2021 Yamaha YZ250FX First Ride

On my first ride on my 2021 Yamaha YZ250FX I got acquainted with the bike, tried some different performance maps and tried to find a consistent process for harescramble dead starts.
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[@Minjoeman]

Ive seen many real time real sitution videos on this bike. This video really helped me a lot. I have a 2002 YZ250 (2 stroke) and I am going to get a 4 stroke! I have never purchased a new bike and the reason i'm considering it is the 2021 YZ250FX! If I were to purchase an F it would be used. I just like to have fun on trails so this bike is right for me. Thanks for the great video!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@randytidwell5836]

I heard more than one person say the new fx"s are too rich and that makes them hard starting but I have found with much testing on carb bikes that rich idles helps starting and help from stalling. Take your tuner and add 10% fuel and try it. If that makes it worse go -10%. 10 percent is not as much as it sounds. It's like the equivalent of going from a 40 to 44 pilot jet. I was talking to Tokyo Mods a while back and they confirmed the same thing. Some people have said they fouled a plug in fx's so a extra plug before you start maybe handy. I have never fouled a plug on a four stroke. I have had 3 crf 250x's and ran 190-200 main jets and very rich on bottom. Crank it by hand is was so easy to start and would not stall. Rmz250 built with a vortex ignition on +10 for fuel on low end, started easy and didn't stall. One more thing put a temperature strip on top of the left radiator and see what it is running in the stock maps and then you will probably see it cooler when you richen it up. Fc and pc makes those temperature strips. Keep us informed. Good.luck

[@tomcrnkovich1661]

I've got a 2015. Mine DEFINITELY had a dragging clutch issue, which is common with them, so watch for that. Higher idle.also helps a bunch, even after I switched to a rekluse set up. I too sometimes have issues with starts after the engine is hot. I sometimes have to start in neutral at the line. I'm trying an anti gravity battery starting sunday so we will see. Check out the G2 throttle tamer for these bikes too. They really smooth everything out.

[@jackstihls]

So stoked you got this bike. I'm saving for this exact model and the information you provide is so helpful.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@RockemSockemskol]

I’m doing the same thing

[@steezzyy3918]

Ive got a 19 250fx and Ive never ever EVER had my bike not start like that. Hot, cold, after a tip over, stalling it, or even after winter storage with old gas. It just starts every time. Other than that its a beautiful bike and i hope you love it like i love mine. Much love from Michigan

[@atticusfidler7361]

I have a 2019 YZ250F, I have no problems with electric start in gear, except when I give it throttle while pressing electric start. Love the new bike.

[@charlestremblay7522]

I would recommend a vortex ecu with a stronger battery, this is what I’ve done to my 2020 fx and it’s much much better on the hot starting. Also stalls less with the vortex

[@jasondearman3743]

They come mapped really rich stock and yes the stock battery is garbage. My 2020 250f was fouling plugs at 2.3 hrs and I heard the fx models were worse. Leaning it out and getting a Firepower battery helped a lot.

[@NateDogMXtv]

When the starter says 10 seconds just bump the starter twice real quick. It should start when the flag drops. Hope you have a good race next but it may take a couple before you figure out the 4 stroke. Nothing wrong with going back to the 2 stroke either.

[@gmracer01]

Dig that new bike. I’m even more liking the dry trails. Haven’t seen dry trails in middle TN since,,,,??

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks! Yeah, the ridge is only a few hours from you. It’s sandy and drains well.

[@RenBobbins]

My '15 usually does okay restarting, even at Dry Creek last season. 😂

[@mrjawmaster5854]

I wonder if you raised the idle up to help with the stalling. I had to do that with my CRF450L

[@painsrides3616]

For YZ's and WR's there is mark on grip to be lined up with a mark on the throttle housing for "hot starts". Essentially your cracking the throttle and hitting the starter with it cracked.

[@kiwi-moto]

yeah! I saw that on this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6m4f5Wvl6l0itU at 28:20 a few months ago! It maybe mentioned in the manual, I can't remember, but once you know about that it helps with the starting!

[@bradkjernisted8471]

Watch Monica Blahackova Gillam's recent video on You Tube. Her fuel line was pinched under the left side of the tank and it was supposed to be routed under the right side of the tank. She explains it in her video and has had problems for a while. Whether this was from when it was new or when she had her first service is hard to know.

