I noticed the fork and shock springs were pretty soft when I sat on my new '09 XT250 in the showroom. On the first ride I bottomed the rear hard over a small bump and felt like the fork would bottom just from brake dive alone. OK, I've got 50lbs on the suggested 160lb rider, but this bike was a little undersprung for how I planned to ride it.
Realized nobody makes replacement fork springs for the '08 and up 250's, so after some calls found Cannon Racecraft in Oklahoma. Ed made me up some .47kg/mm fork springs and the front end feels 1000% better to me. With the new fork springs I am getting about 32mm static sag and 57mm rider sag.
Race Tech offers replacement rear springs in many ratings. You just need to order special collars with the spring. I first picked the 7.1 kg/mm but just ordered up the next stiffer one (waiting for delivery) as even with max preload I couldn't get the rear sag right. The static sag was great at 20mm, but I couldn't get the rider sag to the 60mm I was looking for. I am sure the new spring will get me right in there.
Riding the bike for me (I ride rough trails and ATV routes in Maine) is 10x better. I really don't even feel the need for a skidplate as I have not bottomed out since changing springs. And believe me, we grow some big a** rocks in Maine! It wasn't cheap, but for me was worth every penny. Fork springs were about $200 and the rear was about $150.
I am a new member, trying to get pics uploaded soon. I have two almost free tools to help measure sag, will post pics over the weekend if I can get it figured out.

Nice glad you made it better for yourself, i weigh 145 and the springs front/rear were too soft for me too, in the front i replaced the stock spacer with one that is about 1''longer and new shock fluid, in the rear i just tightend up that clamp about 2 turns, feels much better now,

oh btw, get a skid plate, i do lots of trail riding, and probably would've broken my case by now without my skid plate.

150ron,
At 145lbs you should have no problem with stock springs, that's a bonus. Will take your advice on the skidplate, debating either Moose or MSR, they kinda look the same to me. Anyone have any preference?

Another option that is XT250 specific is the Ricochet Offroad Armor skid plate. The web site is www.utahsportcycle.com and current price is $92.95. Had one on my XT for 3 years now and it has survived some good hits.

I have a WR250R skid plate on my xt250, the fit was perfect,

imo the best skid plate for the xt250 is this one, as it has engine side guards too, its a bad ass unit.

pricy for sure, but i have their rear master brake screen and their stuff is very good.

https://tciproductsusa.com/index.php?mai...fe94ff9f499cc2e

I am thinking about replacing the rear shock with one from progressive suspention. Its a bit pricey at just over 400 bucks, but it comes with a remote resivoire and has both compresion and rebound adjustments. Has any one out there tried this shock? Please let me know what you think about this unit. Mitch

Nobody has asked, but I'm adding the spring details here for reference. If anyone wants to have springs made for their '08-13 XT250, you'll want 29mm diameter, 482mm springs and the stock spring rate is .37 kg/mm. Cannon Racecraft made some .47's for me for $175 +$24 shipping. Now for the rear spring. I ordered one from Race tech for $119 and then 2 adapters for $3 each and one adapter for $19. When the spring came, I noticed it was an Eibach spring which was cool. I ordered a 7.1 kg/mm spring, turns out it was a little too soft for me. Since the part number is printed right on the spring, I just did a little Google search and found springs for about $65! SWEET! OK, here's how the part numbers work. Eibach # 0800.225.0400 is an 8" long spring with 2.25" inside diameter and 400lb spring rating and will fit your newer XT250 if you buy the 3 collars for $25 from Race Tech. OK so a 400lb spring multiply 400 X .0179 to get 7.1kg. Or a 0800.225.0425 is a 425lb spring So 425 X .0179 makes a 7.6kg spring. Eibach makes tons of springs with similar part numbers so make sure to triple check before ordering. So $90 without shipping will get you a new Eibach spring for your bike.

That's useful info, that's for posting. So if I understand this correctly, if I want a 9.8kg spring for my 175 lb weight, I should order the Eibach 0800.225.0550? [.0179 x 550= 9.84]

Yep you have the correct part number and will see good gains switching to that rear spring.
See link below for previous thread discussing the Eibach part numbers.
XT250 rear spring upgrade
I have a 500 lb/in spring and weigh the same as you. I've been very happy with it. I originally had the 550 lb/in spring on order but switched to the 500 lb/in due to availability (the 550 was backordered several weeks at the time). Either should be fine for you but go with the 550 if you can get a hold of one, particularly if you ride with luggage.