Some bikes owe their whole existence to ardour. For Yamaha, that’s the actual cause behind the YZ250X and YZ125X. There’s little or no revenue motive right here; Yamaha already owns the marketplace for Japanese two-strokes. For each X-model they promote, there’s most likely one much less MX mannequin offered. It doesn’t matter. Yamaha is run by folks, and fortuitously for us, there’s sufficient ardour and enthusiasm within the hearts of these folks to maintain Yamaha within the two-stroke off-road sport. When we went to Union, South Carolina, to check the brand-new YZ450FX four-stroke, we additionally bought to experience the not-so-new two-stroke X-models, and it rekindled the fervour we’ve for these bikes.
YAMAHA YZ250X
The YZ250X has solely existed since 2016. That’s a little bit deceptive, although, as a result of everyone knows that the YZ250 motor dates again to 1999 with rare modifications. The aluminum central-backbone body first appeared in 2005. In 2016, nevertheless, Yamaha took the motocross bike and gave it an off-road makeover. Then, a 12 months in the past, it bought a giant replace with new bodywork and suspension upgrades.
Yamaha is aware of that riders routinely modify the motocross model of the YZ250 for off-road. The aftermarket helps that with bigger gas tanks, handguards, bolt-on kickstands and so forth. There are sure issues that the common joe can’t do in his storage, although, and that’s what Yamaha focused on with the YZ250X. The gearbox was primary on that record. The X has a wide-ratio 5-speed. First and second gears are the identical, however third, fourth and fifth are progressively taller.
There are quite a few modifications that have an effect on the X’s energy supply. The cylinder head quantity is elevated, the compression ratio lowered and the exhaust port raised. The power-valve form and timing are altered, together with the ignition mapping. The clutch plates are made of various materials, and the enlargement chamber is tucked up tighter and out of hurt’s means. The X makes use of the identical fork because the MX mannequin, however with softer valving and softer springs (4.3 N/mm versus 4.4). The similar is true of the shock (48 N/mm versus 50). From there, it’s simply bolt-on stuff: an O-ring chain, an 18-inch rear wheel and a kickstand. The YZ250X has the identical gas tank because the MX model (1.8 gallons) and the identical silencer.
If you count on all that to remodel the basic nature of the YZ, it doesn’t. The YZ250X runs, handles and behaves like a present YZ250, albeit a modified one. All these alterations make life a little bit simpler in lots of off-road conditions, however the YZ continues to be a YZ. That means it’s a race bike at its core. That’s fantastic information for riders in lots of venues just like the NGPC collection, which pits all 250s in the identical class whether or not they’re two-strokes or not. In a head-to-head race with any 250F, the YZ250X has a bonus in peak horsepower and a slight benefit in weight. It makes about 2 or 3 extra peak horsepower than the latest YZ250F and weighs about 3 kilos much less.
If you examine suspension, dealing with and manageability, the four-strokes have a bonus—that shouldn’t shock anybody. The YZ250X hits arduous and indicators off early. Even in comparison with different off-road two-strokes, the Yamaha is a little bit of a handful. All the tweaks and changes to the YZ250X make it smoother in the course of the powerband, nevertheless it’s a motorbike that requires aggression and dedication should you go racing. You can, nevertheless, take it down a notch and experience the X just under the large energy surge all day lengthy. It’s arduous to stall and makes wonderful torque.
Another trait that shouldn’t shock anybody is the suspension, which is great. The X isn’t removed from the present YZ four-stroke suspension, which continues to be thought-about tops within the motocross world. It’s softer than the MX spec, however for many off-road riders, it might be softer nonetheless. Yamaha continues to be considering of racing. It’s most likely arduous to get out of that behavior.
YAMAHA YZ125X
The 125 world not too long ago tipped on its axis. Prior to 2022, the Yamaha YZ125 motocross bike had been thought-about a relic of a bygone period. It dealt with extraordinarily effectively, however the motor gave away an excessive amount of to the KTM/Husky/GasGas gang of three. Then, the YZ125 bought a brand new motor, new bodywork and up to date suspension. Now it’s again within the hunt. But, weirdly sufficient, it has little to do with the brand new motor and the opposite updates. A brand new world order was sparked when all of the Austrian 125s had been redesigned with an ultra-complex array of digital options. As a consequence, the House of Austria is now in disarray.
