2425 replies to this topic

[MarcP1956 TT Bronze Member]

dataquest -

Man was that ever a short love affair. Why don't you throw a good set of street tires on your XT250, a sprocket that will work better on the street, open up the exhaust, and rejet? It would make one heck of a small displacement street bike that could get off the road if needed. Not to mention killer milage. You will likely take a beating on reselling the bike. Your loss could probably do the above mods. Just an idea. I looked back and saw that you live in Texas. That's a bit to far to make it feasible for me to purchase it. If you were closer I would be tempted and I would do just what I suggested.

Shalom, Marc

[dataquest TT Member]

Yeah, unfortunately I tend to to through bikes quickly. I have it posted on the "Craigslist" in Austin, Texas for $3900. We'll see if I get any bites over the weekend. Whenever I sell it, I think I will just buy a nice used Honda Nighthawk 250. I have always wanted one because they are very light and very comfortable. And I like Hondas.

[jbobst TT Bronze Member]

dataquest, Texas is a BIG state!  There is no place to ride out there?  I drove from Houston back to Phoenix last December, and there was just empty land everywhere...with creeks and good looking places to ride.  I live in Arizona, and there is plenty of area to ride here thankfully.  What gives with Texas?

[dataquest TT Member]

Well, around the Georgetown area there isn't any decent places to ride off road. Private property everywhere. I don't want to have to drive hundreds of miles just to go off road. The seat on this bike isn't comfortable enough for that . What do you guys think is a good asking price for my bike? It has 1534 miles on it and it looks like brand new besides a little wear on the rear tire.

[MarcP1956 TT Bronze Member]

dataquest,

I think you have a good starting price. I wouldn't go below $3500, your bike looks like new. However, most people don't mind spending up to $500 to put the first miles on the bike, and make sure it's broke in well. If I were in the area I would offer you $3200 cash, but I am not, and this is not a serious offer.

It's sounds like you are determined to sell. There are ways to make the seat more comfortable. The easiest is to ride it and let your backside get used to the seat and the seat to conform to you. You would be amazed what you can find comfortable after a few thousand miles. Ask any bicyclist. There are many people that will tear down the stock seat and improve it. Also, there are a variety of aftermarket seat covers that do a good job. But ... you have tired of this motorcycle haven't you? And you're ready for a new experience. Enjoy your Honda.

Shalom, Marc

[MarcP1956 TT Bronze Member]

LED Light replacements.

Does anyone know of a source for LED light replacements for the position-lights, tail-light, brake-light, and turn-signals???? With these replaced we should be able to run a few accessories.

dataquest, this thread may not go on much longer without you. Let's keep it going. I haven't found a better 2008 XT250 forum yet.

Shalom, Marc

[Oldtimer36 TT Bronze Member]

[quote name='GsVs']I have been looking at the XT250 for a while - still on my wish list ... so I have been doing a little research !

Yes they do ...  see link below

Denali Rack

- - - -

I looked at that rack but the 35 lbs it weighed turned me off.

[The Cameraman TT Member]

Hi MarcP1956,

you could always come over to our site at www.xt225.com, which has embraced the 250 as well!

[mia2 TT Newbie]

hi all, i just bougt the bike today. rode it home a hole whoppping 7 miles. it seemed nice to ride. i'm a chick that is 5"3  and it is perfect. i also ride a  rm100 suzuki. i will let you all know how the machine performs on and off the road. see ya:ride:

[Oldtimer36 TT Bronze Member]

The Cameraman said:

Hi MarcP1956,

you could always come over to our site at www.xt225.com, which has embraced the 250 as well!

There is some interesting ideas on that site.  Thanks.  Has anyone switched to a pumper carb?  I did on my old KLX 300 and it made an amazing difference.  Instant response.  I see there is someone offering a TM33 Mikuni for the XT225 and I'm sure it is also available for the 250.

[MarcP1956 TT Bronze Member]

If I knew about the site before buying I may have bought the XT225. Great site! I was really tore between the two bikes and finally chose the XT250

Shalom, Marc

[dataquest TT Member]

MarcP1956 said:

dataquest,

I think you have a good starting price. I wouldn't go below $3500, your bike looks like new. However, most people don't mind spending up to $500 to put the first miles on the bike, and make sure it's broke in well. If I were in the area I would offer you $3200 cash, but I am not, and this is not a serious offer.

It's sounds like you are determined to sell. There are ways to make the seat more comfortable. The easiest is to ride it and let your backside get used to the seat and the seat to conform to you. You would be amazed what you can find comfortable after a few thousand miles. Ask any bicyclist. There are many people that will tear down the stock seat and improve it. Also, there are a variety of aftermarket seat covers that do a good job. But ... you have tired of this motorcycle haven't you? And you're ready for a new experience. Enjoy your Honda.

