YAMAHA YZ250X

Changes shared between the YZ125X and YZ250X begin with suspension. Riders who know and love Yamaha’s KYB Speed Sensitive System (SSS) coil-spring fork and KYB shock will be happy to discover the components remain but are spec’d with revised damping at both ends to further improve bump absorption and cornering. Settings are model-specific and optimized for cross-country performance. A new scraper between the dust and oil seal in the fork has been added to improve reliability.

Brakes have been given attention with a more rigid front caliper, larger front pistons, and a redesigned 270mm front rotor with a 30 percent increase in contact area. The rear rotor has also been reworked with its outer diameter being reduced from 245mm to 240mm to decrease unsprung weight without sacrificing braking power or performance

The rear sprocket design is new and designed to be lightweight. Also, ergonomics have been revised with a flatter seat and narrower fuel tank design with smoothly integrated bodywork and slimmer radiator shrouds. A new front and rear fender design, and embedded graphics in the Team Yamaha Blue colorway help give the two-stroke models a modern appearance.
Utilizing the same engine as the YZ250, the Tuning Fork brand’s quarter-liter two-stroke off-road competition model is spec’d with its own YPVS characteristics, exhaust timing, and compression ratio to improve ease of use in the low- to mid-rpm range and make it more suitable for cross-country racing.

Model-specific updates for the YZ250X are that its new seat and bodywork enabled a straighter intake design, allowing a more efficient intake path to the engine for improved low- to midrange pulling power. Also, clutch durability is enhanced through a new friction material that features excellent heat resistance to help the cable-actuated unit withstand long off-road races.

* Images show US model