I grew up on an XT550 and an XT 225 by Yamaha and liked them. Up really high they got hot and idled too fast (carb vs FI). The 225 was almost a kiddie bike it was so tame. But they'd take you from the driveway to anywhere.

I'm a short guy so seat height 35in is the highest I can go. That rules out KTM/Husky/a bunch of others that are probably the best bikes for all you normal people with bigger than a 30in inseam.

Considering CRF250L, KLX250, DRZ400, DR650 the most. All of these are rated pretty high. Any owners out there wanna weigh in?