Yamaha XT250 - How far offroad would you take it?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 เม.ย. 2024
- This video is about Total capabilities of a bike vs its Available capabilities.
Total Capability: what a bike can do in theory, when it's ridden by skilled professional with pre-planned stunts and a support team nearby.
Available Capability: what a bike can do for you. How far you personally can take this bike. This is the only thing that matters. If you have a super capable bike, but you can only use 10% of its capabilities, than who cares what it can do in theory? Or you may have a less capable bike that you can use 80% of its capabilities.
Which one would you pick? I think that we buy motorcycles based on advertisement videos based on their total theoretical capabilities. And than many of us are stuck with a bike that we can't really use, because we personally can only use a small portion of everything that a bike has to offer.
I am lucky to have a Yamaha XT250. It's an extremely capable bike AND a lot of its capabilities are available to even untrained people on Day 1! Amazing!
The places where I could take it - there is no bike that would take me there. I've been on a Tenere 700 a week ago (it's a bike I love and plan to buy). But I was thinking about its Available Capabilities - how much of what T7 can do will be available to me? Would it take me everywhere where I want to go?
The answer is no. It's too tall, too heavy and too pricey.
Yamaha XT250 is the answer. It's the perfect bike! At least for me.
I am a spontaneous moto explorer - I see a beautiful forest trail and I go for it! I just can't help myself.
Yamaha XT250 is always there to support my explorations - no matter where I go, it always takes me there and back! I love this bike.
I've had my '21 XT250 for a couple of months now. What a pleasure to own. No regrets.
Great choice!
I own several bikes and I rode many in my life, and XT250 is my favorite. If I had to keep only one bike - it would be this one. I love that it can go really anywhere and I really love it's simplicity (which you start appreciating even more after you had experience with some "sophisticated" bikes, such as KTM with its never ending electronics glitches).
Ride safely and take some time to practice some offroad basics if you haven't done it already (balance, clutch control, double-blip, etc.). This made such a huge difference for me. Your XT250 will take you to the end of the world and back!
Thank you for the comment and for subscribing!
It's no coincidence that a lot of people, very particularly women, use the Yamaha XT250 (XT series) on long enduro adventure riding. Some even go all over the world on them (See Lois on the Loose!). It's definitely a legendary kind of bike. People say it's expensive for a low tech motorcycle but for me, I'm paying for that reliability and the fact that I can easily fix and lift it if I get in a tumble in a faraway place. That's more important to me than paper specs.
Great comment! I never understood the argument "expensive for a low tech motorcycle" - does adding a TFT Dashboard or riding modes would make it worth the price? For me - no! I really want a basic ultra-reliable low-tech motorcycle that can be dropped and crashed and drowned - and it would still take me home. I posted a video on Dashboards (I cracked XT250 dashboard deep in wilderness and later drowned it with water - the bike still got me home safe!) So for me, less tech = more reliable. And there are very few of these bikes left (XT250, TW200, DR, KLR, XR and that's about it).
Thank you for mentioning Lois on the Loose - I did not know about her! I was in 'Itchy Boots' camp, but I'll be checking Lois' adventures.
I would personally take XT250 anywhere in the world. Any bike can handle paved roads. It's abilities offroad is what sets it apart for me.
Thank you for watching and for the comment!
Underrated beast of a bike💪
I've been riding it for a full season now and I keep discovering more great things about it. It's a great bike!
Thank you for watching and for the comment!
Mate, my 2008 XT250 is a mountain goat, I love it because Im seing places in the local state forests, national parks and beaches that Ive never been before. Low tech, easy to maintain, light, dont mind dropping it, will take it places i know I'll scratch it up but like you say its affordable. I just take extra fuel, some tools, a tube and I know I'll always get home so i can push myself to go further.
Great comment! That's the essence of enjoying the freedom and adventure on two wheels: light, easy, affordable bike that will support you anywhere you go without drawing too much attention to itself.
Enjoy your XT250 and thank you for the comment!
I bought mine a year ago. It had less than 6000km (3600 miles) on it. Been down a few times but in great shape. 2015 for $3800. I offered him $3500 as he was 500 km (300 miles round trip) away from where I live. Across toll bridge in PEI. He asked would I pay $3800 if he delivered it. I said hell yes. Changed the clutch lever, added hand guards, changed oil filter, oil and air filter. Front fender scuffed up bad. Bought new one at Yamaha dealer for 40 and change. I’ve 5 motorcycles and this one has quickly become my favourite.
