2024 Yamaha YZ250X First Ride - Cycle News

[@yuriabmxr]

I thought estart was a big deal for me.... then I bought a YZ250. Now I don't miss it at all and bought a second one. The carb works absolutely perfectly, too. Please keep making these Yam!

[@motomatt6752]

I really appreciate Yamaha still making affordable easy to work on bikes for the working man

[@GoogleOns-ys9ms]

#D

[@michaelledoux5261]

I got the 2023 and still can't get the smile off my face!

[@cyclenews]

Love to hear it!

[@johno8817]

I'm getting old, but still love them two strokes. Hmmm, miss that 360 I had.

[@zackiaryruddick701]

Lol the yz 250 is a classic its the king of dirt bikes real riders will never be done with this beast of a bike

[@SonsoftheEagle]

Dreams made of...

[@BarnStangz]

Yamaha, please... 300cc, magic button and maybe a head light, you'll sell LOTS OF THEM!

[@BiztoryTime]

And a 6th gear plsssss

[@jfhall2011]

This isn't a competition enduro bike. Yamaha does not make those. This is a cross country bike. Live it. Learn it. Love it.

[@seuvagem1950]

​@@jfhall2011 agreed. They should release a wr250x or it250. headlight, 6 speed, counter balance, electric start and a decent fuel tank.

[@yuriabmxr]

I bought a 23 YZ 250 and was apprehensive about the lack of electric start. I don't miss it at all anymore. The bike starts first kick every time, takes a very light kick, and if you're too lazy to even do that, you can bump start it with even a tiny slope. In return, you get a motorcycle that is much lighter, more responsive, and more fun than a 250F. Totally worth it!

[@Danielson4000]

Trying to get one of these right now

[@ralphd.7895]

Great review. I just recently bought a YZ250X and love it. I raced woods, MX and trail rode 2-strokes and 4-strokes for years. This bike will not disappoint. I have to admit being quite a bit older... that it going to take me a little while to get used to in the woods but is a great all around bike. Only complaint is that I would have like to have seen a little larger tank. Even a 2.2 would work...

[@cyclenews]

Thanks for the comment! We agree, tank would be a great addition stock.

[@Backyard_KLX]

What’s you run time? Per tank?

[@jonsainsbury8726]

Setup -Apex Head -Apex jetting chart -GYTR flywheel 14/51 gearing -Set sag/ try small adjustments to suspension

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Here is the engine work I did to my 2019 YZ250 (not an x), for much more low end power than stock, and I expect it to be a strong "short shifter", (just got the motor together, jetting it in the spring). 1) FMF Gnarly pipe. It has a lower peak power rpm target than stock, for more low end power. 2) V-force reed valve with out the stock aluminum spacer. Better low end power and "unblocks" the rear transfer tunnel that the stock reed stop plates block a bit. 3) Lower the cylinder .024" by not using the cylinder base gasket. It has to be sealed with a very good gasket sealer. If I like it, I will machine that much off the base and use the stock gasket again. This will lower the exhaust port timing to better match the FMF pipe. Engines work best when the pipe matches the porting. Compression will be higher and needs 100 octane fuel. Squish is still a good .048-.049" I built it for faster whooped out single track,---but I did a heck of a lot more work to that tall bike than that. Plastic work, custom bark busters, lowered the seat and suspension a bit (1.75" total), and I will finally like the damn thing. :) Doug in Michigan

[@jonsainsbury8726]

@@EarthSurferUSA you may consider just buying a YZ250X cylinder and use the OEM YZ250 head...

[@richardkautz2947]

I like the honesty of the review without the ", but you don't this or you don't have that" and reassures you with the bike ! Thanks for that !

[@cyclenews]

Thanks Richard

[@jfhall2011]

If you are too old or frail to use a very easy kick start that turns over the first kick, maybe you need to buy an electric golf cart and move to a florida retirement complex and just end things . How you are even able swing your leg over the seat is an amazement.

[@OtisFlint]

Spoken like someone who has no idea what real terrain is. Anyone can kick start in a parking lot.

[@jfhall2011]

@@OtisFlint Terrain doesnt matter if you have skills.How do you think Dick Burelson did it in the 70's? Are you afraid you will throw out your hip?

[@damo2664]

They really need a wr road legal version like they used to have. It would be a game changer

[@cyclenews]

That would be cool for sure.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

2:14 "A bigger 1.8 gallon fuel tank"? Smallest tank I have ever heard of on any 250cc woods/MX bike.

