VOLUME ISSUE OCTOBER , P89
Even though the motor is the same as
before, the new mapping makes it feel
slightly different. The power window is
narrow and requires you to short-shift the
bike to keep it in the happy zone. On our
first ride on the bike, the track was ripped
deep, contributing to the YZ's sluggish
feel. I kept searching for that torquey pull
from the YZ of years past. I went back
to the pits in search of an answer. The
Yamaha techs changed the bike's map
-
ping to what they called "Response" in
Yamaha's newly streamlined Power Tuner
App. Within a minute or so, my question
had been answered.
Now, this was the engine I was expect-
ing! The Response map woke the engine
up from its early morning slumber. It was
now the exciting, strong-pulling YZ that I
had come to know and love. Now, I could
get around the entire course in second
and third gears with minimal shift points
and long-range over-rev qualities. The fast
engine that the Yamaha is known for was
back, and it gelled perfectly with the deep
conditions of the track.
(Above left) Yamaha left
well enough with the engine.
(Above right) Yamaha went
to great lengths to give the
YZ250F a slimmer profile.
