1982 Yamaha XT250 TN review from Australia

It was completely restored when I bought it.

The tacho cable was broken, and slowly let oil seep through (still stock from '82 of course - only $14 for genuine Yamaha replacement cable).

The speedometer is incorrect, showing 75 when I'm doing about 90 km/h. This is the speedometer's calibration, not the bike's fault. It could be due to a different sized front wheel to the stock one.

This is a magnificent bike. My first decent bike and first road registered. Fantastic learners bike, and is just as happy in the dirt as it is on the road.

It handles terrificly, and with an over-sized piston kit and after-market muffler, produces great power for a 250 of its era.

It surprises me with the places it will go. Have over a thousand km's on the speedometer, about two-thirds of which are off-road.

A few drops in the mud have left a big ding in the right side of the steel tank.

It looks trick with gold rims.

The seat gives a sore back side after extended riding, though for trail riding, standing most of the time, this is a minor problem.

Having owned the off-road TT250 version of this bike (same year), I'd say this is a better all round bike. Sure the TT250 will perform better off-road, but the XT will perform great on-road and fairly great off-road. The XT is a better all round bike than the off road oriented TT 250 of its era.