YZ250X Ride Review

Testing the YZ250X on some flowy single track. Since the last test the Yamaha has had $2000 in upgrades including a full suspension re-valve by Suspensionwerx, an Apex XC Dome cylinder head, a gearing change (13/50) and an 11oz flywheel weight. Thanks to Richard (Single Hack Enduro) for coming out for a ride. Support PNW Enduro when you shop at Motosport by using this link alnk.to/4fIw6ap / pnwenduro
/ pnwenduro
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[@Sanguine_Addiction]

My '18 250X is a phenomenal machine and I couldn't be happier with her!! A versatile bike no doubt. She can handle trails, wide open desert, dunes, even MX tracks. I'm not an aggressive MX rider so I only do vet-level tracks as as long as I'm not trying to clear triples, she handles just fine. I took her to Glen Helen last week and she climbed Mt. St. Helen no problem.

[@dnrg62]

I am a ktm guy but i have ridden quite a few of these yammies and they are extremely capable /versatile ,few riders i know have an issue with no electric start ( not an issue for me ) and the suspension out of the box is very good ,considering this basic design is virtually unchanged since 2006-7 ? shows you good this bike is ,i always recommend this bike to people who dont want to pay orange prices,long model run plenty of spare parts for them whats not to like.

[@PBmxer]

ive been riding yz250x since 2017. ive had orange and white. the yz is the only bike that is a constant in my garage. 13 tooth front with rk head and the bike does everything exceptional. it excels at hard enduro. its a racy bike for sure and it loves aggressive riding and it is super nimble. kick is not a problem. i can honestly say just keep the fly wheel spinning at it never stalls. my favorite bike for sure.

[@fabriciosampieri520]

So you think it would be a good choose to buy a yz250x instead a ktm or something like that?

[@PBmxer]

@@fabriciosampieri520 it depends on what type of rider u r and riding u like to do? the yz is a little raw and racy and wider. the ktm is refined thin and has electric start and doesnt vibrate and has fuel injection. i have both and also a new gasgas. the estart is nice but i find the yz more fun with more smiles.

[@TheDirtyBirchTrails]

I've been riding strictly orange for the last 14 years, but this is one bike that is on my radar for single track. Buddy has one, I need to ride this thing !

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Stick to a steel framed Euro mount.

[@joecro1453]

All new ktm xc bikes are better

[@Danger_mouse]

If you are interested in the KYB suspension of the Yamaha, but you want a modern Euro bike with a reliable electric start, have a look at the Sherco 300 SE Factory. More torque, better handling out of crate and electric start 👌

[@snowrider4495]

@@joecro1453 the ktm tpi and weak 1,2 and third gear is the reason I won't buy a ktm besides the price! My 2019 yz250x feels way stronger 1st,2nd and third. But I do love 4th and 5th on the ktm that thing flies! I'd still rather have the reliability of the proven yz!! Put a 295cc head on the yz250x and it easily smokes any ktm 300!!

[@hemisuperzee1287]

@@snowrider4495I hate KTM 300's, they appeal to slow riders who just idel around all day. . Touch the clutch on a YZ 250 and you sail with minmal effort. Cheap parts, easy to get. Good trail racer, hard to ride them slow though.

[@braap_biglunch]

The camera is top notch quality 👌

[@PNWEnduro]

Thanks!

[@DirtZen]

That bike loves the third gear flow. Looks like you had a lot more fun riding it this time. The trail was way better too. Fun to watch, glad you gave a nod to the YZ 😎✌️

[@PNWEnduro]

Thanks. I wanted to test it more in it's element this time.

[@gumpycognac4505]

you mean Y ZeD 🥴

[@ZSharkPH]

Love my YZ250X.. Have had it all summer.. Same mods except head. But have lectron and gnarly pipe thou. Its has all the low end grunt for single track i need.

[@glenngertz9429]

The Apex head with the XC dome or having your stock head machined by Apex to the XC profile is the absolute best for getting these bikes to run crisp and efficient. I'm super happy with mine . The stock head squish clearance on these bikes is notoriously giant which causes tuning/jetting issues with these bikes.

