Sweden’s military will gradually integrate the Yamaha XT250 as the off-road motorcycle of choice for motorcycle couriers come 2026. 1,000 units were ordered in June.

The Swedish Armed Forces currently deploy the Husqvarna Model 258 and KTM 400 LS-E/mil for bike couriers, also known as dispatch riders. As the job title suggests, these bikes are not intended for motorized infantry on the front but rather for logistics and delivering messages quickly.

Although Husqvarna is a domestic manufacturer that’s produced a wide variety of equipment for the Försvarsmakten since the 17th century (when they were a firearm maker), a successor for the Model 258 was due given the increasing difficulty in obtaining spare parts after five decades of service. The Model 258 been in use since 1971, when it replaced Husqvarna’s Model 256A. It was formally phased out of the main ranks in 2003 and replaced by the KTM, though it remained available for couriers and reservists.

Likewise, the KTM 400 LS-E/mil has been gradually seeing less use by militaries 20 years after its production. The Royal Netherlands Army’s 11th Airmobile Brigade began switching to the KTM 350 EXC-F in 2020, whereas the Bundeswehr basically only uses it for training or their military police.

Given they have to move through varying conditions to get to their destination safely while still complying with road laws, dual-sport bikes are generally the way to go these days. Various militaries have also looked into electric bikes or variations of enduro models. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk, FMV for short) was tasked by the military to find a civilian model that still offered similar performances to the Model 258 and KTM 400.

Enter the XT250. Produced by Yamaha since 2008, the current model measures up at 84.6 inches long by 31.7 inches wide and 45.7 inches tall. It features a 249cc air-cooled single overhead camshaft four-stroke engine, a five-speed transmission on a wet clutch, and a 2.5-gallon fuel cell. The bike uses a 245mm single disc brake on the front and 203mm at the rear, along with a 35mm telescopic fork for the front suspension for 8.9″ of travel and a single-shock adjustable preload rear suspension capable of 7.1″.

For comparison, the Yamaha YZ250F used by Yamaha’s factory motocross teams sports a liquid-cooled 250cc motor with a dual overhead camshaft layout. It also has a smaller fuel tank (1.6 gallons) but is bigger (85.8″ × 32.5″ × 50.2″) with more suspension travel (over 12″ each) and wider brakes.

FMV agreed to a seven-year contract with Yamaha Motor Europe NV in May that entailed procuring 2,500 Yamaha bikes for winter use. It will be the 11th different motorcycle model used by the Försvarsmakten since bikes were introduced for military use.

The Frivilliga Motorcykelkåren (Volunteer Motorcycle Corps), in partnership with FMV, tested the XT250 in cold and hot weather conditions across various terrain in the months prior to the deal with Yamaha. Testing in the snow was especially of priority as they sought to figure out if the bike could be equipped with skis and equipment racks. Of course, FMV also stressed the bikes will receive a different livery to better fit the military.

The Försvarsmakten hopes to get the first wave of bikes by spring 2026 for training, followed by dispatch rider training in the fall. After that, deliveries will continue through the first quarter of 2027.

“The Armed Forces have a massive demand for vehicle, and this applies to motorcycles where the aging fleet needs to be replaced,” explained FMV systems engineer Stefan Pålsson. “With these new motorcycles, FMV hopes the Försvarsmakten can lay a strong foundation for dispatch service.”

Getting the Swedish military as a new client certainly seems like a home run for Yamaha Motor Company, who celebrated their 70th anniversary at the start of July.

Featured image credit: Försvarets materielverk