I had a 2009 XT250 from brand new and sold it last year. It was a great, quiet, very nimble bike. It was best at just getting out and exploring and taking in the world around you. Definitely not a motocross bike. It was capable of freeway riding which at that point you are wringing its neck, but it never seemed to mind. It loves country roads, forest roads, trails, beaches and commuting around town. It is also very approachable for beginners and for shorter riders.
I'm A 71 year old retired geezer that started riding at 10 years of age. Many of my 30 or so motorcycles have been dual sports. Thinking about getting one last bike, and the Xt250 is in my sights. I'm about 5'8% and 200 lbs. I live on the big island of Hawaii south of Hilo. We have lots of bad roads here in the Puna District.
Great video dude! I do light enduro and singles mostly. I’d like to see you do enduro! If you crank the rear spring to push through the rebound quicker it might help, also add some washers to the front fork springs. Lotsa lil things you can do to make it better👍
I went from owning an xt225 for 10 years to a KLX 250 for one year and then a Royal Enfield Himalayan this year. I wonder how you would like a Himalayan in this test. I don't think mine is as capable as my previous bikes but it is more comfortable.
Hopefully one day I get a opportunity to test one! I haven’t gotten to ride a whole lot of ADV bikes. But it would be super cool to get to make videos on more bikes
First time i rode an xt 250 was at an msf training for my endorsement. Highly recommend the class. However im 275 lbs at the time and accidentally dumped the clutch. It will get that front wheel up and put you on the ground. 😂. Was a great day.
Off camera I tried to wheelie the bike several times. I found if I just rang it out in first and dumped the clutch it would to a quick little pop up. I couldn't quite get the wheelie to ride out though
good stuff man. :) i'd love to see some decent jumps! i want to know if stock suspension can handle some 10-15 foot gaps or if i'd have to go for the TTR230 for that. i'd really love to be able to ride it to the trails instead of hauling :)
I definitely think the bike can jump some. But I was hesitant to jump anything over 5ft ish on that bike. On the take off the bike never felt bad, it was more so the landing. Unless you are buttering it every time the suspension will fight back. If you came up short on something around 10-15ft I am betting you would have broken ankles with this suspension.
The XT will do anything. Just not as fast. You sometimes have to slow down for the suspension. But, unlike the Surrow. You can ride it for several hours of trails on one fill. People say the XT gets 70 miles per gallon. I think it does better on slow trails. 140 miles is nothing when 3rd gear woods riding.
Would be very interesting to see an XT with a full exhaust, air filter and jetting to suit. Also, re-valve and respring the suspension. Might unlock a sleeper weapon :)
@@overratedmotors527 Nice, looks like a cool spot, but it also looked familiar, don't think i've been there yet but next time i'm in the area i'll have to check it out.
291 lbs. Whew. That is a LOT of weight. Be that as it may, I don't understand why people enjoy "hard" enduro riding on a full sized bike. You'd be better off with a trials bike for that stuff. It's not fun on a bigger bike. At least not for me. I have both a full sized bike and a trials bike. Taking the full sized bike into nasty rocks, etc. is not fun. Taking the trials bike into those situations is. Taking the trials bike onto more normal, faster trails is not fun. They both exist for specific reasons and excel in those areas. Just my humble opinion.
I definitely agree with you. I normally do ride my actual dirt bikes in these situations. I just thought it would be fun to see what the XT250 was capable of. Just made for a fun a video
@@overratedmotors527 Understood. Great video. That is a nice casual bike, albeit heavy. Wish Yamaha could trim off 70 lbs. It would be so much easier for people to pickup, the bike would handle better and feel much more capable.
I have a couple of KTMs already. I have a KTM 690 Enduro and a KTM 450 EXC, they are a lot of fun to ride! But sometimes changing it up for something you don't normally ride is the refresh you need!
Love the XT250. It does have its pros and cons, as with all bikes.
Thanks for sharing!
I have one of these and also a Honda 300 Rally, my take on them is the XT is better at every part of riding except for going fast.
I know! If they could just get a little more pep to their step this bike would be amazing and way easier to recommend to all skill levels.
as an experienced rider my xt 250 brings me many smiles as will go about anywhere
I thought I was trading up when went from this to a DR650. I want my XT back.
I had a 2009 XT250 from brand new and sold it last year. It was a great, quiet, very nimble bike. It was best at just getting out and exploring and taking in the world around you. Definitely not a motocross bike. It was capable of freeway riding which at that point you are wringing its neck, but it never seemed to mind. It loves country roads, forest roads, trails, beaches and commuting around town. It is also very approachable for beginners and for shorter riders.
It sounds like you had a great time on yours!
This is awesome! Love the beginning!
Man, nice I had a XT225 what a blast to ride !
Wish I still had my 2007 XT225.
I'm A 71 year old retired geezer that started riding at 10 years of age. Many of my 30 or so motorcycles have been dual sports. Thinking about getting one last bike, and the Xt250 is in my sights. I'm about 5'8% and 200 lbs. I live on the big island of Hawaii south of Hilo. We have lots of bad roads here in the Puna District.
