YZ250x Mods for the Slow and Technical Rider

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Practicing with old tires. That is an interesting take I never thought of.

[@brianmorrison9066]

You would not belive how many people that will not change their jetting. They change spark plugs instead. I recommend a re designed head. My oem squish clearance was over .110" For about $100 usd, I had it recut. Now I measure .0425" and 13.14:1 uccr. Also, it gave 3x the gain of a pipe for about 1/3 the cost. Even better was it boosted the power low to high. Both my pipes, a fmf and dep, cost low end.

[@lucaslunaarg]

Did you modify the original cylinder head?

[@brianmorrison9066]

I did not modify it. I paid to have the OEM yamaha head cut and the bowl reshaped. The yz250 and 250x come out of the crate with around .070" and .110" squish clearance with .040" or so being ideal. It is better than a pipe because it offers a boost all over the curve especially in the low end

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Try rotating your handlebars back so the grip ends are pointing down. You will corner twice as well. We had it right in the 80's.

[@shinebright78]

Love the start 😂

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Good vid. I like your perspective. You "think". :)

[@kernelpan1c192]

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Your gear ratio switch is almost the same ratio, a tad shorter than stock. 50/14 = 3.571 (counter shaft spins 3.751 times to rear wheel once) 48/13 = 3.692 51/14 = 3.642 The 14 tooth sprocket should wear longer than less teeth.

[@scottcaudle1509]

Great info. Shout out on motocal as well. Did one for my beta evo. Super fast shipping, and the thicker decal was really nice. Will say the evo decal wasn't quite perfect, but it's still nice (its a relatively rare bike in terms of something like a YZ). I wonder if you were a bigger heavier guy that the gear ratio wouldn't have felt so "tractory"?

[@DariusBarazandeh]

Try the Powervalve mod. You'll really like it.

[@jacobh9903]

On slow lugging scenarios, do you get any knocking sounds? My '18 250x with 28 easy hours does it. Trying to determine if it's the chain or something with clutch. Thanks

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Jacob H yes I do! And it bugs me still. I watched 100’s of videos and depending on the volgers riding style, camera angle and mic I could sometimes hear their bikes knock as well. As far as I know it is the clutch knocking. Mine doesn’t really do it in first gear steep climbs but on slower riding in 2,3,4 and 5th gear. It seems that to a degree the bike is like a dog pulling at the leash just dying to go faster😎

[@jacobh9903]

@@cwdirtventures2606 same here! Yesterday I buzzed down the street leaning nearly parallel with the street to listen haha. It actually may be the chain slapping against the chain guide on the swing arm. The guide is a floating one so it pronounces the noise. I'll run some silicone under it and see if anything changes. Lmk if you find anything ef else out. It bugs me big time too!

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Jacob H 😂 I could picture you doing that! please let me know what you find.

[@whitetrashgarage8110]

My 2018 has 10 hours on it and it does it as well. Drives me nuts!

[@chadrides914]

Mine slaps, im nearly certain the noise is simply chain slack slap. tuck tuck tuck tuck sound....

[@barkeep25]

What pre mix are you running? Ratio?

[@tonycerruto5157]

Excellent and informative. Thanks for the vid. It sounds like you’re from South Africa but is that where you’re riding? Forgive me if that’s a silly question but the terrain looks similar to where I am in the eastern US. I. LOVE tight technical woods riding.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Tony Cerruto Hi Tony, yes I’m from South Africa and these are my surroundings I ride in. It’s very interesting that it is so similar to your spot. Most of it is pine plantations.

[@backyardbraaapn1017]

Very similar to parts of Oregon and California also

[@jfxr3576]

Great videos mate ,what are your thoughts on the shorty tail pipes compare to the longer factory pipes ivl just bought a 250x and the old owner was more into his motox than enduro and bike has a pro circuit shorty tailpipe,but have heard that the longer factory pipe are more suited for tighter tricker riding for the bottom end which I am into

[@cwdirtventures2606]

jason fxr Thank You! FMF had a super hard time improving on the factory header and tail pipe. Yamaha really nailed it on this bike. Tests so far showed that the best performance for the x is with the stock combo or a matched FMF set specifically designed for the x. Never fit YZ pipes on the X, it’s a downgrade for sure! Unless you bought the wrong bike and should have rather gotten the MX version. I still have the stock set and am not willing to spend a bunch of money on potentially ruining a really good setup. In fact, I’ll go as far as to say that I’ll buy up the stock pipes people remove when “upgrading” for the sake of upgrading and keep rolling stock😎

[@jfxr3576]

Cheers mate yea i try and find sum original pipes,ivl put a jd jetting kit in it that takes all the guess work out it and runs great, 12l ims tank,13,50 spockets,barkbusters,run 40.1motul oil ,really love the bike I just have done the power valve spring mod from ur mod video last night so am looking forward to testing bike going on ride this weekend here in nz in sum native forest so that b fun

[@cwdirtventures2606]

jason fxr Ah cheers, yea these bikes are fantastic! Enjoy brother 🤙🏼 Oh, and please let me know what you think of the mod, it’s subtle but there and I’d like your take on it.

