I'm simply overwhelmed by the testimonials and the strength of the XT225 community. We like our simple, bulletproof bikes with low seat heights...the Japanese manufacturers should be reading these comments when they're planning new models!

I bought a new 2007 XT225, put 33,000 miles on it. I took it deep into Mexico, in 2009 and put about 3300 miles in Mexico. This was probably the best motorcycle I’ve ever owned.

I had an xt225 and I loved the 6th gear. I now have the Yamaha xt250. The xt250 and the xt225 go about the same top speed. The xt225's first 2 gears "feel" more like they are for trails, because you're barely moving in 1st and 2nd gear on the xt225. The xt250's first (and 2nd) gear are better for the road. I like how you can lube the xt225 with a grease gun - the xt250 has no grease plugs. The xt250's fuel injection does mean a lot as the xt225 is cold starting - especially at the beginning of the riding season (hard to get it started!).

Great review, appreciate your insight and reasoning for choosing the bike. I am in the market for a dual sport, so this was helpful to think about my needs/ desires. Cheers

Great video! I just bought a 2006 XT225 like yours with 1650 original miles for $2400. I couldn't be happier with it. The 6th gear is awesome and she runs sweet! My plans are similar to yours.

Great comparison of the available small, inexpensive dual-sport models. I see the XTs come up for sale now and then, and didn’t know anything about them. Thanks!

I'm grateful for the fact about how long the XT has been available in the US; I had been wondering about that.

Hey man, congrats on the bike! You explained my XT225 well at 12:50ish, and yes it is snowing in WI. I am 5'4" with a 28" inseam myself so short and light are much preferred. My dad had it for the last 10-12 years and it hasn't been ridden in 4ish years. I convinced him to sell it to me so I can fix it up. My plans are a bit more in depth than yours however. I have a very personalized 2014 Honda CB500x that gets me a lot of places, plus a 78' Honda CX500 project bike. The XT225 will be for trailering to areas I want to do more dirt exploring than pavement. New shocks and springs, LED lighting, pumper carb, exhaust, lower gearing and custom seat are planned for. I had an 88' Honda NX250 a few years back as well. About 10 hp more, water cooled, 6 speed with similar clearance, but much more road biased and it just couldn't keep up with the XT225 in the dirt. But it sure was fun on pavement. Well enough of this novel. Safe travels!

Hi there. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and video. I ride a 2010, KLR650 which i bought a year ago with the intentions of doing some touring....hasn't happened yet. Lol. I've also been thinking about downsizing to a 250, so your thoughts were well received. I chuckled to hear you say you were an older rider, cos I'll be pushing 71 in April. Ride Safe & keep the rubber side down. Regards from S Africa Clive

been honing in on the xt225 and xt250. was really helpful to hear your use cases for them - exactly what I wanna use my future bike for (mostly day trips, occasional multiday trips, all on laid back roads). thank you!

Just resurrected my Dad’s old KE100 and like you said it’s hysterical and super fun around town. Love it next to my VStrom 650.

Very nice! I am planning on finding a good used XT225 this April! Thanks for the review! 👍🏻😀

I had mine for 5 years. Put on 13000 miles. ALL Road. I loved it. My first new bike ever. 60 all day. That 6th gear really helped. Driven the xt250. I liked the xt225 better.

I'm on a 2003 with 15000km in B.C . Good show. I was paitiently waiting for a Trail portion of the video . lol There is literally 1 major highway where live. Top speed of this Autobahn is 60km . Approximately 400km of Mountain trails and logging roads mostly maintaned by the ATV Club. No pavement. Have a Blast!

Good video, Man! I like the ride through the neighborhood.

Thank you sharing, great information. I am still between the xt225 and the xt250.

I had a 1985 Japan-spec Serow 225. Bought that one in 1997. To this day, I've never had more fun on a motorcycle than when I had that bike. I've had a lot of faster bikes, a lot of more expensive bikes. Looking back, I don't really care much for those things. The most important thing is how much fun you're having while you're riding and that Serow was it for me. I'm just glad I was given the opportunity to have it for two years.

