By building the new YZ250X, a race-ready cross-country racer, Yamaha has taken a page out of KTM's playbook. That's a good thing, because this new 250FX is essentially the award-winning YZ250F motocrosser with additions that make it appeal to the off-road market-namely, a six-speed wide-ratio transmission, an electric starter, and an 18-in . rear wheel. And after throwing a leg over the new 2015 Yamaha YZ250FX and taking it on some trails at Cahuilla Creek, I'm impressed. This tuned-for off-road YZ is an instant hit.
Power from the rearward-slanted 250cc single is great. There's plenty of low-end oomph, which means there are no issues when trying to get up and over rocks or out of steep ravines. Roosting out of corners is fun, too. This bike is motocross fast on corner exits and acceleration, yet the power deliver us is smooth and controllable when you're navigating technical terrain. The 44mm Keihin throttle body offers precise fueling and keeps the power consistent through the mid-range and all the way up to the very potent top-end. And just like on the YZ-F, the ECU of the new FX is programmable via the GYT-R Power Tuner. The stock setting, however felt pretty right on.
A lighter clutch pull is welcome although not exactly necessary for a 250. The clutch has been modified to cope with the demands of off-road. Engagement and feel are ideal for off-road needs, such as slipping the clutch when climbing a rocky hill. And you do not need to do that very often with the new wide-ratio transmission. Gears are spaced evenly, and first does a fantastic job when conditions are tight and nasty. And it's even better when the terrain opens up and the YZ-FX is clicked into sixth gear. The FX pulls without the stress and overtaxed feel of the previous five-speed model. Did someone say Bonneville?
According to Yamaha, the new 250FX weighs 18 pounds more than the YZ-F on which it's based. Blame it on the extra gear, the battery, the large-capacity generator, the starter motor, the heavier rear-tire, the kickstand, even the O-ring chain. Thankfully, the extra weight is hardly noticeable after you've thrown a leg over the slim saddle. Helping the lightweight feel is the YZ's configuration; its rearward facing engine and wrap-around exhaust allow for better mass centralization. Further helping this effort is fuel carried in a more central location and heavier parts such as the muffler being tucked in closer.
Overall handling is excellent. The YZ250FX is stable and agile, giving the rider full control over direction change. The front tire has a planted feel, making the bike comfortable for off-road work. There is none of the deflection that a full-fledge MXer experiences when driven hard into off-road corners. Suspension is tuned for competitive off-road racing, with the fork featuring a slightly softer spring rate than on the YZ. The shock uses the same spring as the YZ, but with dedicated settings. Of note, the engine brackets are 4mm thick as opposed to 6mm on the YZ-F. This helps to calm the bike for off-road and translates to a more agreeable ride. The 18-in. rear wheel also helps absorb rocks and tree roots better as well as reducing the chance of pinch flats.
Yamaha says it took the best parts of the YZ-F and new WR (see below) to create the FX. I believe them, but the bike does need a skid plate, and the exposed tabs welded on the frame look tacky without a covering. For the most part, though, the fit and finish, as expected from Yamaha, is well thought-out, with one exception: An exposed wiring harness was caught by a stick while I was riding, which jabbed a fuse cover open. That stated, the new 2015 Yamaha YZ250FX will surely strike some fear in the orange brigade, because this new cross-country racer is a serious contender.
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