Yamaha YZ250X Long Term Review

Trent asks Ross about his experience with the YZ250X. Ross has owned a 2016 and 2019 YZ250X and has put well over 250 hours on these awesome machines. We go over what mods he has done, what has broken and what he has enjoyed most. These make for a great all around machine that can do it all. Let us know what you think in the comments below and consider subscribing to keep up to date on all things Rexburg Motorsports.

[@trenthuntsman2196]

Good job Ross. Made me want to build a YZ the whole time i was listening about how the bike has been for you

[@NaturallyCaffeinated]

Ross, love the video! I rode your 2016 and still have fond memories of riding that bike. Come to Utah and ride 5 MOH with us. Jeff

[@mason1375]

love the vid and the back drop🙌

[@autocraftcentral4487]

Just got one a month ago love it mine has a 300cc kit its a beast

[@rexburgms]

I bet it is!

[@Sanguine_Addiction]

I have a 2017 YZ250X with a SmartCarb and it's STUPID amounts of fun to ride. I plan on keeping her until the frame disintegrates.

[@OldManWibble]

What type of riding do you do mostly?

[@Sanguine_Addiction]

@@OldManWibble mostly wide open desert and occasional vet MX tracks. I just installed a Scott's stabilizer a few months ago and it helps with sandy/uneven terrain at high speeds.

[@stevenburton7922]

Great review...seems like a really good bike.

[@rexburgms]

They are super fun bikes.

[@sethgeister3521]

After nuclear war two things will be left...cockroaches and the YZ250. I have an 18 “X” and simply love it. Multipurpose is an understatement. I ride Moto, enduro, and everything in between. A few mods and it’s a KTM slayer. Suspension is superior to anything I’ve ridden in my 40 years on two wheels! My only gripe is enduro lighting so I could plate it to legally cut transfer sections between trails.

[@b_law949]

What mods would you add to make it a ktm slayer?

[@dowithheart]

What state are you that you can legalize a 2t? Btw, I’m in California 😢.

[@willmcgregor7184]

I’d be interested to hear the experience with the 2016 bike too. Any complaints about vibration/need to change handle bars? Thx

[@rexgratteaux8655]

I gotta buy a Yz250X !!! Sounds great 👍

[@rochellestanley9532]

Same 🥇

[@monocogenit1]

Love my YZ250X. Simple, fun, and great performance.... Oh... And cheap.

[@rexburgms]

They are Great Bikes. Glad you have loved yours.

[@adorph7911]

I just purchased a 2021 Yz 250x. Waiting for it to come in. Looks like an incredible bike. 2 stroke baby.

[@vincentc2160]

Did the white plastic number plate and side fenders of previous years still fit on this new model? Way too much blue

[@mathews0618]

Where is the skid plate?

[@chronicblend5334]

I have a 2020 yz250x and the best upgrade by far, is the smart carb I installed. Completely changed the low end grunt. I would recommend that upgrade to anyone with an x....and no more jetting issues.

[@rodneyburke2202]

Or a lectron

[@chadrides914]

Wtf kind of jetting issues is there to have?! Some people have more money than sense. I have three yz250’s with PWK 36’s and these stock carbs are the BEST carbs ever put on a bike. Easy af to adjust and jet. I’ll never frig’n understand all the fools saying “buy a lectron” “buy a smart carb” for a yz250. The ktm carbs suck and need lectrons, but not these yamahas. The Kehein they come with oem is better than both smartcarb and lectron.

[@craigsteinman9807]

@@chadrides914 not so much..u wanna spent half your ride dickin around with your carb every time you some were. We're u change elevation..a perfectly carburated is better than lectron but getting it there every scramble or race is way to difficult...the after market carbs are must for the serious racer

[@chadrides914]

@@craigsteinman9807 i could not disagree more, but by all means use what works for you. I came off rather dickish with that last post but, I can twist my carb and have jets changed in 5 minutes. The only exception I see with the lectron or smart carb being better would be the rare riders that run unusually big elevation changes in the mountainous west.

[@chronicblend5334]

@@chadrides914 before buying the smart carb...I rode with the stock carb, installed a JD Jet kit and couldn't get rid of the mid RPM bog. After installing the smart carb, the acceleration is so smooth from top to bottom. Much more controllable low end on technical single track There is also a noticeable fuel range difference. Unless you have rode with the stock carb, jet kit on the stock carb and the Smart carb/Lectron on the same bike in a short period of time, like I did....what are you comparing your experience with. Yeah you did sound like a know it all / dick.

[@Gaberhodes1395]

Do you know about how many years i can get out of this bike before getting a new bike in total.