I think you've got a great deal! In retrospect, I should have bought a used one too - it was my first offroad bike, so I dropped and beat it down a lot already. Luckily, the bikes is as solid as they come.
Anyway, 3,600 miles is nothing for this bike. I think it will give you years of no-issues riding.
Thank you for the comment!
Ride safely!
In February this year I bought a 1987 XT225 for the same reasons as you describe. Good video.
I think you'll love it! XT225 is even lighter. Amazing bike!
Ride safely and thank you for the comment!
Excellent content! The very reasons I just bought my 2022 XT. I have ridden most my life, but very little off road. These things go from street to gravel to dirt with impressive ease! You gained a new subscriber. Great presentation!
I'm glad you liked the videos!
And thank you for subscribing! I plan another long adventure trip on XT250 to see how it can handle multi-day adventure riding. I'll post it soon.
Ride safely and enjoy your XT - it's an amazing bike!
The best cost Benefits in the world!!!
Absolutely! You can buy it used too - they are so simple and bullet proof - take care of it and it will last forever! Hard to beat this value.
Thank you for the comment!
I completely agree with your opinion. I own both XT250 and Tenere 700 and I do a lot of fairly technical off-roading. When I first got the T7, I was really surprised how different and difficult it was to ride off-road. I felt like I had to re-learn off-road riding all over again. It was scary and stressful but I kept at it and became fairly competent in all kinds of technical terrain, including deep sand. T7 is definitely a capable off-road beast, but it still stresses me out when the going gets rough. It’s a pig to lift when you inevitably go down. I pulled my back more than once lifting it as best as can be done in rough conditions. Perhaps mid and large ADV bikes are better suited for bigger people that need more powerful engines to handle their size and weightI. At 5’10’ 155 ponds, T7 is just too big a bike.
XT250 on the other hand is never stressful and I actually enjoy riding it in tough terrain. I know I can always get it unstuck by myself. I’ve also come to the conclusion that for me, lighter motorcycles, whether on or off road, are way more fun. Sure, raw power is nice but not nearly as nice as the confidence you have when the machine is well within your ability to comfortably control. Bigger and more powerful bikes make sense for high speed roadways, but I found that I don’t enjoy riding long distances at high speeds because of all the wind buffeting, noise and inherent danger. It’s much more enjoyable to find secondary roads, see more of the world at a reasonable speed.
The XT250 has been an excellent bike from day one. It has taken me to places off-road where only mx or enduro bikes can go. It’s only shortcomings are the marginal highway capability for the occasionally necessary highway stretch ; no ABS; and tight leg room for a 32” inseam. But I still would choose XT over T7 for an around-the-world journey every time. The T7 will likely be replaced with what I should have bought in the first place: CRF300 Rally. Experience has its price.
This is a great comment! It's exactly what's been on my mind for a while now, so this hits the nail on the head. Plus we are close in height and weight, so it's super useful for me.
I watch motorcycle videos and I see T7 often. And of course I imagine myself riding it, having some epic adventure so I want it! To the point that I almost bought it.
But then I go for a ride - the one that I like the most: unplanned "any road" ride. I have an epic adventure enjoying the best riding experience of my life. And often I stop and think: if I had T7 right now, there is simply no way I would be where I am right now. I just wouldn't be able to go this far. So this whole adventure would not be possible for me. And why do I need a bike that does not let me have this type of epic rides?
Anyway, I would rather go local roads on a Yamaha XT250, knowing that when the opportunity comes - and I see a beautiful trail - I can go there. And when I need to go somewhere more remote - CRF300l Rally is the one bike to add to my XT250! The benefits if T7 over CRF300 Rally are not that important for me (more power at a cost of having a lot of extra weight). But the benefits of CRF300 Rally are obvious: it's my favorite XT250 that's adjusted for highway riding a bit more. Excellent!
Or if Yamaha could make a "baby Tenere 400" or a big brother to my bike - XT400. I'd buy it immediately.
Thank you for the great comment!
Ride safely!
