I bought a 2008 XT250 and it had a stumble on tip in of the throttle. I went through the carb because it had been sitting up a couple of years but it was clean and looked fine. After looking closer at the air filter I noticed it was a K&N high flow, oil and gauze filter. I ordered a cheap replacement on Amazon and it fixed the condition immediately. That carb job was no joke but wasted time. Always look at the simple stuff first. The bike is my favorite of all the ones I’ve owned over the past 50 years and I will never get rid of it. I see why used ones are hard to find, no one wants to sell them. They are extremely versatile and light enough that you don’t get a hernia picking it up. I can go anywhere I want on this bike including to the and through the city and any trail you can find. I’m through with big bikes; I don’t need to go 150+ mph at my anymore at my age and all the broken bones from the big street bikes I used to ride. I have as much fun as ever on this little dual sport.
Had almost the exact same issue with mine! However my air filter was horribly dirty from the previous owner. Popped in a new one and it ran like a different bike. Also I went to a new plug, old spark plug looked somewhat okay but once I put in the new plug it instantly could maintain an idle with no choke and it felt a good 15% more powerful. So word from the wise- new air filter and new spark plug on these bikes before you bother to go tearing apart the carb (unless you want to do that anyways).
I have the identical bike, with the same problem. I had recently moved to a state where country roads are gravel (dusty, dusty, dusty) and bought this bike for my girlfriend. It ran great for the first few weeks. Then the issue started. I've had my carb out enough times to consider buying a her a Tw200 and using this one for target practice. (on these bikes, the carb is a pain to remove compared to my other bikes) Thank you for posting this video.
I have an '08 XT250. I did change among other things the air filter considering it was an improvement over the old one. I does run well however looks can be deceiving. Interesting.
Maybe watch the video again, the point here is the XT250 has a very sensitive and poorly designed air filter for a dual sport. This can cause a hard to diagnose running condition in certain cases so if your having trouble with the engine running poorly checkout the air filter first and install a NEW one. Some of the comments here also have some good suggestions for dealing with this as well.
what do do you think is wrong if my 1984 model xt 250 kind of sputters/cuts out at high rpm? like above 6500 rpms it does this and only if im more than 3/4 throttle. if I ease up to high revs slowly it will perform smoothly to redline. when this happens it feels like i closed my throttle and back on, which can be a fairly uncomfortable jerk at speeds
We have a XT250 & have heard mixed opinions of running a K&N filter. It's a nice bike & easy to work on....but I really wish it would have been engineered to take a foam filter...
Hey Cyclepedia! I have a question. I had gasoline get into my air filter and air filter box. I went ahead and cleaned out the box and cleaned the air filter itself with water and q-tips. I was able to remove a good amount of gunk from it. Do you think it would be a bad idea to go ahead and put that air filter back in my bike while I wait for the new one to arrive? Thank you.
I'm going to have to try this. My xt 250 runs great in the cold, but in the heat it misses at the top end?? I tried everything but carburetor clean. Any suggestions before I tear it down
Under the right side cover, subscribe to the manual for all the details. www.cyclepedia.com/online-manuals/yamaha-atv-motorcycle-online-manuals/2008-yamaha-xt250-motorcycle-online-service-manual/
BEFORE : mine air filter smells like gasoline and doesnt look too bad ! is it normal? and takes 5 minutes to worm up and still chocking half throttle ! 2012 with 200 miles only, 1 owner bike! AFTER : removed air filter and installed spongy temporary one starts great now even without chock out. !!!!
Okay we can do that, if you sign up for the manual you get free tech support, here is a link to it. This is for the carb model but we also have one for the FI, not sure which bike you have. www.cyclepedia.com/online-manuals/yamaha-atv-motorcycle-online-manuals/2008-yamaha-xt250-motorcycle-online-service-manual/
I bought a 2008 XT250 and it had a stumble on tip in of the throttle. I went through the carb because it had been sitting up a couple of years but it was clean and looked fine. After looking closer at the air filter I noticed it was a K&N high flow, oil and gauze filter. I ordered a cheap replacement on Amazon and it fixed the condition immediately. That carb job was no joke but wasted time. Always look at the simple stuff first. The bike is my favorite of all the ones I’ve owned over the past 50 years and I will never get rid of it. I see why used ones are hard to find, no one wants to sell them. They are extremely versatile and light enough that you don’t get a hernia picking it up. I can go anywhere I want on this bike including to the and through the city and any trail you can find. I’m through with big bikes; I don’t need to go 150+ mph at my anymore at my age and all the broken bones from the big street bikes I used to ride. I have as much fun as ever on this little dual sport.
