2021 Yamaha YZ250F vs 2020 Yamaha YZ450 || Moto Academy Bike Reviews

A just-for-fun dirt bike review of a 2021 Yamaha YZ250F and a 2020 Yamaha YZ450! These are reviews that aren't biased and are based on spending just a couple minutes on each bike, without making any adjustments or changing any of the owner's controls!
Subscribe to my online motocross training community!
themotoacademy...
Sign up for class today:
tour.themotoac...
Ally and AJ KZbin Channel:
/ @allyandajcat5995
Supercross Companion Activity Book:
amzn.to/3i9xSZb
Instagram: @ajcatanzaro
Intro Music: open.spotify.c...
What I film with:
Skydio2 Drone www.skydio.com...
GoPro amzn.to/2JyyRFr
Dango Design GoPro Mount amzn.to/39K1N7X
Panasonic GH5 amzn.to/39IrPbI

[@blooiefps9304]

These bike comparison videos are so enjoyable to watch. Keep it up AJ! Btw I'm coming to one of your classes soon and I'm stoked.

[@AjCatanzaro]

See you soon! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@natemerzlak18]

You should do YZ250 vs YZ250f

[@kylegould8538]

I remember when the 250f first came out it was awesome then and even better now

[@blackeagle0778]

My dad was just telling me about when he first rode a 2001 YZ250f. He sold his brand new CR250 and bought a YZ250f a week later.

[@scotta.weaver7299]

Do you just hop on the owners bike and ride it without any tinkering like sag, clicks, tire pressure or anything? I like all the comparisons you do!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Yep, I don’t adjust a single thing! Sometimes can be difficult if they have things set up weird

[@coyotef150surfer7]

Excellent stuff here! More 3rd person camera views please. 50/ 50 POV and 3rd person angles would give us better perspective on what's going on with the bike, like how it soaks up the landings and suspension rebound on whoops

[@AjCatanzaro]

Definitely ! It’s difficult sometimes when Camerman Cam isn’t there and we just try and make do

[@georgejudd902]

Wow you really know how to edit some one out I tried so hard to be in that

[@codyabeyta7819]

I'm 5'6 145lbs and then ride a CRF 450R as a beginner coming back to the sport I used to race as a kid on 50s and have not been on a bike since then and I got a 04 CRF450R and seems to work for me

[@AjCatanzaro]

That’s a lot of bike for a 145 pound beginner, not to mention an 04 is a tank. I think you would be amazed how much more fun you would have on something smaller! I’ll be in California doing some classes in Sept 👍🏼

[@canamxmr4760]

Come to Louisiana! My wife really got into it and it re-lit my passion for it after 15 years. Now we both ride. She’s got a CRF 150RB and I’m rocking a KX 450.

[@michaelvickers89]

How are you liking the KX450??

[@canamxmr4760]

@@michaelvickers89 it’s a 14. I really enjoy it. It has the KYB PSF air fork and I set it up for my weight. Smooth and predictable power. Lots of power. Green map plug. We do mostly trail and some track riding. No regrets going green what so ever.

[@michaelvickers89]

@@canamxmr4760 I have a 10 KX450F and I love it for the road but I’m not crazy about it for the trail. I’m considering going down to something smaller for trail riding because I feel the 450cc is just way overkill for trail riding…

[@canamxmr4760]

@@michaelvickers89 I was really looking for a 250F but I stumbled upon this with almost no hours on it and it was garage kept his entire life. I knew the owner and the deal was too good to pass up. I don’t have to ride the bike as hard as I Used to push my 250s when I had those, so I’m sure it will last me longer between rebuilds. I actually added a battery and mounted a radiator fan on my wife’s bike and I’m fixing to do the same on the KX for the trail rides.

[@NirHason]

My first dirt bike ride was on a YZ250F and that's also was my first crash (that thing is snappy)! Great video Aj! You got a very unique style when you ride and I always try to copy your body movements when I'm riding (in my head at least haha)

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thanks Nir 😎😎

[@markwindell3898]

Good video! You should really run a chin mount for your go pro! The only con is it makes your coin a bit heavy. But other than that it’s better every other way! Better angle, and way better audio

[@dougchilton6611]

Yamaha is king of the 250s right now.

[@motozz8258]

have been for a long while now, rock solid too to unlike some :)

[@dougchilton6611]

@@motozz8258 J Mart and J Coop are so stupid fast on those things it's insane. Only Tomac was faster at Washugal.

