1998 Yamaha YZ250 Factory Two-Stroke

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[@carlcjs316]

I’ll never forget how much stronger the yz powerband was those years than all the other manufacturers. All you needed was an fmf pipe, suspension work and a low health insurance deductible.

[@scottyd2262]

The 98 YZ250 was the last brand new bike that I ever rode. It was a special time in dirt bike history with it also being the same year as the 1st YZF. Also McGrath's 1st year on Yamaha. Great times...

[@lancasterjim2441]

Dam I miss that sound growing up in the 90’s I rode them all man love two strokes always have always will

[@Davido50]

Buy a new one whole u still can bro! Yamaha & KTM make em still.

[@tondaporter3709]

These years of Yamaha and Honda 250 2-strokes were straight up titans of engines. Loved both very much!

[@yzmoto80]

Your killing me with this video...I wish I still had my 250...YZ SMOKE FOREVER !!!!

[@zl2848]

I had a 1997 YZ-250, bought it brand new back then. Beast of a bike. The audio of this clip brings back great memories!!

[@scottchase1882]

2 stroke sound and smell= My drug of choice! God bless!

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Now you need to find one of the 8 elusive YZM500s.. I know at least 7 are still out there (one is in the Yam factory).

[@krustiestone1596]

This one makes me nostalgic!!! '98 YZ250 favorite bike I've ever owned.

[@sketchydgarage]

Love a YZ 250, right now I own a 95 CR250! Love the old steel frame bikes

[@HorseDee]

Got a mint condition 97 yz 250 waiting 8 years for it and they don't make them like that anymore the sound alone baby braaaap

[@sonnyseabury4051]

Uncle Dale has a serious and impressive motorcycle collection, with all mint and clean bikes.

[@keithodonnell5079]

The crispyness of the motor OMG, amazing bike love your videos the level of knowledge and passion you have is awesome.

[@mikebressler8951]

Haha.. Even the LAW came out to see Ken's Wheelies... 🏁🇺🇲🏁

[@chrisirving8712]

As usual

[@connormcdavidss1345]

What wheelie?

[@Damjansen]

Gives goosebumps much love towards the 250smokers, best bikes were up to 2002! Yamaha and Honda💪

[@paddyoconnor5362]

Wow. Looks and sounds lovely. The 2 stroke bark when snr gave it a handful up the hill is something that will always give my shivers. Great video as always guys 🤙🤙🤙 be safe .

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Love that beginning every time

[@sidpineapple]

the 98 has a 68x68mm bore/stroke, 99 onward they went with a smaller bore and stroked crank to increase low down torque but in turn the rev limit was lower and made less power. this one really is a screamer. beautiful bike man thanks for showing us

[@leedavidson7314]

Every bike you roll outta ya workshop is badass

[@anthonylongoria5917]

That bike is exactly as old as me and it's a beast

[@hillbillyhorticultureselki7899]

Sounds very crisp!! But it AINT a true 2 stroke without the ring of cylinder fins!!! Glad Ken is gona stay 16 forever just like me!!!

[@chuckdelara7515]

That will keep you young at heart. I'm waiting on my top end kit for my 99 yz 250 as I comment. This pandemic afforded my ripper a well deserved freshy...even new plastics. Keep on braaapin! 👍

[@Davido50]

Treat her like a classic car. Prices of em new are sky high! Run best oils & always add VP octane booster to ur premix (can buy from motosport.com). Im buying a new '22 YZ250 !

[@jessebrown9046]

What a beauty man! 250 psi compression! wow, it must run on 110

[@yamaharaptor01able]

Loving loving loving this bike! Had a 99 yz250,bone stock,graphics/ seat/pipe/etc. Looked like it came from the showroom. One of my "sellers remorse" bikes for sure. Bike ripped,had the look,i'm sitting here now scratching my head as to why i let it go😖😖😖

[@bruceland9279]

Beautiful 98! Great job guys!

[@mototoad1242]

Ah the golden age of dirtbikes. Beautiful

[@huskypoop4917]

my son has just rebuilt a yz 250 2000 model he got it road registered aswell its very clean and goes well

[@briandockery2775]

Hey ken I remember that wow 3 years ago time is flying I'm thinking car looks even better now..thank brother...DOC.

[@pearsonebfd1]

I had a 98 YZ250 ex-race bike, had to sell her because of bad times 2 years ago

[@chuckdelara7515]

Sorry to hear that. When I'm having a bad time; I rely on my steed to give me a reset on my existence. It's an intricate part of my well being. Hope the best for you...and I pray you can saddle up soon!

