Two-stroke shootout: 2019 Yamaha YZ250 vs KTM 250SX

Take the latest two-stroke 250s from KTM and Yamaha and see which is best. Can the old-school Yamaha still be a match for the latest KTM ?
Former British two-stroke champion Dave Willet has loads of experience with both bikes and compares them to see whcih is best for different riders

[@forevr2wheels]

Crazy how good the yz still is.

[@sciencemilitia1853]

The Yamaha feels WAYY more stable in any condition. Especially sharp hits like log crossings in the woods, or big hits on motocross whoops. Way snappier too. The YZ250 will never be beat. All time best all around dirtbike ever.

[@Mockle07]

Science Militia1 Well that sounds like a balanced, unbiased opinion 🙄

[@joez6798]

I agree with a big smile lol

[@robertcox7220]

Like both but always loved the YZ 250. Love the YZ have since the 1990s .Great all around bike you can get for the price.

[@robertcox7220]

THECRAZYPLUM exactly I started racing in 93 and the YZ was the best bike you could get for the power and durability. Rode Harescramabbles.

[@yzmaximus]

Yamaha swept the Two Stroke open class and won the 125 a week ago at Glen Helen. YZ300s and 325 were sick fast. Videos on KZbin.

[@touchmeandillsueya5567]

yzmaximus I raced at Glen Helen that day & you’re right, Yamahas were killin it in the open class. I also didn’t see any broken frames on any of the YZ’s like that one KTM SX 250 at the MXGP 2t race in U.K.

[@codenamenoob4973]

Yeah they did well, Yamaha should make a 300 stroke, you know the way all the European brands do 😉 you can be sure people will buy them. The KTM frame snapping is a problem that can occur when over tighten the head bearings, I've seen this before on other bikes (not just KTM) and I remember a time when the Japanese brands where in their early days of the aluminium frame, they had some problems with frame breakages on factory and stock bikes. It's just one of those things

[@hrbestalkinme3690]

@@codenamenoob4973 Yamaha should make a 350 2 stroke. They could tune it to be tame and it would STILL destroy 450s

[@codenamenoob4973]

@@hrbestalkinme3690 very hard to beat a 450 over the course of a full Moto, they're extremely fast with minimal effort and that's when 2 strokes get left behind as you really have to be on it all the time to keep them on song

[@hrbestalkinme3690]

@@codenamenoob4973 Well when youre comparing a 2 stroke to a bike with twice the engine size, yeah they're harder to keep up on. But if they made a modern 350 2 stroke and set the engine up to pull smoothly it would be perfect. Have you ever ridden a KTM 300 2stroke? They pull VERY similarly to a 450F. Yamaha could do it better, especially with a modern 350 2T in a real modern frame/suspension/geometry

[@stevewilliams1797]

Dave willet is a top notch reviewer

[@FlatTrackFactory]

Excellent content and presentation!

[@akrider174]

so why would you do a comparison even though the ktm has upgraded exhaust, Should be a stock to stock comparison???

[@andreasstefanou5898]

You are absolutely right bro. Stock bikes on the Dyno make the same horsepower.

[@Aacula]

When shopping for 2 stroke I only go yamaha AND ktm. Both have been at the top of the 2 stroke game and have battled for bike of the year for 20 years.

[@nicholstop8161]

Husqys r sweet, it’s a ktm but with everything powder coated and cleaner looking

[@hondarider436]

That's because when shopping for a 2 stroke, Yamaha and ktm are your only options nowadays lol

[@nicholstop8161]

Canella Customs there’s husqy, beta, gas gas, tm and a few other brands.

[@hondarider436]

@@nicholstop8161 yea I know. But let's put it this way. The only ones you're finding easily in the US is KTM and Yamaha. Husky is very few and far between and I know alot of people that have no idea that husky makes dirtbikes. As far as beta and gas gas, you can forget finding those

[@caleguenther8947]

@@hondarider436 beta is growing and trust me. Way nicer than ktm.

