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/448799
2015 YAMAHA YZ250FX RIDING IMPRESSION P68 ways. The FX feels very snappy, handles quickly and has sturdy suspension that just plain works. Like with the YZ, we are quite satisfied with the FX's suspen- sion right out of the crate. It does feel a tiny bit softer than the YZ's suspension, front and rear, and since riding the bike for the first time, we have made few clicker adjustments. The FX's SSS fork is one of the best in the business in motocross, and it works just as well for off-road use, plus it rarely bottoms—at least you don't notice it when it does. It's identical to the YZ's fork except for having slightly lighter springs (4.4 N/ mm compared to the YZ's 4.7 N/ mm). The rear shock spring (56 N/mm) is the same as the YZ's. Even though the FX is heavier than most two-stroke off-road bikes, it doesn't feel that way on the trail; it just doesn't have that four-stroke, sometimes, slug- gish feel thumpers have when you're flogging it from tree to tree. Yamaha, as you know, put a lot of time and thought into mass centralization with its YZs, which has carried over to the FX (and WR), and all of that hard work has certainly paid off, especially with the FX. The FX comes fitted with Dun- lop Geomax AT81 tires, which are reputed for their good grip and decent durability. Braking is excellent. The YZ, we feel, could use a bit more front-brake grab, but on the FX, it's plenty for off-road use—not too touchy but plenty strong. The back brake has excellent feel and doesn't have the tendency to overheat. At least we haven't had that problem yet. Fuel capacity is two gallons, same as the YZ. That's not a lot but not bad, either. When it comes to capacity, the manufacturers are always handcuffed. When they accommodate those who want large tanks they get hammered by those who want skinny tanks, and vise versa. We feel two gallons for the FX is a fair compromise. Quick GNCC-style pit stops, however, won't be so quick on the FX since the fuel-tank filler is hidden under the seat. We love the FX's handy kick- stand, which can be removed eas- ily when desired. We'd like to see, however, a stronger spring to hold it better in the retracted position. Ergos are excellent. The FX is comfortable and feels slim be- tween your legs, and we like the bend of the aluminum handle- bars. Too bad there are no hand guards attached to them. CHECKERED FLAG Even though we're still getting to know the all-new YZ250FX, we love what we've seen so far. The FX is a trail bike and race bike rolled into one slick package and does both extremely well. In fact, the FX is actually three bikes rolled into one when you consid- er that it still performs amazingly well on a motocross track! We're very excited about the addition of the FX to Yamaha's lineup and looking forward to putting SPECIFICATIONS 2015 YAMAHA YZ250FX MSRP: .............................................. $7,890 ENGINE: .... Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke, single DISPLACEMENT: .............................. 250cc BORE X STROKE: .............. 77.0 x 53.6mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ......................13.5:1 FUEL DELIVERY: ....................Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI) Keihin 44mm IGNITION: ........ TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition TRANSMISSION: .......................Wide-ratio, constant-mesh, 6-speed CLUTCH: ..................Multiplate wet clutch FINAL DRIVE: ......................................Chain FRAME: ............Bilateral beam, aluminum STARTING SYSTEM: ............. Electric/kick FRONT SUSPENSION: .......................... KYB 48mm SSS Speed-Sensitive System, air/oil separate, inverted fork, fully adj. REAR SUSPENSION: .KYB single shock, fully adj. FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: .................. 12.2 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: .................... 12.5 in. FRONT BRAKE: ............. Nissin, two-piston caliper, 250mm single wave-style disc REAR BRAKE: .......... Nissin, single-piston caliper, 245mm single wave-style disc FRONT TIRE: ....... Dunlop Geomax AT81F 90/90-21 in. 54M REAR TIRE: .............Dunlop Geomax AT81 110/100-18 in. 64M WHEELBASE: ................................... 57.7 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................ 38.0 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: .................... 12.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ............................ 2.0 gal. WET WEIGHT (claimed): .............. 249 lbs. COLORS: ............................... Blue w/white more time on the bike, which will include, of course, comparing it to the KTM 250 XCF. In fact, both bikes are sitting in the back of the truck right now. The trails are calling. CN