[@jamesdawley9177]

What spring rate did you move to for the rear shock? Did you re-valve or change shims? 54 N/mm (5.5 kg/mm)? 56 N/mm (5.7 kg/mm)?

[@theladdiesda8190]

V interested to hear the answer to this too

[@cgreen1599]

I have one, very similar in what I have done. Went with the Apex head with the XC dome. Is he running stock gearing? I’m using 13-51 and it runs out of gears really fast, thinking of putting the 14 back on and leaving the rear at 51. Live in southern Idaho ride mountains and lots of desert. Also what’s your take of fly weights? Thinking about the 8.4 GYTR one

[@rexburgms]

He does still have the stock gearing on there and he has been happy with that. As for the Flywheel weight, Ross likes his bike to hit as hard as he can to get that excitement factor, but we have had may that rave about the Flywheel weight in how it broadens the power curve and helps keep the rear wheel gripping instead of spinning on hard pack dirt and rock. Thank you for the Comment.

[@monocogenit1]

I was running 13-49 gearing on my YZ250X, here in North Texas(mostly cross country single track). And although it was kinda nice in the tighter stuff, like you said, it was too low. Almost didn't use first gear, so I went to 14-51. It's great for the terrain/speeds I ride. Also, I should mention that the bike does have the apex head with xc dome, kinda feels like you can ride a gear up. More torque across the Rev range. FMF gnarly pipe and the gytr off-road fly wheel, it's 8.4 oz heavier. Helps with "lugability". Can ride pretty low in power band of you like, and won't stall as easy.

[@brucemorrison3563]

Six speed and i would have one in my garage.

[@ryanhemmings4799]

Don’t need one with 250 power

[@markalan4026]

I'd like to have this bike.

[@matpaul4186]

I love my 18'

[@TheRossillini]

I live in Pocatello, you guys have meets? Do you guys have group rides? I’d love to join.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Pocatello used to have a very active and well organized group named PTMA, Pocatello Trail Machine Association. It fizzled out when many members and leaders passed away or went to ATVs. It would be great if riders like yourself could get that organization going again.

[@KingFriday274]

I bought a yz250fx a month ago. What a mistake. Wish I got the 2 stroke.

[@OldManWibble]

What's your biggest complaint with it?

[@criostoirashtin11]

Good value bike

[@matthewlidel4324]

Does yours drip oil out of the power valve vent line.?

[@fg1_manny141]

Yes it’s normal

[@fg1_manny141]

It’s the condensation mixing with the oil in the power valve nothing major

[@michaelglenn2468]

Everyone adds a pipe and head work. Why not just get YZ250? Is the semi wide ratio transmission worth it?

[@rexburgms]

The Transmission Ratios, 18" inch rear wheel and Kickstand are all worth the YZ250X purchase over the YZ250 if you mainly ride trails or desert.

[@tyler2wheels]

I just got a 2011 yz250 and I’m having to spend 175 just in the kick stand and 400 just on the 18” wheel and I’m ok with the close trans for now but if decide to make it wide ratio that’s another 480 just for the parts so I believe the extra 1-500 depending where you get it is worth it not to mention the lighter clutch springs slower power valve to smooth it out a little anyway long story short I see the benefit of the x

[@MrFPSWisconsin]

I have had both. I cannot stand the 250x transmission. I have a YZ I converted to an X just to avoid that horrible gappy mess of a transmission.

[@Wickedreptiles]

@@MrFPSWisconsin which has the shitty trans? I’m looking at a 2019 yz 250 and am kinda hesitant with what I hear on the transmission problems

[@MrFPSWisconsin]

@@Wickedreptiles get the regular yz250 in my opinion after owning both.

[@OldBrokenBastards]

I've got a 2019 YZ250, not the X. It's pimped for the trails with a Lectron and an 11oz flywheel weight and an Apex Technical Innovations billet xc cylinder head on the way. I wouldn't trade it for anything. INNOVATIONSAPEX TECHNICAL INNOVATAPEX TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS

[@motofish312]

YOU HAVE SIDE CASE AND PIPE PROTECTION BUT NO SKID PLATE.... DO YOU NOT VALUE THE MAIN CASES AND THE FRAME OF THE BIKE???

[@realistikvideo]

I have an 03 YZ250. I am a novice rider that only rides trails. Would it be worth changing the transmission gearing?

[@krispewkrem3]

In my opinion, no. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd are the same. The WR transmission gearing basically lets you just go faster.

[@rztrzt]

No, no need to.

[@rztrzt]

@@krispewkrem3 3rd on the X is shorter.

[@maxcheerio6837]

I have a 22 YZ 250x awesome awesome bike fast and very playful

[@rexburgms]

They are super fun bikes with plenty of power!