[@billemrich6755]

Wow a lot missed in this video!! There was more done than just rear rim size and tank size. Key engine differences Vs YZ250. revised cylinder head volume Vs. YZ250 (slight increase in volume Vs. YZ250) 7.9:1 compression ratio (slightly less than YZ250) revised YPVS power valve (actuation rpm & shape) revised exhaust port (main) size & timing wider 3rd, 4th & 5th gears ratios expansion chamber front diameter (reduced) If Yamaha wants to be taken serious in the enduro world, they need electric start.

[@cyclenews]

Thanks for the notes Bill!

[@mikeflynn5651]

Not to easy to kick a bike when your on a lets 45-degree hill., LOL

[@bradenriley9066]

Wish you would list his suspension settings. Just for reference.

[@davidgrunklee8407]

Can you speak to vibration vs the counterbalanced austrian bikes?

[@Dane-o7q]

Thank yamaha /ktm. for these.

[@yukonjon5964]

if you buy one... have a flywheel weight ordered and on hand, because after one trip into the woods you will want to bolt it on. stalls too easy without one.

[@adamdyment9732]

Electric start. Headlight. Make a 300 version. Maybe a flywheel weight. Yamaha will steal a huge chunk of ktms market share for hard enduro.

[@grecoconduris6716]

Fantic

[@davidsollenberger2998]

100%, but I personally would rather they keep it the same. I don’t want the added weight or complexity of an estart. They are easy to kick over and yes, I’ve done it from some strange positions. You learn to deal with it.

[@adamdyment9732]

@davidsollenberger2998 id certainly never want to get rid of kick start. Thats just foolish. But it makes life so much simpler on gnarly stuff.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Doesn't electric start make it "Easy Enduro"? :) I can see a future, where bikes are as easy to ride as sitting in a Lazy Boy recliner chair,--------and we will "ALL" be bragging about ow much talent we have. lol

[@adamdyment9732]

@EarthSurferUSA everything is hard enduronif you're bad enough. But whats more likely is the easier they are to ride, The less energy you'll have to exert and riders will keep pushing the limits of rideable terrain. There will always be the people who try to buy skill. But plenty will use the tech to progress.

[@rubencaine354]

This guys is wrong. Its not the same tune as a 250 yz. Its detuned and has a wide ratio transmission.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Some tranny gears may be different may be a different ratio. I would not mind a taller 5th gear on my YZ MX bike, (That I made into a great woods bike. Took a lot of work, lower engine rpm power, lowering and suspension mostly. I do my own work). I think the only difference for the power is the pipe. The 250 X is a lower rpm tuned pipe, with a shift of the curve probably about 500 rpm, for more lower end power than the MX pipe. I don't think the porting is any different. May be not even the compression. Not sure on that, but the MX version has lower compression since I think 2011. But if you ant much better (smooth and powerful) lower rpm power from this engine. Try this, no porting needed. FMF Gnarly pipe, v-force reeds, and lower the cylinder by not using a cylinder base gasket (must use a very good sealer for the gas/coolant application). The lower cylinder will require 100 octane fuel (I mix race 110 VP and non alky REC 90 octane pump gas, available in my area), and the stock engine will detonate with 90 octane and cause erosion damage. The lower exhaust port matches the lower rpm pipe better (the magic happens when you match a pipe to the porting), and the added low end make the bike much easier to loft the front end at lower rpm's. Much more fun to ride IMO. Doug in Michigan.

[@CraigSteinman-zt3vu]

It's not slower in a holeshot situation..there is less mid so coming outta uphill turns the mx model is much faster and corners with doubles or jumps right outta corners..that's it...the x 5th gear is to soggy for real fast tracks..but if u gear down to 51 tooth rear sprocket 4th gear will pull good enough for most tracks.. I like the x its alot faster in any offroad situation but pure mx its gotta be the yz

[@danielbargas3377]

I wouldn’t say it’s detuned but the power and is flattened out. More power down low for cost of a little up top

[@philipgagne1852]

Taller gear ratios from 3rd gear up only. And different ignition/power valve setting for down low trail riding./Enduro/ go check the yamaha website specs.

[@kichaa13]

​@danielbargas3377cjdozngealb do these have the changeable springs for tuning the power delivery like a ktm?

[@coryjamesc]

I need to check the updated 2022, my 250x was the 2017, but those has Lower compression than the normal YZ250s.. maybe it changed in 2022, that would be nice I know a lot of guys were changing the heads for more compression.

[@coryjamesc]

I checked the Mapping is different and Compression is lower on the yz250x over the Yz250.

