Is the All-New 2021 Yamaha YZ250F Better Than Ever?
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Presented by OGIO Powersports
Realistically, Yamaha could’ve left the YZ250F unchanged and had an extremely competitive bike for 2021. Could it have won the Bike of the Year honors once again? Hard to say, but it is a very real possibility. However, that is not what the bLU cRU had in store for their small-bore machine. The list of updates and changes is impressive. How about an all-new chassis following in the 450’s footsteps - aimed at quicker handling, lighter feel, and better cornering? Engine updates? You bet! Several actually. In fact, click on the Tech Briefing Video we did with Yamaha’s own Mike Ulrich to get educated on all the changes to the bike, here, we are going to focus on how those refinements translate to feel on the track.
Right off, Best handling YZ250F we have ever ridden! Let’s be honest, although the Yamaha has won our Shootout the last few years, it was the deep grunt of the engine, the incredibly plush suspension, and confidence-inspiring straight-line stability that carried the water for the Yamaha. Frankly, the bike still won in spite of its wider feel and decent, yet uninspired cornering manners. Agile and flickable are generally not words rolling off the tongue when describing the Yamaha but rather terms like planted and predictable were more common.... until now.
The new Yamaha seems to have found the sweet spot of retaining the consistent and trustworthy feel we’ll have grown to expect but in a fun, more exciting, lighter feeling package. We notice it the most at turn-in. Although the new Yamaha retains a very balanced feel, the front-end traction entering corners is more solid and urges you to go ahead and dive in aggressively. The sometimes indecisive, wandering, wallowing feel of the front-end is gone and replaced by a sharper, more deliberate intent. But aside from being more responsive, the YZ250F feels much more nimble and eager to lean over into ruts and stay there consistently throughout the corner. Some of this is aided by the new engine character (we’ll get into that in a moment) but most of it is just a lighter more agile chassis. Heck, it even makes the shrouds feel narrower - even though they aren’t really.
So how about the engine? Well, last year’s bike felt more like a 300 down low against the rest of the 250s. The low-end grunt was off the charts in comparison with great mid-range and respectable top. We said respectable... but not class-leading. In fact, the Yamaha may not have even been top three up top. Had it not made so much power early in the curve and into the mid, the Yamaha’s lack of pull on top may have been a bigger issue. However, the R&D department has wasted no time addressing their shortcomings. A freer-revving engine with more top-end power was their goal for the new bike and that is exactly what they delivered. Technically, the goal was more top without sacrificing low-end, but that power has to come from somewhere. Is the low-end as gnarly as it was last year? No. But in most cases, this is a good thing. As mentioned, the smoother delivery down low makes the bike a little easier to control coming out of the corners and compliments the new handling. However, as you get on the power and accelerate to the mid-range, the revs come up quickly. The new YZ250F likes to scream! The top-end pulls far beyond where the 2020 signs off and keeps making great power - certainly closing the gap with the competition.
Overall, we think the changes Yamaha made were all positive. Great power throughout the curve, a boatload of more top-end, a lighter feel, better cornering, quicker handling, all on the plushest, predictable suspension package in the class... Yamaha is not resting on its laurels.
1 minute in an two adverts come on 🤦🏻♂️, why bother youtube? No one takes any notice , nice bike anyhow 👍🏻
Im happy with my 2017 YZ, but Im excited to ride and see the differences on the 2021 Models!
My 2019 is great! making a great product even better!
Good bike. Cannot go wrong picking up a Yamaha 250F.
Prob the best overall 250f out there
Bought one last month I’ve never been more satisfied
Dylan - what were you writing before? I'm considering this one or the Honda CRF250R 2021
*riding
Each year they wax on how much the changes make the bike great, then next year they will bag the last year’s model for the incoming model…
It's a never-ending process. A friend's 2015 yz250f was the best dirt bike ever rode so I was going to get one from that generation. Then I came upon a 2020 that was just outside my price range. The reviews said it was the GREATEST THING THE WORLD HAS EVER WITNESSED so I bought it LoL. I doubt B or C riders would notice more than the electric start. It works and it works well. Everything else is marketing.
Looking good! Especially with the EVO DST gear 😎 #FLYRacing
I have a 21 and it's good stuff. It has a great spread of power. Easy to ride. Plenty of bottom end and pulls way longer than the 20.
Pulls longer? I think you're trying to justify the money you spent compared to the 2020 model which would have saved you some dough. The 2021 has .5 less torque and 39 horsepower WHICH IS ONLY .8 MORE THAN THE 2020 😂
Great video guys! I can’t wait to get one this spring
Where do I buy a skid plate?? They don’t even make em for the 2021
I’ve a 20 and now 21 but prefer my 20 lol. More bottom power but maybe just need to change the maps.
That planting your foot into the turn better without hitting the bars, is because the higher handle bar setup? So wouldn’t that bar set up be a good deal for taller guys 6” and taller?
My 2021 is awesome
Is the front brake better than the 2020? My 2020 front brake is horrible lol
Yes
Pat, the real question is *would you look better than ever with a beard?*
Will these changes apply to the 250fx too?
No
So my dude is big at 185? Damn then I'm doomed at 210...
Ruts? in California? I don't think those ruts can be called ruts like on the east coast tracks. Good ruts, to me, means multiple rutted lines in the corner as well as coming out of the corner and on straight always, RUTS on face jumps are just stupid to dangerous for 99 % of Weekend warriors.
I can’t wait till I’m 16 my parents are going to buy me a new 2024 Yamaha yz 250 f when I’m tall enough and I get my grades up more right now I have all c and one b and I’m 5 feet 3 inches tall but I’m growing so when I’m probly 16 I will be taller for the bike right now I have a 2005 Ktm 65 sx with fmf exaust pipe and silencer its really fast coming out of corners you have to watch because it has a new power band in it replaced it 2 years ago but only have 40 hours on it since I replaced it so it is still fresh and fast coming out of corners you can pop up the front tire really easy even in 2nd gear
Nice man hopefully everyone goes to plan.
gass poll
Still happy with my 2017, but Im excited to ride and see the differences on the 2021 Models!
I had a 2017, upgraded to a ‘21. Both bikes are awesome in their own regard. 17 hits way harder in the bottom, 21 sings longer in the high end. Your preference after that. Push to start is unreal too