2009 Yamaha YZ250 Preview

Introduction

2009 Yamaha YZ250

Although it didn’t suffer a major revision for 2009, Yamaha wouldn’t launch the thing until adding some brand new features and call it a step further for the racing bike. Already an extraordinary performer thanks to the 249cc liquid-cooled reed-valve-inducted two-stroke engine fed through a 38mm Keihin PWK carburetor with power jet and TPS (throttle position sensor), the engine now offers even greater response although much to do with that has the digital CDI ignition. Kickstarted and mated to a five-speed gearbox, this banger becomes the dearest friend during a motocross competition and not only.

Previous model years gave a clue about the bike needing a little bit more grip up front so on the 2009 model year you will find fitted a Dunlop D742A front tire. Now that the grip issue was sorted out, engineers focused on reducing front end weight so they used a front brake hose clamp made out of aluminum. Also new for 2009 is the premium drive chain with gold colored, making it stand out immediately.

History

1971 Yamaha YZ250

Yamaha first launched the YZ250 in 1970s as a competition two-stroke motorcycle and due to the amazing success that followed its launch, the maker kept improving it in order to gain and retain supremacy on the motocross track.

It was terrible important to have a strong-pulling motor and that is what made the new bike so popular decades ago. It was the time of two-stroke bangers and although Yamaha later added the YZ450F four-stroke bike to the lineup it kept developing the popular 249cc two-stroke engine which is now reed valved and features YPVS exhaust valve for more bang all the way up to the 9000 rpm redline. It now produces an impressive 43 HP and 39 NM.

In what concerns the chassis, it is well worth noting that the aluminum perimeter frame found its place on the bike in 2005, replacing the single backbone steel frame. By simply reading the name of these two materials, you can imagine a great weight reduction for the entire package reaching a dry weight of only 212 pounds. In order to have the bike ready to blow everything away on the bumps and jumps of any cross track, it was as well fitted with 11.8 in. travel telescopic inverted forks and 12.4 in. swingarm travel.

Today, we’re facing a perfectly refined bike that with development and effort has kept the YZ250 name on top of the racer’s preferences around the globe.

Competition

This brings us to the other bikes in the class, which although still 2007 model years they are truly able to go up against the Yamaha as it didn’t suffer radical improvements as a 2009 model. Of course, they’ll make a few waves when they go out as 2009 models (if they do), but until the next months, this is what we can talk about:

2007 Honda CR250R

The Honda CR250R has also been on the scene for decades and gets the same appreciation from the motorcycle public as the YZ250 does and why wouldn’t it if they are pretty much the same? Power comes from a 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder two-stroke with electronically controlled RC. Fed through a 38mm Mikuni carburetor and mated as well to a five-speed gearbox, the CR is indeed a true attack weapon for Honda.

An aluminum frame and the Showa suspensions surely conclude in a versatile package that is both competitive on the track and enjoyable on the trails. Price is $6,449.

2007 Suzuki RM250

A cheaper alternative would be the $6,099 priced Suzuki RM250 which is still a 2007 model, but comes fitted with the liquid-cooled two-stroke banger, 38mm Keihin carburetor and Ex valve open/Ex valve close system. So the recipe is pretty much the same in all cases, the difference being the fact that this is was the last RM250 series and from Honda we’re still waiting at newer generations.

Exterior

2009 Yamaha YZ250

All Yamaha motocross bikes in any lineup look the same so the YZ250 can easily be confused with the YZ450F if the engine is turned off.

For next year’s model, they’ve smoothen out the bike’s look with new, stylish side panels and two-color seat made of grip material. The fenders find their places high on the frame and forks, giving a clue on the racing abilities of this motocrosser.

You can have a Yamaha painted in any color you feel like as long as it is Blue. It isn’t just a stupid joke, but a real fact as the bike has to be easily distinguishable…at least until it gets covered in mud. So it is Blue and White for Yamaha with some classy decals on the side panels.

All that this racing bike needs is its competition numbers and a buyer so what are you waiting for?

Price

Ii comes with an MSRP of $6,599 and keep in mind that it is the best thing you’ll momentarily find in the 250cc class. And so Yamaha proves offering the best for the buck even though it requires a few more hundreds of bucks.

Conclusion

Freshly designed, lightened and a little bit better performing, the new Yamaha YZ250 first enters the scene and throws the glob. We don’t know yet who’s going to catch it, but we know that we’ll be there to find out.

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