[@Dreazyy]

How much did u pay out the door for the bike

[@RelentlessCo]

If he bought it new probably around 8k ish after fees etc

[@dickberry3910]

Bought a 2022 yz250x 7800 plus fees

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Your shorty is not forest legal, Ross. As a person fighting in the trenches for a few decades to help keep riding areas open, I strongly recomment that you use a forest service approved spark arrestor quiet muffler and an OHV sticker to help keep trails open. Thank you.

[@rexburgms]

Thanks for the Comment Carl. Ross will get right on that. Thanks for all the work you do keeping the Trails open.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

@@rexburgms Much appreciate it.

[@aaronjackson2780]

Carl, I have a suzuki 250 4 stroke, and it is LOUD... can you recommend a slip on muffler that will quiet it down well?

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

@@aaronjackson2780 How old is your Suzuki? You may want to see what a local Suzuki dearler can get for you or search aftermarket mufflers from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC or Motosport or several other on-line suppliers to see what is available.

[@aaronjackson2780]

@@carlatamanczyk3891 it's a 2004 dr-z I've been looking around, but literally no one has been able to tell me something that will make it quieter, and only mention performance. Just wondering if u have personal experience with one that has made a ride noticeably quieter. Thanks for the reply!

[@kellybrown6988]

the throttle housing 😂

[@KNRiding]

what do you do about the lack of top end? hits a wall in 5th gear. no power. id be surprised if this bike goes 50 mph. lol.

[@alexisroy4100]

It goes 80mph

[@KNRiding]

@black bear yeah after doing the govenor mod - straight from factory the bike hits an "air wall" at around 5800 RPM. After doing this and putting an Apex Mx head on the bike it now feels like a 250 should. with that said i dont think the bikes go over 80 as my 450FX will do about 90 , but plenty fast lol. before doing the govenor mod the bike was ass.

[@jamesc6137]

how much do you weigh?

[@rexburgms]

Ross is around 200 pounds

[@johnguilbert1349]

Too bad they still don't offer an electric start. I'm not interested in being stuck on the side of a steep hill and having to kick start a bike. This one thing is a deal breaker for me.

[@eagle25311]

Hope they don't put it on don't want the battery or the weight my leg works fine

[@miketursky1410]

That's when you turn the front wheel down hill and bump start it.

[@johnguilbert1349]

@@miketursky1410 When there is a steep 40 foot dropoff that leads directly into the river, I don't think bump starting it will do any good when it is in the bottom of the river. For hard enduro, you really do need an electric start for some of the situations you find yourself in.

[@sergeyzinoviev256]

@@johnguilbert1349 bro whats the problem to buy an aftermarket one ?

[@sebastianontiveros1450]

@@sergeyzinoviev256 you might as well buy a bike with electric start for the extra money it cost to put one on these bikes

[@twowheelpilot]

Come on Yamaha, it might be a good bike but you can carbon date that thing it's so old. How about a 6 speed, E start with six gears. Do that and I'll burn the orange flag and hoist a blue one in it's place.

[@jonmotes5406]

This wasn’t so much a review of the bike as it was “look what I’ve added to the bike” 😂 🙄

[@michelqcaxredneck6052]

Its a great bike just consume to much gas in my opinion

[@moreliquorinmycoffee]

That's 2 stroke

[@ashflame6888]

Huh? Fix your float level and understand wtf you are doing...... Bike doesn't consume anymore gas then any other 250 on the planet

[@josephmcneil1560]

Lectron carb is a must

[@brendyngreiner3148]

lectron carb almost doubles the fuel range

[@T12200]

I hate people that refer to machines as “she”

[@sekacity3425]

Well that's because it is underneath you and screams . Call it a "he" if that's what's more familiar to you .

[@T12200]

Wow, that’s a very educated sexiest statement. You’ll get far in life .

[@sekacity3425]

@@T12200 Okay Karen .

[@SomeInfoSecDude]

@@T12200 tell us about your emotions

[@robmccauley1073]

So basicaly he bought a YZ250X AND TURNED IT INTO A YZ250. WHATS THE POINT.

[@LizardHunter777]

What are you talking about? Looks like it still has the kickstand to me. Still looks like an 18" rear tire. Didn't mention anything about changing the gearing back to a close ratio. Didn't say he changed any power valve settings. Seems to me he just gave it a bit more power everywhere, that certainly doesn't make it a YZ250, they are still very different.

[@deanlicata7508]

Agreed, wtf are you talking about? Your comment made zero sense. Yeah ZERO sense. Advice from me to you. Shhhhhhh

[@sekacity3425]

SHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@NaturallyCaffeinated]

@Dean, hahahahaha love the shhhh comment!