It would be nice to see Yamaha produce an answer to Rally, perhaps a Tenere 350 or 400 at around 330 pounds Short of that, the Rally is currently the best choice for all around adventure bike. As much as I enjoy the power and awesome sound of T7 (Wings muffler), I am just tired of the size, weight, height and top heaviness. Even riding tarmac you are always reminded of how unwieldy T7 is every time you come to a stop. It’s not an easy bike to live with.
I’m glad that sharing my real life experience over the last 2 years with T7 can be of some use to you and others considering motorcycle choices. There’s way too much internet hype influencing people to make poor choices that end up being expensive and even downright dangerous. Your channel and your thoughtful approach and reasoning regarding motorcycle choices are much needed out there. Safe trails!
All the way; that’s how far I’d take it.
This pretty much sums it up: all the way wherever the hell I want to take it! It's unstoppable.
Thank you for the comment!
Great perspective. I have many trails like that where I live. Greetings from central NY.
I love NY, especially Catskills and Adirondacks. Years ago I was planning to buy a house there - just love the feel of those places and they mountain trails. I think they influenced my choice now - I'm in Laurentian mountains. I think it's either the same mountain chain or very similar one :)
Yamaha is a great companion for my explorations - it really goes everywhere. And I am a novice offroad rider and still I often surprise myself with how far I can take it.
Thank you for the comment and enjoy those trails!
I love my xt250. Great bike indeed! Ty for sharing!
The more I ride it, the more I love it! It's simple, honest, reliable bike!
Thank you for watching and for the comment!
Excellent video, you just earned a subscriber with this one! Greetings from the Southwestern US!
I am happy you liked the video! And thank you for subscribing - I really feel it's like a community here. I love it!
I'll be taking Yamaha back to that swampy trail again - I want to see where it ends...
Thank you for watching!
Most adv bikers r clueless in the woods, both on their bike and off, and r typically gonna get hurt, break their bike, do dumb shite and feel like they conquered all, but r still left gaping with jealousy when a dualsporter rips by while they flounder in exhaustion and broken plastic.
Dual Sporter feels the same way when they see with their own eyes and arse what a proper Enduro bike can do with the trail they've been "ripping" on all day.
But the Enduro bike probs needed a lift to the trailhead cause it's not legal on the street and the Adv is likely figuring out how to fit all it's broken plastic into its panniers, while the Dually doesn't have to waste time, stress or money over either issue and gets to spend the most time riding and relaxing.
Touring bikes that can go off-road are great and Enduro bikes are simply awesome.
Dualsports give u both. Great at neither but basically does it all if you can too. Duallys let u really explore different riding styles and techniques all on one bike, even more so if u are willing to swap around tires, sprockets and parts.
Nice video! Thanks
That's why I like Dual Sport bikes! I just can't figure out what took me so long to come to such an obvious conclusion.
I am not too skilled offroad but I want to go there. Often I don't even plan to do it, but, again, I just can't resist a beautiful forest trail whenever I see one. And Yamaha does just well enough of everything to allow me to explore any road I want. Even on highway - it's way better than I thought. It's been a while and I may not remember correctly, but I think GS650 had more vibrations than this Yamaha. On a group ride I had no problems hanging with GS1250, KTM Adventure and Suzuki V-Strom (of course we weren't racing and stayed within speed limit). Still, I did not feel deficient in any way... and the moment we got into the rough places - I (a novice offroad rider) was the king. They were struggling with the places I wouldn't even notice on XT250!
Anyway, I love this bike!
Thank you for the great comment!
I hate ADV bikes with a passion because they keep endorsing those fatlugs as "ok enough" for offroading. The heck it is.
Great video. I’m a new subscriber. I ride my XT 250 off road in America Southwest. It’s a great dual sport bike. Keep making great videos.
I'm glad you like the videos! I wish I discovered XT250 (and dual sport riding in general) much sooner. I'm having so much fun!
Enjoy your XT250!
XT250 will go anywhere off road, any other dual sport will go. That’s pretty far...
I fully agree: "anywhere off road" feels as far as it gets! And Yamaha XT250 can take you there easily!
Thank you for the comment!
I would take it to the end of the world and back, its a damn fine and durable piece of mechanics 👍
I like the "durable" part a lot - I know that I personally would not be able to fully relax when I am far away from civilization and I am not sure if the bike will not break. Of course anything can break, but Yamaha gives me that feeling that wherever you take it - it'll somehow bring you back no matter what. Great bike!