[@motozz8258]

@@dougchilton6611 For sure , and a great bike since 2015 . Hunter Lawrence a 250 Champion on one of those bad boys in 2015 . Parents that pay for the maintenance and repairs do report from there experience of manufacturers its a winner there too.

[@motoxlife1870]

Just wait till the 2022 ktm 250 is In the pros it’s unreal

[@dougchilton6611]

@@motoxlife1870 my local dealership got one a couples weeks back. Had a 2 page list waiting on it, but I have not heard anything on what it's like to ride.

[@drm514]

This video when I saw it in my recommended made me very happy!

[@ZmannR2]

FYI the GoPro footage on both runs was the 250f both times

[@NirHason]

LOL! nice catch Aj, the battery died on you again? XD

[@AjCatanzaro]

You’re kidding me. It was??? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@NirHason]

@@AjCatanzaro Same plastics and front fender graphics LOL

[@ZmannR2]

@@AjCatanzaro lmao! It happens brotha

[@M_Duhamel]

Good catch , I thought at first man that 450 really revs high … cause it was the 250

[@SWATTracing]

Had KTMs for years, from PDS to EFI and linkage. For the last 20 years they have been light years ahead in the way that they approach development. Just look at the components they come with in standard trim! And, what a quality finish they have. Japanese bikes look cheap by comparison. As for the Yamahas, I own a YZ250F 2021. I bought it for a change (instead of KTM). I love it, although it is a bit flat on top compared to the KTMs. I get the grip thing & wide bike, but it doesn't really bother me/or is not so much of an issue for me. In fact, I keep having the opposite problem! My boot keeps getting hooked on the LHS exhaust guard! Out of the Japanese bikes, I think Yamaha are at the front of the pack. They seem to be the best quality of the big Japanese 4. Overall though, Mattighofen has it covered. Cheers for the video, shame the 250 had a broken front brake lever!

[@mjc970]

Stick a wind slayer on that GoPro for the easiest way to get really good audio. Use a ND filter for more motion blur and only use GoPro battery’s ànd recharge them in the GoPro or the dedicated chargers from GoPro. In my experience, all aftermarket GoPro battery’s are dying so so quick. Content is already super good but AJ could blow up even more if he’d fix the wind whistle and motion blur 🔥🔥🔥

[@AjCatanzaro]

Do you have a link to wind filter and nd filters that are good?

[@mjc970]

@@AjCatanzaro I’ll hit you up on insta for a few links 🤙🏼

[@RobGavel]

Good stuff , keep the videos coming, I ride a ya450f and ya I struggle with my suspension setup and balance

[@bloomerb4162]

I think it's easier for a beginner to ride a 450. I tried ten years ago on a 250f and the lack of low end grunt made it more difficult. I weigh 185, as long as you ride within your comfort zone it's way easier than a 250 two or four. Of course not a kid maybe but for an adult. Maybe when I get faster the 450 could get me in trouble but it feels fine too me. My friend started to ride ten years ago with me as well and he is riding again and he thinks the same. We had a 250 two stroke back then and now a Husky TC with ktm 300 kit. We both think it's much easier to ride than the 250 two bc of the extra low end power. We both can ride a bike no problem since we were 13, just no jumps and never at an mx track. so I guess it matters what your definition of beginner is really.

[@loganrich813]

I have never rode q 250 0r 450 but I have ridden 150s and other bikes but I feel like I could handle q 450

[@hittsquadlove]

I can’t figure out which route to go to save my life and I’m 350+. On the street ride a Rosdstar. Off-road I ride a raptor 700, and now it’s time to get a dirt bike. Immediately cause of my size I thought I’d bottom out and slow down a 250. But then more riders of dirt bikes tell me the 250 will be plenty of power.

[@got2flynow]

Yeah. If I had to guess, I think Aj is maybe 175 lbs (soaking wet) so the 450 will feel way too much and heavy for him. When I was riding Pro-am I was 6', 200 lbs. I rode 250, 370 and 465 Suzuki 2-strokes back in the day and my favorite was the RM250cc, but the RM370 was close second. The RM465 was just a MONSTER!! All you could do was hold on for dear life and hoped you could stop it... Just stop... PLEASE. It was like a 747 crossed with a tractor. I raced the local circuits mostly, but got some time to teach some techniques to one of the local kids... Alley Semar. He did pretty well.

