Yamaha wasn’t planning to wait for its AMA Supercross Lites opponents and then have the YZ250F launched as it knew exactly what the bike needed so that it would perform excellently in 2009. Refinements to the engine make it pull stronger across the rev range and the ones brought to the chassis result in a sharper steering and a better bump-absorbing bike.
2009 Yamaha YZ250F
- Make: Array
- Model: 2009 Yamaha YZ250F
- Engine/Motor: liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 5 titanium valves
- Horsepower: 35
- Torque: 3.0 kg-m (21.7 ft-lb) @ 8,500 rpm
- Transmission: Constant-mesh 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Introduction
2009 is a very important model year for the Yamaha YZ250F as the bike wasn’t just refreshed a little bit, but fitted with a host of improvements that play a very important role in track performance and ease of riding.
The chassis was lightened and rebalanced so that it would prove efficient for different categories of riders, but while they would feel at home on it, a retuned engine will be providing all of the power and torque needed in order for this baby to become a blast in any motocross competition. It is the result of a 60 mm lengthened header made of titanium and a 50 mm shortened aluminum silencer. These two modifications combine and offer great low-end throttle response, as well as loads of torque to back it up. But they required another approach towards the carburetor jetting and CDI ignition, something that ended up in an even more powerful engine.
A new mechanical feature is the clutch. This unit is now fitted with a floating rubber dumper (not a coil spring) and it performs faster and more precisely, perfect for closed course competitions. The clutch lever was shortened.
Having also fitted the powerplant with a new lubrication system that provides better unction and a longer life for the liquid-cooled 250cc, DOHC engine with five titanium valves (Yamaha’s signature), the maker could now take its time and think about how all that power will be properly put down the track. The answer came with mass centralization and the ProTaper aluminum handlebars. Set the bike up a pair of Excel rims and you’re all sorted out from many points of view.
Among the sharpest handling bikes in the class due to the aluminum tuned-flex frame, the revised Yamaha required a grip seat that would keep the rider in place during exploitation. I got it, so bikers will be going around the corner well planted into the seat during the short moments in a race when they will actually use the seat.
History
Taking a look at the advancement levels that the bike has reached you would think that it comes a long way back, but that would mean confusing it with the YZ250 two-stroke motorcycle.
Actually, the Yamaha YZ250F was first introduced in 2001 and it was created from the need of a powerful (34 HP) four-stroke motorcycle, preferably powered by a quarter-liter engine, that would prove extremely valuable on a package that could have easily been confused with the one of a 125cc two-stroke thumper.
Ever since it was introduced, the bike was powered by the 250cc single-cylinder, water-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC motor which would have been fitted on a bulky steel frame. This last unit was replaced in 2006 with a frame that was entirely made of aluminum. 2009 is the next big year for it so you will be receiving good feedback on this model.
Competition
Honda also launches the 2009 motocross lineup which is indeed a very successful one for the CRF250R. Offering great resistance and power coming from a 250cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, this is one true competitor for the new Yamaha already. Not to mention the Honda Progressive Steering Damper which makes it a rocket through the corners, something that Yamaha can only compete with by using the ProTaper aluminum handlebar. Also, with a price of $6,549 this is the fiercest two-wheeler to be put against the Blue and White blast.
Like Honda, Suzuki is enjoying the success of their four-stroke 250cc RM-Z, a machine that never seemed to fail, no matter what. It simply relies on its light aluminum chassis, bulletproof engine and Showa suspensions in order to make the best impression. It doesn’t feature important refinements as a 2009 model year as the engine was new for 2008 and still goes strong so Yamaha has this one sorted out. Not sure, considering the modified piston profile and the new Keihin FCR 37 MXS carburetor, but apparently it does. At $6,699, the Suzuki offers a good bang for the buck.
As you can suppose, the next bike is Kawasaki’s KX250F. Featuring the smallest MSRP ($6,499), the green machine is sharp-steering, powerful and very reliable. With its 249cc four-stroke single with DOHC and four valves, the bike comes as an alternative for the ones previously mentioned.
I guess that what you’ve been riding before would definitely influence your choice, but the first launched is always a big hit and that is the Yamaha.
Exterior
In order to mark the big change Yamaha adds new, stylish plastics on the YZ250F, as well as it does with the entire line-up, but it seems that every single model has its own charm.
Aggressive looking and designed around the rider, the chances for it to disappoint even from this point of view are reduced to a minimum. Indeed, it doesn’t look like an Aprilia RX, but we must admit that the Japanese will probably never stand for astonishment when designing a bike and this is virtually the best you’ll get.
