2015 new Yamaha YZ250FX
As you’ve likely heard, Yamaha recently jumped into the off-road market in an even bigger way with the introduction of two all-new machines: The WR250F, a trail-specific off-road model, and the YZ250FX, a GP variant of the hugely-popular motocross bike. Both machines are based on the YZ250F—Dirt Rider’s 2014 Bike Of The Year and a two-time 250F motocross shootout winner—although the WR is more of a trail bike in terms of temperament and personality. The YZ250FX, though, is a much more aggressive, closed-course competition racebike, and of all the Japanese off-road motorcycles it just may have the best chance at dethroning a KTM in a head-to-head comparison. Here are our thoughts on the YZ250FX, after riding it for the first time at Yamaha’s US press launch at Cahuilla Creek in Anza, California:
To start with, the YZ250FX differs from the YZ-F by way of electric start, an 18-inch rear wheel, a six-speed transmission, a kickstand, suspension revisions, and frame mounts ready for a skid plate. This is a closed course off-road race bike (think GNCC racing) geared for the guy who would love an electric start 2015 YZ250F with an 18” inch rear wheel. Because it shares so much with the YZ250F motocross bike, the YZ250FX off-road model performs closely to the MXer in the engine department; the bike has a great combination of usable bottom end, healthy mid-range, and strong top-end with an almost big-bore-like overall feel of output. It doesn’t rev as far as some of the other 250F motocross machines, although it can be lugged, shifted, and revved with ease. For off-road applications, this all-around performance is outstanding when navigating through tight trails, fighting for traction on steep hills, or charging through rock sections. Tuning on the YZ250FX is crisp and clean, providing the rider with a healthy dose of meat that’s almost always on tap.
Thanks to the 51-tooth rear sprocket and 6-speed wide-ratio transmission, this machine was mostly ridden in second and third gear on trails, with first being reserved for the tightest and nastiest of sections. The YZ250FX also features the WR-style clutch, which has a change in cable lever ratio and internal revisions (revised oil holes and different friction plate material) for an easier pull. Of course, one of our favorite additions to the YZ250FX over the MX version is the electric starting! There’s still a kick-starter, but the button start takes just a few quick stabs to bring the bike to life (it often starts the YZ250FX on the first push in neutral, although starting in gear can take more time). An aftermarket battery would boost starting ability and speed even more.
We love the YZ250F’s suspension, with the KYB SSS fork maintaining great bottoming resistance and incredible plushness at the same time. However, we do agree with Yamaha that the moto fork may be too firm for off-road applications, particularly on all-day rides when energy conservation is a priority. With that, the boys in blue dropped the fork spring rate of the YZ250FX to 4.4 N/mm (down from 4.7 on the YZ250F), although they left the shock at the same rate (56 N/mm). In other words, Yamaha gave this bike the same spring rate as the YZ250F in the rear, and the same spring rate as the new WR250F in the front. Due to the softer fork setting, the YZ250FX did exhibit some ‘packing’ in faster sections, but as mentioned in the WR250F first impression, this was limited to the first third of the stroke and was felt most on corner entry. With its softer settings, the fork gobbles up rocks that would have the YZ250F pogo-ing around a bit. The shock, being the same spring rate, stays planted and delivers good traction and drive all-around, yet it isn’t too firm that it beats you up in most off-road sections.
Again, coming in to corners with speed can cause the front of the YZ250FX to settle and dive a bit too much, leading to a pushing feeling that we may be able to solve with the clickers in further testing. With no headlight or instrument cluster, the YZ250FX doesn’t have as much of a weighty front-end feel as the WR250F. Once into the turn, the YZ250FX settles nicely—particularly if there is a rut to push against—and will exit smoothly so long as the throttle is not hammered too hard (like we said, this is a potent motor!) The bike handles off-camber turns well. With Dunlop AT81 tires coming stock on the YZ250FX, riders get a decent balance of performance and wear.
The kickstand is, in our opinion, a cool feature of the YZ250FX. It’s incredibly convenient to be able to park the bike anywhere and not have to look for a tree of fellow rider’s motorcycle. The spring on the kickstand is a tad weak, and it will hit the ground on extremely hard landings, so be careful. Overall, the styling of the YZ250FX is great, and although the tank feels big, it provides a pretty solid weld for the rider to grip with his or her knees. MSRP on the YZ250FX is coming in at $7,890 (which is $300 more than the YZ250F, and $100 cheaper than the WR250F). Yamaha is also offering a full line of GYTR parts and accessories, with 11 all-new items and 26 “carry-up” items from the YZ250F.