[@CraigSteinman-zt3vu]

If you do head work ..just get regular yz..the motor is way better off road on the x..ironically the x is just as fast on the starting gate..but not as fast coming outta corners especially an uphill corner..

[@nicolasayer1908]

Just gorgeous. Have a 450fx and 125x, would sure be nice to add this to my arsenal. Had 10 Yams so far in my time and likely I'll add.

[@cyclenews]

Very cool!

[@flaviom.6749]

Che. Bomba. ❤

[@monocogenit1]

With a few parts, this bike is can be excellent. I have a 2016 yz250x. added head, FMF Gnarly pipe/silencer, jetted it, GYTR heavy flywheel, and re-vale/spring suspension for your weight/style. Pretty awesome.

[@cyclenews]

Great build!

[@davenawahine4428]

Still is missing 3 things e-start, more displacement or offer a 300 kit Adj pv

[@jfhall2011]

It is only missing if they were to want to roll out a competition enduro bike to go against the European ones. This is not, it is a cross country bike that does a little of everything. You are asking them to build a bike that it was never intended to do. They took a YZ 250, added some great additions for cheap and offered it up as a 2 stroke fun bike. You are trying to make it something it was never meant to do in the first place. If they wanted to make a competition 300 cc competition bike they would have. They did not. They are offering something fun instead .Want to take a 300 KTM against a YZ 250X on the track? Good luck. A 250X is all about comprimise, not specialty. That is why it is a few thousand less to buy.

[@christerstefansson3249]

It has the whide ratio gearbox , the 125X hasnt.

[@cyclenews]

You are correct, we were backwards in this. Too many bikes!

[@mackeymichael]

I like how my YZ125X has a close ratio gearbox for off road riding. Very precise gear selection when your sending it.

[@ramonmartinez5929]

When yamaha every one has a electric start I'm getting older want the button .damn trying to be loyal but you are making it hard

[@coryjamesc]

Gotta start looking right now at bike shops.. I bought My 2023 KTM 300xc last year in the first week of MAY for 8k, they have great deals when the next year bike comes out.

[@coryjamesc]

I also originally bought my 2017 YZ250x around the same time of year, and it was 6800. So you cant beat the deals sometimes. The extras on the KTM are realy Sweet. Fuel injection, Hyro clutch 6 speed trans electric start, the extras are worth more the the 2k in price difference.

[@jfhall2011]

If you are too frail to kick over a very easy kickstart then maybe you should buy a golf cart and move to Florida.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I see nobody in the mag business today knows how to jet a carb. This jetting is so rich stock, oil droplets will eave your silencer stinger, and ruin the back of your jerseys. Nope, it is not dirt. that comes out in the wash. The mags say the jetting is good, but it is so rich, you may want to even go one needle leaner fort the needle, and a leaner main jet if the plug is not a light brown color with no wet spots at full throttle. Please, don't tell me how the engine runs if you did not do a good job jetting the carb. It is missing at least 3hp peak and cleaner/stronger running through out the rpm range. Totally different performance, that of a good pipe and porting.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I raised my compression (use 100 octane gas), by lowering my cylinder on my 2019 (same engine, carb and pipe) as this bike) by not using a cylinder base gasket (seal it with a great sealer), and that alone cleaned up the super rich stock jetting, at least to a brown, slightly wet plug, but still with a lot of smoke and un-burnt oil. I then went to the top groove on the needle position clip (as lean as possible, and I am still a bit rich (Using the FMF Gnarley and V-force reeds with no stock aluminum spacer. Just about all engine mods change jetting.). I am ordering the next lean needle jet, and i am going to get that last 1.5hp and a better running engine,--than any mag today has ridden. :) Listen to the old school guys kids. You are starting form scratch,---and boy, like the carb you can't tune, that is rich for us laughing old guys with experience/knowledge. :) Wait till you see what you kids can't think of. gets worse every generation, and was called "progress" in the schools today. Here you are. the results are in---if you can recognize them. Your choice,---to learn how to tune a carb. Being the YZ250 is the most sold bike,--it might even help mag sales. MXA sure does not know how to do it today.

[@Captndarty]

Shut up, clearly nobody is acknowledging your diatribes

[@johnmclaughlin4802]

@@Captndarty😂

[@BoswellZora]

9325 Kohler Route

[@krushtyy]

dont know why theres no electric start if its enduro, imagine doing an enduro race and ur just totally smoked having to kick start on a hill...