[@spencerratcliffe5870]

Two stroke good old day dave 💨💨👍👍👌

[@MxRider721]

Wow fanboys here in force in this comment section. I've had 3 yz250s, a 2013 250sx, and a 17 tc250... ktm/husky win the battle all day.

[@Dirtbiker4541]

Andrew Cameron had an 03yz250 and a 14 250sx, ktm obviously lighter but a pain to work on even compared to the old yz

[@Davido50]

No more Japanese here either!

[@mxaniac]

I never got the YZ, I didn't like them in 2006 and I still don't. Poor handling compared to the RM and CR, anemic motor, and they still weren't up to the CR build quality.

[@dirtshart]

Well in the case of fanboys last two strokes I've ever ridden the newest was a 2013 ktm 250 with the 300 kit and I had a 2001 cr250 at the same time and also had a 00 cr250, and 02 cr250 and the newest yz250 I have is a 89 and I'd take the 01 CR250 over the power of the ktm cuz I didn't like how the ktm handles

[@noellear9752]

fan boys everywhere why can no-one be honest haha been a kawasaki and yamaha man my entire life but in all honesty there is no argument between a stock ktm sx 125/250 and a yamaha yz 125/250 no comparison

[@TaylorRobinson93]

Is that a sample of Flood by Hermitude used at the start and end?

[@maxfried5328]

Nice thing about the yamahas is the bike has been the same for 20 years so there are a ridiculous amount of parts out there. Ktm changed the bike more and parts are way more exspensive. Had a yz250 and now I have a 250sx. Still haven’t decided which I like more

[@CraigHenry-zq8jz]

What about maintenance, schedule, parts (price),ease of machnics ect?

[@mtb3688]

doesnt matter as long as ur comfortable on what ur riding personally i like the yz because its more playful but the ktm is nice in more harsh conditions

[@joeshmoe12301230]

What mods does the KTM have besides the pipe and silencer? Yamaha looks totally stock.

[@GHECKOV15]

Put a pro circuit pipe and silencer on it and it will be a different animal 🐆

[@wfo711]

That's the nicest katoom I've ever seen.

[@chrisburnettskip7439]

Yz250 all the way ...braaap just picked up a 2011 vforce 3 k&n air filter with so many extras just a weapon

[@scoremxcom]

keep an eye on the shift shaft and lever, once they strip it's over.

[@OBELISK3210]

My my 2015 yz125 sits nice to its big uncle the 2017 R6. Team blue 🔵

[@hrbestalkinme3690]

FUCK YEAH 2 STROKES. I still would rather buy the Yamaha. Even if it costed more, id still rather ride the YZ. Those bikes feel perfect, like nice old baseball glove.

[@bikerdude6119]

Yamaha

[@michaelsmith3017]

Which is more powerful 250 2t or 450 4t ?

[@g.d.7629]

SOUNDS LIKE A KTM COMMERCIAL IF YOU ASK ME FROM DOWN UNDER!!!!!!!!!!

[@kevinvansteenbergen747]

Where can i findt the ktm graphics

[@marekzbyszek954]

I see new frame after 14years. I had 2005 yz125

[@gregmaggio5217]

KTM-Hydraulic clutch,,parts availability, and most power,,Yamaha,,Cheaper parts,,lower price,,and better stock power delivery for the average rider,,,,Yamaha !!

[@HondaCrf450r.]

Ktm comes with upgradesmd parts already fmf exhaust and Muffler that's why it cost like $800 more then the yz250. That's where it's getting it's more power from bud. Put fmf on the yz250 and it's pretty much even. Also parts availability is far more when it comes to the yamaha because the bike has been the same way for over 20years there's far more parts out there for the Yz. Also yamaha newer bikes has the Hydraulic clutch and you can even buy it for the older bikes.

