FOLLOWING THE STEPS OF THE 450
It is something that Yamaha has done in previous years, and has done it again, taking the evolution of the 2023 YZ 450F to bring to light the new 250F. We start with the narrower and slimmer silhouette, especially in the knee area, thanks to a narrower fuel tank, lower air filter box, and narrower radiator covers. The seat is flatter and higher, and together with the lower foot pegs, it resulted in an improved riding position with legs more stretched out. The aluminum frame is completely new, also narrower and with improved stiffness and torsion points for better performance. The offset has been reduced to increase agility in exchange for some stability at speed, something that Yamaha had much more than its rivals. Still in the field of chassis, the KYB suspensions received settings more suitable for the new frame and to improve cornering entry, as well as manual compression adjusters (at the top of each fork) that make it very easy to make adjustments without the use of tools. Just like at the front, the KYB shock absorber was revised based on the new chassis and suspension links.
ENGINE AND ELECTRONICS
The engine kept the same base but with several changes, especially in the distribution assembly, ECU maps, and with the new air filter box that allows for more efficient intake to benefit mid and high ranges.
The new ECU brings more news in addition to new maps. It now has always two loaded maps available, which we can switch while riding on the maps button on the handlebar. The maps can still be customized with the Yamaha Power Tuner App, which has been improved and is now easier to use and offers guides and tips on how to tune the bike for each occasion, both in terms of maps and chassis. In addition to the maps, it has a Launch Control mode with a rotation limiter, which can be adjusted in increments of 500 rpm from 6,000 rpm to 11,000 rpm. For 2024, it also features a traction control with three selectable levels: High, very interventionist; Low, less interventionist; Off, off. The system communicates to the ECU when the rear wheel slips, and it adjusts power delivery to have the best possible traction. Both of these systems are controlled by the Yamaha Power Tuner App and activated/deactivated on the handlebar switch.
The braking system has not changed at all, maintaining the 270 mm diameter disc at the front and the 240 mm at the rear, both from Braking, with Nissin handling the pumps and calipers.
Narrower and flatter, the new YZ offers a more natural and aggressive riding position, complemented by an even more appealing aesthetic.
A ciclística é onde notamos os maiores benefícios. a nova YZ250F é muito mais eficiente em pista, especialmente nas zonas mais sinuosas e técnicas.
O motor beneficiou de uma caixa de ar maior e com melhor fluxo, respirando assim melhor. O som que sai da zona do filtro de ar é ainda mais grave que antes!
The braking system has not changed and continues to perform well.
ON THE PROTOUR
It was on one of the days of the Yamaha ProTour (see box) held at the Carvoeira motocross track in Torres Vedras that we were able to test the novelties for 2024. The track has a regional level layout and obstacles, ideal for such an event and to test the new blue machines, but with the rain from the previous night the track was quite heavy and with some deep mud. The ‘pilots’ in the morning suffered the most, but by lunchtime (our time) it was much drier and smoother, with only a few heavier and slippery areas.
From the first moment on the YZ 250F, we felt it really more compact, narrow, and with a less ‘bulky’ front than the previous version. We sit on a flatter seat and have the handlebar lower in relation to the seat, also noticing the narrower width of the bike, especially in the knee area. We also noticed a greater firmness in the suspension/frame setup from the first laps, but without it being ‘harsh’ in sensations.
Actually, it is a comfortable firmness, which is joined by greater behavior precision. It is also easier to choose tighter lines than with the previous chassis geometry, but it remains stable in faster and more open areas.
The engine is stronger in the most used rev ranges, the mid and high ranges, but it was not immediately noticeable and, like me, some of the ProTour participants felt the same: coming out of some corners, especially in second or third gear and at lower speeds, the YZ seemed to have some difficulty gaining speed, especially in deeper and muddier areas. I heard some complaints and felt the same, but the truth is that all the bikes had active traction control, so it was just doing its job: cutting power when the rear wheel slips, but in deep mud it is not the best option. Apart from those areas, where the ground was firmer, the YZ 250F is fast and powerful, and although it loses slightly in the lower rev ranges (in exchange for more mid and high range power), it still has a strong engine in those ranges. The gearbox is well spaced and the clutch has the same intuitive and solid feel as always. The engine maps and Launch Control can be easily changed on the handlebar button, but honestly this time there wasn’t much time to ‘play’ with them or with the Yamaha Power Tuner App, but we already know them from other occasions and they are better than ever!
