Hello I have a 2009 XT250 the rear tire has a rim lock but the front tire does not. I was wondering what is the lowest pressure y’all run in the front tire with no rim lock? I live in arizona and ride a lot of service roads double track and single track.

I don't go much below 12 psi. The trade-off is traction vs. pinch flats and rim damage. The XT's wheels aren't known to be terribly robust. If you beat them up, they'll break. I also don't like changing flats on the side of the trail, so I prefer to keep more pressure in the tire to prevent those.

On the street, low tire pressures will cause irregular and accelerated tire wear. As you're likely aware, the brakes aren't great so the likelihood of spinning the tire and tearing the valve stem off under braking is pretty low.

We too did a lot of trail riding in AZ. Some very good runs to be had there like Box Canyon, Coke Ovens and Sunflower Mine to name a few. Also the back road to Crown King (leaving from Lake Pleasant) is another classic. I'd avoid the town of Cleator!

I always use heavy duty motocross tubes in both tires. Just an extra precaution to avoid pinch flats. Especially in the front tire. As for tire pressures, usually 15 PSI front and 10-12 PSI rear has worked well. Nails and cactus have been issues with flats in AZ.

A Mousse Tube would offer relief from flats in the front. They are expensive, however, and I'm not sure about sizes available for the XT. Almost all of our AZ riding was done in the winter when temps are cool. You can ride out on a flat rear tire as the side walls have just enough stiffness to get by.

Tire pressure depends on Your Weight, Tire Brand & Sidewall construction. I run 10 psi in the dirt and 14 psi on blacktop. BUT I always check how much the tire is flexing when I put my weight / step on the tire/rim at the ground surface while the bike is at rest on the kickstand and when I sit on the bike under the load of my weight. I am on the lighter side and 4 lbs makes a world of diff in the bikes performance. Experiment with pressures and find what works for you. Start at 14 and drop a pound or two each time you go out. I too use heavy duty tubes.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

I use 22/25 on the street. And 18/22 off road. Have never had a problem getting traction even on steep rocky trails. I weigh 175 lbs.

We're on the light side too. Last I weighed the bikes they came in at around 270 Lbs. I'm 150 Lbs and Jeannie 112. Not too heavy of a payload. Thus no problems with softer tire pressures.

Down to 140 Lbs myself. Most factory dirt bikes including Motorcross are setup for the 147+- lb rider. Is that 270 lbs the XT250 or XT225? If 225, that would explain why it feels heavier than my PE which is 260 lbs. Old school steel frame in 1984. I thought the 225 was around 240lbs.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

I have two XT225 2003 model year bikes. When you add fuel, accessories, tools, rack, tail bag, mods, etc. it bumps the weight up to around 270 Lbs in our case. Yes old school all steel frame. Our rear wheels aren't stock either. Disc brake mods, RADMfg hub and Excel rim. SS spokes too. I can see all of it adding 30 Lbs. Ride safely.

Will Do!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Off road I use 12psi back & front. Me, fat bastid 220lbs kitted up, bike 275lbs ready to ride with tools anorl. Street 18/24. A quarter of one of your wee tons for the poor beastie to haul uphill.