1996 Yamaha YZ250
By Kit Palmer
Photos by Donn Maeda
ot a company to rest on its laurels after producing what we
found to be the best all-around
250cc MXer of 1995, Yamaha
went right back to the drawing boards
and completely redesigned the YZ250.
Last year, the YZ250 won our '95 250cc
shootout. But considering the narrow
margin of victory (the Honda CR250
was a close second) we understand that
everyone might not have agreed with
our findings. Still, no one can deny the
fact that the '95 YZ250 was certainly
among the best of the best.
So it comes as no surprise that
Yamaha chose to make many significant
changes to the YZ250, rather than just
polishing off a few of the bike's rough
edges, which would have been easy
since there weren't many.
One of the things we liked best about
the '95 YZ250 was its super-smooth,
easy-to-manage yet powerful motor.
Any caliber rider could hop on the '95
YZ and immedia tel y click off quicker
lap times, many thanks to its broad
powerband and unintimidating motor
(and, not to mention, excellent chassis).
Evidently, Yamaha felt there was still
room for improvement in terms of bettering engine usability, as much attention
was focused on enhancing bottom- and
top-end performance. As far as midrange
power, the YZ already had plenty and
Yamaha left well enough alone.
To increase bottom-end power,
Yamaha adjusted the timing of the
YPVS exhaust power-valve, reshaped
the. cylinder ports and installed a short
silen.cer, and to improve power on top,
Yamaha changed the ignition timing,
went to a larger 38mrn carburetor and
N
(Left) Yamaha rebuilt the '96 VZ250 but
maintained most of the characteristics
that made the '95 YZ a success.
(Below) New color, new graphics, new
plastic, new everything. The '96 VZ250
also has a new price teg at $5599.
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