Now that we’ve had a first taste of the YZ250FX, we’ll be riding this bike as much as possible before writing our first test for the print magazine, which is scheduled to appear in the April 2015 issue of Dirt Rider. Down the road even farther, we’d love to include the YZ250FX in some off-road comparisons, especially to see how the bike stacks up to the KTM dynasty. All in all, high fives to Yamaha for investing in the off-road segment and putting a great spin on an already outstanding bike. You’re going to love this thing!
To start with, the YZ250FX differs from the YZ-F by way of electric start, an 18-inch rear wheel, a six-speed transmission, a kickstand, suspension revisions, and frame mounts ready for a skid plate. This is a closed course off-road race bike (think GNCC racing) geared for the guy who would love an electric start 2015 YZ250F with an 18” inch rear wheel. Because it shares so much with the YZ250F motocross bike, the YZ250FX off-road model performs closely to the MXer in the engine department; the bike has a great combination of usable bottom end, healthy mid-range, and strong top-end with an almost big-bore-like overall feel of output. It doesn’t rev as far as some of the other 250F motocross machines, although it can be lugged, shifted, and revved with ease. For off-road applications, this all-around performance is outstanding when navigating through tight trails, fighting for traction on steep hills, or charging through rock sections. Tuning on the YZ250FX is crisp and clean, providing the rider with a healthy dose of meat that’s almost always on tap.
Thanks to the 51-tooth rear sprocket and 6-speed wide-ratio transmission, this machine was mostly ridden in second and third gear on trails, with first being reserved for the tightest and nastiest of sections. The YZ250FX also features the WR-style clutch, which has a change in cable lever ratio and internal revisions (revised oil holes and different friction plate material) for an easier pull. Of course, one of our favorite additions to the YZ250FX over the MX version is the electric starting! There’s still a kick-starter, but the button start takes just a few quick stabs to bring the bike to life (it often starts the YZ250FX on the first push in neutral, although starting in gear can take more time). An aftermarket battery would boost starting ability and speed even more.
We love the YZ250F’s suspension, with the KYB SSS fork maintaining great bottoming resistance and incredible plushness at the same time. However, we do agree with Yamaha that the moto fork may be too firm for off-road applications, particularly on all-day rides when energy conservation is a priority. With that, the boys in blue dropped the fork spring rate of the YZ250FX to 4.4 N/mm (down from 4.7 on the YZ250F), although they left the shock at the same rate (56 N/mm). In other words, Yamaha gave this bike the same spring rate as the YZ250F in the rear, and the same spring rate as the new WR250F in the front. Due to the softer fork setting, the YZ250FX did exhibit some ‘packing’ in faster sections, but as mentioned in the WR250F first impression, this was limited to the first third of the stroke and was felt most on corner entry. With its softer settings, the fork gobbles up rocks that would have the YZ250F pogo-ing around a bit. The shock, being the same spring rate, stays planted and delivers good traction and drive all-around, yet it isn’t too firm that it beats you up in most off-road sections.
Again, coming in to corners with speed can cause the front of the YZ250FX to settle and dive a bit too much, leading to a pushing feeling that we may be able to solve with the clickers in further testing. With no headlight or instrument cluster, the YZ250FX doesn’t have as much of a weighty front-end feel as the WR250F. Once into the turn, the YZ250FX settles nicely—particularly if there is a rut to push against—and will exit smoothly so long as the throttle is not hammered too hard (like we said, this is a potent motor!) The bike handles off-camber turns well. With Dunlop AT81 tires coming stock on the YZ250FX, riders get a decent balance of performance and wear.
The kickstand is, in our opinion, a cool feature of the YZ250FX. It’s incredibly convenient to be able to park the bike anywhere and not have to look for a tree of fellow rider’s motorcycle. The spring on the kickstand is a tad weak, and it will hit the ground on extremely hard landings, so be careful. Overall, the styling of the YZ250FX is great, and although the tank feels big, it provides a pretty solid weld for the rider to grip with his or her knees. MSRP on the YZ250FX is coming in at $7,890 (which is $300 more than the YZ250F, and $100 cheaper than the WR250F). Yamaha is also offering a full line of GYTR parts and accessories, with 11 all-new items and 26 “carry-up” items from the YZ250F.
Now that we’ve had a first taste of the YZ250FX, we’ll be riding this bike as much as possible before writing our first test for the print magazine, which is scheduled to appear in the April 2015 issue of Dirt Rider. Down the road even farther, we’d love to include the YZ250FX in some off-road comparisons, especially to see how the bike stacks up to the KTM dynasty. All in all, high fives to Yamaha for investing in the off-road segment and putting a great spin on an already outstanding bike. You’re going to love this thing!
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