T
hroughout the shootout, the top three
were neck (and neck). A bike would
jump ahead of the others in one area,
only to be overtaken in another. As they
neared the finish line, two accelerated away
from the last, leaving it to take the final spot
on this year's podium. Enter the Yamaha
YZ250F.
The Blu Cru revamped nearly everything
on the new YZ-F, making it an all-new model
for 2019. A new chassis and engine, along
with a host of other updates are noticeable
the first time our riders swung a leg over.
Despite a ground-up redesign, the YZF is
still known as being one of the all-around
packages. Some things never change.
The "all-new" Yamaha still sports some
usual designs that die-hards will find familiar.
The forward-facing air box, wrap around
exhaust, and wider-style front end carry over
from previous generations. New for blue,
however, is the electric start, Power Tuner
App, and body styling that offers a one-piece
shroud with easier access to the air filter.
If the 250 Shootout was left to suspension
performance alone, the Yamaha would win
hands down. The YZ250F retains the same
KYB SSS fork that highlighted it's handling
in years previous, and received changes
for the new model year to elevate its level
that much further. What makes it so good?
In box-stock trim, the suspension package
2 0 19 C Y C L E N E W S 2 5 0 c c F O U R - S T R O K E M O T O C R O S S S H O O T O U T
SHOOTOUT
P88
YZ250F
Y A M A H A
3
rd
Place