A nice and realistic video. I have an XT250, which suits me. I love the fact you've realised your limits, needs and bought a bike to suit. Most people will buy a bike with the trends and new features. We'll done and enjoy.

Nice vid! Thank you for giving us your height and a clear visual of you sitting on the bike where we were able to see your feet in relation to the ground!....and in the beginning of the vid! Great job!

I'M SUBSCRIBER 200!!!!! I had a 94 DR350SE and I LOVED it but someone else loved it more and took it :( They are a bit on the heavy side for what they are but it had power in spades for my riding. Like you I just basically country cruise and try to get lost and find really crappy roads to do it on. When I had my DR I always wanted a 650 because EVERYONE KNOWS BIGGER IS BETTER. I've got a 97 XR650L now and it is an awesome bike but SO not better. It is super tall which is not a real biggy until the ground is a mile below you and coming at you fast. I know this is going to sound stupid but it has WAY more power than I need for my riding style I only use about 1/4 of what it has. So I'm looking to get a CRF250L for all the reasons you mentioned. You summed up Dual Sporting in a nutshell find your bike and ride it's wheels off. I'll buy your DR if you can mail it to me :)

I have a DR350SE (1994) and a 2001 XT225 as well. Love them both.

Great review. I’m 68 yr. old, 30 “ inseam and apparently mortal so flat out dirt bikes are off my wish list. Plus, my Bonneville needs a stablemate. The XT225 and the WR200 are high on my list of fun backcountry “take me fishing” machines. I want a carbureted bike that I can do minor mechanical work on. Thanks for your input.

my dude i hope you keep makin vids, dont give up

You make a lot of sense.. great vid!

Nice video brother! Keep em comin

I've just come across your Channel and really like watching your videos! I am also a short Rider at 5.5in 140 lb I have been riding dirt bikes since I was 12 and would like to consider myself an experienced rider I've owned two xt225 and one xt250 and loved both those bikes for different reasons. I currently don't own a dual-sport anymore but I'm looking for another one now that summer is here I have the bike Blues. I have done a ton of research over the years trying to figure out the best bike for me I would like to have a bike with more power but I'm just physically not big enough to fit on any it is really annoying. I thought about buying a new klx230 and getting lowering links and a different seat that's not as tall but I really don't want to spend any more money than I have to in start messing around with that stuff. So I'm considering buying another xt250 but one that is fuel-injected my old one was just carbureted. I actually like the 5-speed in the xt250 I find the 5 speed better for on the road than the 6-speed even though I lose a little bit of low end power on the trails. I was considering buying a Kawasaki versys 300 but I don't think it's good enough trail bike for me since I enjoy off-roading so much. I have been calling around to all the dealers where I live in Nova Scotia Canada and every new xt250 are sold out and it's becoming really difficult to even pick up a used one. I've been told this is because of covid. I think I'm soon going to put a deposit down for when a new one so when it comes in I don't lose out on one. Anyways keep up the good work the videos 👍

It's my all time favorite bike. I've had it since 2004 and its the one bike that's not for sale.

Oh by the way my other bike is the 2006 KLX 250S dual sport. I bought it new in November of 05 and currently have 17,000 miles on it. I rode it 4-5 times this week alone, 50 to 75 mile trips on the forest service roads and some really technical trails. What a blast.

Having a six speed is critical on these low powered bikes. Night and day.

Thanks for the info! I'm thinking about selling my CRF250L and getting one of these. I too am vertically challenged, and I find the CRF too tall and heavy. I think the XT225 might be perfect for putting around town and some forest roads.

Great review! Helped a lot

just bought a 2006 xt225 myself. Great little bike!