[@vetb882]

Nope, Yamaha who sent us in the BS 4 stroke crazy should never sell another bike.. KTM carried the 2 stroke banner and deserve to sell every bike they make. This little backyard teach is a joke, out them both on a proper MX track and you'll really see how far AHEAD the 250SX is. Light years. You can even see on the same town on the turnout section he's fighting the Yamaha as the thing tries to stand up when he don't want it to. Then look at the KTM, that best drives like a surgeons scalpel cutting through a layer of flab.... Straight as all arrow shot from a X-bow.

[@vetb882]

@@Tv-nv7st I'm full on fanboy... Lol. I bleed orange

[@glennstreeter3404]

I'm an offroad motorcycle guide and I can tell you first hand the KTMs deserve all the 3 letter names you can make up. 90% of the rides that end in mechanical disaster are caused by KTMs. Buy the blue bike if you have to fix your own bike.

[@kelceyk8199]

While Yamaha was the first to make a competitive 4 stroke, Honda is actually the company that campaigned so hard to kill the 2 stroke, and out of the Japanese manufacturers, Yamaha is the only one still making 2 strokes at all, their bikes, while probably behind on technology compared to KTM, are significantly better built overall.

[@brianmorrison9066]

Take the yz, fix the head(the squash is >2mm oem) and the jetting. Throw on a dep pipe. Less than $400 and I bet the yamaha engine matches the ktm.

[@volkusa5808]

A used YZ is the same price as a KTM sx here in Florida..

[@maxandreev27]

Latest from the Mohicans...

[@Phen0mable]

Well all this riders have sponsors and contracts with all sort of manufactures. Question is "can they afford a honest opinion" ?

[@mecalpsha4473]

*KTM all the way, steel frame can't stand aluminum frames - PLUS counter balanced in the KTM! and not 15 years old*

[@andreasstefanou5898]

KTM is developing and improving all these years but still can't clearly win a bike that was built in 2005. If i was KTM i would be embarrassed for my R&D, not bragging. Both bikes are awesome. Can't go wrong with any of them but i choose YAMAHA Yz250 has my favourite suspension, is more responsive/ easy to ride/ fun, and by far more reliable

[@grecoconduris6716]

Maybe they started from behind the Yammy and the increment for improvement isn’t that great that they smash it out of the park? I would happily have either bike, but I do like the KYB suspension

[@andreasstefanou5898]

@@grecoconduris6716 the truth is that KTM made huge steps the last 10 years and this is why they dominate the sales also. Prior of 2010 ktm didn't even have linkage on their bikes. They didn't stand a chance next to the Japanese brands. Now KTM's are At LEAST equal with the japanese. I give them credit for that.

[@codenamenoob4973]

@@andreasstefanou5898 having no linkage is a luxury not a downgrade, don't have to worry about snagging it on rocks and sh*t when riding enduro and linkages are very expensive when it comes time to replace bushings and bearings 😉 just your shock top and bottom mount on the earlier KTMs. Having linkage helps in the first part of the stroke as it'll make the suspension feel more plush and that's why KTM changed to it but it's all trade off

[@andreasstefanou5898]

@@codenamenoob4973. The linkage for motocross is a must. Period. If your goal is to climb rocks maybe not so important but for generally high speed stuff is absolutely necessary. Ktm enduro bikes don't have linkage but note that Jarvis Graham bike do have a linkage...😉

[@codenamenoob4973]

@@andreasstefanou5898 I've rode and owned and raced plenty of KTM Motocross bikes not once did I think they needed linkage

[@dannybuilding1044]

I have a yz 250 2017 and a 2002 yz125

[@Davido50]

Yamaha

[@K20rotrex]

Should be called stock vs tuned

[@lavelllockett3971]

Life

[@lavelllockett3971]

Yeah but when you get a little time to help finding him find it and get his bike back help him finding his bike 😁

[@JanASS1991]

I would go with KTM 100% (if my wallet would allow). Comparing to older two strokes, that new generation is so easy to ride. I think that it is huge benefit for average rider.