Color combination is what sets it apart from the others and, here, things can split both ways: either you go for the Team Yamaha Blue and White color scheme or the Red and White one. Number plates are white no matter what and the new grip seat has two-tone coloration.
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Test Ride
The upgrades that the 2009 Yamaha YZ250F receives over the 2008 model year are meant to make sure that critics will abstain themselves this time. And you really can’t argue about the bike’s performance either you’re just starting or have been dirt riding ever since.
To begin with, the engine is now retuned for more low-end excitement while keeping the midrange and top-end as consistent as on the 2008 model year. The easiest and cheapest way to achieve that was by changing the exhaust system, which they did. Now featuring a 60mm longer header and a 50mm shorter silencer, the exhaust change makes a crucial difference when accelerating away from the start line and out of corners. Nothing like a two-stroke motor, but definitely capable to satisfy all riding demands, the 250cc, liquid-cooled DOHC; five titanium valves four-stroke motor, although not suffering its own changes, stands out as improved and that is what counts.
Bringing a major contribution to the up and coming motor is the carburetor which was as well detailed. It also makes the engine run smoother and without that much unnecessary noise. As a rider, I felt that you can concentrate more on obtaining greater lap times, especially now that the engine is better overall and not as noisy.
While the YZ250F would have been a little tricky to set around corners in the past, the bike is now more responsive and provides better feedback to the slightly unconfident rider. The chassis feels lighter and more responsive and the rear end will go virtually anywhere you want as long as the front end past thereabout a millisecond earlier.
So the bike is easier to ride, but how does the suspension equipment add on to that? Well, my 185 pounds didn’t felt so great with the stock suspension settings so a little softening was required in order to take it faster around corners without fatigue. Lap after lap, you’ll improve your times as a result of getting used to this year’s model aptitudes.
Furthermore, the new clutch makes the ride smoother so going out of sharp corners is faster. Yamaha even claims that the use of floating rubber damper instead of a coil spring also improves durability so the YZ250F would have to be cheaper to live with.
I didn’t spare this quarter-liter Yamaha in any matter so it is a must to be said that it knows hot to jump, fly and land. The engine provides a lot of power before the launch, especially if you’re good at keeping it in the midrange, it will feel light and natural while airborn and landing won’t be as demanding on the suspension if the proper adjustments are made.
The Bridgestone tires are the adequate choice for this dirt spreader as they offer good grip in various riding conditions and won’t leave any rider off guard. The impressive braking power is so properly valued also thanks to the tires and the waved discs. So you will have a great overall package that performs better in almost every matter compared to the previous model year. This means that the competition is stiffening up in the motocross arena and we love it. Good thing that Yamaha is as good in the marketing department as it is in the engineering one.
Price
The color combination you choose will also slightly reflect on the MSRP for which this dirt bike is offered. At an MSRP of $6,549 (Blue and White), respectively $6,649 (White and Red), the YZ250F has yet another high point in front of its competition and that surely must be pointed out.
Conclusion
Among the most appreciated Yamaha YZ models, the 250F has had a great evolution so far and, as 2009 shows us, we have just began seeing the best of it.
No wonder competition riders claim this is the best 250cc four-stroke bike as it has completed with the purpose of its creation from the year following its introduction. At this level, evolution marks the winner and the Yamaha YZ250F is the best you can have so far.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Engine and Transmission
Displacement: 250cc
Type: liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 5 titanium valves
Bore x Stroke: 77.0mm x 53.6mm
Compression Ratio: 13.5:1
Carburetion Keihin: FCR MX37
Ignition: CDI
Transmission: Constant-mesh 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain Drive
Chassis and Dimensions
Suspension/Front: Speed-Sensitive System inverted fork; fully adjustable, 11.8-in travel
Suspension/Rear: Fully adjustable single shock; 12.0-in travel
Brakes/Front: Hydraulic single disc brake, 250mm
Brakes/Rear: Hydraulic single disc brake, 245mm
Tires/Front: 80/100-21 Bridgestone® 403
Tires/Rear: 110/90-19 Bridgestone® 404
Length: 85.1 in
Width: 32.5 in
Height: 51.2 in
Seat Height: 38.8 in
Wheelbase: 57.8 in
Ground Clearance: 14.6 in
Wet Weight: 226 lb
Fuel Capacity: 1.8 gal
Features
Key Features:
New for 2009:
Engine:
Chassis/Suspension: