Yamaha YZ250 2020 — Specifications

When we talk about pure motocross, one name comes to mind as a matter of course, a legend that refuses to be buried by the four-stroke wave. We are of course talking about the Yamaha YZ250, this mythical two-stroke that, since 1974, still screams on the circuits. In 2024, as it even celebrates a special anniversary, it remains the benchmark in the category, proof that a simple oil-cooled single cylinder can still defeat much more complex machines. With its 103 kilograms full, it is an aggressive feather, ready to leap at the first kick.

Its heart beats with the raw and direct character that only a two-stroke can offer. Yes, a Yamaha YZ250 is indeed a two-stroke, and that is its very soul. The 249 cm3 engine, equipped with the famous YPVS system, delivers explosive power, around 48 horsepower, which is released all at once. It is this sensation of a kick in the back, this electric revving, that purists seek. Compared to a 250 four-stroke, it requires more technique and commitment, but makes the riding terribly lively. The five-speed gearbox with close ratios and the 38 mm carburetor are elements of formidable efficiency, making this motorcycle an immediate competition weapon.

The chassis is up to the mechanics. The semi-double cradle aluminum frame offers perfect rigidity, while the KYB suspensions, adjustable everywhere, inherited from the YZ-F models, swallow bumps with the aplomb of a big sister. The braking, with its 270 mm front disc, stops the whole assembly without discussion. These technical elements explain in part the price of a new Yamaha YZ250, around 8300 euros, an investment for a pure racing machine. This also places the used Yamaha YZ250 in a category of its own, where well-maintained models, such as certain 2006 YZ250s or older, retain a solid value, often around 2700 dollars for a 1993 in good condition, proof of its timeless desirability.

So, who is this fury for? Clearly for the confirmed cross rider, the regular circuit practitioner, or the former who has two-stroke in his blood and wants to rediscover raw sensations. It is not a motorcycle for beginners, nor for riding on the road. Its maximum speed is of little interest, its kingdom is the field of bumps. Its strength lies in its legendary mechanical simplicity, which facilitates maintenance and adjustments, a massive argument for any amateur competitor.

Ultimately, the Yamaha YZ250 is not a compromise motorcycle. It is a concentrate of efficiency, a return to the roots of demanding and sensory riding. Faced with the sometimes aseptic sophistication of four-strokes, it recalls, with its characteristic exhaust pipe, that pleasure can be simple, direct, and violently effective. It doesn't need electronics to win, just a rider to unleash it.