[@jfxr3576]

Hay mate I had awesome ride yesterday in the rain and mud was a man vs wild ride ,some sections the hill climps had 20 plus riders stick in deep muddy ruts and there where bikes stuck everywhere,that power valve mod I did made a huge difference plus I got me a original 250x slip on exhaust man what a big difference it made ivl got power all through the rev range now and that powervalve mod smooth out the bottom and alot more torque down low and I can start of in 2nd gear now at bottom of muddy hill and just roll on the throttle and it tractors up ,my mates have a ktm 300 and a te 300 and I can keep with them no worrys,

[@cwdirtventures2606]

jason fxr I’m jealous of your ride now! I was stuck at home. Well that is fantastic news mate, I’ve always felt strongly that the YZ250X is just as capable and more reliable than a ktm 300 for a lot less money. What I like even more is that one doesn’t need to buy a bunch of stuff for it. If you can wrench a bit you can have any kind of monster you like! 🤙🏼

[@ashwillmot2051]

Have you considered an electric start? Apparently there is one by panthera.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Ash Willmot I have indeed. I decided against it due to the cost and also the fact that this is the same starter that so many riders hated on the older KTM’s. Also 80 hours in and I’m used to a kickstarter. I can only imagine what I’m missing out on lol! I’ll give you a little sneak preview though, I’m saving up to buy the rest of the WR gears (1’st & 2’nd) to get more tractor pull in 1’st and second while maintaining my top speed in 5’th. As soon as I have the parts video’s will follow🤙🏼

[@Pajero.m57]

Complete WR gears set will give you a lot, done it on my 2003

[@Midnightpurpler34]

Can you send me the part numbers for the jetting cheers Greetings from Australia

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Sure thing🤙🏻 The main changes that made all the right changes was the leaner power jet #45 part no (4JT-1494F-05) And a leaner needle (4SR-14916-EJ) Please be mindful of your elevation! I’m between sea level and about 800m above. 🤙🏻

[@lucaslunaarg]

Sorry for so many questions .. Every few hours of enduro do you check / change the piston, connecting rod?

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Lucas Luna I’m on 68 hours now and the piston is still perfect. I change oil every 10 hours Clean air filter after every enduro Replace spark plug every 15-20 hours And check service limits on clutch, chain and piston every 20 or so hours.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Lucas Luna no problem 🤙🏼

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Lucas Luna I think my piston will be ok till up to 150 hours.

[@lucaslunaarg]

@@cwdirtventures2606 Many thanks !!! Greetings from Argentina.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Lucas Luna cool brother🤙🏼 from South Africa, home of the great Wade Young.

[@nestyjimenex7903]

I am surprised than the power valve mod you did its work for you. Because everybody else than do that mod doit the other way around by stiffening the spring whith extra washer

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Nesty Jimenex tell you what, even if it is just my imagination, I’ll take it! 😂 I have done many hours with the mod now and I want to reverse the mod at some stage just to see how much of what it did, if any.

[@tobiasbollendorff7312]

What is that headlight please? And will it work on a yz250 non "X" thanks.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Tobias Bollendorff It will definitely work, however I’m not powering it from the stator. I run an external lithium battery to power the light. The headlight is made by Polisport but I think that particular model is discontinued. Another great option is the self/solar powered headlight sold by the Baja brand. I’m considering one myself as I’m not to crazy about having extra wiring and batteries that add to potential things that can fail.

[@endurotruckererniedesjardins]

I ride the 2018 yz250, I use a similar headlight, battery operated. It's a UFO light with 4 rubber straps to mount to the fork. I did have to route the front brake line on the back side of the light. Siccass racing in Michigan usa makes the battery operated light set up. I also used the same light on my 2007 kx250. So very universal

[@endurotruckererniedesjardins]

Also, ALL PARTS ON THE YZ250 ARE THE SAME AS YZ250X, transmission 3rd 4th n 5th gear Cdi Clutch hub Rear wheel 18 vs. 19 inch Powervalve Head pipe Kickstand. So these are the differences between yz n yz x model. But every other part is the same, and all yz250x parts are able to be used on the yz250.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I know, that bike is way too tall, (I have the 2019 YZ250). You really took a lot off the seat. I took off 1" and .75" from the suspenders front and rear, (1mm more on the rear. I went by percentage of travel after taking .75" off the front). Just got the FMF Gnarly pipe. Gonna get my low end grunt with a .020" lowered cylinder and V-force reeds.

[@Bigbodysquid250x]

13/51 gearing best for me

[@20043670]

How far can you ride on that stock tank?

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Phillip Visagie Hey Philip, I have never measured milage on my tank because the longest loop I ever had was 21km and then I refueled. I am however riding a 150 Km enduro on 9 November with 2 fuel stops. It is so hard to measure as just Sunday we were out for 5 hours and our hour meters read 48 minutes of the engine running🤣🤣 There was a lot of pushing up a mountain, I threw my chain and it wedged it self between the sprocket and gear lever and I took a trip over the handlebars. The bike is however a lot lighter on fuel since the jetting got sorted and I think I can do 80km on my tank if it is not to technical. Just a guess.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Oh, I forgot to mention, I did consider a long range fuel tank but frankly I never ran out of fuel in the 50 hours of its life and I don’t think I want all that extra weight. For me and my riding style the tank is more than sufficient.