Beginner bike is such a funny term. As if you need 1200cc's to enjoy riding (like a pro). I ride ATV's and can remember back when they were making the Honda ATC 110. 1971 James Bond movie "Diamonds are Forever" he rode a Honda ATC 90 !!! Then came the "Big Red"...it was a 250. Now, ATV's have to be 700cc's or bigger to be a "real" ATV. 20 years from now, I suppose people will be riding through the woods with 2,000cc Quad runners calling a 700 a "beginner" ATV. Motorcycles are no different. A 125cc - 250cc Enduro was the norm, it was just right. Then came the 350, etc. Now they have you tube videos (for the pro's of course) on how to pick up your bike when it falls over off-road because they are so big. No wonder off-road riding areas are becoming extinct.

I had a 2002 xt225 as my first bike and it had so much character as was such a nice little engine to use. Super underpowered but in a way it had charm that way

jimmytmoto, THANK YOU for this video, seriously. I just bought an XT225 to upgrade from my XT250, for the reasons you made so clear and more: 6 speed wide ratio, 30 pounds lighter, carb (adjustable) instead of fuel injection (stuck permanently way too lean). It's been maybe 3 months, and I am extremely happy with that decision. I have done a few little mods, aimed at making it into a bush tractor that can still hit 60mph if I have to. Tires = Motoz Mountain Hybrid rear and front, with TuBliss instead of tubes, the low speed traction is astonishing, almost unfathomable. 13 tooth front sprocket, compensates for 1" larger O.D. rear tire, and then some, first gear is a real crawling gear now. Carb got the "XT225 3 turn mod", which perfects the performance at low RPM, no more hesitation/sputtering, and almost impossible to stall, and perfect smooth little squirts of power from idle for trail crawling, it's like clockwork now. The XT250 is now the commute, fast highway and easy trails bike I share with my son. It got a 16 tooth sprocket and Shinko 700 tires (quiet and great for wet roads and easy bush), and the 16T really perfects the performance. I am very happy :)

Just bought a brand new 2020 XT250. Went from a Harley to needing the woods as I get older. 223 miles so far I put a back rack along with the spare gas tank. I also Have hand guards which I find crucial along with shin guards

I went from a XT250 to a XT1200z man what a step up lol the XT1200 is as fast as the 250 topped out in 2nd gear.

When I was 12 I had a KD100M Kawasaki. It was a great bike and I went everywhere on it. Last month I put a deposit down on a new CRF300L but knew when I done it I would have to lower the bike having a 30" inseam. After thinking about dealer fees and the extra money to lower I started looking for a used XT250. Found a new/used 2021 with a little over 500 miles and bought it. I know I'll be much happier with the XT than the CRF.

Hi Jimmytmoto, 'Yes I also rode a KE100 for a while. It might be 'a "wafer" of a motorcycle, more than say a Scooter, but it was a blast! Like what you have to say about lightweight XT225 too!

A great review.. and clear! Can only find beaten up higher mileage 225s where I am, so looking at the xt250.. if light is the objective, there's also the grom. My wife likes the grom.. As an older rider I love the REH.. if only it was 100lbs lighter, it would be perfect! Perhaps the perfect bike is a garage full of bikes. 🤔

Killer info, looking for a beginner bike and this was super helpful!

My first dirt bike was a KE 100 loved that old bike.

I’m 6’ 2”, 220lb, and I’ve had everything from 125’s to 1,000cc. But some of the best times I’ve ever had off-road were on a twin-shock XR200. Thinking pretty hard about picking up one of these as a day tripper...

It is ridiculous that the Honda CRF250L weighs 320 lbs with just 2.1 gal. fuel capacity.

I just came upon you and your videos - I wish i had seen them, well, a couple of years before you made them. So much of what you're saying speaks to me - low-clearance inseam, age, shoulder issues, and a DR350 that I can't get on properly - and so has been garaged for a long time. Where's a street-legal XT225-sized bike with a 350 or 400 cc motor? Another challenge is that my jurisdiction doesn't permit modification of MX bikes to dual-purpose.

