Frugal Fuelers: Yamaha XT250 - First Look

There was a time when I thought all a real rider needed was a 250cc dual-purpose bike and a keen sense of adventure. Twenty-five years later, after spending some time on Yamaha's new XT250, I'm thinking the same thing all over again.

My 1983 Honda XL250 was a supremely versatile beast–a solo touring bike with luggage rack and windscreen fitted; a two-up commuter when my girlfriend needed to get to dance classes at UCLA; the terror of twisty Sunset Boulevard, even with the semi-knobbed tires squirming in protest. Once, with proper dirt rubber mounted, I entered the XL in a so-called (and supposedly easy) "family" enduro. As riding partner Allan Girdler and I rolled up to a reset after a particularly tough section, I commented, "Family enduro, huh? Maybe the Manson Family…"

"You've been waiting all day to use that line," Allan shot back.

And I had, too.

Point is, fun on a motorcycle does not require 160 horsepower, or speed-boy graphics, or engine displacement that could unmoor the Queen Mary, or chrome-plating by the hectare. Dismiss machines like the XT250 as "foo-foo bikes," suitable only for running campground errands, at your own peril…and loss.

My old XL had drum brakes and needed to be kicked to life, sometimes repeatedly and with tongue held just so. Like the 2008 Honda CRF230L, this new Yamaha has discs at both ends and an electric starter–a kick lever isn't even included. Pull the choke knob, thumb the button and it's making noise, easy as that.

It's a cute little critter, too, with dirtbike styling that pays dividends even if you never turn a knob off-road. Scratch-resistant plastic bodywork and flexible turnsignal stalks meant to bounce back from trailside prangs will also handle being dropped in the driveway. When that happens (and it will), levering a sub-300-pound bike back up onto its wheels is a one-person operation–no need to call AAA or a passing football player.

It would be a shame for the XT to spend all its life on asphalt, though. The Yamaha is a surprisingly competent off-roader–even the DOT-approved tires supply a usable amount of grip in sand and mud. Having the capability to explore dirt backroads or (legally) tour state parks is almost like having two bikes in one.

In the end, it's that kind of versatility that makes the XT250 such a good choice for a new rider. Light in weight and with the ability to shrug off the occasional tip-over. Freeway-legal and able to deliver 80 miles per gallon in commuter mode. Fun to ride in the dirt and fully capable of getting anywhere a good Jeep driver can go.

Do not try that with a Prius.