Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127805
to 5.3 kg/ mm) to keep it in line with the front forks. To help reduce friction and keep the rear end operating smoothly longer, poly-lube bearings were installed in the swingarm linkage pivot points. To improve the overall comfort and riding position of the bike, Yamaha designed 13mm taller handlebars with a straighter bend, and soffer, half-waffle grips. Wrapping up the changes for 1997 are a front brake rotor with more weight-reduction holes for greater braking performance, a thicker and stronger chain guide and new, even-larger, footpegs to ease impact when landing from big jumps. . The changes to the motor evidently worked, because the '97 YZ250 flat-out . barks this year. Throttle response is now instantaneous, which really helps in turns, and the motor still has excellent low to midrange power - and plenty of it. It's really torquey down low (which should also make it a great off-roader) and it has picked up a pretty decent topend hit this year. The motor doesn't mind being short-shifted and has the power to prove it. It still signs out a little early on top, but overall, it's got a good powerplant that should satisfy even the pickiest connoisseurs of motocross weaponry. The transmission shifts even better this year with the new straight taper cuts on the clutch dogs and the clutch accepts abuse with a grin. Full-power shifts are executed with ease - with or without the use of the clutch - and you don't feel the abrupt clunking like last year. . On our '96 YZ250 test bike, we instilled Yamaha's .43 kg/mm optional stiffer springs in the front forks, which are what now come stock along with the non-recirculating oil system. The stiffer springs combined with the non-recirculating cartridge and a revised compression valve work very well together. The fork is able to handle small chop pretty well and handles the big hits with confidence. Some of our lighter testers felt that the fork was a little harsh and jittery in the very early parts of the travel, but liked the action everywhere else. Out back, the revised valving and stiffer spring rate of the rear shock help it work very well in a wide variety of conditions, and keep the rear balanced with the forks. The shock works admirably, and doesn't do anything weird - no kicking or swapping. Most of our testers were able to run the shock with the adjusters in the stock positions. Sag was run at Yamaha's recommended 95mm for each tester. The brakes on the YZ are top-notch. Yamaha claims to have improved front brake performance with new front disk with more holes in it. Hmm. They worked great last year a'nd, come to think of it, seem to work just a little better this year. Both front and rear brakes offer plenty of power with a moderate amount of lever pressure and modulate very well. Handling on the bike is very middleof-the-road - the bike turns sharp pretty easily but doesn't headshake in hi,&hspeed chop with the throttle on or off. The bike will turn with the throttle open or closed and doesn't !TIind bei!1g backed into comers while brake sliding around them. The bike is very easy to move around on for a wide range of riders and the controls are aU well placed. The flat and thin seat and tank junction creates a nice and roomy layout for riders of varying sizes. Th.e addition of the taller and flatter handlebars add to the overall com- (Above) The new cylinder got longer intake and exhaust tracts, modified port timing and combustion chamber and a new 4-petal reed assembly now reside within. The CD Ignition was reprogrammed and the exhaust pipe waa reshaped to complement the new cylinder and power characteristics. (Below) The footpegs got larger for '97 and take the bite out of the harshest Impacts. (Right) The 46mm Kayaba forks got non-recirculating car;tridges, a new compression valve, modified valvlng and stiffer springs (.42 kglmm In '96 to .43 kglmm for '97). The rake angle was reduced slightly to quicken up the handling and a stronger gusset was used under tha head tube. (Right) A roomier layout was achieved with the addition of taller and straighterbend handlebars. Softer half-waffle grips replace last year's full-waffle design. fort and were a blessing to our taller riders who didn't like last year's (and year's prior) lower and swept-back bars. The 1997 Yamaha YZ250 is a good motocross bike. It has the power and: acceleration to cut and thrust around a motocross track, or you can use the bike's great low-to-midrange power to smoothly torque around - the choice is yours. When you combine the extremely versatile motor with the capable suspension, neutral handling, great brakes and roomy ergonomics, you've got a bike that is capable of propelling you to the podium. fN 1997 Yamaha VZ250 SpeciftcaIions Engine type Liquid-eooled. slngle-cyllnder two·stroke OJ.pl. c Bo 249cc 68 x 68.8mm Ca"'ll I_ r8IIo _ 9.0·10.4:1 reIion ; Keihin PWM38 ignition _ CDI F , .•.........Semi double cradle .....................................27.7 degrees TraJI .4.8in. T_1MIon _ 5·speed F1neI drive _ 13/49 St8rtIng ~ ......•..........•.......... Kick F c.p.eJty 2.11 gal. _ ••,t •........ .... ~ 58.6 in. Seat ht _ 38.5 In. F..-t tire . .........•........ Dunlop K490 80/100·21 Rear II .Dunlop K6951T 110/90·19 F..-t Kayaba 46mm adjustable inverted fork w / 11.8 inches of wheel travel. R•• r _ naIon Kayaba adjustable shock absortJer w / 12.4 inches of wheel travel Front b..... . 245mm disc w / dual piston-caliper R_r b..k• ........ 220mm disc w / single·piston caliper Claimed cIwy weight 214Ibs. MSRP ...............................•...$5.599 ea .u."""n