Howdy, just came into possession of a low mileage 1992 XT225 Serow, had the gas tank repaired & lined, added new front brake master cylinder, coil & plug, now changing oil, oiling spots,new battery & fuel & fuel line and gonna start it ! Can't wait . . .

My son got an XT 225 I think its 2006 as well. I Rode it home. For me I see it as a great starter bike. My son is about 30 but needed something to learn on. And also we are abit taller around 5-11. I fer sure understand the height issue for you and that is what it is. It's a great running bike. I was very impressed at the power that little 225 has espeacially in the low end. I was really impressed power wise for it's small motor size. That bike is geared AWESOME! I'm a bit more experienced but not a lot of complaints on that little bike. Brakes work well but not awesome. The other problem for me was the short suspension where I would bottom it out. It seems a bit soft and the maybe 6 inches of travel was not enough for me. As for my son he loves it. It's light and when he demands power it's there. For a short person I can see any of the XT line being an awesome choice! It's great to be able to get your feet down. And compared to bikes in this size and design range I honestly would endorse it for best choice! Thats only an opinion tho...

I understand what you're talking about, regarding the DR fuel tank. I have a DR650, and instead of getting the larger tank, I put 2 Rotopax on my bike. I don't get that enlarged tank heaviness, and I don't run out of gas.

I have a 2006 and love it.

I had 2 of these and they both were stolen, the chain cut and bikes hauled off in the middle of the night. One for my wife and I, both short folks and we loved it. One 2005 and one 1997 model, the 97 model was awesome, the 2005 had a super spongey back brake. I didn't like the drum brake on the back but it was fine. I'd kill for another, but I can never find one for sale in a reasonable drive.

I had a 2001 model, I put 40,000 miles on mine and it was the best small dual sport I have ever owned, with a top speed of 82 MPH, it took me wherever I wanted to go, I drove mine to work daily except on rainy days. it hates the rain, the only concern was cold starting, It does not want to start on cold days, you will almost drain the battery trying to start it regardless of choke adjustments, My XT 250 has fuel injection and it is a much better set up than the 225, The 225 was lighter and handled off road better and had a shorter turn radius. It was the best small bike Ive ever owned, when I fell in a pond with it and had to rebuild the engine, it never ran the same so I sold it. It is bad for them to submerge them. I love my 2018 XT 250 now but am still looking for another 225, they are hard to find. Ive owned a CRF 230 Honda at the same time, it was a nice bike too. I recommend the 225 to anybody who likes to ride slow and enjoy the scenery, The XT 250 for faster runs.

I have a 2006 also and I love it. Thanks

Excellent video. Thank you.

I have a 1993 dr350s that I bought from someone who bought it from someone who I guess let it sit for a while, finally cleaned the carb enough and got everything working enough to get it running but the SOB really doesn't like starting when it's cold. I've checked the valves twice and gone to the carb as well as rebuilt it but I'm at a little bit of a loss as to what kind of fine adjustments I might need to make. I've read a few people online talk about pilot jet size and mixture settings and I think currently I'm at about 2 and 1/2 screws out and it seems to be doing okay, was getting a little bit jerky throttle response and lagging on throttle input which based on some Googling was indicative of a lean condition so I think I went about three-quarters of a turnout from 1 and 3/4 and now I'm in about two-and-a-half on the fuel mixture screw. Question about the pilot jet I know some bikes have a pilot jet with hole at the end where is others just have the holes on the side, any chance you know if one pilot jet or the other is correct for my motorcycle and would you ever consider doing up the size in a pilot jet to help with cold starting? Lastly I know it doesn't seem sensible given that it's a kick-start but because there's a battery is there any chance that the cheap Apex battery I bought is causing the ignition circuit to not have enough amperage to give it a good spark? One of the only things I haven't checked on the bike so far is the ignition because I feel like it should at least pop or sputter a couple times when I'm starting it but I feel like I'll kick it for several times and just won't get anything and I have to go through this several times before I even get it to pop and then it slowly comes to life, and for what it's worth yes I'm aware of the whole priming kick deal where you kick it a few times over slowly to Prime the engine and I am familiar with the decomp lever use although I need to adjust my decomp lever because for some reason it stopped staying depressed when I pull it after the last valve adjustment. I'm not a complete stranger to working on motorcycles but God damn it sometimes I think I just want to buy a bike that's not so damn old and spend more time riding in less time tinkering, that being said I know the dr350s has a lot of potential so I don't want to give up just yet

I have one and love it!!

