2023 Yamaha 250FX Review

Spent a decent time on a new 2023 Yamaha YZ250FX as I continue to search for a replacement for my 300 XC-W.
I got to ride the bike in slow first gear singletrack, flowing singletrack and some wider doubletrack trails.

[@Travis_125]

The awesome thing about this bike is the infinite amount of tuning you can do through the app. I have about twelve maps in my phone ready to use when I need them.

[@wobbleknobble]

I also have a 2023 Yz250fx and going from a Honda this is so much better woods bike, adjust idle up a tad and never a flame out.no matter what map set on map 2 it’s 20% less hit, it’s for your slow technical stuff

[@michaelwalas5948]

Put a 14 tooth front sprocket on it.. game changer , leave the rear as is

[@philipsmith6152]

Great review, luv the commentary, guys thinking of buying one don't want to see you just ride it, they want to know what your feeling & experiencing, likes & dislikes, great job 🙂

[@JRideRR]

Thanks. I appreciate it!

[@rochellestanley9532]

Great bike..

[@MDHenry4]

No flame outs:)

[@Sir_Wilo]

I like the thumbnail🫡

[@mt1885]

How does the Honda CRF250RX compare as it has a 5 speed trans - what is the gearing on the Yamaha YZF250FX like is first gear low and has a high 6 gear?

[@JRideRR]

I can’t comment on the CRF as I haven’t ridden one. Yes, the gearing is definitely an added bonus with first being shorter and having the tall 6th. My YZ250F’s gearing is much closer and I find myself shifting a lot more riding in the woods.

[@941Offroad]

Ocala ?

[@thomastjg53]

So is it stiffer then your XC in the slower stuff?

[@JRideRR]

Yes, I would say it is definitely stiffer in the slower stuff than my XC.

[@GNR325]

When you said this bike was geared up one or two teeth on the rear sprocket what did you mean? Did he drop teeth in the rear making the gearing higher or did he go up in teeth making the gearing lower? Thanks!

[@JRideRR]

Added teeth to rear making the gearing lower.

[@GNR325]

Thanks. I wonder if that makes the slow going better or worse on that bike given the touchy throttle. @@JRideRR

[@JRideRR]

You do notice the throttle being a little extra touchy but it wasn't that bad. To compare the YZ 250F's throttle makes the throttle on the X feel delayed. This was riding in the same maps on both bikes. You can tell the F is much more high strung than the X. @@GNR325

[@GNR325]

Thanks!@@JRideRR

[@KolinKovack]

Do you think after time you get use to the throttle?

[@johncorallo]

Yes. I think it would only bother me in technical sections. I've heard some people put a throttle tamer on these bikes as well.

[@Cdoles610]

How does the agility of this bike compare to the new gen 450fx?? What bike do you prefer?

[@JRideRR]

The 250 is still more agile. You’ll never be able to overcome the larger displacements rotational mass. I’m really liking this new gen 450FX. I’m really looking forward to riding a new gen 250. I feel the new gens ergos are more comfortable to me. Doesn’t feel as cramped as the last gen.

[@Cdoles610]

@@JRideRR thanks for the reply! I pick up my 24 250f Tuesday! I can’t wait for the 25 250fx with the price I got OTD on the 250f. I can easily add an 18” wheel, revalve, and a fan and still be in the green if I so choose.

[@Superdisco199]

Even in 2017-19 the frame was quite rigid and people were playing with ways to improve small bump compliance. I thought Yamaha would add some flex on the following two generations but they went the other way. You can tweak it a bit by changing/removing engine hangers, higher profile tyres and maybe lighter springs (and a vortex to tweak bottom end). It's just a shame they can't make it a tiny bit more comfortable with a lower idle/less flameouts because they'd have a real winner on their hands. The old CRF250X still does everything from hard enduro to super fast so I'll keep waiting. This is us on the 22 FX and CRF250X kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH3cc3qImLagd9E

[@JRideRR]

Thanks for your input. I had some of the same thoughts but held off on commenting on stiffness since they do make the WR. It’s been a long time since I rode one of those. I’m assuming the WR is softer all around. I’ll check out your video. Haven’t ridden a CRF250X at all. Would be interested to ride that and the KX 250X too.