[@painsrides3616]

@@bradkjernisted8471 ... I squarely blame the dealer.... 🤣🤣 I don't trust shops, especially dealer shops.

[@MikeCadvBikes]

Bump the starter without actually starting it about 5 seconds before you want to start. Primes the efi

[@joe0813]

I see Yamaha STILL hasn't fixed the long hot starts after you stall... They came out with a bulletin for it where they refresh them ECM because its running rich at idle but that hasn't helped mine at all

[@localenterprisebroadcastin5971]

Damn 2021 and Yamaha still having hot start issues 🤦‍♂️...ok... 1 get rid of the factory air cleaner and swap with an aftermarket 2 switch the plug out...3 crack the throttle slightly when hot ...it’s not carbureted so you won’t flood out the motor by opening the throttle a little before you crank it...there’s all kinds of info out there on how to fix it...some of it works..some of it doesn’t ...basically you gotta get more air to the motor and a better ignition

[@slowman9786]

Would love to have a 250 4t to ride when I don’t feel like riding the 300

[@Greysonmoto251]

Tap the start button (don’t hold it down just press it one time) to let the pump prime then try it. It helped my 2020 Yz250f.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks, I’ll try that.

[@steveweilhart2359]

I have the same bike 2021 - I just put a rekluse cx auto clutch in that will help with the stalling - you get the best of both worlds use your clutch as normal (moto cross) or in single track you do not need to pull in just focus on riding and it will not stall when stopping or navigating obsticals - works awesome - tusk has a good battery for that bike

[@kevinknick4150]

With the Recluse do you still have the downhill engine breaking?

[@steveweilhart2359]

@@kevinknick4150 yes rekluse really does not effect engine braking that much at all

[@illhaveanother4365]

Rekluse is for people who don't know how to use a clutch

[@stephenflynn4803]

I sold my 20 ktm 350xcf to get a 250fx. I absolutely made the correct call. Yz might not cost as much, but it's much better in the woods and its not close

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Nice! Thanks for watching

[@CAJUN-FIRE]

3:50 or so. Is that deceleration pop? Is this normal? I have same bike and have not been able to ride it. Just concerned it is not supposed to do that. Please let me know.

[@markgunnison]

Hope you can figure out the combination to get it started quickly. It is funny how different bikes have a different routine. You would think by now that would no longer be an issue. In my 300 with the Electron I need to lay it on the side with the pipe for three seconds before the first start of the day.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks Mark!

[@Tankerman]

Riding the day after racing makes you a hoss. Hopefully you can get the starting down. Other than the starting it seems like you were comfortable on the 4 stroke. Anxious to hear which you prefer in a race after you get a race or two on it. Stay safe

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks David!

[@redneckracing556]

A 1991 KDX 200 would be better. it is hard to stall. Has a granny gear and it is light but it just doesn't have a electric start but that is good because now you have a incentive to not stall it.

[@richardsymyniuk6928]

To help or reduce the stalling get your dealer to adjust the co setting they are too lean off idle it will also help with the restarts did it in my 2021 wr it made a huge difference 👍

[@joe0813]

its the complete opposite.... they are to rich. I have a 2020 fx and they came out with a bulletin to lean the bike at idle. Unfortunately it didn't help my 2020

[@richardsymyniuk6928]

@@joe0813 mine is a WR 2021 I'm in Australia it made a world of difference the FX has different cams Just sharing my experience 😃

[@thumbgas888]

Dang what camera settings? Great video!!, I used to have a 2015 and it was a great bike 4sure but turned a little heavy ,the new ones are better handling, but I end up buying a 2021 yz250X,congratulations on the new bike

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks! I’m using a GoPro Hero 9 Black, 4K 30fps, superview with hyper smooth on.

[@thumbgas888]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie niiicee, THX !!, I am gonna try it on my Gopro8 blk!! Again congrats on the new bike!!!

[@justinsavs]

If you can, please get us some updates on the starting issues. I ride a lot of tight singletrack, a lot of it pretty technical... and would really like to fix the starting issues down when the thing gets hot.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Will do. I’ve made some progress and will have a video coming out on Friday.

[@Captain250FX]

Just finished watching, great video! Definitely get a better battery, I heard it does help. Supposedly the stock batteries are pretty week. I want that tuner app so bad.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

I ordered a AG-801 battery after that ride. Gonna try it tomorrow.

[@Captain250FX]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie nice, keep posting those videos so we can all see the progress!

