XT250s

ifiddles

ifiddles

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So, in light of everything that's going in the world, this is pretty menial, however, it's bugging the &*%$ out of me...long story short (I won't bore you all with the details), hubby went and bought two XT250s (2021 models, still in the crate) for us...he's been obsessed with them for a couple of years now and every time he's been this close (hold index finger and thumb about 5mm apart) to buying one for himself, I've been able to talk him out of it (mostly by saying how he is too big for it; how it would suck on day long trips; how it would look stupid, me on an FZ07 and him on an XT250)...HOWEVER...last fall he put his bike up for sale (didn't sell) and went ahead and put a deposit down on these twins - without saying anything to me...in the meantime, he's been hinting at my Christmas/Birthday present, put his bike back up for sale a couple of weeks ago, and after some cajoling, I finally got him to tell me what was going on (I was still telling him not to sell, that the market is crazy on used bikes, he won't find something he likes, dealers have no inventory etc.)...

I'm upset for a few reasons, however, just curious what everyone else would do...I have no plans on getting rid of my FZ07 (and he says I don't have to, I'll have two bikes to choose from), however, I don't see myself enjoying the XT250...it's only 100 lbs lighter, but gobs less power...he thinks we'll be able to 'explore' easier than our current set up (assuming we go south of the border this summer and others to come since he has 3 kids in the US)...I was looking at videos of the Ganny and don't see myself doing that kind of riding (and if I did, I'd probably prefer a TTR125 or something like that instead)...besides, I'm crazy scared about getting ticks, so forest riding is out for me...

We didn't do much riding last year, and instead got more into basketball, tennis, throwing the baseball around, walking and bike riding and I was thinking we were going down this path a bit more than the motorcycle thing...I called the dealer today, and he said no problem, if I don't want mine, not a big deal, he'd let us out of it without a penalty...hubby says take it, try it out and if I really don't like it, sell it...

So, what would you do?
 
If you’re dressed appropriately for trail riding ticks shouldn’t be a problem


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SVeezy said:
If you’re dressed appropriately for trail riding ticks shouldn’t be a problem


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com
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The bright side? Dependable, fuel efficient and easy to ride. They are great bikes for tooting around the city or heading to nearby provincial parts for a camping overnighter and a little backroad exploring. It's a typical enduro, not made for pounding single tracks, touring, or carving the twisties, great for short trips and exploring dirt, hydro and fire roads.

They do about 110kmh flat out with a full tank of fuel and 200kbs of rider and gear so it's not something for more than a few exits on a 40x or Interstate. They sip fuel, expect 300km on 10l fill-up.

Pull up to work on an XT 250 and you'll be the coolest teacher at the school. I had a TW200 ( a cultish sibling to the XT) for a long time, it was a blast around town and at the cottage.

If it really bothers you, leave it in my garage - I can take care of it.
 
If I were in your situation, I'd tell the S/O that I probably am not going to like it, but if they don't care about absorbing the depreciation after I ride it to find out, I'd probably try it out. And then not keep it because I was right about not liking it.

I guess I don't want to be too hard on him because as much as I've convinced myself that salespeople don't have much power over me, there have been a few times where I was nearly talked into something but the tiny voice in my head was screaming at me to at least walk away for ten minutes. And then realize I absolutely do not see the value in the thing and then don't come back
 
@SVeezy so what would you consider proper gear?...I wear full face helmet, jeans, boots, jacket, gloves...anything else?

@Mad Mike LOL...I'm already the coolest when I show up on my FZ07 :D I'm not a camping kind of girl, goes back to my scared silly of getting ticks (which he says is irrational and to some degree I know it is)...he's over 200 without gear, and that's really one of the main reasons why I think he's crazy...the TDubs was his other obsession...
 
ifiddles said:
@SVeezy so what would you consider proper gear?...I wear full face helmet, jeans, boots, jacket, gloves...anything else?

@Mad Mike LOL...I'm already the coolest when I show up on my FZ07 :D I'm not a camping kind of girl, goes back to my scared silly of getting ticks (which he says is irrational and to some degree I know it is)...he's over 200 without gear, and that's really one of the main reasons why I think he's crazy...the TDubs was his other obsession...
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Depending on his riding style and expectations it should still be fun. Most of the world ride 125-150cc motorcycles, an XT250 would be a beast in many countries.

I get a kick out of riding anything -- I ride an SP125 and an FJR, and a few in-between. They all put smiles on my face, he's probably got a similar outlook to me.

Finally, I'd think anyone who bought you a matching bike must really love you. I'm gonna share your story with my wife, hopefully she really likes Pan Americans.
 
ifiddles said:
@SVeezy so what would you consider proper gear?...I wear full face helmet, jeans, boots, jacket, gloves...anything else?

@Mad Mike LOL...I'm already the coolest when I show up on my FZ07 :D I'm not a camping kind of girl, goes back to my scared silly of getting ticks (which he says is irrational and to some degree I know it is)...he's over 200 without gear, and that's really one of the main reasons why I think he's crazy...the TDubs was his other obsession...
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Get a set of dirt gear at Royal dirt pants boots and jersey. Helmet with goggles it is a ton of fun but those bikes might be a bit much weight. My wife kept downsizing until it was right klx250 to cr250x to kx100.

Sent using a thumb maybe 2
 
@Scuba Steve we were at Royal in Guelph yesterday...they did a really nice remodel job, looks great...I really liked a few dual sport helmets, however goggles over my glasses might be an issue (can't wear contacts)...we went late so didn't have much time to try anything on...