[@2strokeme64]

Mine starts one kick every time

[@jesus2400]

Kool

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Too tall for the woods. I could never give that all bike a favorable rating. It took a lot of work, but I made my YZ250 2-stroke a better woods bike than that. I had to start with a bike that is not really good at anything, and i won't buy 4-stroke because i hate EPA force on our industries.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

$8.099. It would be about 4 grand with out the 1986 production rule (tripled the cost of a bike in 5 years), and the dictatorship force of the EPA 4-stroke engine (Yamaha is using 2-stroke profits.), that almost tripled the cost of a bike again. Now, why is the sport less than one tenth in bike sales it was in 68-85? Oh yea--less production also raised retail price. Now, since you cant cut much off the new thin seat, knock off 1.5" of suspension travel, and enjoy a better bike. Tallest bike made,--and we used to understand simple physics.

[@jonathanstickel254]

Next time try explaining why Yamaha uuids this bike and why it different? He is all features with no benefits.. not very helpful but he sure talks fast

[@brentfrank7012]

Wish it was fuel injected, it’s better. Especially for $8k

[@EarthSurferUSA]

You just begged for 9 grand.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I like the older more rational days of dirt bike riding mags, when they hammered a Euro some bikes for being too tall. Now, with this bike being probably the tallest bike made, I guess there is no such thing as a bike that is too tall anymore. I disagree of course. The stock YZ 2-strokes are set up in a futile effort to try to keep up with 60hp 450's on today's fast MX tracks, and that is not going to happen. So the bike needs a lot of work if you really want to make it a good works bike. But I am old school, do most of the work myself, and that is very enjoyable also, to make it the way I want it.

[@WallaceAubrey-b2m]

Wilson Angela Lopez Sharon Thompson Shirley

[@Eddeh_]

god damn that looks sexy

[@SeparadoresAtecon]

No electric start, no bueno

[@Shiva_Racing]

No electric starter in 2024 enduro bike is fale(((( Very nice bike, but this moment make it useless....

[@timdonnelly8392]

This comment must be from a youngin ,makes no sense this is the most tried an true,bullet proof one kick start bike and has been for decades!

[@moto3463]

Needs electric start in 2024.

[@cyclenews]

Agreed

[@yuriabmxr]

It would be nice but it's not a big deal at all. It's a light kick that starts first kick every time. I bump start mine 90% of the time anyway.

[@JS-nf1sn]

No, it's good without it. No battery to maintain or fail, and you can't get stuck at the bottom of a canyon with a dead battery and no kick starter or option to bump start. I have one and it's really easy to start cold or hot. Keep it simple. If you want something expensive, complicated, and that breaks, there are plenty of other bikes to buy.

[@Mike-uh2gw]

No e start and a carb make this a no go. I had one and sold it for my KTM 350. Hit the button and go. Yes you will pay a lot more but it's worth it.

[@mitchalmaines1104]

For the price difference you save on a YZ you could just as easily buy an electric start and get a lectron carb that you never have to jet and it’d still be about 1500/2000 cheaper

[@SirMaximum]

I'm glad they made it old school tried and true

[@howardwoods342]

The fuel injection and electric start are ok. But adds complexity and weight. Costs more to fix and less reliable. Stick with my 250X. All the power, reliable, cheap to fix and runs forever

[@AnonYoukno]

I have a few KTM 300 bikes and I still have issues with them not running clean. But now I can't change a jet, I'm tired of it. E start, yeah I agree but not a huge deal. Im throwing on the Billetron and this bike comes with the best suspension base package of them all, KTM fixes one thing and screws up 2, I'm over it. New KTM's get terrible milage and screwed up the fuel pump location. Don't run clean until you get it remapped an the chassis is kinda harsh. 45 miles out of the stock tank is a deal killer. Put on a 3.2 and now you get 60-65..?? Pass! Just picked up this bike and will see how it does...

[@davidmp8539]

Girl

[@RandyBaker-k5g]

That,s not worth 8.999

[@brentfrank7012]

$8099

[@damo2664]

It is. Less is more sometimes

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Look at those math skills! You kids need to sue your schools.

[@GroundScrape]

Really? My mountain bike costs more than that.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

"Comes with a bigger 1.8 gallon gas tank?" That is the smallest gas tank for a 250 dirt bike i have ever seen. It won't make it around my favorite 40 mile loop. Your generation is insane,--can't think, can't figure anything out. sabotaged. It has a lower rpm pipe too. Not in the brochure that you read? Sabotaged.