[@michaelbly6806]

Ken,you are right about yz motor,had a 1997 and raced 10 out of 14 harescrambles (FL TRAIL RIDERS),never cracked that engine open,took 13th overall in state,C250 class

[@markfretti6094]

That bike sounds nasty! One of the crispest sounding bikes I've heard on the channel!! Keep up the good content brother!!!

[@thecrewbmx]

Making me miss my 98 yz250

[@stevengordon2718]

My 92 250 was a beast ,it hit so hard down low ,what a blast. 🤘

[@OnfloorAudio]

I love this guy !! No holds barred , let'r eat !!!!! I love the smell of 2 stroke in the morning ...

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

That transition from high speed wheelie to the Kaplan opening would wake the dead.

[@Royalstar1964]

Lucky to have ridden soooo many nice bikes in one day!

[@downhillboozer]

Damn that is nice! Love those graphics , wouldn't mind getting something similar to those on my 2000 YZ!

[@rocket2811]

Kaplan is growing young every day.

[@chuckdelara7515]

He definitely has something figured out. 😏

[@mikebressler8951]

@@chuckdelara7515 Following his dreams.., with nothing being allowed to get in his way.. 🤘🇺🇸🤘

[@chuckdelara7515]

Very encouraging..., considering the reciprocating attitudes these days. Free U.S

[@EinarLerschen]

Yamaha makes the most reliable engines. Thought you were a Honda guy :)

[@KaplanCycles]

I love them all, but my first tattoo will be a yamaha tuning fork

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@KaplanCycles if I got only one that’s what it would be 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Davido50]

Hes a SALES GUY ;) . Tho he's right ...push come to shove Yamaha is best. Really.

[@AKay4tothe7]

Best sounding one yet! So good!

[@danielrelph6878]

I owned an 88 and a 92 and you cant beat the mid range power on these bikes...Kawasakis hit harder...hondas rev further but the yz's have always had a luscious meaty midrange.

[@BrianPhelpsV2]

I love the background music in this amazing video.

[@philliplock8993]

You can certainly ride a two-stroke, Ken Snr.! Greetings from Brisbane, Australia! 💪😀

[@mattjones1792]

The 02-present yz 2 strokes are my favorite

[@Davido50]

Buy one while u can an hold onto it! Yamaha makes an awesome an affordable YZ125. KTM 125 is overpriced. Fugg em.

[@anthonybressler4404]

Looks incredible. Plain n simple.

[@dannywilliams3516]

Looks like you're having fun they're ripping it up Ken. Hope you and your family are all doing well.

[@oldskool83]

Nice thing about the 96+ YZ's were their stands. A poor kid or adult can buy a very old bike now and update it to be somthing newer today. But technoligy wise 2 strokes these bikes were good then and today. One of my favorit modern looking 2 strokes still to this day. Just wish the seat hight didnt need to be 39"

[@r.j.adventures154]

God thats beautiful 😍 wish I could afford every yamaha you have had on the channel!💀🇺🇸💀

[@cajunmoney3009]

That feeling when you on a dirt bike and you look over the shoulder and a cop is behind you lol

[@MrCamarokid83]

Best looking motocross bike of all time imo

[@mis_fitkid1022]

Kaplan you’re amazing Motörhead 🤘🏻

[@travisschank9975]

Nice bike bro almost brought a tear. use to race a 99 until I broke my collar bone in 3 places they thought I might have rupsherd my spleen and had a concion and cracked my sternum after that. wife and kids had to give up racing

[@shanelonergan1792]

God bless Kaplan cycles

[@sonnyseabury4051]

Holy Shit Batman! That bike shoots some of it's roosts, like a 500cc 2 stroke!

[@robpearson1209]

All the cool bikes you guys show... Makes me feel like a fat kid at a buffet!! I want one of everything!! Lmbo!!

[@davidgauthier2661]

Ahhhhhhhhh.....Yamaha perfection. I would love to just joy ride it and keep it spit polished like it is now. As a kid growing up in the 1970s, Yamaha was always the cream of the crop in terms of looks and ergonics. When the rear monoshock came out in 1974, i almost needed diapers !!! And the sounds......just like the band Rush, u know immediately its them....ialways felt that also mfr.'g musical intruments gave Yamaha a big leg up on the other 3 mfr.s. And of course, the factory race bike looks makes me drool. Like a kid in a candy store...

[@justinsykes7732]

Nice bike ken! Looks like you were having a lot of fun!