In the meantime, the Yamaha YZ125X bought all the identical updates that the motocross model obtained in 2022. Even although the YZ motor doesn’t look a lot totally different, it has new circumstances, a brand new prime finish and a brand new Keihin Power Jet carb changing the outdated Mikuni. It additionally has a Moto Tassinari reed block as commonplace gear. In order to distinguish it from the motocross mannequin, the X will get many of the similar alterations because the 250X: a unique head and cylinder, totally different mapping and totally different carb specs. It didn’t get any change to the gearbox as a result of the YZ125 already had a 6-speed. The suspension additionally bought the off-road therapy, however on this case, it didn’t embrace a discount in spring charges. Only the valving is modified. The remaining components are the O-ring chain, the 18-inch rear wheel and the kickstand.
The YZ125X is hero materials on the path. The bike is insanely mild and may effectively be the best-handling bike there may be. It’s a clean examine in relation to using over your head and getting away with it. The new bodywork makes it really feel way more streamlined and trendy, nevertheless it did lead to a barely taller saddle peak. Normal-sized riders don’t discover, nevertheless it is perhaps an element for teenagers. The suspension may also be tuned for adults slightly than children. It’s nice should you’re over 150 kilos, however sort of stiff in any other case.
In the 125 horsepower wars, nothing exists in a vacuum. The new model of the YZ125X has solely the slightest enchancment in peak energy over the earlier one. The redesigned motor might need been thought-about a flop if not for one factor: it’s simply as quick as the latest model of the KTM 125XC. That bike gained weight and misplaced peak horsepower when it went to throttle-body gas injection and electrical begin. We consider that the KTM motor nonetheless makes extra low-end energy, however with out one for a direct comparability in South Carolina, we will’t say how a lot. KTM additionally has the 150XC-W on this broad class, nevertheless it costs itself out of the YZ125X’s class ($10,099 for the KTM, $7199 for the Yamaha).
The YZ125 emerges as considered one of our very favourite off-road bikes, simply based mostly on pure enjoyable issue. We don’t have any downside with the carburetor, the kickstarter or the truth that it’s a must to flip off the gas petcock if you’re performed. The sound of the motor continues to make us smile each time we hear it. Some issues by no means change.
2-STROKE THEATER
Dirt Bike Magazine examined the 2024 Yamaha YZ250 Two Stroke and also you’ve already seen the TEST video. We compiled all of the footage of Jared Hicks on the handlebars and wished to let our two stroke loyalists take pleasure in simply the sounds of a contemporary 250 two stroke on a tough monitor.
Dirt Bike Magazine checks the MXrevival constructed Husqvarna TE500 two stroke with gas injection. This is the last word construct for that man that desires extra energy on the path or within the desert. This is the brand new technology platform Husqvarna with a BRC 500 slammed into the body. How does the bike really feel on the path? Was the suspension any good? Is a 500cc two stroke essential for offroad? What did we actually consider the bike? All these questions are answered on this video by editor Mark Tilley.
It’s been some time since this occurred. Within two brief years, the 125 motocross world has been turned the other way up. For these two-stroke fanatics who complain that the 125 has been ignored and left behind, effectively, that is your time within the highlight. It all began in 2022 when the Yamaha YZ125 bought a brand new motor, new bodywork and up to date suspension. It continued in 2023 when the KTM 125SX and Husqvarna TC125 had been redesigned from the bottom up with throttle physique gas injection and digital energy valves. This 12 months the category promotion is full, now that the GasGas MC125 has been up to date in the identical means. It’s time to get all of them collectively and see what the brand new pecking order is amongst 125s.
The 2024 2-Stroke World Championship was hosted LIVE from Glen Helen by a full manufacturing crew supplying you with all of the jam-packed motion and protection straight to your lounge.