[@noellear9752]

Yzs are more tame all round easier for a beginner to unleash and use to its full potential and on a track probably not much in it but the kick the ktms 2 strokes give you is much more thrilling in every sense

[@albertjankins2225]

No the ktm has more low end power and a less snappy powerband so it’s easier for beginners

[@noellear9752]

@@albertjankins2225 ktm is the all round better aggressive bike 8n all honesty. Don't know about being better for beginners atall. Have you rode all these bikes or just Googling facts? Because a husqvarna tc250 has low end power with a much shorter powerband unless modified. Wasn't really a fan of it until I had ignition timing vhm head voice and race pipe etc done (not a shorty) as this would be counter productive when trying to extend the power band on the husky. A ktm is so say near identical... parts wise yes but its all on the setups with these bikes. But end of the day if you wna buy a bike and not have to spend time and money making it right get a ktm. Can't go wrong out the box buy it and ride it

[@noellear9752]

@@albertjankins2225 ktm is the most snappy generally lol just how I like it 👌

[@endurotruckererniedesjardins]

Almost 4000 dollars difference in price, plus no ktm is reliable as a YAMAHA, ktm parts are very very expensive compared to the YAMAHA parts. OEM. Based on all this and 39 years of mx, I buy YAMAHA

[@derekbratsch991]

actually only a 600$ difference, at least here in California

[@codenamenoob4973]

It's definitely not 4000 difference 😂 and I've owned 14 KTMs all 2nd hand bikes and I have had no engine problems with any of them, back when I rode Yamaha's I had gearbox problems with three different bikes, third gear broke on two of them. Clutch life was terrible and I'm not a heavy clutch user, Yamaha haven't changed their yz250 sinse 2006. It's time they update it!

[@alienchaser636]

KeepThrowingMoney KTM. . You got it mate

[@codenamenoob4973]

@@alienchaser636 you owned many KTMs?

[@alienchaser636]

@@codenamenoob4973 No chance. mates do

[@johnnyrye5779]

Suspension just looks so much smoother on the ktm.

[@Cloud-rp4ev]

You "WAY" OVER PLAYED THE MUSIC making the poor microphone speech harder to hear, THEN to top it off, the volume HAD to be turn UP to listen to the speaker and DOWN when he wasn't speaking!!! (wearing headphones) Didn't finish the video because too much back and forth volume control was needed.

[@bluettr250]

The yz has better forks

[@slimchancejw]

Tm next! It’s a Yamaha on steroids and better in every way than a gaytm!

[@fooleanperspective1426]

You don't even own the shit your talking about.

[@Qpoueoor]

Options vs price. Seems ktm gives you much more for the money.

[@N8Rhymes]

“ I have a yz250 and I think it’s the best because I own one and I’m the best” - unexperienced fuck boy with blown out fork seals

[@bigals.ktms.9937]

That's one b grader opinion big deal

[@hrbestalkinme3690]

If it wasnt for the YZ250, a lot of guys wouldn't be into two strokes. And if it wasnt for 2 strokes, a lot of guys wouldnt be into KTMs.

[@bigals.ktms.9937]

@@hrbestalkinme3690 i was talking about the rider.lol

[@mariusf2633]

Ooohhh the stupid music!!

[@redneckracing8895]

KTM sucks can't beat Yamaha

[@codenamenoob4973]

KTM is one of the few still developing/upgrading their 2 strokes Yamaha has just been firing out the same yz250 sinse 2006

[@Phen0mable]

Looks like KTM become shit bike over time and Yamaha even better

[@albertjankins2225]

You got that right! Less horsepower, more weight, and no updates is way better!

[@tosgem]

2 stroke gonna be banned soon, thank goodness haha

[@gdog3017]

osgem shut the fuck up.. do you realize there's still people out there like me that still love 2 strokes? crazy huh. and why would you want them banned? and how would you even go about banning them? fatass prolly cant even handle a 2 stroke.. smh

[@peterwilliams9991]

What track is this ?