[@darnellterrance6966]

Lol

[@darnellterrance6966]

I cant imagine riding a 460cc 2t

[@got2flynow]

@@darnellterrance6966 RM460... you didn't really "ride it"... more like you were a passenger . and hoped you didn't turn the throttle too much to unleash the kraken. I was never scared of any bike, except that one. it was just too much.

[@darnellterrance6966]

@@got2flynow hahaha right. What was it like when the powerband hit? I cant imagine

[@got2flynow]

@@darnellterrance6966 The bigger bore 2 strokes have a flatter, broader band power curve... it still has a peak, but it's lower in the rpm range... about 6-7 k instead of 9-10k on smaller bores. would be like riding 650 four stroker if they ever made one for the track.... it's like riding a 70mph tractor. you don't dare try to aggressively go through the turns but just negotiate the turn, straighten up , nail it and HANG ON. you have to constantly get the weight on the front wheel to keep it down . and also watch for wheel spin . after 20 minutes of heavy riding ( pun intended) your arms are pumped, your head is tired, and you're just worn out.

[@OTCRock4one]

250F is the perfect size motocross machine

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

Wait. Just saw the times. 3 seconds a lap is an eternity. And that’s with “much better suspension” (oh and no brakes, but as we say, you don’t need brakes)

[@vipzi5627]

Why does the audio from the mic only play in the left ear? Gopro footage is fine though! Loving these videos, learning a lot and entertaining to watch!

[@gazkaire4684]

Come too Australia an do a country wide tour your awesome

[@AjCatanzaro]

As soon as things open up I want to do that!

[@rob_johnson9274]

@@AjCatanzaro if you come to Australia I’ll be booking a class

[@juliansmth]

@@rob_johnson9274 same

[@gazkaire4684]

Same haha

[@Saa45MIV]

One thing I do really like about the 450 if you suck like I do it can make up for mistakes lol I’m an intermediate rider but not afraid to twist on it and my buddy said I’m faster on my husky 450 than any other bike I’ve ever ridden which has been primarily 2 strokes… love the content keep shredding! 🤙

[@codyabeyta7819]

When you doing a class in California next

[@thebaron1226]

im sure you have the videos from track side to onboards wrong, i thought the sound on the 450 was to high reving plus the 450 has the hands guards and the 250 doesnt

[@andreagigliotti7486]

Ohhh man i love this comparison video.. i would to see ktm 450 vs husky 450.. i love japan bike but it's obvious the austrian bike are better than others. Big thx from Italy

[@rfair123]

Cool comparison. At least give the guys a little thanks for letting you put some wear and tear on their bikes :)

[@253MC]

Idk why but the Yam's just "look" heavy to me..

[@dylangleason8982]

Same I’ve always thought that

[@TheShift1313]

It's the styling....that front fender.... I was always a yamaha guy but man since 2009 up I would need to be in a bad spot to buy one of the 4t.

[@253MC]

@@TheShift1313 Honestly after switching to a KTM 150 sx i can’t imagine myself going back to a japanese bike any time soon, the KTM is just so damn light and easy to put where you want it, especially the 2T which is WAY lighter and more fun to ride than my kawi 250f was.

[@ZmannR2]

That's cuz they ARE heavy lol! like 25 lbs heavier than a KTM

[@dylangleason8982]

@@253MC I have a ktm 125sx love it feels so light

[@kingkat933]

FYI your battery dying fast is because of the mic mod. As soon as I stopped using it my batteries lasted longer.

[@Joeeconomou]

You had the helmet cam footage backwards. The 450 had handguards and your first helmet cam didn’t have them,

[@Joeeconomou]

Correction. Both helmet cams were in the 250

[@duzz9539]

It's crazy that you still get such bad arm pump! I've always had arm pump and hate it, feel like it holds me back alot

[@gkling33]

Not a racer. Used to watch races and wonder why all the fuss about arm pump. Then did a hard day of technical offroad riding...had HORRIBLE arm pump...so bad had to quit at 1pm bc hands / fingers were curling up so bad didn't feel safe riding more. Arm pump is real...can be brutal

[@firefighta4984]

Hey AJ I'm from Rhode Island. Have you ever done any classes around my area that would be easy for me to commute to? I'd love to come out and meet u and also take a class but the track we had near me, Uxbridge motocross track, closed down years ago and I'm not sure of any close besides Southwick .

