2016 YAMAHA YZ250X
FIRST RIDE
P72
into the California red sticker
category.
The YZ250-spec aluminum
frame is fitted with the same
suspension components as the
YZ250, which means it gets the
KYB SSS (Speed Sensitive Sys-
tem) fork, one of the best forks
in the business. It has been,
however, revalved a bit to give it
a slightly plusher ride midstroke,
which you definitely notice over
the smaller bumps and rocks.
The fork is very compliant
overall, as is the shock. Both, of
course, are fully adjustable.
The YZ250X feels very light
and nimble on the trail. It actually
weighs a few more pounds than
the YZ250 (229 pounds versus
227 pounds), but it's still a feather
on the trails compared to off-road
thumpers.
The X's fuel tank is the same as
the YZ's, which means it doesn't
have massive capacity but it does
offer 2.1 gallons, which isn't a bad
compromise for being so slim,
and has a reserve petcock.
As mentioned, Yamaha has
done many thing to make it
off-road ready for you. It comes
fitted with an 18-inch rear wheel,
Dunlop AT81 off-road tires and
a sealed O-ring chain, but you'll
probably want to quickly add
hand guards and maybe a skid
plate before you go racing.
So far, we're really liking the
YZ250X in our initial stages of
testing—we'll have plenty more
on this bike—and feel that it's a
serious rival to KTM's 250 XC,
Husqvarna's TE 250 and Beta's
250 RR, the X's nearest rivals.
The biggest advantage these
bikes have over the X—at least
on paper—is their electric start-
ing, larger fuel capacity and six-
speed transmissions. But, the
Yamaha sells for $800 less than
the Beta and $1300 less than
the KTM and Husqvarna.
Bottom line, though, as good
as this bike is we're perhaps most
happy that Yamaha has given us
another choice when it comes to
two-strokes. We predict this bike
will be another good seller for the
boys in blue. CN
The X gets the same
suspension as the YZ but
slightly retuned for the trail.
