The WR made me do it - XT250

[spklbuk]

Jim-

Awesome. She's a beaut!! Have faith, brother... winter cannot last forever!!! Already missing the amazing riding up there. Everything is clamped down tight here when it comes to good backroads and dirt. Looking forward to getting back up there!

H

Harrison,

You live!! Thanks about the new to me toy. I think it's going to work out well.

Winter has definitely in charge. You'll likely have buttloads of exploring available there before it ever thaws here. We'll have to track down DD when you get back up.

Hope your brain is filling with tons o' newfound knowledge.

Jim

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Well Jim, my photos from today are not as interesting as yours. I didn't make it much further than backyard today. Roads are mostly clear of ice, but they do appear to be made out of salt. Fair number of bikes out today, but just not thrilled with getting that crap all over any of the bikes.

Finally did get the new bike fired up today and rode it around our unsalted driveway, private road and the backyard. Cute little bike. Surprising amount of torque, little thing will just chug away. No ability to wheelie without popping the the clutch...and even then it's pretty pathetic. No problem, wife really isn't into wheelies. She had fun scooting around on it and felt zero intimidation on the bike. She even let me take it for a ride.







I think it's going to be a fun little bike.

 

[twinrider]

Surprising amount of torque, little thing will just chug away.

Must feel like a real torque monster after the WR.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

There is so little similarity between these two Yamaha 250cc bikes it's not even funny.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I apparently misunderstood Larry at Romney Cycles when I picked up the bike, or he misunderstood the seller of the bike. There was a bag of parts laying on the back rack of the XT. I was told they were the original Yamaha dog bones because the bike had been lowered. I didn't think much of it, bike seemed to be sitting nice, so I never opened the bag.

Yesterday I noticed the forks had not been adjusted for the lower back end. I was wondering how it was going to steer and was prepared to grab a wrench and make so adjustments. Surprisingly, it steering was perfect. I was also wondering how the kickstand was in such great shape. I know anytime I've had one cut down it's always been slightly less than perfect.

Today I was cleaning up and decided to look in the bag. I was pretty surprised to find $165 worth of Soupy's links and an adjustable kickstand with expanded foot. Never been used, all bright and shiny.



Guess I know how I'm going to pay for the skid plate and other few things the bike is going to need.

 

[twinrider]

There is so little similarity between these two Yamaha 250cc bikes it's not even funny.

I have a Serow 250 loaner at the moment. What an unexpected surprise, this bike is an absolute blast! Quick, nimble and it's a little torque monster, lofting the front wheel with just a twist of the wrist in first gear. Might have to get myself one....

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I have a Serow 250 loaner at the moment. What an unexpected surprise, this bike is an absolute blast! Quick, nimble and it's a little torque monster, lofting the front wheel with just a twist of the wrist in first gear. Might have to get myself one....

Looks a lot like the XT250, but your description is very unfamiliar. I tried and tried to get the front end up with the throttle and no dice. I was able to dump the clutch after revving it up a bit to get the front up, but even that was pretty pathetic.

Still don't know much about this bike. Between weather, schedule, illness and temporary injury we've only ridden the bike around the yard/driveway one time. Next month hope to get it out for some fun.

 

[twinrider]

Looks a lot like the XT250, but your description is very unfamiliar. I tried and tried to get the front end up with the throttle and no dice. I was able to dump the clutch after revving it up a bit to get the front up, but even that was pretty pathetic.

Still don't know much about this bike. Between weather, schedule, illness and temporary injury we've only ridden the bike around the yard/driveway one time. Next month hope to get it out for some fun.

Is yours the fuel injected model? My YSP mechanic said it's much peppier than the earlier carbed model.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

No, I have the last year of the carb.

 

[twinrider]

No, I have the last year of the carb.

My mechanic also mentioned the carb was a pita to dial in for good performance, you might want to consider saving yourself some time and trouble and just swap it for a '13. I'm seriously considering selling my DRZ250 and getting one myself because it's so much fun to ride. I'm pathetic at wheelies but even I can hoist the front end up from a standstill on power alone and it's a real hoot lofting it over bumps.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

It's my wife's bike. She is fine with no wheelie.

 

[twinrider]

I hear ya, mum's the word about the easy-peasy starts and spirited acceleration.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I hear ya, mum's the word about the easy-peasy starts and spirited acceleration.

Ignorance is bliss.

 

[trikepilot]

Uh.... I'll call bulls%$t!!! C'mon Jon. You hear that someone else is using throttle to lift the front wheel of a bike you own and you are not interested? Did you hurt your hand or your head? Wife's bike?!?! I KNOW you wanna wheelie that sucker. Just admit it, you'll feel better!

 

[snakebitten]

Did come across a bit flat for DD. Indifference to loft the front wheel? I ain't buying it either.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

::025:: Thanks, guys. I needed that. This snowy/salty winter, plus my little mishap does have me off my game a bit. I don't think I've ridden 500 mile in the last 10 weeks. I have no idea how many years it has been since I could say that. But I didn't realize it would be me expressing lack of wheelie concern that would trigger alarm bells. It does make me chuckle.

It's true, I've been trying to wheelie everything I've ever owned in the last 40 years. I'm likely to buy a zero turn mower next month, and there is no doubt in my mind I will give more than a few attempts at getting the front end in the air. It's just who I am.

Regarding the XT250, I'll never stop trying to wheelie it at every opportunity. Harrison, you've seen me...I can't help myself. But this bike apparently does not perform like the FI version. If it were for me, I'd do something about it. But it's not. Even though my wife was beginning to get the feel for wheelies on her old TTR-125, it's really not a concern of hers for this bike.

Thanks for calling me out on this matter. You're right, it didn't sound like me. I'm still at least two more weeks from getting back on a bike. I'm sure that will snap me back into focus.

 

[trikepilot]

Attaboy, Jon! I was gonna have to get Snake to help me convene a cyber-intervention.

Hands heal and the weather has to get better. Hang in there!!! I am sure you'll ride soon.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Yes, being off a bike may be more dangerous for me. Last weekend all I could do was swing a machete clearing shooting lanes on the property for an archery season starting in 30 days. I kept swinging it thinking, "keep that other hand out of the way, just don't cut it off." I survived that, but can't help but think how much safer I am on a bike.

March! I'll ride again in March.