Shalom, Marc

Hi Marc. Yeah, right now I would take $3500 for it if someone offered it, but not any less at this time. It is a great bike and I paid around $4500 out the door for it just a couple of months ago.
Just in the last 2 years I have had these different bikes: 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 500, a 2006 Suzuki SV-650, a 2006 Yamaha TW-200, a 2007 Suzuki Burgman 400, a 2007 Honda Rebel, a 1998 Honda Magna, and now the 2008 Yamaha XT-250. So, if there was such a thing as a "Motorcycle Buyers Anonymous", then I would have to join it.
I am just trying to find the right bike for me. So,far it seems that I am happiest with small, light bikes. But I need it to be comfortable and quiet. I enjoyed the Rebel the most out of all of these bikes. That is why I am leaning towards trying to find a used Honda Nighthawk 250, because the Rebel and the Nighthawk share the same engine, so I know for sure that it is a great engine and I sat on a Nighthawk the other day at the dealer and it fit me so well. The seat was very comfortable. The seat height was perfect, too. And it is a Honda, which is my favorite manufacturer. I don't know why the Nighthawks are $500 more than the Rebels, though. They don't even have a disc brake up front! But I still want one. Doesn't mean that I will end up with one, though. You can never tell with me.

[The Cameraman TT Member]

Hi Marc,

well I've had both and think either one makes a fantastic buy.

I've got the 250 and my 75 year old dad has the 225.

A 2 Serow family!

[MarcP1956 TT Bronze Member]

Hey why don't one of you computer types start an XT250 forum. I would join. You could pattern it after the before mentioned xt225.com site. It is a great site but the XT250 is really a different bike. And I can't seem to find to much on the XT250. Maybe I don't know where to look.

The Cameraman - Is there an XT250 section of the xt225.com site???

Shalom, Marc

[MarcP1956 TT Bronze Member]

Has anyone mounted a front mounted rack on the XT250? I've seen one on a XT225 and it seemed quite useful; didn't look too bad either. I like to camp, fish, and travel, so anything the enables me to carry more I like.

Another plea - A retired computer individual should consider starting an XT250.com site. These motorcycles are sure to continue selling and it would be cool to get in right at the beginning. Just an idea ...

Shalom, Marc

[The Cameraman TT Member]

Mornin' Marc,

I personally reckon that the XT250 is an evolution of the XT225 and consider it should remain under the wing of XT225.com, rather than diluting the themes by setting up a new site.

However I think it would be great if that particular site had a section purely for the 250 model.

[MarcP1956 TT Bronze Member]

Cameraman - I can see your logic, and do agree. Perhaps some of us just need to get involved in the xt225.com site so that could happen. Thanks. And thanks for the invite earlier. I am enjoying the site.

Shalom, Marc

[twhite0221 TT Newbie]

http://s276.photobuc...XT250RACK01.jpg

Here is a photo of the rear rack I bought from cycleracks.com. I removed the passanger foot pegs and rear grab bars and used existing mounting holes. I also loosened up the heat shield on the exhaust so the rear bolt would clear and trimmed a little bit of the rear fender around the rear mounting holes. Very solid and functional rack, made in Boise, Idaho USA. TW

[Swampfox01 TT Newbie]

Hello All,
I share several attributes with some of the previous posters (male over 50, haven't ridden in 20 years, not really overweight - 170).  As a young man, I raced hondas (250class) in flat tracking (really auto dirt oval) and enduros.  Finally caught the bug again after my wife expressed an interest in trail riding.  I thought it appropriate to buy a cycle suitable for her with just enough pep to keep me happy as well until I could go deep pocket diving again.  We bought the XT250 last Friday - paid about $4300 in Northern Virginia.  We rode it on Saturday and I am now convinced we bought the correct bike.  By the end of the day, she was able to safely navigate the typical hazards found on a powerline and limited narrow trails.  My daughter (age 21) had difficulties using the clutch, be after she got it rolling she did fine.  It will take some more time with her, but my wife only needs practice.  (I also have an ATV so we can ride together - switching off through the difficult areas).
As far as my riding it, I have to say that I was pleasantly impressed.  It is quite agile with a good power range (one can even do wheelies, if you are into that sort of thing).  I first drove it on the road about 12 miles from the storage place to the woods.  Nice way to seat things in, I thought.  The XT has good pickup, but a low top end - I wouldn't want to spend alot of freeway time on it.  However, our use will be 90% trail and 10% road (the road is just too dangerous to motorcycle riders), so I'm okay with it.
The suspension seems on the soft side, but not to an extreme.  I didn't do any jumps on it, but I did ride hard over some rough terrain and I didn't bottom it out.  It is quite light and easy to horse around twisted trails when forced to work slowly through the woods.

My complaints?  I'm 6' tall and would like to have more distance between the seat and pegs.  That said, any bike that met that requirement would be way too tall for my wife (about 5'4") and daughter.  I'll get my selection maybe next year.  

The other compaint comes with an open question to you.  I do not like the tires, particularly the rear.  It's okay crossing deep water, but it is very loose in the mud.  Could someone tell me what is the biggest, knobbiest, best-est tire that I could put on this XT.  Doesn't necessarily have to be street legal or street marginal.  I just need for the wheels to stick on the dirt.  It's been too long for me to know what is the hot setup for rubber in todays market and would appreciate your advice and opinions.  The front is not so bad, if I could power it through with a good rear tire.
Kind Regards,
Swampfox01

P.S. I wish Yamaha would make an XT400...

[GlennF TT Gold Member]

I am running a Kenda Trackmaster 760 100/100-18 on the back of my XT225 which is a DOT legal tire to boot. It is just as good, in my opinion, as a pure knobby in the mud. I run a Dunlop 606 on the front and it seems to be a good combination.

Wouldn't we all like a XT400!! Yamaha could bring out an update of their XT/TT350 that would be great. I owned both and if you added rear disc brake and maybe an E start to the TT350 (which had far superior suspension of the two) you would have a winner.