Yamaha XT225 Dual Sport Reviews on Cycle Insider (7)
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I've owned bikes most of my life. Usually big CC Kawasaki's. I bought this bike for basic transportation. But in the first 10 months due to job circumstances I've ridden this bike from Michigan to Miami (1550 miles) then 4 months later left Miami for Nogales, Az but took a tour through Mexico. In that trip I put 5,150 miles on it in 18 days. (3,300 in Mexico) I just love this bike! Is it fast? No! I never run this bike hard. That isn't what I bought it for. I usually cruse 50-60 MPH down the freeway and let people pass me. I've gotten as high as 93 MPG ridding 50-55 MPH with 50 lbs of lugagge on a rack in back) I get 80 MPG consistantly with 2 people on it. (GF 125 lbs) The secret to getting high gas mileage is to NEVER wind this bike out going through the gears. This bike has plenty of tourque and I ride it like an old woman going through the gears. With over 16,000 miles in 10 months, I feel this bike will run 50,000+ miles with no problems. Actually I want to see if I can get 100K out of it. If you're looking for a bike to go fast, then get a fast bike. If you're looking for a bike that's light, great handling, and GREAT on gas, this is it!! I've never enjoyed a bike more than this one. But, I'm 54 years old and not in any hurry any more.

I have owned my XT225 for almost 2 years. I have been riding for over 35 years and did a lot of research when I purchased this motorcycle. I wanted a trail capable machine that was highway legal, light and reliable. The XT225 is all of these things. Other than oil changes and one new spark plug, this motorcycle has required no maintenance. I use it to commute within town and it always delivers at least 75 MPG. This is not a machine for someone that wants to ride 70+ MPH. This is a motorcycle that is excellent in tough trail conditions with a close ratio 6 speed transmission with plenty of torque. It has pulled my middle aged overweight carcass over some incredibly tough terrain here in eastern Oregon. If you are looking for a motorcycle to ride the backroads, offroad, and 60 MPH or less commuting, this is your machine. Do not be put off by the 223cc displacement. The XT225 has been used by tourers all over the world and has been used on some incredible cross continent trips.

It runs smooth, is easy to handle and looks great. This bike gets great gas mileage. It doesn't hurt the wallet when you fill it up. I put a luggage rack on the back just to carry light loads.

Hey I love these bikes so much I bought two of them two months apart one for me and the other for my son to run around on his Army base with. Traded in my 2005 Yamaha FZ-6 with only 3018 miles on it for the last one key for key. It's just to hard to ride a fast bike slow and a slow bike fast, so now I got the best of both worlds, plus a good off roader to boot! My insurance is only $76 bucks a year on the two of them, and with the gas price of three bucks a pop, the 70 to 80 miles a gallon I'm getting is great, and I go about 22 miles a day to work one way, at around 75 miles and hour, and the cops don't even look at you. They stopped me all the time on the 600. So if you're looking for the very best all around bike stop looking and get this one!

Have a 2003 that is still going. Recently got a job closer to home and now commute with this bike. It gets 70 to 85 MPG depending on how far I go with it. It can walk away from most cagers without a doubt. I wish they made a 500 version so that I could take my wife with me on rides. The 225 is a bit too small for two-up riding, but is great solo!

I just got the bike 4 weeks ago. I got the 2006 for the color all blue. So far she rides like the wind. The dealer said it would go about 70mph; they are wrong, I got it up to 95mph. The bike is too light to keep that speed but it's nice to know you can wail on it. I will use my racing bike for that speed. It rides great for the street and dirt. I tried both - it's just fun and it feels great. The best thing I like is it's not tall like an off street dirt bike. Oh buy the way, it was new.

Just got an 07 tonight. Rode it a nice and easy ten miles. It handles very nice and it is a light bike. Ride is smoother than I expected with my daughter on back (118#). I will be adding upgrades and hope to add to this review soon.