[@chrisirving8712]

One of the faster yam 250 I’ve ever seen

[@BrunoXCunha]

Nothing like a crispy two stroke screaming in the middle of the woods..

[@tonypalmer7779]

I had the same year bike what a ripper great sound when on the pipe

[@christiankearns4466]

Better than any 4 stroke NICE BIKE!!

[@EuroTrashTV.]

Man! I wanna a 250

[@daverae7544]

Glad to see your local police have a good heart during these day's.

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Not necessarily a PD car. No spolight, no wifi antenna.. just dog dish hubcaps. I drive a surplus P71 everyday (but I do have the spotlight).

[@markkus1134]

Cops got better things to do lol😏

[@CainSample]

Deff not a cop

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Another video for my SR.s on the pipe playlist😊

[@dylanreeder1110]

Such a clean bike

[@michaelgahafer8651]

I have this same exact bike! Fmf gold fatty with stock pipe. Not as nice of course, but working on it! It rips for sure!! And recommendations?

[@woods42]

We all have opinions but man I had bad luck with the Yamaha's! They make GREAT power but when it comes to reliability I stand behind Honda!!

[@jchx99]

Cockadoodledoo

[@mitchellferre1652]

I miss my 1981 Maico 490 !

[@chrisirving8712]

Cool property

[@sambuvca22]

I got one. shes mean and clean too.

[@virginiemartinez3054]

👍😘Waaaw super motorcycle super look😍👏thanks you, you are a number one

[@chrisirving8712]

I’d be out there all day

[@mareksustr8468]

Yeees to je ten zvuk ktery miluju.

[@caroldave4037]

Yu Americans should have Ken as your next president....👍cheers from dave in uk....

[@johnnycash2238]

I have owned like 10+ yz 125. Currently ride a 2015 yz 125. None of them are as fast as the 98 I had. The 98’s are just flat out rippers.

[@ianmangham4570]

AWESOME Ken 🇬🇧😘🇺🇸

[@mr.motoman2770]

i just got a 98 yz250 and its bored out its sick

[@neilbillybob3065]

It's a Ripper🇬🇧👍😎

[@danielarney9729]

Should have came with an pwm, an air striker without the wings on intake side of carb. Nice work, bike looks awesome.

[@KaplanCycles]

Upgraded it to A Keihin

[@pete8581]

Quick question.. What carb set up would you recommend ie jetting on a 98 yz250 it has a fmf gnarly front pipe with a powercore 2 end can?, as the bike seems to surge on tick I'm working my way threw it piece by piece to solve the problem, any help would be much appreciated 👍

[@gsimmons51]

Awesome bike!

[@adibop1]

Nice of Michael J Fox to hold the camera for you.

[@luisyepez7233]

Linda Yamaha yz 250

[@DavidJones-mj5ju]

You missed the Devol stainless frame guards on your list.

[@MG-up5mh]

@Kaplan, Just love it, you said hotrodded do you mean using the spacer and late 80s long rod?

[@slabdaddy4209]

Sweet yz👍👍

[@Laforma18]

Beautiful Yz look amazing 💙💙

[@marlonmendes1954]

👊

[@mareksustr8468]

Jooo tak to mam raaad. Dost dobre tomu davas Bejku.

[@dylanreeder1110]

Ken is 1998 pretty much the same bike intill.they changed the frame? Do you put vforce reeds in??? That thing sounds perfect of all the bikes you rode in that era would you grab a yz over the other brands?? Im going to ride till the end two strokes are just so much more fun to ride and nothing is better than beating a four stroke on one

[@johnsmith7622]

Ya... there hasn't been any REAL "FACTORY" iron in many,many years.... Just stockers with bolt- on parts ... and suspension mods.

[@WILDGEESE399]

Mad compression 250psi

[@jameswhiteman2337]

I own one of these, shame its in 100 bits lol . Just need 3rd and 5th gears then i can finally ride again.

[@Ezrasideas]

Who did you buy the plastics from, I got an 01 I wanna restore

[@jasonp.9148]

The video looks like an episode of “The Office” (in terms of videography, style and editing).

[@yamaharaptor01able]

I like the Kaplan's version of The Office FAR better lol. Braaaaaaapppppp!!!!!!

[@LaBrouetteSP]

🚀🚀🚀

[@markkus1134]

Great bike is that one restored?

[@geraldbillak8537]

Nice

[@enacku]

Why is this 250 psi compression while the cr250 is 195? Is the honda engine that much weaker?