Yamaha XT250

In recent years the number of motorcycles available to learners has risen significantly, not just because of the inclusion of larger capacity machines under the LAMS scheme but also due to an influx of new makes and models in the 250cc segment.

However, that certainly hasn't sounded the death knell of well established 250cc model lines, and the air-cooled Yamaha XT250 trailie is one example of that.

Yamaha released an all-new version of its XT250 in late 2007, increasing capacity of the SOHC, two-valve engine from 223 to 250cc, as well as reducing unsprung weight, adopting a new steel double cradle frame, tweaking the suspension settings, centralising mass, and discarding the rear drum brake for a 203mm disc.

Other changes included a new multi-function LCD display and increasing fuel capacity to 10lt - quite voluminous for such a small machine.

This bike is perfect for beginners, because as soon as I joined forces with the XT I felt as though I was in total control. This can be attributed to the low seat height of 810mm, coupled with a wet weight of just 132kg. The steering and controls are incredibly light, which enabled me to manoeuvre through the urban jungle with precision, especially at the lower speeds that you would expect a learner to be travelling.

However, if you are a bit livelier with the twist grip you will notice the XT becomes a little floaty, losing its composure with larger steering inputs and diving a lot under brakes. This is not a big surprise, as there has to be a compromise to fulfil its "dual-purpose" budget role.

When you leave the confines of the city and find some dirt you will appreciate this compromise. The softer, longer travel suspension (226mm at the front and 180mm at the rear) does a commendable job in slower-speed terrain, but more experienced riders will find its limits reasonably quickly. Despite this, and with a bit of patience, you will surprise a few of your mates when you reach the top of some gnarly hills (this can also be quite amusing as they won't hear you coming over the sound of an idling enduro machine).

The XT's engine offers plenty of fun for beginners, and is incredibly user-friendly. Its fuelling is silky smooth, and it never showed any sign of snatchiness. This, together with the bulletproof nature of the XT's engine, is another big plus for new riders.

The ergos of the XT are a solid compromise between being comfortable on the road and standing up in the bush. And the mirrors allow you to actually see what is behind you! And the instrumentation is minimal and neat.

Gripes? Well, the white bodywork looks lovely when it is brand new, but even after the first ride in the bush it started to stain brown where my boots come into contact with it. Also, brake fade is an issue when a few downhill sections enter the off-road equation - but if they are your bread and butter then it's probably time to move onto a TTR250R or even a WR250F.

All in all, at $6799 the bike offers good value and is a lot of fun. If you are a beginner and are looking for a bike which you can commute on and also hit a few trails, the XT250 might be for you.