TWO OPTIONS
All motocross bikes in the range (except the 65cc and 85cc) will be available in two different decorations: the traditional blue, and the beautiful white and pink one commemorating the 50th anniversary of the YZ, with a small price difference between them, and some models are already available at the brand’s dealerships.
YZ 125 AND THE GYTR KIT
Another novelty for 2024 is the GYTR kit for the 125cc, a class that Yamaha never neglects and where it maintains strong support with teams in the European championship, support for local riders, and with the bLU cRU that brings the best Yamaha riders from each country’s beginner classes to race together with the Motocross of Nations and where they can earn even more support for the following season.
As for the kit, it consists of a different cylinder, head, piston, reed valve block, exhaust and silencer, CDI unit, a carburetor kit, and different exhaust valves. For 2024, there are improvements in the exhaust, CDI map, exhaust valves (not included in 2023) and in the carburetor kit, improving performance at all engine speeds. On the track, it’s like a rocket and, honestly, stronger and more responsive than I imagined. Very strong in the low revs (for a 125cc), it’s in the mid and high revs that it shines even more, with plenty of power available at the twist of the throttle, even with the heavy track conditions, and the sound is something special!
YAMAHA PROTOUR
The Yamaha ProTour takes place every year in various countries around the world, with Yamaha’s men bringing the next year’s novelties to the general public who can even try out the vehicles. We say vehicles because, like this year, it features the brand’s off-road range, both two and four wheels, with even more novelties. This year it took place at the Carvoeira track in Torres Vedras, where on Saturday and Sunday dozens of people were able to interact with Yamaha’s machines. Stay tuned for next year and sign up in time!
AFONSO GOMES
Rider of Team Yamaha/Alves Bandeira/Moto Fundador, Afonso became the National Champion of SX2 this year and represented Portugal in the MX2 class in France at the Motocross of Nations, always at the helm of the 2023 YZ 250F, making him the right rider to tell us the differences between both:
“The YZ 250F was already very competitive, but this new version is even better with the improvements made. I notice the very good handling, more agile, easier to corner and easier to jump. The engine is even stronger, so we will have a very competitive bike even off the shelf for the next season. I also got to try the 450 cc, which I had never done before, and I also liked it a lot. It’s easier than I imagined and the handling is excellent, so we have a very strong lineup for the next season.”
VASCO SALGADO
Rider for Yamaha/Motoni/Wallup/Motor7, it was Vasco’s first season in the senior categories, finishing the motocross championship in fourth place in the 125 Junior class and being the only Portuguese representative in the 125 cc bLU cRU in France on a YZ125 with the 2023 GYTR kit:
“I found the 125 cc with the new kit more complete than my 2023 one. It has much more power at lower revs and always goes stronger later on. I can shift early and it still goes strong, or let it rev high if needed. I notice a big difference, even more than I expected. As for the YZ 250F, which is completely new… I really liked the bike’s handling, very stable and grippy. I also liked the engine, easy to use and plenty of power. I also rode the 450 cc and I think it left my arms longer. I loved the experience and it’s easy to use, but it’s too tough for me and the engine is indescribable!”
Yamaha YZ 250F
ENGINE DOHC single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4 valves
DISPLACEMENT 250 cc
POWER n.a.
TORQUE n.a.
TRANSMISSION 5-speed
FRAME semi-double cradle aluminum frame
FUEL TANK 6.2 liters
FRONT SUSPENSION inverted telescopic fork, 310 mm travel
REAR SUSPENSION monoshock, 313 mm travel
FRONT BRAKE 270 mm disc
REAR BRAKE 240 mm disc
FRONT TIRE 80/100 – 21
REAR TIRE 110/90 – 19
DISTANCE BETWEEN AXLES 1,475 mm
SEAT HEIGHT 970 mm
WEIGHT 105 kg
MSRP (from) €9,950 / €10,150 anniversary version