[@joedirt8323]

@@glenngertz9429 I have the gnarly pipe and the 2.1 silencer for my 250x and it gave an insane amount of low end. If you don't mind me asking how much did the apex head run you? I normally ride single track/open woods/sand pit/harescambles.

[@glenngertz9429]

@@joedirt8323 I also run the Fmf Gnarly pipe. For the latest prices and technical information your best to visit the Apex Technical Innovations website . They're good people , if you have any questions email or give them a call. Prices are reasonable !

[@joedirt8323]

@@glenngertz9429 good to know man! thanks for the info!

[@hemisuperzee1287]

@@glenngertz9429 Do the stock heads ping with pump gas? If yes, seems like thats been a YZ issue for ever. Emig (his dad) did yz 250 head mods for a long time, they worked great in the woods, no need for race gas then even when on the pipe or in hot weather.

[@daddister7471]

Excellent review! I've been very curious about the X models. It's surprising how many people seem to be doing flywheel weights, head mods and suspension mods though. I would have thought the bikes by their very nature would be woods/technical riding ready right from the getgo, but it appears they're really set up for fast GNCC riding.

[@whitetrashgarage8110]

For GNCC they would be perfect. I went from being nothing but an MX rider and then got in to enduro, being a Yamaha guy I got the 250x... We ride a lot of tight, rocky trails with roots, tighter than this video a little bit, and the bike as stock is not really meant for it. I'm getting mine set up now, 13 tooth front sprocket, apex xc head, and governor mod and it will be miles better. In the tight stuff it just has too much snap, you can be lugging it, then as soon as the rear tire spins, the RPMS go up, power band kicks in and then you're on for the ride. It needs more power down low without the instant snap of it hitting the power band.

[@glenngertz9429]

I have a 2019 YZX with the Apex XC dome and Boyesen Rad Valve. Stock Keihin PWK carb with extended air-screw, jetted per Apex recommendation . The bike runs flawless and I haven't had to re-jet from summer to winter. I've ridden from 90 to 25f and it's been great. No issues at all. A high quality adjustable clutch perch helps with clutch effort in the woods. These are great bikes , maybe a touch racey for tight woods compared the Euro bikes but super fun . E-start would be nice and I heard someone is making a add-on e-start soon for this bike . Mines been a joy to own , not one single issue in 90+ hours so far. Cheers

[@fatherturtle]

E-start is already available mines in the mail.

[@glenngertz9429]

@@fatherturtle nice !

[@stewy_604]

Great video and great review Greg!

[@PNWEnduro]

@Craig Stewart thank you!

[@dahatchery]

John Moffett you’re absolutely right. In most cases it isn’t the bike it’s the rider. I own YZs. Still in the process of building one. My neighbors wants it for his son so I already have a buyer.

[@justinsavs]

Your video quality is much better lately.

[@PNWEnduro]

Thank you. New GoPro Hero 9 is making a difference.

[@eddiekelley527]

YZ 250X is a good bike. But I do not regret selling it after I bought a 2020 Husky TPI.. nuff said..

[@howardwoods342]

Best bikes in world. Reliable and cheap to fix. Ktms and huskies don't compare, nuff said

[@NOTHERN_SINGLETRAK]

My 250x is amazing I love it. I put the new lectron billetron on it the bike runs perfect so crisp

[@lifeinventa9035]

Getting me a Pro with X rod soon! 🤪

[@hemisuperzee1287]

Its funny this motor sounds very similar to my old woods weapon converted 94 YZ 250 with an Emig head (no detonation then). Every KTM 300exc sounds the same, '90 to '21 (kind of that plugged up/restricted " choke on" KTM sound).

[@seamarsh3756]

You need taller gearing , stock 14-50 or 14-51 with this gearbox works better.. 13-50 makes spread to short.. unless you do hard enduro i guess . Stock suspension does great in higher speed stuff, faster you go better it feels. But haven’t spent anytime on euro 2 strokes.. I’d probably like them!:)

[@ryancrowe4789]

Love my Yz X Thing is a beast

[@stoplogicmotorsports]

I have a 2007 yz250 I'm working on taming, to be honest I love the bike. I find it pretty decent for Enduro well at least vs. My wr250r racing wise.

