P144
SHOOTOUT I 2025 250CC 4-STROKE MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT
>
It's good to be blue. Another
year and another win for the
Yamaha YZ250F. Last year, this
bike entered an all-new genera-
tion and still managed to steal
the win. Now, after addressing a
handful of complaints, it would
be nearly impossible for the YZF
to lose its spot on top.
For 2025, Yamaha improved
their mapping, which is always
available for further tuning via
the Power Tuner smartphone
app. The "Response" map was
the go-to for our test. It reduced
any initial lag and bolstered the
low-end and midrange torque.
Now it revs faster and has a
fiery snap at the first crack of
the throttle. There is no doubt
this is a race bike, and it wants
to stretch its legs. The YZ comes
alive in the mid- and top-end
part of the rpm as it revs well
past what you think is accept-
able. Quiet your senses because
your ears will tell you it's time to
shift while the engine continues
to climb. It just keeps pulling.
The engine is fast and loud, just
how it should be.
Yamaha's KYB suspension
is the best in class. The initial
comfort is unmatched, and it
only gets better the harder you
ride it. Going long or coming up
short is not a worry. Front-end
trust and rear-end compliance
become second nature. An up-
dated rear linkage ratio, a lighter
rear spring, and corresponding
adjustments to the forks were
all aimed at improving ground
contact and allowing the bike to
drive forward. Finger adjusters
on top of the fork caps are an-
other nice touch, although they
were hardly needed. This front-
YAMAHA YZ250F
M
First Place