[@Superdisco199]

@@JRideRR Unfortunately the new WR is similar being a hard endged racer more than a trail bike. I know a couple of people that went back to CRF's after them or the older carby model WR. Had a friend with the KX250X (pure mx bike really) but he went back to the YZ250FX. Super stiff compared to mine but he's racing cross country. Won't do hard enduro on it. The KTM/Husky 250 enduro seems more user friendly but they don't make great low end (vortex would help) and suspension needs major work for faster riders. Hard to find a good all rounder these days. Good luck.

[@MR.TOYBOX]

I ending up getting the 2023 KTM XC 250. Several riders at the dealership who race the series said the 250 will be better for long 2 hour enduros in the terrain ride and more fun. They said it will not beat me up as much and I can ride it faster longer for the average rider anyways.

[@JRideRR]

Nice! You will not be disappointed. I love my 250 XC.

[@gordonwhite1825]

Well get on the throttle pull clutch in then more throttle

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

What is it with the Japanese bike manufacturers when it comes to enduro style woods riding bikes?! No six speed wide ratio transmission, no electric start,no counterbalancer, no hydraulic clutch, ultra stiff KYB suspension designed for motocross even on bikes supposedly for enduro riding. No 300!!!! It’s just hopeless! I have had four WR 450’s in the past and still have one but I just ordered a new Beta 300RR for woods riding and enduro events as the WR450’s were just too challenging.

[@johncorallo]

The 250FX was a nice bike. Has the 6-speed trans, e-start, no need for a counterbalanced motor but I'm assuming you're talking about 2-strokes. You will absolutely love that Beta 300RR for woods riding! They will lug down to crawling speed with no issues with flameouts.

[@illhaveanother4365]

Would you like some cheese with that wine?

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

@@illhaveanother4365 You mean ( Whine)?

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

@@johncorallo Yes I’m really looking forward to it if this bloody snow will just melt away

[@gordonwhite1825]

Good job 👍 I have a 2020 yam Fx yam F me. I bought a 1500$ Vortex box now it runs good no thanks to Yamaha they suck

[@JRideRR]

So you couldn’t get it to run the way you wanted with their tuning app? Had to go aftermarket ecu?

[@gordonwhite1825]

@@JRideRR ya when I bought the bike it fouled plugs right away called the knob dealer ship they said did you try other maps I laughed I leaned it right out & advance it still no good now it’s a bike you ride tight single track

[@gordonwhite1825]

What the .. where is all the reviews on Yamaha’s awesome piece of machinery

[@gordonwhite1825]

Better bring your Ktm 2 stroke

[@941Offroad]

or st marys

[@gordonwhite1825]

You needed to ride that bike in Whitecourt Alberta then tell me

[@MR.TOYBOX]

For woods racing hare scrambles would you say this bike in the video or the 2023 KTM XC300 TBI bike would be better? I have a 2004 yz250 stock currently.

[@JRideRR]

Tough one to answer. It depends on the terrain you’re riding, your skill level, etc. You’d probably be more comfortable right out of the box on the 300 going from 2-stroke to 2-stroke. You can definitely ride the 300 a gear higher and be lazy on it. Also, if your terrain is real tight with a lot of hills I’d choose the 300. If you ride less technical and flowing courses I’d take the FX. A lot more clutching the FX where the 300 will have a lot of TQ and you can lug it down to a crawl. Any specific questions I didn’t answer let me know.

[@MR.TOYBOX]

That is one of the courses if you want to see the terrain I am up against. Two out of 8 races has bigger hills but most are like what you see in the Video link I sent you above. What's crazy is the guys at the dealership say the 23 ktm 250xc is better for secca then the 300 but a lot of guys race with the 300s. I don't have any data or recent years on the series to know what the top riders are on. 250 300 etc. 4 stroke two etc. But its coming down to 23 yamaha fx250 23 KTM 300 xc or the 23 KTM 250 XC. I cant ride any of them prior to purchase nor have I ever been on any of them especially with them being new models. So I legit do not know which one to get.

[@JRideRR]

@@MR.TOYBOX I don't see any link in either of your comments.

[@MR.TOYBOX]

@@JRideRR Weird. It shows it on mobile but not desktop I even replied to this message with it.

[@JRideRR]

@@MR.TOYBOX Weird. I looked on both and doesn't show anywhere for me.