1
st
PLACE
YAMAHA
YZ250F
NOTABLE FEATURES
•KYB Speed Sensitive
System (SSS) spring forks
•Reverse Cylinder Design
•Rearward-Inclined Cylinder
•Tapered Aluminum
Handlebars
•Two Color Options
(Blue, white)
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Weight: 232 lbs. (full gas)
Seat Height: 38.0 in.
MSRP: $7699
2 0 1 7 2 5 0 F M O T O C R O S S S H O O T O U T
P104
SHOOTOUT
RM-Z, but the Yamaha tuner allows an infinite
number of options.
Power in the 250F class might be ultra im-
portant but so is handling. The YZ250F chassis
provides stable and predictable handling. The
Kayaba SSS spring fork is still the best perform-
ing fork, as it has the ability to handle small
chop and resist bottoming. The shock is equally
as good, allowing the YZ to provide a plush feel
that shines on rough tracks. The rougher the
track, the more the YZ250F stands out from its
competitors. Stock settings are excellent for
almost any rider, and the Yamaha works well at
every track with virtually zero adjustment, minus
proper sag settings. The wonderful aspect of
the YZ chassis and suspension is that it appeals
to the novice all the way to the pro. In the cor-
ners, aggressiveness is rewarded on the YZ. An
unsteady throttle hand and hesitation cause the
Yamaha to want to stand up more than the other
bikes. Cornering isn't the Yamaha's strongest
attribution, but it is far from its weakness.
In general, the Yamaha isn't the most pow-
erful, it isn't the best turning, it isn't the light-
est and it isn't the slimmest, but it is the best
complete package. It is simply a great 250F
that works wonderfully for a wide audience. It
should be noted that the exhaust note is right
up there with the extremely loud KX250F. For
some, this an issue, for others, they don't mind
a crazy-loud motorcycle.
Without hesitation, the Yamaha YZ250F is,
for the fourth straight year, our Cycle News
250F MX Shootout winner. The decision didn't
come perhaps as easily as it has in the past
and we did have a couple of test riders who
preferred the KTM and Husky over the Yamaha,
and everyone was impressed by the all-new
KX250F. And some still had good things to say
about the Honda. But all agreed that the Ya-
maha is just too good of an overall package not
to be standing on the top of the podium. CN