[@kiwi-moto]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie I thought the new FX comes with a Li-ion battery? Btw, for hot starts you need to turn the throttle to the hot start position. I tried to post a link to a video that shows this tip.. but I think it gets removed. Look for the video "Test Yamaha 2020 WR250 F - a trail bike riders' perspective" on youtube, uploaded by Motorcycle Adventure Dirtbike TV. At around 28 mins into the video they say a few tips. One of them is the Hot start which you're having problems with, and a lot of people don't know about.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

@@kiwi-moto Awesome, I’ll check it out. Thanks.

[@gregorypeters3960]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie The AG-801 battery should help it start quicker!

[@kiwi-moto]

Assuming still have the stock pipe ? , with the races, will you have to change it for noise regulations for racing? The FMF Q4 will bring it down to 94db. That's also the legal limit for trail riding (non closed course racing) here in Ontario, Canada.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

No need to change the pipe for the races I do. If I go to a national enduro they usually require a spark arrester but for the most part we don’t have a lot of public land to ride on. Thanks for watching.

[@Randy_Cox]

Cant believe a new bike has such a hard time starting. My old 2003 carb bike starts every hit of the button. I could see how having your bike do this at the starting line would suck.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@jered2177]

Sounds healthy

[@excitedwhale]

Did you put a fan on it?

[@advsquared]

Stalling in technical terrain...welcome to the dark side of 4 strokes!! But the hard starting problem is inexcusable.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@apostate4apostate494]

I prefer the XCW for the woods. Nice video though and nice bike too.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

For the really tight technical stuff I’ll probably still ride the xcw. Thanks for watching.

[@vegasromaniac]

Ohhh that's nice.. You still got lots of revs on it left, if I were you I would drop a gear.. And make it sing

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Yeah, it’s got a lot more. Thanks for watching!

[@mrbillnot]

Is the bike hot when you are starting Hare Scrambles? How does it start if it is just luke warm or cold? I know my CRF is almost impossible to kick start when it is really hot.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

I typically try to warm the bike up before the race start, but I don't get it too hot. Since this video I've made a few changes and upgraded the battery and it's starting much better now. Thanks for watching!

[@jorgesoto8680]

They have a service bulletin to fix that. Computer reflashed. Mined did that. It was freaking annoying

[@jorgesoto8680]

For the stalling

[@stall45]

Man, I had a 2015 WR250F with performance computer and mine started before you could let off the button.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Yeah, I had a 2017 WR250F that was the same way.

[@mrjawmaster5854]

Donnie, I'm racing a CRF450L with all the mods in hare scrambles right now. It's a pretty heavy bike. I weigh about 225lbs. Do you think switching to the 250fx I would see a noticeable improvement in racing and less weight? I want to stay with a 4 stroke as I like the power band and don't want to mix gas. Any advice you can give me would be great.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

The CRF450L is definitely heavy and not great for most harescramble situations. Any 250F off-road racing type bike would be much more nimble and easier to ride, especially in terrain like in your september 2021 race. The CRF250RX, KTM 250XCF or YZ250FX would be much better in my opinion.

[@mrjawmaster5854]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie thanks Donnie, hard to get rid of it, hoping to do the Tat someday, but cant afford two bikes. Decisions, decisions . Keep the videos coming

[@Oloughlin2777]

Sweet vid. Can you tell me which hand guards you have please? Thanks!

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks Cycra Probend HCM (Handlebar Clamp Mount) kit. I had to modify the bar pad and cover a little bit to make it all fit but it’s a really clean look.

[@Oloughlin2777]

Thanks!

[@vegasromaniac]

I don't have any issues with stalling also starting never seen that in my bike strange

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Your bike has the Keihin FI system. 20 & 21 bikes have a Mikuni FI system. There seem to be some differences. The Keihin was probably better.

[@jackieenx7085]

I have an fe350 and a te250 I'm wondering why you went to a four stroke? Obviously it's a personal choice but I just find the te 250 so much easier to ride and I'm a lot less exhausted even though a lot of people tell me the 350 should be easier to ride.. I just feel like the 250 floats over things and the 350 is like driving a tractor... Harder to turn, heavier to move.. Wondering why you made the switch?

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

I still have my 2-stroke and love it. Riding my friends yz250fx is really what made me want one. Thinking it might be better for the more open Harescramble courses.

