2019 YAMAHA YZ250F
FIRST TEST
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that was a major strongpoint
with past YZs. So now the YZ is
stable and it turns.
The seat foam was trimmed
down in the rear to give the effect
of a lower sub-frame and get-
ting rid of any "stink bug" feeling
when running sag at the recom-
mended 100-105mm. Lots of
changes went into making the
bike feel thinner, as well. And
they all worked.
The radiators were pushed
forward at the bottom and
tucked in tighter, and the gas
tank and radiator shrouds were
reduced in width directly at
your knees. And the whole area
around the rider's knees has
been cleaned up nicely; those
plastic rivets are gone, replaced
by a more one-piece shroud that
really gives the bike a clean- and
smooth-looking finish. The fuel
tank is smaller, though. Capac-
ity has been reduced from 2.0
gallons to 1.6 gallons. And it all
feels better, too. Our test riders
said that the YZ definitely feels
thinner between your legs,
which they really liked. The lack
of fuel capacity hasn't been an
issue for us yet.
The 2019 YZ250F is slightly
heavier than the '18. Yamaha
says it's about three pounds
heavier (231 pounds to 234
pounds, wet), but you will not
The YZ250F is
improved over
the 2018 model
in every way, as
long as you don't
mind having
slightly less fuel
capacity and a bit
more weight.