I have a dr200 and a wr250r. The 200 is gutless, but soooo much fun. I got the 2005 dr for $1600 with 3000 miles. It's really easy in every way.

i got this bike too and i love it

Man, nice I had a 1994 XT225, great little bike but had nothing but carburator problems, very had to start and keep running cold, had to put on a new carb and intake manifold, $650 buck's, ouch, I would much rather have the XT250 with EFI !

I like these smaller bikes im 6’2” 180lbs but i ride a ‘16 vstrom 650 and a ‘13 yamaha stryker 1300, love them both but sometimes i just want something lighter that i dont care to get offroad and not care that much.

I just bought a 2018 dr 200s and I’m 6 foot tall 280 pounds and it actually has good power for what it is. It only has 1500 miles on it. I love mine.

Built like a tank! 👍

Efi is NOT an upgrade for the owner, only for the dealerships. Keep it simple and owner serviceable. F*** liquid cooled too.

I like it but they make a xt250 if I was Yamaha there would be a tw 250 as well good review I'm riding a ttr we can street legal them here in Maine and I use it for trail riding

there super durable and great mines like 20 years old and is still going i just bought it but it’s got a ton of miles and i just went trail riding with it ( i haven’t really registered it yet so i cant ride on road) and i beat the crap out of it and it’s still running smooth everywhere and anytime

I have a dr200 xt350 cbr600 cbr929 vf750c. The dr200 is super fun!

This is the bike I wish I had for y2k, just couldn't afford it then.. Thinking about getting one now though.

As a 90/10 dirt bike I went down to 12/52 gearing from the standard 15/45 which enabled me not have to feather the clutch. Ist gear in tight low speed is trial like. Left hand rear brake addition enable huge control in steep stuff.Mooses with hobbies eliminated slipping. Bark Busters, rack & oversize pedals help complement the 6 gears, 11.4" clearance & low seat. The suspensionion is not a problem at trial speeds. To be able to still register, I have not found a better set up.

I have a 1993 that i got for free, and i love it. Only has 2200 miles on it

The 2006 XT250 blows the 225 away. Go up 1 tooth on the countershaft and it will cruise at 75MPH on the interstate. Great adventure bike. And the design with the split front fender is "KILLER". Bulletproof too. Real head turner.

Did you consider a CRF 230 I rode a friends it was a decent trail bike.

Update. Bought '08 Yamaha XT250, Monday. 6700 miles. Really nice. Looks new. All maintainance done. Have to get use to no sixth gear. Round headlight, not to cool either. But the price was half new. Ride on!

Hi Jimmy, thank you for the concise review. I'm 51, been riding most of my life and am looking to get into dual-sporting. I want to start enjoying the trail systems around me in CT and be able to easily expand out to MA, even VT\NY. I also wouldn't mind having a small bike for my 2.5 mile commute to work. I definitely do not want a big buffalo of bike to be off-roading with, but I am a bigger guy at 6', 235lbs. So my question is, do you think the XT225 is too small for me? Does it have enough grunt to lug my arse through the rough NE trails and can the suspension handle a bigger rider for "adult" trial riding? thanks again

I got same prob i'm only 5"4 and torn acl can't find a light n low bike like this

this is weard mate last year i sold a dr 350 same year as yours and traded a xt 225 same year as your new one on a 2004 klr 650 i regret it now i hate the klr i loved the other two bikes the xt 225 was a good fun little bike and im 6ft 110 kg going to get rid of klr and go back to a xt ride safe mate 👍👍👍