[@onlygazza]

So 450 3 sec a lap faster but harder to ride, that’s the way the cookie crumbles power and speed equals fitness !

[@nikolasgibson3438]

Interesting, I feel like I can grip a Yamaha much better than a KTM. I hopped on a 350 at the track and did the biggest Superman of my life when seat bouncing.

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

Awesome. Another “no one should ride a 450” video!!! Btw. How come no one complained about 450s in Rickys and Bubbas day? Is it because bikes are heavier now? Have more power now? Trying to figure this out, the bikes now I think have around 10% more HP and around 10% heavier (give or take on both of those numbers). Are those small increases just enough to send over the edge as the 450 being “too much”?

[@hargett3129]

I’ve owned two 250’s and two 450’s and currently have a YZ450F. I have a 450 because I’m 6’3”, 265lbs and the YZ seems to “fit” me better. I do like and have had a CRF450R and it’s nice but the YZ450F fits me better. I think the “don’t get a 450” mentality comes from the 450’s as a whole has gotten way faster and has more power than the earlier models and they’re not letting up on development for more power. I also think the 450’s of today weigh less than the earlier models.

[@KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

@@hargett3129 some good points. I think that we hear a lot about it during SX season (the tracks seem much tighter) than outdoors where guys can use the power. It does seem like they probably have a little bit more power, but the weight, I am not so sure about. I am doing a (re)build of my 2005 CRF450R, the weight was 218lbs (dry) which if I understand correctly ends up being around 235 wet (also has a larger tank than the new bike). The claimed wet Wt of the 2022 is 244lbs (the model year a couple years ago was 248). The scales don’t change, a pound in 2005 is a pound in 2022. This makes sense to me since now there is electric start, the battery and all the mechanisms that go along with that, as well as Fuel Injection, etc. So while the bikes might be set up to “feel lighter” I don’t think that they are lighter, and nor do they claim to be. (Which is why of all my bikes, this one I won’t ever get rid of).

[@fox13z400]

Both of the helmet cam videos are from the yz250f....no 450 helmet cam footage. I'm gonna guess the gopro died on them or something

[@mxriderdakar]

That 250 have a top end kit and a pipe so maybe stronger than a stock one.

[@zeropointmx2552]

Guess the GoPro wasnt running for the 450 test?

[@5635randy]

you rode my 250 at Iron Dog and Kaufman curious if back brake locks on that bike

[@blubug768]

man your mono lapel mic is killing me

[@bmxdestroy]

Sure would have liked to see how bad that brake lever was

[@PBmxer]

ktm glues you into the attack position. yamaha makes you work for it. its a trade off. the yamaha suspension allows me to charge faster and i like that better.

[@coreyploof217]

Sold my 18 250sx for a 2020 yz250f and I agree, the ktm was much easier to grip and stay in attack position. But all around I liked the yz more just find myself constantly having to readjust or not being able to hold on because I can’t squeeze it right. I since have moved to a 21 kx250f and comfort wise like it much more just wish it had the Yamaha bottom end

[@mickeybeahl2233]

KTM needs to do away with those shitty WP air forks.

[@PBmxer]

@@mickeybeahl2233 they can be inconsistent. i like the moto suspension on the trail better than their xc valving. its plush yet firm when dialed.

[@coreyploof217]

@@mickeybeahl2233 those air forks are the sole reason I got off ktm and will not go back to ktm/husky/gasgas until they do spring fork. I also didn’t want to spend the thousands to do the swap

[@mickeybeahl2233]

@@coreyploof217 Idk what the hell they were thinking.

[@ZmannR2]

Does anyone know when he plans on calling the winners of the 3 bikes giveaway?? The site is down or something....I need to make sure and turn off my robo call blocker

[@AjCatanzaro]

I should know today who the winners are. I can then schedule a live KZbin session that you guys can tune in on and I’ll FaceTime the winners on live!

[@ZmannR2]

@@AjCatanzaro thanks so much AJ! Fingers crossed!

[@DirtZen]

Huge fan and love your videos so I say this with a ton of respect But you need to up your video and audio game. 👍✌️

[@chloemx7534]

Awesome video

[@everydaygolfer6483]

Smooth is Fast.....great riding !

