Some motorcycles are meant to be polished and parked, while others are happiest getting dirty on a wooded trail. This 1982 Yamaha XT250 definitely falls into the second category. Listed on Facebook Marketplace in Appleton, Wisconsin, for $2,000 or best offer, this red Yamaha has been set up with off-road riding in mind, but the seller says it still has a clean Wisconsin title and is street legal. Thank you for the tip, Lothar!
There’s also a fun bit of identity attached to this particular machine. The seller calls it a “Rambo” bike, a nickname that should catch the attention of anyone familiar with the motorcycle’s connection to the 1980s action movie. Regardless of the Hollywood association, this XT250 sounds like it has been getting the sort of use these dual-purpose motorcycles were built to handle. According to the seller, the bike has been stripped down to make it less likely to snag branches while riding through wooded trails. That’s a practical modification for someone who spends more time navigating tight paths than cruising pavement. Better yet, the seller says all the original parts are included, giving the next owner the option of returning the Yamaha to a more conventional configuration.
One of the more interesting changes involves the carburetor. The XT250 currently wears a Mikuni VM34 Powerjet performance carburetor, and the sale includes a second, classic twin-cable carburetor that the seller says more closely resembles the original setup. The current carburetor jetting is adjusted for hot summer weather. With cooler temperatures, the seller reports that the engine runs with the choke slightly open to compensate. Starting reportedly takes three to five kicks during cooler weather and just one to three kicks in warmer conditions.
That information is especially useful for a prospective buyer because it gives a clearer picture of how the motorcycle behaves rather than simply claiming that it runs well. The seller also lists a number of recent maintenance items. These include fresh front brakes, an oil change, a replacement carburetor boot, and a new throttle cable, along with various other parts replacements and adjustments.
The seat has recently been reupholstered, too. According to the listing, the tires have held their air for more than a year without losing pressure and still have a decent amount of tread remaining. The advertisement doesn’t specify the tires’ age, however. Another appealing detail is the assortment of spare components included in the deal. The seller mentions extra parts, old-stock original-equipment pieces, carburetor jets, and other items that could prove useful for future maintenance or adjustments. Facebook Marketplace lists 4,932 miles, although the advertisement doesn’t establish whether that’s the motorcycle’s verified lifetime mileage.
At $2,000 or best offer, this Yamaha offers an interesting combination of trail-focused modifications, included original parts, and reported recent maintenance. Its street-legal status is another advantage for an enthusiast who wants a vintage motorcycle that isn’t restricted to off-road use.
Rambo riding thru downtown in beautiful ⛰️ Hope BC wasn’t it ?
For me, this is the cutoff for dual sports. When I had my old TS400, my best friend in N. Wis. still has the DT250 we put many a mile on,, that this bike kind of replaced. By the 80s, 2 strokes were on the way out, and 4 strokes, or “Thumpers”( albeit a 250 at the low end) were the norm. Wasn’t all good, however. It’s fun to hear the inadequacies of early Thumpers, hard starting, run with the choke on, in fact bigger 4 strokes singles were a lot worse. Still, they were an improvement over 2 strokes, not really mopre power, just more civilized. This bike is a great find, the monoshock greatly improved handling, and while a bit lean for the road, 55 is about it, off road, you couldn’t ask for a nicer bike. The dent in the tank may indicate an upset, but these generally don’t rack up a lot of miles. Can’t go wrong here.
Dual sports are a cheap market to get into, and this would be a nice low mileage classic collectible
Though I would be leery going deep into the woods.
Currently ride my 20 y/o klx 250 pretty far back on PA trails, kinda chancy as I get closer to 70. Especially with no cell service. And I trust my bike after all these years.
Amazing how cheap you can buy a 2010 or so dual sport, been tempted by a newer FI model, but am being tempted by a 2004 xr650 locally for $2500, only 9k miles. If I can get my leg over that 37” seat