Hey man, love all your videos! I just picked up a 2014 crf250l. You should do a video about tires for your type of riding. I basically want to ride the same way you do. Go anywhere any time but not wear down the rubber too fast. Awesome content, keep it up!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the videos and thank you for subscribing.
I plan to make a video on tires. They are important.
Overall, in my experience, the basic stock tires can take your REALLY far. I started riding offroad last season and by the end of it I felt I was being held back by the stock tires... But then I started practicing balance, clutch control, jumping over logs - and I realized that it was actually my skills that were holding me back. This year I went through all the hardest places that were giving my tough time last season - and I easily handled all of them.
That is to say, for me personally, better tires could help me do more without improving the skills. But improving the skills helped a lot and it was fun! Now I plan to put Dunlop 606. They should be great for offroad and should be a great addition to my improved offroad skills.
I'll try to get to making the tires video soon.
As for CRF250L - great choice, man! I think you'll have a blast on it. I rode and loved it!
Nice bike! Do you like my KLX 230?
Love your videos, although for me you are preaching to the choir. I have an xt 250 and only ride pavement to get off road. Your comment about professional riders and support teams is especially cogent. I ride alone and have to be able to get my bike out of any trouble I find. I’d love it if you would make some videos showing routes in your area. I’m in northern NY and would love to do some riding in Canada.
Thank you for the comment! I know that most likely people who are here already like smaller bikes. I was thinking why I started this channel. Honestly. I have a successful business, I don't really care about monetization or popularity or whatever reasons people start channels... But for me I feel like subconsciously I may be posting these videos for "younger me" - somebody who rides big bikes and doesn't even look down - always up to more power and more displacement. I wish I downsized sooner - I'm just having SO much fun!
Anyway, my original idea was to post riding videos and immediately a GPS map of the whole track with the highlights and the comments. I know when I watch some videos and see beautiful locations - I want to go there, so I thought some people would find this useful too. It's an extra work, but I may still get to doing this. I have some great trails to share! And I am not popular enough to push too much traffic to some local trails, so it should be ok :)
Thank you for the comment! Enjoy your XT250!
I had a 2003 XT225. Not very fast, but it was stone cold reliable and got 70 mpg. Sold it like an idiot. Wish i still had it.
I got rid of bikes in the past. I'm keeping this one!
Thank you for the comment!
I want the Yamaha XT250/Serow so bad.
It's sadly not available in my region where the closest alternatives are heavier, have higher seat height, or worse ground clearance (sometimes all 3, like the Suzuki V-STROM 250SX); not even any of the lower displacement models can beat the XT250.
Yes, XT250 is unique when it comes to the lowest seat height and the highest ground clearance. I don't think there is any other bike that offers this.
I hope you'll find some alternative! For me personally, lower seat height is more important than ground clearance, so I would look for any other bike that is also light and has lower seat height, even if the ground clearance is lower. For example, Honda CRF300LS could potentially work if it's offered in your area.
Thank you for watching and ride safely!
Practical advice
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!
I only wish I discovered this kind of riding sooner... I had huge bikes and spent too much time on the paved roads...
I'm having so much more fun now!
Thank you for the comment!
Both my XT250 and TW200 are my go anywhere bikes. My 1200GS is forest roads at best.
Those are two amazing bikes! I was thinking about buying a TW200, but settled on Suzuki VanVan instead: I like the fact that it has injector and I love its retro looks. Otherwise kind of very similar: it won't go fast, but it will go anywhere.
Thank you for watching and for the comment! Ride safely!
Xt250 is a great bike for adventure
Absolutely. For me the true adventure starts when something doesn't go according to plan. I start with an easy exploration, see some crazy trails, follow them, get into trouble, get my doze of adventure, and then let Yamaha take me home... By the end of the ride I'm tired, but my mental batteries are fully recharged!
Love this bike!
Thank you for the comment!
I own the yamaha XT1200Z the yamaha super tenere. And it's an amazing big adventure motorcycle, and it's heavy like an elephant, lol.
I started youtube channel as well, sharing my experiences with the best brand of Motorcycle YAMAHA
I love Yamaha too! Especially this one. XT1200Z - honestly, I didn't even know they called a 1200 cc bike and XT. Looks great though!
