Recently, we reported that the German Federal Armed Forces had adopted the Yamaha Tenere 700 as a reconnaissance motorcycle, and it was announced that the Swedish Army had also adopted the Yamaha XT250. The XT250 was chosen to replace the Husqvarna and KTM machines, due to its high performance and reliability.
Equipped with a sled and studded tires, it can even break through snowy roads!
Sweden is the home of Husqvarna, known for its high-performance off-road machines. In fact, the Husqvarna MC258, which has been used since 1980, was previously used as a reconnaissance motorcycle, but this was a two-stroke air-cooled single-cylinder machine designed in the 1970s. Since 2003, the KTM MC409, equipped with a 398cc four-stroke engine, has also been introduced, but this too is becoming outdated.
The new military motorcycle that was chosen to be adopted from 2026 was the XT250, based on the Serow 250, a trekking machine that is also familiar in Japan. The Serow has many fans in Japan, but it did not comply with Japanese exhaust gas regulations and was discontinued in 2020, much to everyone's regret. However, in North America, which has its own standards, it is still in use under a different name. The only difference between the Serow and the XT250 is the large bulb-type headlight and the design of the various lights. The 20PS OHC engine and the lightweight, easy-to-foot frame remain the same.
The Swedish military XT250 unveiled this time is scheduled to be used as a means of rapid transportation for communication soldiers, replacing the conventional MC409. While retaining the Serow's off-road capabilities, it has been modified to be fitted with a large carrier, camouflage color, and skis for use in the harsh cold of Northern Europe. Deployment is expected to be completed by 2027, with 2,500 units in active use.
The successor to the Serow 250, the XT250, has been newly adopted as the Swedish military motorcycle. The key factors behind its adoption are its reliability, ease of maintenance, and off-road capabilities.
In order to improve its ability to travel on snow, the motorcycle will be modified to include skis.
Equipped with studded tires, it allows for swift movement even in winter. The Serow's high off-road capabilities have earned it a reputation for military use.
The XT250 is a 250cc off-road motorcycle that is popular overseas, mainly in North America. The only difference between it and the Serow is the design of the headlights and other parts.
The Husqvarna MC258 had been in operation since 1980, but was retired due to difficulties in sourcing parts.
Since 2003, the KTM MC409 has been used for combat purposes, but this too is scheduled to be gradually replaced by the XT250.
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