[@imsmarterthanyou3060]

Wow! Where is this trail located? Would really love to ride it! Enduro is so much more fun to ride and watch than motor cross. I'm from Kentucky and there's lots of strip jobs to ride on.

[@hemisuperzee1287]

Looks like coastal BC Canada. Little to no snow, rains in summer....like Washington state.

[@whiskeythrottleracing]

The YZX will be running when the others are in the scrap pile

[@scottgaskill4896]

Oh please

[@eddiekelley527]

False!

[@justingregersen8084]

It's a two stroke. It's gonna need rebuilt too

[@rtimetoride7645]

Compared to what others. Only a few 2t left and all are durable.

[@whiskeythrottleracing]

@@rtimetoride7645 There are KTM/Husqvarna/GasGas, Beta, Sherco, for example. None of these are close to the only Japanese pinger remaining: The legendary YZ250. In my humble opinion, of course.

[@mathews0618]

One down in the front is nuts. I ran 2 down in the back on my regular yz

[@singlehackenduro8877]

It's nuts in 1st & 2nd but it makes 3rd a lot more usable in a lot of the tight single track around here.

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

Definitely on my radar , been riding my whole life without an estart , I like having a headlight but only been in one situation where I was stuck out at night ,right price , super dependable , good suspension and pretty rims ! lol Does the YZ have a hydraulic clutch ? if not can one be added ?

[@PNWEnduro]

It's cable clutch, you can add a hydraulic clutch.

[@Mr10usdad]

I love my restored 1995 CR250

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Those older CRs were very well made. I owned a 96 and a 99. The 99 earned my son a gold medal in an ISDE qualufier.

[@robwhitnah9776]

How does the power and handling on the 250xc TBI differ from the yz 250x? I ride a lot of trails that look similar to what you ride and also some flowy faster desert stuff in central oregon.

[@TheButlerNZ]

Change the rear sprocket instead of the front... Changing front sprocket does bad things for the guide especially dropping a tooth where it will increase wear on the guides. I have a '97 and a '99 (both 2nd hand) 10 years of abuse on the 99 and I have not done ANY internal work on the motor other than a clean/de-coke of the power valve system when I got it. Regular inspection of the piston shows it still going strong (it had just been replaced when I got it). I made my own 12-13oz flywheel weight & cover spacer to fit. My riding is trail rides (in New Zealand you get 1-2 rides arranged a month where than can be around 1000 bikes on 50-80k loops (a bit of a trick when the 2 poke just sneaks in at 80k/tank and on a ride like Desert-Storm in Waiuru where the elevation at the bottom of the mount is already 800m, fuel economy drops a little and you need at least 1lt carry on fuel (or a fuel stop). There are very few places I couldn't get my YZ's into or out of... (Including a tree.... rainy day on a fire break) (I guess I was always a tuning fork fan... Had a 1980 DT175, an 83 IT175k then an '86 IT200s (Still buried in the garage somewhere)... Haven't been out on the YZ for a couple of years... Riding MTB at the mo (hence my crappy vids).

[@minkusmcminkus7598]

You can realy make that yamy lug, 6 fingers on the clutch, I need you to review the 21'125 xc, thinking both of us need one

[@PNWEnduro]

I'm usually not a big fan of 125's but I'd give it a go if I had the chance for sure.

[@ablejohnson]

I like the electric Kickstart

[@kenbishop2455]

Thanks for the video.

[@simtak6620]

Hey nice vids ! , Are you on stock jetting or jd jetting , ans are you running 40:1 , I have also a 2019 yz250x ans I love it :)

[@singlehackenduro8877]

Was my bike actually. I have since sold it. OEM jets (jetted leaner than factory) 40:1 Shell 91 (Ethanol Free in Canada) and Maxima FormulaK2.

