Yamaha XT250 (2008+) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Yamaha XT250, produced in its third generation from 2008 onward. (There were two previous generations of XT250, the last one ending in 1991.)

The XT250 is a dual sport motorcycle by Yamaha that almost stands in a class of its own. It replaced the XT350 in 2008.

The XT250 is the basic dual sport in Yamaha’s line-up — the fork is conventional, only the rear suspension is adjustable, and the transmission is just five-speed.

But it still has dual disc brakes, fuel injection, and nearly a foot of ground clearance (and almost as much suspension travel), and remains a favourite for an all-rounder that isn’t too hurried.

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Yamaha XT250 Service Intervals

The service intervals for the Yamaha XT250 are 3000 miles or 5000 km. At every service interval you have to change the oil and check / adjust the valve clearance, but many other items are less frequent.

The XT250 has an air-cooled motor, so there’s no coolant to change. There’s just the brake fluid which you should replace every couple of years.

What you need to service a Yamaha XT250

To service a Yamaha XT250, aside from common motorcycle maintenance tools, you need a few common parts.

PartYamaha XT250 Spec
Engine oilYamalube 10W-40
Oil filterHiflofiltro HF145
Spark plugNGK DR7EA, spark gap 0.6-0.7m
Brake fluidDOT 4
Air filterYA-2509
Chain cleanerMotul chain paste
Brake padsFront: EBC FA275HH, Rear: EBC FA152R
CoolantNope… it’s air-cooled 🙂
Yamaha XT250 parts for maintenance

Yamaha XT250 Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha XT250.

mi x 10000.647101316
km x 10001611162126
months1612182430Every
Change engine oil — Yamalube 10W40 (warm engine before draining).
Change engine oil filter (HF145)
Check spark plug condition, adjust gap and clean
Replace spark plug (DR7EA)
Check the air induction cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace as necessary.
Check air filter for damage. Replace if necessaryMore often if riding in dust/rain
Replace air filter(YA-2509)More often if riding in dust/rain
Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold
Check and adjust engine idle speed
Check chain slack/alignment and condition. Adjust and thoroughly lubricate chain (Motul Chain Paste)300 mi / 500 km, or if it gets wet/dirty
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Lubricate control and meter cables (Protect all cable life)
Check throttle grip operation and free play. Adjust the throttle grip free play, and adjust if necessary. Lubricate the throttle grip housing.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Adjust break lever free play and replace brake pads if necessary
Check rear brake operation. Adjust cable and replace brake shoes if necessary.
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4), and rubber parts of master cylinder/caliper2 years
Replace brake hoses4 years
Check wheels for runout, spoke tightness and for damage. Tighten spokes if necessary.
Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm bush assemblies for looseness. Lubricate with lithium soap-based grease until new grease shows.
Check steering bearing assembly for looseness.
Repack steering bearings (Lithium soap-based grease)
Check all chassis fittings and fasteners. Correct if necessary.
Lubricate brake lever pivot shaft with silicone grease lightly.
Lubricate clutch lever, shift pedal, and brake pedal pivot shafts with lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Check sidestand pivot operation. Apply lithium-soap-based grease lightly as necessary
Check sidestand switch operation and replace if necessary.
Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Rebuild / replace if necessary.
Check rear shock operation and for oil leakage. Rebuild / replace if necessary.
Check rear suspension link pivots and replace as necessary.
Check operation of front and rear brake switches
Check operation of lights, signals, and switches.
Adjust headlight beam.
Clean spark arrester
Check crankcase breather hose for cracks and damage. Replace if necessary
Check exhaust system for leakage. Tighten and/or replace gaskets as necessary.
Check evap control system (if fitted) for damage. Replace if necessary

About the Yamaha XT250

Yamaha XT250 action

The Yamaha XT250 is a cult classic simple on/off-road motorcycle powered by a fuel-injected air-cooled 249cc thumper (a single-cylinder engine).

The XT250 an easy to ride single-cylinder motorcycle that gives you over 30km on a litre of fuel. That’s more fuel economy than a Prius!

The easy-going nature of the XT250 means it’s a do-it-all motorcycle that many like to use as their form of transport — as long as they don’t have to do long stints on the highway. But it’s still a great beginner bike.

The XT250 has an edge over other old-school dual sports for being slightly higher tech. It has fuel injection

The piston is significantly oversquare, with respective bore and stroke of 74mm and 58mm.

Yamaha’s fuel-injection system feeds the motor, and a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) handles the ignition.

Power figures vary depending on whose dyno is used, but unofficially the XT250 puts out around 17 horsepower. This is barely enough for highway speeds (and flat-out inadequate if you’re in the US where highway speeds are fast), but is fine for its designed purpose and makes the XT250 capable in rough terrain and on other-than-interstate roads.

The Yamaha XT250 has a few other tricks up its sleeve, like a rear disc brake (other simple bikes often come with a rear drum), a helmet lock, and an electric starter — not to be taken for granted.

Lastly but possibly most importantly, Rambo rode an XT250 in the 1982 movie “First Blood”.

Manual for the Yamaha XT250

The above maintenance schedules were from the manual, though we altered the format slightly so it would fit the screen better (removing the numbering and the column for the asterisks).

The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the Yamaha XT250.

It remained largely unchanged between 2008 and today — just colours and graphics. See the screenshots above.

You can download it from Yamaha’s website here.

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