[@jackieenx7085]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie yeah I think as long as it's long and flat you may have a point.. I just don't race anywhere where it's long and flat 🤔🤔

[@kiwi-moto]

@@jackieenx7085 the FX and WR are totally under rated bikes in Nth America for some reason. In Europe, they race these as part of the Enduro GT Series. Not talking Hard Enduro here, but Enduro, trail riding.

[@jackieenx7085]

@@kiwi-moto I'm not judging the FX or the WR I'm judging four strokes as a group.. I find them much more cumbersome to ride on trails and in Enduro than a two-stroke.. that's just me I know many many people love four strokes

[@Recedinghairline180]

If you twist the throttle just a little while hitting the starter it wont start. Ive heard mapping the ecu can also fix hot starts.

[@jwhammy75]

Where is this trail? Is it open to the public?

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

The Ridge Outdoor Resort in Springville, AL. Yes, it's open to the public. www.ridgeriding.com

[@nvmcrider8475]

I found the maps to be mostly a gimmick for the 250f's. It's only a 250 so naturally you want the max power, no need for the mild map. I noticed that if it doesn't start in the 1st second or 2 it is better to release the starter and hit it again. Short jabs at the starter are better than long cranks.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Awesome, thanks for the info.

[@tylerthornton6483]

What bark busters are those?

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Cycra Ultra HCM kit amzn.to/2Q5JN04

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Rocky mountain atv claims a Li-ion battery fixes the starting issue.

[@kiwi-moto]

The 2020 and 2021 one FX comes with a Li battery stock,

[@jarrod1687]

250 vs 450 First dirt bike 250lbs 6'1 30 year old rider Opinions? For trails and beach only

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

For a first bike definitely get a 250.

[@TubolMotoadventures]

what is the function of the button on the left? Not the kill switch.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

It’s a engine map switch.

[@TubolMotoadventures]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie was it already programmed by default out of the box? what are the defaults? i been trying to read my manual and it is all written in Japanese lol

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

@@TubolMotoadventures You have to program it with the GYTR app. You can download the manual in english here: www.yamahamotorsports.com/yamaha-yz-wr-service-manual-downloads

[@BlueDawnEnduro]

The stalls and hard starting is characteristic for this motor. The battery fine, the starter just sounds completely different than you're used to. The frame geometry, balance, and turning radius is wrong on this Yamaha for that slower technical riding I like to do.

[@vegasromaniac]

I think I like the handlebar switch ideea better, than the app.. To be honest

[@domal9255]

I want this bike but the no start thing is a huge turn off..I don’t race but where I live there’s no where to legally ride and environmental police are always out on quads and bikes..so to have my bike not start when needed is a no go

[@fastforfun]

Are you running Oury grips?

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

I'm running ODI Rogue lock on grips.

[@jasonbentley3185]

I also stall mine. And it’s hard to start again! I fell like it flames out.

[@Mtxracer79]

In map2 does your bike feel like it has less power no matter which map you put in map2?

[@jimihermen3492]

Hi Donnie, be sure to adjust that clutch on the fly..thats your stalling issue. And use a higher idle. I have a 2017.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for the tips!!

[@jimihermen3492]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie i had problems starting mine in gear so i disconnected the clutch switch. On the perch. I don't know if yours has it

[@jimihermen3492]

Check me out at Dirtriderchannel on KZbin and Instagram

[@Reztro.]

How do you edit you videos

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

iMovie on a Mac.

[@Reztro.]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie thank you

[@davidseay2931]

Where is this? Like where are you riding

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

The Ridge Outdoor Resort in Springville AL

[@davidseay2931]

@@DirtBikingwithDonnie I’ve been there once. Last years sera race. Was muddy as heck since it rained from midnight the morning of the race till that afternoon. I didn’t even get to enjoy it. It was pretty tho, and I’d go back for sure.

[@davidseay2931]

It’s just 4 hours from where I live is the problem

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

@@davidseay2931 Yeah I was at that race. It was nasty that day.

[@hevechvy]

you had a KTM 2 stroke and you bought a Yamaha 4 stoke ?????????

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Yep, I still have the KTM.

[@FFL_TommyGun]

It works better with a stronger/ more powerful battery

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@islacandlesaustralia2519]

Don't give it any throttle when trying to start it should help.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

Thanks for watching!

[@morromk7538]

Fk this bike looks fun. I got a ktm 350 excf I’m trying to sell to buy one of these.

[@DirtBikingwithDonnie]

I love it! Thanks for watching.