WHAT'S NEW
The YZ250 motocross is an
absolute staple in Yamaha's
MX line. The bike received a
major generational update in
2005 when it switched frames
from steel to aluminum, and
from then on, it was largely
an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"
mentality from the Blue Crew
brass. But in 2022, the stan
-
dard-issue YZ250 finally got its
day
with an all-new cockpit and
bodywork along with updated
brakes and suspension.
Enter the Yamaha YZ250X,
the off-road version. It was
introduced in 2016 and is one
of Yamaha's two two-stroke
entries (the other being the
YZ125X) in the cross-country
segment, meant to go toe-to-toe
against KTM's two-stroke 250
XC, among a few other bikes.
With GNCC racing in mind,
the X is fitted with a wide-ratio
five-speed gearbox, off-road
powervalve (aka YPVS) timing,
an 18-inch rear wheel, a kick-
stand, and single-track-oriented
suspension
settings. In 2023,
the YZ250X received the same
updates as the 2022 YZ250, and
the 2024 Yamaha YZ250X is a
carbon copy of the '23 X, except
for the usual graphic updates.
As with prior X models, the
YZ250X is also fitted with a
gripper seat cover, a tapered
aluminum handlebar attached
to adjustable mounts, and
fully adjustable front and rear
suspensions.
It's also still real light,
weighing a class-leading 229
pounds.
Braaap!
The wooded trails of South
Carolina served as our testing
grounds for the 2024 YZ250X.
When I first rode the new-
gen YZ250 in 2022, I was
instantly impressed with the
P110
RIDE REVIEW I 2024 YAMAHA YZ250X
The 2024 YZ250X returns after getting a significant upgrade in 2023.