Thank you for the comment and good luck with the channel! I'll be checking your videos.
@SquareHelmet thank you so much. I subscribed to yours, great videos
I love my 2023 XT. I couldn't agree more with you that these bikes are definitely underestimated. They are not perfect by any means, but they're extremely capable and fun to ride. What type of cargo bag and windshield do you have on your bike?
Yes, XTs are great. And I really like the way they look, especially with the windshield. Yamaha should offer them as an accessory.
My cargo bag is "Nelson-Rigg CL-1060-ST2". It's basic, inexpensive and I like it:
fortnine.ca/en/nelson-rigg-cl-1060-st2-commuter-touring-tail-seat-bag
The windshield is Parabellum Rally in tint color. I really LOVE it. It makes a huge difference on pavement. I got it here: www.bushpigperformance.com/product-page/parabellum-rally-windshield-yamaha-xt-250
The only other accessory I have is Ricochet Skid Plate. It's light, solid and easy to install. And I believe it saved the engine a few times already:
www.bushpigperformance.com/product-page/ricochet-skid-plate-xt-250
I hope this is helpful. Thank you for the comment!
@@SquareHelmet Thank you for the speedy response. I will take a look at those accessories. I think they look great. Regards,
There and back ... thats how far mine goes ... 😂🤣😘😉
Simple is better IMO!
Yes, exactly this! Close to the house, closer to the civilization - and many other bikes could fit well. But for the most remote forest trails - I want to have something very simple, tried and tested. Yamaha XT250 is perfect for this!
Thank you for watching!
The best solution is to have at least 3 bikes...😆😉
I have 2 now... My brother in law just bought a brand new Tenere 700. I can tell you that marketing also works - I've been watching the videos during the off-season and I was set on buying a Tenere this year. It kind of built up my desire for a bigger adventure bike and I even started to justify the purchase for myself. "What if I need to travel really far with a luggage", etc. I went to dealership and was about to pay the deposit. Just wasn't sure about the color and a few options.
And then I went for this ride and I was thinking about that Tenere a lot. That's why I mention it in my video. On this ride I knew for a fact that I just wouldn't be able to go here on Tenere. No way.
So, when I came back I thought to myself: "Damn, I almost made a mistake! If I bought the Tenere - I would have an expensive bike that I would not use as much and I would be one of those guys selling it with just a couple thousand miles".
For now, Yamaha XT250 works well. If anything, I may add a small (up to 400 cc) street bike - maybe the new Triumph. No real need for it, I just love the look and the idea of a small scrambler.
Having said that, I guess you are right, man! 3 bikes is the best after all!
Thank you for the comment!
Put some real tires on it with good rider , it will do just about anything off road short of sand dunes , trials and hard enduro sections.
I bought Dunlop D606 for the rear, but haven't installed yet. What's your opinion on them? Frankly, I'm SO new to the offroad riding.
I saw that the stock tires are very limited offroad: they get full of dirt immediately and after that there is absolutely no traction. I watched FortNine tires comparison and read some forum posts and that's how I got to D606. I want tires that are mostly great for offroad (where I spend most of the time) and can handle some highway from time to time.
I've seen you've tested quite a few tires - which one would you recommend for XT250?
Thank you for the comment!
strange ....... an xt250 crossed the Simpson Desert quite happily, it's a trials bike by design! and does hard enduro riding everyday! so I don't think you ride your anywhere near its capacity!
@@SquareHelmet mt21 Pirelli front and d606 rear with tubliss is the most common combination in Australia
@@simonjones2645 I think desert sand may be easier. What I've experienced is the sticky mud gets into the thread and it becomes just one sleek wheel without any thread at all. I think the gaps between the nobs is too narrow - the mud does not clear up easily.
And you are spot on on my riding - I have a long way to go before I can start getting close to the limits of this bike. It's great though that a complete offroad novice like me can take it so far already. Just so exciting to keep "growing into" the bike's full capacity! I love it.
Thank you for the comment!
@@simonjones2645 Yes, I think that was my plan - to put Pirelli up front. And I am so curious about tubliss - I'll have to give them a try for sure. If they work as advertised - seem to be a no-brainer.
Thank you for the recommendation!