I bet it would be perfect for that.
I’m 5’6 130 and fit on it fine
Great video dude! I do light enduro and singles mostly. I’d like to see you do enduro! If you crank the rear spring to push through the rebound quicker it might help, also add some washers to the front fork springs. Lotsa lil things you can do to make it better👍
I appreciate the advice! I’ll have to take the XT out true hard enduro riding for a video!
@ have you seen what the Japanese do with the serows? They convinced me to push the xt harder, they go hard!
If you wanna loft the XT's front wheel over things or in the whoops you have to fan the clutch. Don't worry, it doesn't mind. :)
I’ll have to give that a try next time I go out on it!
I went from owning an xt225 for 10 years to a KLX 250 for one year and then a Royal Enfield Himalayan this year. I wonder how you would like a Himalayan in this test. I don't think mine is as capable as my previous bikes but it is more comfortable.
Hopefully one day I get a opportunity to test one! I haven’t gotten to ride a whole lot of ADV bikes. But it would be super cool to get to make videos on more bikes
First time i rode an xt 250 was at an msf training for my endorsement. Highly recommend the class.
However im 275 lbs at the time and accidentally dumped the clutch. It will get that front wheel up and put you on the ground. 😂. Was a great day.
Off camera I tried to wheelie the bike several times. I found if I just rang it out in first and dumped the clutch it would to a quick little pop up. I couldn't quite get the wheelie to ride out though
I had my xt250 stolen earlier this year and I hope I can get another one sometime
Hopefully you can! Nothing can beat getting to get out and ride your bike.
good stuff man. :) i'd love to see some decent jumps! i want to know if stock suspension can handle some 10-15 foot gaps or if i'd have to go for the TTR230 for that. i'd really love to be able to ride it to the trails instead of hauling :)
I definitely think the bike can jump some. But I was hesitant to jump anything over 5ft ish on that bike. On the take off the bike never felt bad, it was more so the landing. Unless you are buttering it every time the suspension will fight back. If you came up short on something around 10-15ft I am betting you would have broken ankles with this suspension.
@@overratedmotors527 good to know! thanks :)
I rode mountain animal trails above the ocean on an Honda 250 it handled the tight trail i felt like an animal or deer trail 😂😮😊
I want to see you go to Patagonia on the XT250 ...... after all it's 2025
The XT will do anything. Just not as fast. You sometimes have to slow down for the suspension. But, unlike the Surrow. You can ride it for several hours of trails on one fill. People say the XT gets 70 miles per gallon. I think it does better on slow trails. 140 miles is nothing when 3rd gear woods riding.
I don't have a lot of time on the bike. But so far it has been a solid bike. It rides very comfortably with that big seat it has lol
Would be very interesting to see an XT with a full exhaust, air filter and jetting to suit. Also, re-valve and respring the suspension. Might unlock a sleeper weapon :)
It's fuel injected.
I have a forked shaped fulls suspension xt and it's awsome
I take mine to moto GP. ...ok but seriously it's the best!!
How much do you weigh?
I am 6 ft 5 in and 190 pounds.
Where are you riding?
Soldier Pass in Utah
@@overratedmotors527 Nice, looks like a cool spot, but it also looked familiar, don't think i've been there yet but next time i'm in the area i'll have to check it out.
It will did just fine as long as you don't go off the side of the mountain.
I was actually pleasantly surprised how easy it made everything. I kept thinking it would struggle more
How tall are you?
I am 6ft5in
People forget the xt250 is a trials bike in street form !
They definitely are fun. I can say that much!
Not whoops fast, not big jumps, not miles on highway, everything else pretty doable on the mtn goat that's the XT250.
Where was that turn track?
It is located on the west side of soldier pass. On OnX it is called the back 9 turn track.
6:05 Phrasing.
291 lbs. Whew. That is a LOT of weight. Be that as it may, I don't understand why people enjoy "hard" enduro riding on a full sized bike. You'd be better off with a trials bike for that stuff. It's not fun on a bigger bike. At least not for me. I have both a full sized bike and a trials bike. Taking the full sized bike into nasty rocks, etc. is not fun. Taking the trials bike into those situations is. Taking the trials bike onto more normal, faster trails is not fun. They both exist for specific reasons and excel in those areas. Just my humble opinion.
I definitely agree with you. I normally do ride my actual dirt bikes in these situations. I just thought it would be fun to see what the XT250 was capable of. Just made for a fun a video
@@overratedmotors527 Understood. Great video. That is a nice casual bike, albeit heavy. Wish Yamaha could trim off 70 lbs. It would be so much easier for people to pickup, the bike would handle better and feel much more capable.
Three words : Big bore kit.
Get a KTM😁.
I have a couple of KTMs already. I have a KTM 690 Enduro and a KTM 450 EXC, they are a lot of fun to ride! But sometimes changing it up for something you don't normally ride is the refresh you need!
Electric motorcycle mentioned. Disliked and do not recommend channel submitted.