[@20043670]

@@cwdirtventures2606 Great thanks. Looks like a great bike. Keen to get one soon.

[@ppc8028]

Used to have this bike. On the stock tank you can do around 72km depending on how much you make her sing :)

[@20043670]

@@ppc8028 I'm testing one this weekend. I'm trying to figure out if its because the X is jetted "differntly" meaning does it use less petrol? Because on my old yz it didn't last that long. Remember on a longish ride i had to get fuel from my friends and refill asap... Where with my kdx it will have to be a long long day out to run dry.

[@wessellandman7401]

Great seeing a south african doing this video's. I've noticed the slake enduro sticker as well so know the province you are from and I'm also considering buying a new 250x you mind a number I can contact you on with regards to mods etc as I tend to do some slake events as well from time to time. Thanks in advance

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Wessel Landman Sure thing Wessel, can you email me at [e-mail]? I’ll give you my number from there👍🏼

[@XuroX.]

Where did you say you took the seat to, to get it lowered?

[@wynandvanreenen2612]

XuroX . You probably struggle with my accent 😂. I took it to a upholsterer, try to find one that works on car seats like an auto upholstery place.

[@lucaslunaarg]

tutorial. How did you put the light? How did you put the support crutch?

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Lucas Luna Hi Lucas, I merely used a handlebar on/off switch, a head light by Polisport and a 12v powerbank lithium battery. This is a independent closed circuit not linked to the bike at all. What do you mean by “support crutch?”

[@lucaslunaarg]

@@cwdirtventures2606 Foot, leg, stand, easel. To stop the motorcycle.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Lucas Luna the bike comes standard with the kick stand🤙🏼

[@lucaslunaarg]

Have you tried reducing the compression ratio with the cylinder head? It is one of the big differences.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Lucas Luna No I have no need for that as even with my 100kg dry weight (no kit) fat arse😂 the bike performs perfect with all the current mods.

[@lucaslunaarg]

@@cwdirtventures2606Did you only modify the exhaust valve, carburetion, and transmission?

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Lucas Luna yes: 1, sprocket change 2, governor valve 3, jetting 4, headlight 5, lowered seat 6, some protective plastics

[@brianmorrison9066]

Fixing the combustion chamber ie squish band is a must do. OEM is around .115" ideal is .035"-.045"

[@yz125enduro7]

Have you ever had an issue with mud getting packed between the counter shaft sprocket and the sprocket guard? Nice suggestions aswell!

[@cwdirtventures2606]

yz125 enduro thanks, no I have not come across thick enough mud to cause problems yet. It’s a catch 22 for me because the guard as it is is safer but there is always that day 😂.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Do you ever boil out coolant?

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Not even close, I’ve had bikes blow steam all around me but that is why I like the compression ratio so low. The Japanese in their wisdom left some head room for us hooligans to abuse these bikes with little to no consequence.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

@@cwdirtventures2606 Good to know. The KTMs I had seem to blow steam way too easily.

[@dirtrider7777]

What is your altitude?

[@cwdirtventures2606]

800 - 2500 feet 🤙🏻

[@jan-erikhough5937]

Afrikaaners probeer engels praat

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Jan-Erik Hough 😂😂 Jy sal my nie glo nie maar ek sukkel met Engels en my kiners kan amper nie Afrikaans praat nie🤦🏻‍♂️

[@jan-erikhough5937]

C & W DirtVentures dis deesda soo

[@jan-erikhough5937]

Kom ek se vir jou jy kan n coolant overflow tank opsit sonder om te overheat dit werk uitsteekind op my kawasaki super enduro hier by ons ry ons 200km beach race dis nie grapies nie jy kan net die width van jou agter band groter maak kry jy beter traction ek wil ook graag weet watse sprocket size is die beste voor om die bike op sy beste krag en spoed performance kry

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Jan-Erik Hough I’m going to answer in English so international viewers can also benefit from our conversation. Gearing via sprocket changes is subject to terrain, but there is a general gear ratio that I find works great all round with little negative effect on top speed and steep climbs. -If you ride farm roads, MX tracks and long flowing single trails I believe the stock gearing is perfect as is. -If you ride hard enduro with crazy climbs and technical terrain you can simply drop to a 13t drive sprocket (front) and you will have torque and traction for days but you will also run through your gears only to find yourself stuck at low speeds on high revs. - a happy medium is 14t front and 48t rear. This effectively makes your bike one tooth torquier. Top speed drops from 139/140 kmph to 129/132 kmph but you climb a lot easier without breaking too much traction.

[@cwdirtventures2606]

Jan-Erik Hough also with regards to a coolant tank: All the enduro and fun rides I have ever been on the ktm and husky bikes tended to over heat. They generally just run hotter as a high performance bike. In the 60 hours I did on my bike I have not once blown steam or over heated. So far I have had no reason for concern regarding over heating. Man! I love the YZ250X !!!!!