[@anthonymartinez8351]

@@singlehackenduro8877 what sizes did u drop too, i heard they come from the factory jetted a bit rich im sea level in california stock '20 yz want to clean it up some fouls puttin if im on a single

[@singlehackenduro8877]

@@anthonymartinez8351 My bike wasn't running perfectly down low, but Greg can keep it flowing. My jetting was: 175 Main N3EW Position 2 48 Pilot Air Screw was 1 + 1/4 turns out Average elevation in this video is around 1400 - 1500 feet above sea level. It was a pretty hot day. Around 80F. Humid.

[@mikeburnett6222]

First, how did you find the AT81EX in the mud. I've read (KTM Talk) they don't do well in mud. I've personally run and really like the EX. Second, what brand of head was put on the bike?

[@ericalexander3661]

None of the gummy tires do well in the mud. Wet rocks, roots and hard pack they are incredible but inch or more mud they all feel like a really worn out XC tire.

[@singlehackenduro8877]

Head is Apex Technical Innovations head with the XC dome

[@hemisuperzee1287]

Looks like that suspension still needs to be a little softer. When you can get a YZ to ride a little lower in the travel, they work better. Shercos woods bikes ride a little lower in travel for a reason. Both KYB. KTM started this less static shock sag BS 20 years ago, it felt weird on those too.

[@PNWEnduro]

I agree. This was a $1200 revalve and the stock suspension on a Sherco feels much better imo.

[@hemisuperzee1287]

@@PNWEnduro Dont always get what you pay for. Thats way to much. Wow. Sometimes the little shops who specialize do a much better and affordable job. A softer sprung and properly valved YZ with that power is a pleasure you didnt get to experience. Maybe someday.

[@PNWEnduro]

That's a standard price around here. We have three suspension shops I would consider local and two of those I would never trust to work on anything of mine.

[@hemisuperzee1287]

@@PNWEnduro Then its time to shop around. My local guy is a retired factory AA enduro / ISDE ace, now suspension shop owner, both ends for under $500 U$D, does national level work. Its guys like that you need to find, better than motox shops. US has more options obviously. : )

[@MP-wc2wh]

🙂I would be curious to see you test the new 2022 wr250f, to see how well it does in the tight trail, pertaining to stalling being an issue or not ? Enjoy your reviews; well done content.

[@PNWEnduro]

If I get access to the WR I'd test it but you don't see many of them around here. Thanks for your support.

[@jakestewart7079]

I have one and it does pretty well in the tight stuff but it does stall easily if you're not riding the clutch in the real slow stuff. I ride stuff pretty similar to what's shown in this video. I've also done the free mods and can get the front wheel up no problem.

[@susumumori2553]

The idle speed sounds high, close to 2,000rpm. Do you usually set it high?

[@PNWEnduro]

Not my bike so I’m not adjusting anything on it.

[@RUSTY-A-L]

There is a company Andrews Gear & Transmissions they make gears for Harley's, perhaps they could make you a lower first gear. A gear set of 2 for the HD list for $158 might be worth looking into. Is that flywheel weight a GYTR part or a Steahly?

[@singlehackenduro8877]

Stealhy 11oz

[@codyjoseph44]

No need for all that. If you want a lower 1st and 2nd just install the wr400/426 1st and 2nd... 3-5 is already identical between the yz250x and wr426

[@RUSTY-A-L]

Thanks!@@codyjoseph44

[@OldBrokenBastards]

I've got a 2019 YZ 250 with an Apex XC Dome cylinder head, Lectron, 11oz flywheel weight and 13/51 gearing with Rooster MZ1 tires front and rear. And I have plans to install E-start in spring. With all that it's cheaper than Orange. LOL!

[@tcmx712]

Geez you guys get ripped off with ktms or we get ripped off with Yamaha's in Australia haha. The difference in price between the yz250x and 250xc tpi is only $700AUD ($500USD). The difference between the 250sx and yz250 is also only $500AUD ($380USD) when it comes to bang for your buck the KTM massively leaves the yammie in the dust literally

[@tcmx712]

Wow just checked it out the yz250x only costs $7600USD ($10,000AUD) and the ktm is the same price as here we get ripped on the yamaha!!!!