[@badcompany1313]

Literally all he said was that the tank is bigger than it was before. No one is saying that’s big. Stop reading into things so much and getting triggered over the “new generation.” But I know that’s hard when you’re already an angry old man who’s gonna find any reason to talk down to the newer generations. If anything you guys are responsible for the state of the world and the problems plaguing the younger generations. Delusional

[@EarthSurferUSA]

@@badcompany1313 My 2019 is a 2.3 gallon tank I believe. You have to race 15 more hp 450's by the FIM/AMA rules, and thsat is not going well, and the bike, because it tries to keep up futily,--is not great for anything else. But if you know nor than engine mapping buttons,--you can fix it for anything buy modern MX. Lots of work if you are a savvy and experienced guy. But my bike is now awesome. :) Now let me explain the "progress" of your newer generation. you don't know any math, so you can't figure much out in reality. You were taught that your parents (elders) are old fashioned, and even stupid (you don't know the math son), so you are starting from scratch, with progressive communism in your ear to ignore the people who made things work. Good ;luck kid. this angry old man (because I see your sabotage), can tell you from real life experience in reality,--that these are going to be the best days of your life. Remember,--your schools called it "progress". Good luck,--to your generation. Glad I am old. Sorry kid, that is reality,--not taught in schools today. Hope you are good on the bumpy downhills of life. Maybe you will learn what was done to you,---maybe not. The censorship of material we need to figure out the difference is at an all time high,--and you would not even know what your looking for. Gotta sue the schools son. redefine 'class action law suit. Bt first, you have to know the difference between communism and individual liberty with free enterprise in our hands, because we started it that way. Individual liberty protected by law is being destroyed and our fed government gave our free enterprise to communism starting in the 80s, by economic force, that does not recognize individual liberty at all. They are not compatible, (communism vrs real free enterprise that our great grand parents move her for, before we had a welfare system),--and not one of your teachers is smart enough to understand it. Not even economic professors in Harvard. So----------------------------------these are the best days of your life. Enjoy, young man. Glad I am old. Doug in Michigan

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Lots of typo's that I don';t see until I post. Sorry.

[@thomastjg53]

@@badcompany1313 trigger is a horse lol. Ya a 1.8 tank is small , a 2.5 or something like that would be much better. An after market tanks a 3. 3 which is to big , great for desert , but not for woods. Makes the bike to top heavy !

[@johnmedeiros3679]

So nothing great

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Nope. it is geared to try to keep up with a 450 4-stroke on today's fast tracks (caused by the EPA forced 4-stroke). It would be competitive with the 250 4-strokes of the day, but the FIM/AMA is really never 'fair". So it is not winning faster MX races being 15 hp down to a 450, (but the same as a 250 4-stroke, but still harder to ride fast. Takes more talent.), and it is geared for top speed (including the monster front brake), and not great for anything else. I had to do more work to my YZ, (suspension seat lowering a total of 1.75 inches, getting lower end power from the motor, and getting rid of the Batman plastic (the only modern mod), than I ever had to have to do to a 2-stroke MX bike---to make it great at something. The bike is still versatile because we can modify it for our application,--but not for beating fast guys on a 450 on today's fast tracks. It is close,--but it is now the best bike I ever owned. Very strong lower rpm power with out losing much top end, and will out corner any modern YZ 2-stroke, (the tallest bike made I believe), that has to use a berm to turn. :) off camber hard pack turn with no ruts or berms. You will fall following me. :) So those corners don't exist on our FIM dictated national tracks.. LOL

[@lotuslovesdust]

Why do people still promote these bikes , the same comments for the last 15 years!!😂 why are you just not open in saying Yamaha were done with the old bike completely . Please bring something new .. because you are just selling us the same old bike that we have talked about for the last 15 years 😂😂😂

[@PA-Tammy]

When something works it just works. You live in the if it's new it's better world and that is so not true.. my 24 does everything that all the new bikes can do with me on it and I paid a lot less for it...

[@snowgo5922]

Great question. If Ford put back in production the 1965, 66 or 67 Mustang fastback GT version with manual transmission, all new for today, it would sell. If you seek something more complex with added ownership costs in mind, go with a four stroke. There you’ll find today’s engineering advancements.

[@cyclenews]

Most of the time, the ones who ask for change are the ones who then complain about said changes.

[@davidsollenberger2998]

I owned the 23 KTM 125 XC. It’s as modern as you can get. I sold it and bought a new YZ250X without a single regret. Newer is definitely not better.

[@lotuslovesdust]

@@cyclenews na not me I'll take the good with bad !!! Ride on