Hello, I recently bought a 2009 Yamaha XT250, had less then 300 miles on it, the guy bought it brand new from the dealer but then realized he was too big for it ( think he was like 250+ pounds) so he just let it sit, he had it sitting outside

The bike seems great, and is excellent for my size (5'9 and 160 pounds) and is perfect for what i want to use it for (mainly roads, but also some trails, AWESOME trails about 10 miles from my garage :)).

He let the bike sit for a long time, and the tank was almost empty, (was on reserve) and kept shutting off, also it took literally like 10 minutes for the bike to warm up so that it could stay running, i almost did not buy it because of that.


Once i got home, I put 2 gallons of fresh 91 octane gas in it, i searched this forum, and found that mod about the covered pilot screw on the carb, drilled it out and removed it ( the fuel screw was only out 1 1/2 turns ) took it out 3 turns and raised the idle just a bit, WOW!!! bike starts up right away now and only needs choke for 10-20 seconds, and is then ready to go with a nice and steady idle. so i thank you guys for that.

Other then that, the bike is completely stock, not even broken in yet, just got it registered and insured yesterday, so its good to go.


Got a few questions for you guys,

1. i know there is jetting issue with this carb, has anyone actually been able to put in a bigger pilot or main jet?

2. ive seen the exhaust mod, where you remove the baffle and drill a 1 to 1 1/2 inch hole in the metal plate, what does this achieve?

3. what is the air box mod for this bike? and is there a better after market air filter?

4. my bike has all the california emissions crap on it, can i remove this? will this give me better performance? and if so how would i go about removing it?


Some mods id like to do in the future (when money is available) is a FMF pipe, rear rack with bag, and a skid plate.


Im looking forward to learning a lot from this forum, as this is my first dual sport motorcycle, before this i had a Honda CRF150F, then got a Honda CRF230F, only sold that cause it was not street legal, but was a great bike.

Some pics of my bike.

















Seems most or all the reviews about this bike are bad... dont know why, im loving mine.

150Ron - Welcome to the site as a new USER. Looks like you got a nice used bike there. If you are enjoying the bike then so be it. As you log miles on it under various riding circumstances, perhaps you can add your impressions.

Enjoy the bike and site. Ride safe!

that bikes in new condition now get it muddy thats what they like

NICE BIKE! Hi from Victorville!

Welcome to the madhouse 150ron. Sweet lookin 250 you purchased.




1. Yes. People have been able to use Mikuni small round jets for the main. Not sure about the pilot jets.

2. Drilling out the baffle from the exaust allows for your bike to breathe better. You will get a little umph from doing this mod as well.

3. The airbox mod would be to cut down or remove the snorkel. You could also put plugs in your airbox cover, that you can remove as you get into higher elevations, to let in more air. As for aftermarket air filters, I'm not sure (I have the 225).

4. Yes, you can remove it (I left all mine on). If you do remove it, keep in mind if you ever get pulled over and the LEO knows anything about bikes, you may get ticketed.

Does it give you better performance? IDK. IMHO, I don't think it will affect you one way or the other with performance. It will shave off a few pounds though....

Put an in-line fuel filter on your bike.

VISUFILTER 1/4" 90 degree configuration $3.99

Denniskirk.com among other sources...

Alexd

Not sure what 'bad' reviews you're reading 150ron, but what I find are overwhelmingly good reviews with the occasional advice that the factory tires on the bike should be replaced for better all round performance. Other than that late model XT250's appear to be universally praised by owners and riders alike for many reasons.

Whatever you've found in the way of XT nay sayers may be people with an agenda of some sort they're pushing. All I would say to that is don't let anyone sway you in the least when it comes to what your bike is capable of no matter where you ride it!

Thanks for the kind words guys, and for all the info Moto Psycho.


The bad reviews i was refering to, was people just hating on this bike, saying its ancient technology, slow, heavy, underpowered,
i did a lot of research, and for some reason lots of nay sayers out there for sure, i could care less, went for a drive tonight and loving this thing.

got one more quick question, i noticed that when the lights are on, so are the lights of the FRONT signals, but the back signals dont light up, unless im signaling left or right, then they work just fine, but if im not signaling left or right, the rear signals are OFF, while the front turn signals are on, is that ok, should the rear ones be on too?

my first dual sport, so not sure,

Completely normal. Virtually all street-legal bikes (and similarities in cars) in the US are that way.

Alexd

Lovely bike.

I got my 2005 XT 250 Serow 2 weeks ago and have had some good rides out along the tracks in Denmark. I have had some difficulty starting my bike up but once it starts it is fine for the day.

I am going to find the link to the mod you mentioned. Maybe that will solve the problem.

Welcome to the forum.

Steve