[@OldBrokenBastards]

@@tcmx712 I got my 2019 YZ250 last February for $6000 Canadian. The 2021 KTM 250 EXC is 11,640AUD here in Edmonton Alberta Canada.

[@TheStrouds1]

I paid $6800 out the door for my 18 YZ 250x. It’s by far the best bang for the buck.

[@tcmx712]

@@OldBrokenBastards so that sucks we get ripped off on both fronts haha. The '21 250EXC is $13885 here!!!! Still those prices for yamaha over there are incredible I can't believe people in America complain about modern dirtbike prices when they are so cheap over there!!!

[@utahdesertrider1806]

Seems to me the YZ still has Moto-X tendencies. It prob likes faster terrain

[@get_nicerides8446]

PNW looks so much cooler than east cost :(

[@tylerpreston95]

I just got a 2021

[@PNWEnduro]

Congrats on the new ride!

[@tylerpreston95]

@@PNWEnduro I appreciate that! Luckily the trails are staying clear here in the front range of Colorado.

[@PNWEnduro]

@Tyler Preston, CO is high on my list once the borders open up.

[@tylerpreston95]

@@PNWEnduro it would be an honor to ride with you. I hope the borders are open by spring when the alpine trails are starting to clear for you!

[@vegasromaniac]

Hmmm, somehow that bike doesn't look fast at all in that video , looks too aggressive on throttle, doesn't have flow on the trail, doesn't feel like it wants to turn, I wonder how much is because you are so used to ride the KTM. I remeber my Ktm day could not make it turn in some terrains, once I switched to 4t, that engine brake helps me ride how I know.. I always struggled on the 2t for some reason...

[@Captain250FX]

🏍💨

[@hemisuperzee1287]

You aggressively turn a 2 stroke moto style bike with the back tire and slip the clutch more than twist the throttle. Yz;'s are best with aggressive riders, not really for poking around going slow.

[@MrSteele-c3t]

Where do you have your camera mounted?

[@PNWEnduro]

I use the Proshot chin mount.

[@Coal-Creek-Rider]

where are you riding southeast usa or out west?

[@hemisuperzee1287]

PNW stand for Pacific North West..........Canada. It doesn't snow buy the coast up there.

[@chrisrieger9201]

Most of the trails I ride i would be going slower than this, would the wrf still be a good bike for them. I doubt if if would get out of 2nd gear most of the time. It’s slow technical trails lots of tree roots

[@PNWEnduro]

For that kind of riding if you want a four stroke maybe look at a Sherco 300sef.

[@chrisrieger9201]

@@PNWEnduro 2 or 4 doesn’t matter, I’m 55 and I just ride easy, no more blasting thru the woods

[@PNWEnduro]

@Chris Rieger lots of good options for that, Beta 300rr, Sherco 250/300SE.

[@chrisrieger9201]

What are you riding

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Ran one in Ohio and Indiana hard enduros last summer. They don't hold up as well as the old worn our European mounts do. Time for Yamaguchi to do something else.

[@vince5946]

So what head did he use? RK tek?

[@PNWEnduro]

Mods in video description.

[@JS-lv5pn]

Flywheel weights hurt them imo it might be my riding style I brute force mine everywhere.

[@WildAzzRacing]

Thanks for the vid. Funny how different riders think differently about the X. I do all the wrenching on my best friend's '18 YZ250X and have ridden it quite a bit. Engine is completely stock. Only things changed were adding an FMF sparky silencer, jetting, and suspension. Bike lugs like crazy and isn't anything I would call snappy. My KDX220 has more snap than the X. Handling is awesome yet stability is is good as well. Great bike overall. Only gripe we have with it is the transmission. Being a 5sp the gear spacing is more critical and I think Yamaha dropped the ball here. (Make it a 6sp or get the spacing correct Yamaha!) We've been discussing actually removing a tooth or two on the rear to help widen the gears a bit more.

[@joelyounger]

Wr gearset fixes that

[@WildAzzRacing]

@@joelyounger Yes, but it's not a straight bolt in and Yamaha should have done it themselves.

