,great dual disc brakes, bright headlight, electric start, very legible dashboard, low seat height, quiet exhaust, well built/reliable as well as a “do it all attitude”.
Cons: Stock Chen shin tires known for having a “out of roundness” that causes thump from front tire and general poor grip.(replace set asap).
Slightly cold blooded without choke during warm up.
No tachometer.
Speedometer is off +5 MPH you need to do 40mph to get 35mph actual.
Slightly undersprung conventional fork and shock with no suspension compression or rebound adjustments available.
Tools cannot be accessed without “tools”.
Jetted slightly too lean from factory.
Needs a 6th gear at speeds over 50 MPH.
Hard seat material wears out posterior. (although very durable).
Summary:
I have very few overall complaints about the bike, and its been a totally bulletproof mount giving me absolutely no trips to the service department.
It needs a 6th gear for more relaxed RPM, and a slightly wider front tire would help with windshear from other vehicles at speeds over 60 MPH. (the bike gets blown around alittle).
This bike, I feel, should never be taken over 70 MPH on the highway due to its “screaming its guts out” nature.
Yes, it can do it, but NO, I dont think you should because your MPG suffer bigtime, killing an easy 10-15 MPG and additionally running it against high windspeed along with bike and rider weight, and of course roaring (and annoying) RPM’s, this bike just doesnt deserve this kind of treatment.
However, if you are commuting in town or at or below its cruising 60 MPH (65 MPH indicated), this bike is a dream and it will give you excellent MPG and a happy overall attitude.
Engine power is great for low end as well as a pretty decent mid range, but there isnt anything up top, so you will be shifting the 5 speed transmission frequently.
The seat is hard material, but it is durable and I think will last for years.
Handling is fine, but it can be even better with a different set of tires that work fabulous on this bike, and for me personally, it’s the Pirelli MT90s.
IF you ride mostly street however this is a 70/30 tire and doesnt do as well if you do offroad, but they are absolutely awesome on the street.
ANYTHING other than the stock Cheng Shin tires are HIGHLY recommended for safety and comfort reasons.
General maintenance is a snap and I have found that if you own one of these new, you need to go through all your linkage and grease everything as the stock grease is very light from the factory and if you have over 1000 miles on the bike its pretty thin at that point.
Get some good chain lube for the O-ring chain, and lube about every 300 Miles if you ride some dirt use, and 500 if you do all street.
The bike is simple being aircooled with a 2 valve head so it and doesn’t need a ton of maintenance.
This allows you to be happy with its easy going nature all while riding more than maintaining.
I recommend it highly for anyone learning to ride or are looking for a reasonable package that delivers alot of useful features, a warranty, and low cost operation.
You wont regret it.
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a crook broke the ignition and I have 4 wires . Do you know how to hook them to be able to ride??? I would like to put in a toggle and use existing push button…
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I have yet to understand why all of the Japanese manufactures seem so determined to build nothing but 230250cc DP bikes and why do they continue to keeep the ridiculously small 2.02.5 gallon fuel tanks.Yes,Kawasaki does build the 650 KLR and Suzuki builds the V-Strom but these are more for road usage than true DP intent. I fondly remember the original DT250/350 2strokes and (for their day) they were much more versatile and functional.Is there anything in today’s market that follows that design trend? Hey Yamaha how about an XT500 w/at least 4.5 gallons fuel capacity ?!?!
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