Rode the yz250x today!

M

memphis2857

New member
Went to Lynville today to get signed in for the Black Coal national enduro and while I was there I took advantage of the Yamaha and KTM demo rides. First off here is a list of bikes I rode.
1. yzf450
2. Yz250
3. Yz250x
4. Yzf250x
5. 300xcw
6. 500xcf w
7. 450xcf w
8. 350xcf
9. 250xc
10. 250xcf

So I rode the yamahas first and I started on the 450. It just wasn't for me. Tons of power weird ergos and suspension was harsh. Next up I rode the yz250. It is the same yz we all know and love but it's still a motocross bike. Hard hitting and harsh suspension. Then I rode the yz250x! WOW! HOLY COW! SWEET JESUS! OMG!!! I loved this bike! As soon as you sit on it you instantly smile! The seat is soft and the suspension moves like it's made of marshmallows. Mind you I haven't even started this baby yet and I am already grinning like a fat kid at a Twinkie factory. So off we go. Instantly I noticed this nice smooth mellow feeling engine and I think oh no it's gonna be too soft. NOPE! Twist the throttle and hang on. The hit is tame but the power is there. It is very similar to our beloved GG 300's that's right I just compared a 250 to a 300 as did everyone else that rode it. Miss the hit? Reach up and flip the super smooth clutch and this thing breathes fire! Now the suspension is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Like I said marshmallows! Zero deflection and big nasty roots and rocks? Don't even feel them. All this and remember I am 250lbs on stock springs. Even still it just worked never bottomed or got unsettled. Even in big nasty sharp edged acceleration bumps. It just soaked them up and put the power down. Again WOW! Way to go Yamaha.
Up next was the 250fx. Not impressed. That being said this particular bike had a poorly tuned rekluse in it and in all fairness I am way to big for a 250f. The handling to me was just ok especially after coming off the 250x. But all in all it seems to be a solid bike for smaller riders.

Next up I moved over to the nasty old ugly orange tent and made sure to keep my helmet on so no one would recognize me. First up the 500. This bike will put a smile on your face for one reason only. Imagine riding a Farmall tractor through a 36" wide trail! That motor will make you giggle. Imagine this, you make a pivot turn and just roll the throttle on out of the corner only to remember you are in 4th gear! Next was the 450xcf w again great motor but the transmission sucks 1st and 2nd gear are way to slow and 3rd was too fast. This forces you to ride in 3rd and use the clutch like your on a 125. Bike was solid and handled well though. Next up was the 350xcf. I actually liked this bike. It revs to the moon and it seems really stable. The forks are terrible and really harsh even with me being way to heavy for the springs that are in them. I know I am not the first person to complain about 4CS forks. So after this I moved to the 2t bikes. First up was the 300xcw. I liked absolutely nothing about this thing. The motor had pretty decent bottom and then it was really flat until the powervalve opened and then it just exploded and then just signed off shortly after. Was really weird. And true to KTM form it was nervous. 500yds after I took off the handle bars started to shake and tank slap. Another 500yds and the front end washed and over the bars I went! Awful! So I was thinking maybe the xc will be better so I jumped on the 250xc. NOPE! Motor was very much like a motocross bike. Little bottom end and then BOOM! Better hang on. What's that? You want to carry second gear through this tight corner? NOPE. Again the 4CS forks are harsh and deflect off of every little root and rock on the trail. Last and definitely least was the 250xcf. I could not wait to get off this bike! It was just down right awful. Everything about it was terrible. To be fair I will remind you again. I am way too big
For a 250 but still YUCK!

Any way that was my thoughts on the bikes on hand. If I had to pick a top 3 it would go like this.
1. Yz250x
2. Yz250x
3. Yz250x



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Don't sugar coat it, what did you really think?

Nah interesting writeup and entertaining to boot. Cheers.
 
Unfortunately I think the red/white bikes with black wheels are a thing of the past. Unless you buy a Honda and put black wheels on it.


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fst96se said:
If Yamaha would do a red/white/black version of this bike with black excel rims, I'd consider it. ;)
Click to expand...


Really................??????? White plasric and ( black rims look crappy after a rock garden) would have you converted????
 
Also the yz250x can be bought for $7500 out the door. I see one of these bikes in my very near future


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yzx

Saw one at the races this weekend Guy said he loved it Coming off a cr250 he said loved the low end and smoothness Paid $6900 for it too
 
One thing that is very nice about the YZ250X is the aftermarket support available. The YZ250 has been around so long, and has been so popular that almost every part of the bike can be replaced with an a/m part. That is something that adds value to the bike. Want a blingy colored front brake cyclinder cover? A cutsie colored chain roller? Frame guards? Different triple clamp with offset? All possible with a YZ250/YZ250X. I wish I could customize my GG300 like that.

Go ahead and get one, Memphis. White with black rims, black with white rims, heck make the bike purple and yellow with green polka dots. I hope the YZ250X sells in enough numbers that the other Japanese manufactures realize there is value in building and selling bikes for the enduro/offroad market, versus just moto-x bikes. While KTM may make some good bikes, I think a good portion of their success and dominance in offroad circles is due to the abject neglect of the Japanese manufacturers making bikes for that segment.

Conversely, if Kaw/Suz/Hon made more offroad models, that will make it tough for GG selling bikes in that market. Humphhhh, just can't win for losing, GG!
 
Stoby said:
Saw one at the races this weekend Guy said he loved it Coming off a cr250 he said loved the low end and smoothness Paid $6900 for it too
Click to expand...

Tough to beat that price on a new bike. I can't see spending 8000+ on a euro if the Japanese can give us something that is comparable or better.
 
Down this side of the planet most Yamaha dealers have been selling WR converted yz's by fitting a WR gearbox,weighted flywheel long range tank, 18" wheel and suspension mods. Maybe the sales figures have made it back to Japan
I tested one before getting my GG and it was nice but still a motocross bike at heart. Even with the weighted flywheel it still tended to rev up too quickly and lose traction- it sounds like this will be closer to a roots up enduro bike than a converted mx bike
 
I'm interested to see what valving they have opted to use in the 250X (forks and shock), although there is a load of information available regarding setting these up anyway.. more knowledge is always better. Particularly as a package with spring rates, ICS, etc.

The bike as a whole probably won't do so well in the Australian market place. Registration is a requirement for most states, with only one offering a concessional recreational rego. Everything else needs to pass ADR compliance, which cuts the options back to GG, KTM, Husky (old/new), Husaberg, or Sherco if you want a 2 stroke you can legally get around on.

Closed course and racing is a different kettle of fish, but where I am the race scene is non existent (other than MX).
 
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