Idk if people are going to see this but I’m thinking bout selling my ttr to get this are thay cheep to work on and are after market parts good ?

i have an xr650l and yz450f (racing) in my garage i just bot a 2014 xt250 and am doing little things point is im 6'2" and at age 54 I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING in fact im no mind reader but honest to God when the suzuki insert appeared and id recalled YOUR height i simply knew what you were about to express well don thank you

Hi I am in England and have recently purchased a 1996 xt 225 Could you recommend a parts supplier please Parts look a little difficult to find in the UK Any help please, and keep making the videos as they are really good for me to learn about my bike

How do we get a light kit for mine??? 2005??

Jimmy, is the XT225 a bike you would choose to ride cross-country on the TAT.

Awesome video. I’m 5’4 and I had been riding since I was 12 years old I’m 44 now. I’m getting old and I cannot handle my Honda XR650r I love it but it’s huge I’m thinking on buying a Yamaha XT225 or Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250cc and I really like the Yamaha TW200 I love the Tw200 awesome looking and amazing reviews . I just want something that I can handle without getting hurt so much.

Definitely cold and snowing here :(

Did you not look at the TDub seems to have a big following out there......

❤️ God Bless All Much Love To All Be Blessed To All For Real ❤️

I bought a new 2004 xt225 at dealer cost. It ran 14k of the hardest miles a bike could ever see and I got 1000 trade in.

Short rider here too, and your list was great to consider. Would love a DRZ 300 or even a 450 - what did you use to lower yours?

XT 250 best

I bought an XT225 two years ago. I loved riding it but it would never start. I sold it after too many occasions where it wouldn’t start. I’m considering XT250 because it has fuel injection and I really liked the light weight and low seat height.

What model of bike is on the top left of your channel home. I’m guessing that it is some kind of 4 cylinder sport tourer. Maybe a Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasaki.

My 04 wouldnt start for years, till pulled carb off, used start fluid as carb cleaner on the 4 holes in the throat. Also cleared the blocked passages in all jets and adj screws with tiny strand of copper wire. Read the forums on xt225.com on hard starting Drill and pull the sealed plug covering the idle mixture screw, clean it, backed off 2 turns from fully seated. Now runs, no warmup, no bogging. Start fluid still handy to ease starts.

Jimmy, I have the opportunity to buy a an 2006 XT 225 .. I'm 6' and 240 lbs. I work about ten minutes from my home there's another route to work over a seasonal road which I'd take advantage of. my question is should I go with a large bike or will the XT 225 will suffice? I'm not worried about going like hell but take it to local small cities about 20 minute by car. Id also use it for some off road/state land to scout for hunting and fishing spots. Any advice would be helpful thanks.. I'm kind of leery of the small engine and my size and I didn't want to get something that was tank on the back roads and dirt. Thanks!

I bought a 2001 Yamaha XT 225 cc Garage kept with only 1224 miles on it I Paid $1200.oo for it & I love the Bike

Because I did not know there was an XT250?

awesome '

I have a 2003 XT225 and absolutely love it off and on road, even as a taller rider. Have you had any issues with rear spokes breaking?

Did you look at the Honda CRF230L? Very similar to the XT225 but looks nicer and has a rear disk.

I sold my tw200 and thinking to buy this one now

I have a SUZUKI DR250 1995 model I bought it 5 years ago “2015” for $1400 and boy have I got my money’s worth.

Im 5'2 and I got two options to go for. One is a Yamaha dt 125 and the other is a Yamaha serow 225. I'm short and I'm wondering what will be the best bike for me. Any advice because it's my first offroad bike

I finally got one at 13 I got a 99 one.

Is the 2007 xt225 made in Japan, Brazil or China❓On a few forums some people say it's not made in Japan❓ If it's Japan I'm buying one. Hope I get a response soon. Thanks.😎