Had almost the exact same issue with mine! However my air filter was horribly dirty from the previous owner. Popped in a new one and it ran like a different bike. Also I went to a new plug, old spark plug looked somewhat okay but once I put in the new plug it instantly could maintain an idle with no choke and it felt a good 15% more powerful.
So word from the wise- new air filter and new spark plug on these bikes before you bother to go tearing apart the carb (unless you want to do that anyways).
Have the same problem! Thanks for posting!
I have the identical bike, with the same problem. I had recently moved to a state where country roads are gravel (dusty, dusty, dusty) and bought this bike for my girlfriend. It ran great for the first few weeks. Then the issue started.
I've had my carb out enough times to consider buying a her a Tw200 and using this one for target practice. (on these bikes, the carb is a pain to remove compared to my other bikes)
Thank you for posting this video.
Ha, that carb is frustrating to remove for sure!
Awesome video! Thanks! 😃👍
Thanks ,Y'all are the Right Stuff
I have an '08 XT250. I did change among other things the air filter considering it was an improvement over the old one. I does run well however looks can be deceiving. Interesting.
great video! i ll check on mine! thanks
I put a k and n air filter.straight out the box and covered with oil it would not run good at all . I Cleaned all the oil off and it ran great
i've got a serrow 225 in with very similar issue atm
Same thing happened with a new K&N filter. Put the old filter on and works great.
So stock filter is better? Because I’m having this issue with my bike
I'll have to check. I thought it was the rev limiter on my 2008!
I do have an 2011 xt 250.
I'm getting an xt 250 in future.
So having the cleanest filter is good.
I thought you said it ran better with old dirty filter.
Maybe watch the video again, the point here is the XT250 has a very sensitive and poorly designed air filter for a dual sport. This can cause a hard to diagnose running condition in certain cases so if your having trouble with the engine running poorly checkout the air filter first and install a NEW one. Some of the comments here also have some good suggestions for dealing with this as well.
Watch the video again, you missed the point but yes install a good factory air filter if your having issues with the engine not revving.
what do do you think is wrong if my 1984 model xt 250 kind of sputters/cuts out at high rpm? like above 6500 rpms it does this and only if im more than 3/4 throttle. if I ease up to high revs slowly it will perform smoothly to redline. when this happens it feels like i closed my throttle and back on, which can be a fairly uncomfortable jerk at speeds
Nobody likes an uncomfortable jerk at speed .
We have a XT250 & have heard mixed opinions of running a K&N filter. It's a nice bike &
easy to work on....but I really wish it would have been engineered to take a foam filter...
Yes it should be a serviceable foam air filter in a dual sport!
wow just cuz the filter is clean looking dont mean its good. thanks for the southern hospitality
Hey Cyclepedia! I have a question. I had gasoline get into my air filter and air filter box. I went ahead and cleaned out the box and cleaned the air filter itself with water and q-tips. I was able to remove a good amount of gunk from it. Do you think it would be a bad idea to go ahead and put that air filter back in my bike while I wait for the new one to arrive? Thank you.
If possible wait and put the new one in when you get it
I'm going to have to try this. My xt 250 runs great in the cold, but in the heat it misses at the top end?? I tried everything but carburetor clean. Any suggestions before I tear it down
Make sure your up to date on periodic maintenance.
Can you show me where the CDI goes in that xt 250
Under the right side cover, subscribe to the manual for all the details.
www.cyclepedia.com/online-manuals/yamaha-atv-motorcycle-online-manuals/2008-yamaha-xt250-motorcycle-online-service-manual/
BEFORE : mine air filter smells like gasoline and doesnt look too bad ! is it normal? and takes 5 minutes to worm up and still chocking half throttle ! 2012 with 200 miles only, 1 owner bike! AFTER : removed air filter and installed spongy temporary one starts great now even without chock out. !!!!
Awesome!
Are the newer models with fuel injection having any of these issues ?
I think the fuel system works much better on the FI models but definitely make sure to change the air filter regularly.
I need help with my xt250
Okay we can do that, if you sign up for the manual you get free tech support, here is a link to it. This is for the carb model but we also have one for the FI, not sure which bike you have. www.cyclepedia.com/online-manuals/yamaha-atv-motorcycle-online-manuals/2008-yamaha-xt250-motorcycle-online-service-manual/
mine does the exact same thing and its a 1980 model
Heyy there