2016 Yamaha YZ250X Off-Road Two-Stroke

Two-stroke lovers rejoice! For 2016 Yamaha has taken its beloved and race-proven YZ250 two-stroke motocross bike and gently massaged it into an off-road bike. The all-new 2016 YZ250X has arrived and is ready for all forms of off-roading.

Turning the Yamaha YZ250 motocrosser into an off-road bike isn’t difficult. In fact, it’s been common practice in the off-road world for years now. Off-road trail riders and racers have simply been adding an 18-inch rear wheel, aftermarket exhaust, flywheel weight and skid plate, as well as tweak the already excellent KYB suspension. Modified YZ250s have been a great option for those who didn’t want to ride an orange off-road bike. Now Yamaha offers the 2016 YZ250X for $7390, a mere $100 more than the YZ250 it’s based off and, perhaps more importantly, $1309 less than a KTM 250 XC.

Transformation X

The YZ250X sports quite few off-road focused changes when compared to the YZ250 motocross design. It might not look that much different externally but inside both the engine and suspension the YZ250X is all about off-road.

Yamaha just didn’t add some flywheel weight to the engine and call it good. In fact, Yamaha didn’t add any flywheel weight. Instead engineers worked on making the power delivery ultra smooth by reducing the compression ratio from 8.9:1 to 7.9:1 and increasing the head volume 2.1cc. The exhaust port height was also raised by 0.5mm, with the power valve shape updated to match the exhaust port. The rpm range in which the Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) now goes from fully closed to fully open is much broader, providing a more linear power delivery. The power valve now opens over a 1500 rpm range compared to 500 rpm on the motocross engine. New CDI timing in the mid-to-high rpms further smooth out the power delivery. The header pipe retains the same volume as the YZ250, but its shape has narrowed to help avoid trail damage. The muffler is the same as the motocross version. The YZ250X is a red sticker bike in California and sold as a closed-course dirt bike.

The YZ250X uses a five-speed transmission like the YZ250, but it is a wide-ratio design. First and second gears are the same as the YZ250 while Third is closer to second (same as adding one tooth to the rear sprocket). Fourth is like going down two teeth on the rear sprocket, while Fifth would be like going down five teeth on the rear sprocket.

The X’s KYB suspension is nearly identical to the YZ250, retaining even the same spring rates. What’s changed is the valving. While rebound is similar, the compression is much softer for a plusher ride. Other off-road essentials are the 18-inch rear wheel, kickstand, O-ring chain and a new fuel petcock with reserve. The new components bumped the YZ250X weight up two pounds (241 pounds with a full tank of gas) more than the YZ250.

Yamaha’s changes to the YZ250X engine are perfect. In fact, after months of riding motocross and a lot of off-road aboard the X, we prefer this engine set up to the standard YZ250 motocross version. The delivery is much smoother and makes awesome traction, all while offering up a little more power in the upper rpms. The YZ250X engine also revs an extra 500 rpm more than the YZ250, letting the rider carry each gear a little further before shifting.

A wider powerband means the YZ250X can be shortshifted and lugged easily. It also revs incredibly long, making big hill climbs and long straights pure bliss. The stock gearing, matched with the five-speed wide ratio transmission worked well at all speeds. The engine’s impressive ability to chug down low, matched with a good spread between first, second and third gear helped the YZ250X conquer the most technical of trails. When you need a burst of power all it takes is a quick touch of the clutch and the responsive engine comes to life. Lifting the front wheel is easy.

2016 YZ250X

Engine Type: Single cylinder two-stroke

Engine Displacement: 249cc

Bore Stroke: 66.4mm x 72.0mm

Cooling: Liquid-Cooled

Compression Ratio: 7.9:1 (YPVS open)

Fuel System: Keihin PWK38S carburetor

Ignition: Digital CDI Magneto

Starting System: Kickstart

Transmission: five-speed wide ratio

Final Drive: O-ring

Seat Height: 38.2 in

Wheelbase: 58.5 in.

Ground clearance: 14.2 in.

Front Suspension: KYB SSS; fully adjustable, 11.8 in travel

Rear Suspension: KYB shock; fully adjustable, 12.4 in travel

Front Brake: 250mm

Rear Brake: 245mm

Front Tire: 90/90-21” Dunlop AT81F

Rear Tire: 140/80-18” Dunlop AT81F

Fuel Capacity: 2.1 gallons

Weight (full tank of gas): 241 lbs