[@rztrzt]

@@drsrsv8884 I don't see why not (the 250 & 250x are 100% swappable) but like with the yz250 you would have to shave off a tiny bit (

[@rztrzt]

@@drsrsv8884 No, I don't have a bike atm. Plenty of info out there on places like thumpertalk, yt etc

[@rztrzt]

@@drsrsv8884 Try 'WR gears in yz250'

[@craigsteinman9807]

I found that with the fmf gnarly..I had no top and the bike was not nearly as fun..yes better low to mid (low mid)..O after upper midrange..1st and 2nd were way too short

[@vincentvonsteed3643]

Check out the Pro Circuit Platinum 2. Huge midrange boost, more top end than stock.

[@craigsteinman9807]

@@vincentvonsteed3643 will do thanks..didn't know there was a#2. What is the difference

[@vincentvonsteed3643]

@@craigsteinman9807 Thicker gauge material, more durable. Not sure if it has any other changes from the regular Platinum. A shorty R304 silencer with the Platinum 2 gives better power everywhere. With the stock silencer, it's all mid range.

[@craigsteinman9807]

@@vincentvonsteed3643 really I did not know that a shorty will be required ..I was planning on stock but because I mostly ride gncc stuff I would really appreciate the the Xtra overrev ..plus that's what I like any way ..was never too good or like short shifting unless the situation calls for it..thanks man

[@jingelsby]

they say you need to go up 2 Main jet sizes when you install the Knarly...Will bring your top end back into Check...

[@tieoneon1614]

The KTM Smug is strong in this comment section...

[@ReeceTasker]

How do you start it?

[@PNWEnduro]

E-start sold separately ($1000)

[@ReeceTasker]

@@PNWEnduro $2k into arguably the best Suspension on the market from the factory and then $1000 for the button and its still a 250 Yamaha!

[@singlehackenduro8877]

@@ReeceTasker I didn't spend $2k on the suspension. Half that. For me the changes to the shock were more noticeable. They did a lot more than just revalve. The internals (like the free pistons) from the factory are plastic junk. They replaced anything prone to fail with higher quality low-friction parts.

[@RollForever88]

Conditions appear quite slippery 🍌

[@Drewski423]

Still not as good as my 2020 ktm. I went from a 17 yz250x to my ktm 300xc tpi. Rode Yamaha woods set up yz250s up until my 250x for 18 years before I went ktm. Even with the e start kit that’s available now you couldnt pay me to go back to a Yamaha

[@jameshoak1060]

He's somewhere in Idaho I'm assuming...

[@kayn3634]

He's Canadian pretty sure

[@rtimetoride7645]

Cost of bike, +2k= real enduro bike 🤔. Jmo

[@hemisuperzee1287]

Better than Euro, since they still needs mods too. Better for faster riders. Torque is for girls.

[@bradleybanks8905]

Leave the motor alone, leave the stock gearing and no flywheel weight. Maybe do the suspension. A must is a Rekluse. Your speed will be much higher. You would save $1400

[@willmcgregor7184]

Whaa Flywheel needed as these bikes stall @ lo rpm too much for trail.

[@seamarsh3756]

couldn't agree more.. 13/51 ruins the gearing on these unless you are doing super tech stuff, and if you are get a 300!:) No need for a FWW with a rekluse. im on the fence with revalve too..stock stuff is pretty good.

[@edhartley5765]

Should have bought orange in the first place

[@skillet6098]

Sounds like the rev is to high.

[@hemisuperzee1287]

Its made for aggressive riding. Think A or AA rider. Not trailrider.

[@speedtoad6167]

He should go back to stock gearing.

[@PRIMARYURGE]

Australia post riders are more aggressive riders than this

[@lifeinventa9035]

Lol

[@Sean-xm5sp]

Lets see here..........250X, $8000.00 plus $2000.00 Equals KTM 300xcw.......got it......

[@PNWEnduro]

Might be missing a few minor things like fuel injection, e-start, larger tank, hydraulic clutch, lights and trip computer, counterbalance and 50cc.

[@jounipohjolainen2687]

@@PNWEnduro But it will have the most important thing, good suspension. The speeds that most of you single track/hard enduro guys ride, the stock KTM/WP suspension is ok.