VOLUME 58 ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 P113
Depending on the
terrain, you'll no doubt
notice improved rear-
wheel traction due to
the YZ250F's slightly
larger rear tire.
2022 YAMAHA YZ250F
Technically, the 2022 YZ250F
did get a few more changes
than the YZ450F. While the
250 did get the same three-
cross-spoke pattern as the
450, the 250's rear rim is
slightly wider than the previ-
ous 250 rim and is also fitted
with a wider 110/90 instead
of a 100/90 rear tire. The tire
brand has changed, too. The
YZ250F comes with Dunlop
Geomax MX33 rubber versus
the previous Bridgestone rub-
ber. The 250's rear wheel is
now interchangeable with the
450, which is really handy for
the serious amateur racer.
On the track, we'll just have
to take Yamaha's word for it that
the 250's rear wheel improves
impact absorption and feel.
However, we couldn't feel any
significant difference, though
we can tell you that the YZ250F
certainly hooks up nicely out
of the turns, which could have
something to do with the slightly
wider rim/tire or the different
brand or a little bit of both. In
case you're wondering, the new
wheels are not interchange-
able with their off-road YZ-FX
cousins because the FXs have
smaller-diameter axles.
In the suspension depart-
ment, the shock and fork come
off the assembly line with dif-
ferent clicker settings but with
some additional internal tweaks
done to the already excellent
Kayaba SSS forks. At least on
our first day on the bike, we
couldn't feel a difference be-
tween the '21 and '22's suspen-
sion, but we don't really care
since the previous suspension
was already so good.