I suggested keeping our current bikes and getting dirt bikes, however he prefers a dual sport, and the XTs are the only ones that fit us (both have short inseams)...I too think these would be too heavy (he also mentioned places like Gopher Dunes)...

He's very stubborn (as am I) and difficult to sway once he's made up his mind...
 
Mad Mike said:
Finally, I'd think anyone who bought you a matching bike must really love you. I'm gonna share your story with my wife, hopefully she really likes Pan Americans.
Click to expand...

Have you seen the MCN review of the Pan-America yet?

Their take, give Harley a few years to work out all the bugs.

Lots of breakdowns in 7,000 miles on their test bike.

Hope you like walking.



I rode a tw for 16,000km as a second bike. Its a little mountain goat.

It was an ex- motorcycle course bike. It was put through hell, and I didn't treat it much better. Regular maintenance, and it never let me down.

Nothing wrong with an xt225. I teach on those too. If and when they offer them up to instructors, I'll take one for sure.

It's fun having the option of ripping around on a small bike.

Currently, the only bike I have on the road is a wr250r/x. I get left for dead over 130kph, but thats half the fun. Corner speed is my only saving grace.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
 
ifiddles said:
@Scuba Steve we were at Royal in Guelph yesterday...they did a really nice remodel job, looks great...I really liked a few dual sport helmets, however goggles over my glasses might be an issue (can't wear contacts)...we went late so didn't have much time to try anything on...

I suggested keeping our current bikes and getting dirt bikes, however he prefers a dual sport, and the XTs are the only ones that fit us (both have short inseams)...I too think these would be too heavy (he also mentioned places like Gopher Dunes)...

He's very stubborn (as am I) and difficult to sway once he's made up his mind...
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I would not take those to Gophers not enough suspension too heavy and not enough power.

Sent using a thumb maybe 2
 
Considering the market today, you could easily get the bikes, ride em, and figure out whether it’s worth keeping or not without losing any money.

He must love you very much to do this, but I can guarantee you my love would be stronger if you donated that bike to the MP fund…just don’t tell my wife. It’ll be our secret 🤫
 
It's nice to have a run around bike. Curb weight at under 300 lb is okay for it's intended purpose but you are adding another level of insurance, HST which you won't get back. Sometimes urban or subsurban riders end up riding the little bike more.
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They are likely in high demand which is why the dealer is happy to let you out.
I don't think it's a bad choice of machine and he gets to scratch that itch.
If you have room, the money and want to keep the peace....might pay off to go ahead.
It will be where you take them that the conflict might arise ....it's a perfect little grocery run, errand, dirt road bike without ever going on single track which it's not really suited to.
You have to navigate the emotional aspect and you do have an out with your fear of ticks.
Good luck.
 
I'm not sure the XT will cut it on the happy factor. Dual sports can be such a compromise, you think they are the swiss army knife and can do anything. They can do everything, just none of them well. You have road bikes and now you want to head for the dirt but you need to be clear what level of dirt you want? DS will be fine for gravel roads, double track, easy fun stuff. 225 will not have the torque pull you might be hoping for and you could outgrow them very fast. You could fall in love with the forest and immediately you would do better with real suspension and more hit. Gopher Dunes!? (sand eats little bike engines) someone secretly wants a full on motocross bike, lighter and more of everything except a blue plate. If you need a blue plate then it could be a KTM Husky or Beta that you need to find. They can be woods weapons and go down the street (comfort and highway not included). DS is like crack! You end up wanting more of everything. My wife started with the DS Husky blue plate, that led to a V-Strom (now a 1000 Versy) and a YZ250 set up for woods. The DS only comes out early season when the woods are too wet or for a enduro adventure type ride. It is the last bike she goes for and the first one she would sell, she is on the YZ the most and loves the forest.
 
and I think I've made my mind up...going to tell him I'm not interested...

a) I'm not into forests, camping or anything outdoorsy in that sense
b) I love my FZ07 - perfect weight, height, looks etc.
c) if I DO want to head into the forest, I'd prefer a lighter bike like the TTR125 (ex boyfriend had one and it was a blast) (but then I'd need a bubble around me to keep the ticks out LMAO)
d) if we look stupid riding together, oh well
 
ifiddles said:
and I think I've made my mind up...going to tell him I'm not interested...

a) I'm not into forests, camping or anything outdoorsy in that sense
b) I love my FZ07 - perfect weight, height, looks etc.
c) if I DO want to head into the forest, I'd prefer a lighter bike like the TTR125 (ex boyfriend had one and it was a blast) (but then I'd need a bubble around me to keep the ticks out LMAO)
d) if we look stupid riding together, oh well
Click to expand...
Good call.

I'm not as convinced as others that if you bought it you'd be able to just turn around and sell it and recover all that you spent (not including taxes of course). There always seem to be a lot of XT250's for sale, they've been unchanged for several years and as a beginner bike the appeal of "new" isn't as strong and may not lead to better return.

I'd suggest the 2 of you book a day with Trail Tours out in the Ganaraska to see if off road riding actually appeals to you. They supply gear and bikes, instruction, guides (and lunch I think) so it's minimal financial out-lay.

As for the ticks there are numerous effective repellents to reduce your anxiety, and a quick check in the shower when you get home finishes it off.
 
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