2016 YAMAHA YZ250X
FIRST RIDE
P68
As a result, we now have an-
other all-new model in Yamaha's
growing off-road lineup, the
YZ250X two-stroke, which joins
the recently added YZ250FX
and WR250F four-strokes, and
the standing WR450F.
As you can easily tell, the
YZ250X is based on Yamaha's
latest YZ250 motocrosser,
which got a fairly substantial
update last year. Yamaha did all
the things that you'd do to your
bike and more importantly all of
the thing you couldn't—like giving
it a wide-ratio transmission—to
make it a first-rate closed-course
GNCC racer. From a distance,
the only way you can tell the two
apart is by the kickstand—the
YZ-X has one, the YZ does not.
The real astute will also notice
the YZ's black rims versus the
X's silver rims. However, there
are many internal differences.
The 249cc liquid-cooled reed-
valve-inducted two-stroke engine
is essentially the same as the
YZ's but modified here and there
to make it more off-road friendly;
in other words, more usable
and controllable for trail use.
Compression ratio has been
reduced (7.9-9.4:1 versus 8.9-
10.6:1), exhaust port timing has
been altered, its YPVS (Yamaha
Power-Valve System) has revised
timing, and there is a new spe-
cifically designed CDI unit for the
X. The icing on the cake is a new
exhaust system which, all told,
is designed to give the YZ250X
improved torque and a wide
powerband. Did it all work. Yes!
The X's motor is simply out-
standing. It still feels similar to
the YZ motor as a whole (which
is a good thing), but, like Ya-
maha promised, it's smoother
off the bottom and has notice-
ably more torque. Like the YZ
motor, it's very snappy and ultra
responsive to throttle input, but
the increase of torque certainly
(Above) The X is basically a YZ250 with all the essential off-road goodies,
most importantly, and wide-ratio transmission. (Right) The YZ250X two-stroke
should have been offered years ago. Better late than never.
