Yamaha YZ250F 2019 — Specifications

So, we're talking about the Yamaha YZ250F? Not just any one, the 2019 model, the year the blue bike really made a significant impact in the premier 250 four-stroke class. This is far from a simple cosmetic evolution. Here, the engineers took a surgeon's scalpel to rethink everything from the engine to the chassis, with an obsession: mass centralization. The result? A machine that immediately impressed, to the point that its DNA is still found in current models, like the Yamaha YZ250F 2024. For around €8,500 new at the time, you entered another dimension.

Let's talk about the engine, the heart of the matter. This 250cc single-cylinder engine underwent a complete overhaul. New forged piston, revised cylinder head, reworked camshafts, all fueled by electronic injection managed by a 44mm throttle body. The objective is clear: to deliver more power in the mid and high RPM range, while maintaining the progressive nature that defines the Yamaha four-stroke. Dyno tests speak for themselves, with figures flirting with 40 horsepower, a benchmark in the class. And as a bonus, electric start makes an appearance, powered by a lightweight lithium battery. Troubles at the edge of the track are a thing of the past.

But the real revolution is the arrival of the Power Tuner application as standard equipment. A world first on a production 250. Via an integrated CCU unit, your smartphone transforms into a tuning box. You can adjust the air/fuel mixture and ignition in two clicks to adapt the engine's character to the track of the day. It's a phenomenal tool for the demanding rider or team, even allowing setups to be shared. In addition, a simple switch on the handlebar offers two pre-defined maps to adapt to a deteriorating track or a change of pace. Compared to a KTM 250 SX two-stroke, which is more nervous and faster at the top end, the Yamaha YZ250F focuses on a more evenly distributed power delivery and, above all, cutting-edge electronics that make it incredibly adaptable.

This new-generation engine sits in a totally new frame. The famous aluminum twin-spar beam is redesigned to gain vertical stiffness while maintaining a certain torsional flexibility. Ergonomics are revised for more intuitive riding, with a refined seat that facilitates movement. All this for a contained weight of around 106 kg when ready to ride, a major asset in technical sections. The KYB suspension, already excellent, is refined with optimized settings and a rear shock with a larger reservoir. The feeling is one of a more precise machine, more grippy in corners, and which inspires incredible confidence at the front.

Who is the Yamaha YZ250F 2019 for? Clearly for the serious motocross rider, whether an enlightened amateur or regional competitor. It requires a certain commitment to be exploited to its last limits, but it makes it so easy. Its legendary reliability and customization potential, from Yamaha YZ250F accessories to déco kits, also make it an excellent choice for the used market. Compared to a Honda CRF250R or a Kawasaki KX250 of the time, it stood out for its surgically precise chassis and technological advancement with the Power Tuner. It was this machine that won back many riders and cemented the YZ250F's reputation as a formidable race weapon, capable of winning in MXGP or Supercross. A true feat of engineering by Yamaha.