[@justAmotoDude]

I’m 6’3” 210, and thought about a 250F as my next bike. I’ve ridden a few, and they were really fun and significantly less fatiguing to ride, but I’m too afraid to pull the trigger and commit to one as my only bike. I’m afraid I’ll miss the 450 power too much, being on the larger size🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ve ridden 350’s, too, but I think I’m in the minority that prefers the aluminum frame bikes. Maybe a YZ250F w/GYTR head, high comp piston, and a Vortex would be comparable.

[@jimbo4203]

Im 6 " 3 " 220lbs and have had a few yz250f 's and afew 450s too , they are both so fun and fast for moto. But if you ride offroad or trails your in 5th wide open on the 250 all the time, they just dont have the top end of a 450 , especially for a bigger guy

[@ZmannR2]

You'll regret the 250

[@nialtv]

I’m same height slightly heavier. People forget to factor in riding styles into the 450/250 debate. I love revving out a 125/250T but it felt like torture on a 250f. On the 450 I can use the torque, ride higher gears and flow around the track. Not all of us people enjoy or have the budget to ride a 250f screaming

[@TheShift1313]

Ktm/husky/gas gas have it sorted out. It's not even motor its just the layout and feel of the bikes. I have switched to ktm and won't turn back

[@dirkhagoort4949]

Same I went husky. Only thing that sucks. My bike has been in the shop for ever waiting on parts…

[@TheShift1313]

@@dirkhagoort4949 that's why I have 2 lol. Well a 2stroke and 4stroke. Odds are one will work ;)

[@darnellterrance6966]

@@TheShift1313 same. Do u prefer the 2t or 4t?

[@ZmannR2]

2018 450 sxf here and its pure bliss

[@justpotatt5595]

you look good on blue👀

[@TRGP331]

So you're saying I need a 450...

[@x_Heffe_X]

Why is there so much hate on a 450 bike? what about a 210lb rider, would you still say a 250 is the better choice? Just curious as all I've ridden is 450's. I've never tried a 250. Thought those were for the ladies or girly men.... haha Just joking, but seriously, I've never ridden a 250 because I didn't think they would be enough for me.

[@yamse7689]

What exhaust?

[@amacoutdoors2076]

Have you ever tried the chin mount?

[@AjCatanzaro]

Yes, after this video I go back to the chin mount

[@JamesSmith-vv9mp]

Why audio is so bad lately?

[@AjCatanzaro]

It was just these three videos filmed that day in NH where it was only coming out of left speaker because I didn’t click the right button 🤦🏻‍♂️ this is the last one that was like that!

[@maydayent6165]

you put the gopro of the 250 twice

[@ZmannR2]

Yup!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Wow I’m a dummy

[@LylePippin]

Aj 450 are not good Me and the boys out here with CR 500s

[@kjacob836]

can you ship my shirts i ordered like 3 weeks ago?

[@MrSuperflydude]

I rode my buddies yamaha and that air intake is LOUD right underneath you

[@KEVIN-sd8fu]

You aint lying!!! I just got 2020 YZ450F... coming from a yz250 2 stroke, this thing is throaty! I kinda like it though. I can feel AND hear how much throttle im giving in long deep rutted corners better.

[@AjCatanzaro]

I think it makes a lot of people think they’re going faster than they actually are 😂

[@cyrilletamayo8459]

💙

[@hojnikgrega]

Yzf 250... Yz 450🤔 or is it yzf 450...😉👍 Yz... Are 2 stroke... Yzf... 4 STROKE!!!! 450 IS A 4 STROKE!!!!

[@paulotradovec681]

I think he said yz450 cause it’s just shorter to say and there are no 2 stroke 450s where the yz250f you could get mixed up with the yz250

[@blakebond1314]

To me the too sound almost the same

[@ZmannR2]

That's because they were the same....they messed up and put the 250 gopro footage on both rides lol

[@MrZachalewel]

Dude braps so hard

[@paulhetherington3854]

< / iconst_2 MX forksz u strusz 2001 type YZ 250f 450f titanium boltsz / >

[@chevellecriado]

First

[@chloemx7534]

Second, you got me by a few seconds

[@anthonytgod659]

“You should only ride a 450 if you 350lbs+” Um what 😂 guy sounds cocky & don’t know what he’s talkin about

[@dougdimond1120]

That was pointless. Blu Crew all day!!!!