As some of you will know, I have been trail riding for over 40 years and enjoyed it immensely. Trouble is (and by obvious implication) I am getting old and I’m both shorter and less supple than I used to be, and, because of a bad knee, not as active as I was, as I should be. So, I’m finding my recent long term trail bike, my KTM 250/350EXC just too tall, hard to get on and off, harder to manage in tricky situation and (as always) very firm on both suspension and seat. It’s been brilliant in very hard, aggressive riding situations – well, it is aimed at competition use so this is what it was designed to handle. Bottom line is that it’s not really a trail bike, so perhaps now is the time to be Mr Sensible and find a ‘real’ trail bike.

The KTM in action with my old KDX.

One that has had high commendation is the Yamaha XT225, also known as the Serow (a type of mountain goat). I rode one a few years back and really enjoyed it – small, light, fantastically manoeuvrable and a soft seat! A friend of mine had one for sale, so I took the plunge and bought it! Here are my thoughts about this bike and about the whole area of ‘real’ trail bikes in general.

The Yamaha Serow.

So what do I think of it now after a few months of ownership? Interesting question. Well, it has enough oomph (can’t realistically call it grunt) to make progress on and off tarmac, it has delightfully precise steering and the suspension is adequate when not taken too fast off-road. It is light and it starts easily. And does about 70mpg. BUT the overall size impacts the ergonomics when sitting and it does feel just that bit too small for my 5′ 10″. Ok-ish when standing, but you can’t do that all day.

So, to keep or not? I’ll give it a bit longer. I may even be able to do some mods to help (change handle bars, raise seat?). More later….

Well, I was selling the Serow until it came to MoT it. I fell back in love with it on the way back from the test, so withdrew it from sale.  I’ve now put the KDX up for sale and should go this weekend.  The KTM I’ve already sold.  Getting more space in the garage month by month!

Now, I wonder if I can make the seat a little higher?  A second-hand seat perhaps?  We’ll see…