95jersey
Husqvarna
AA Class
So it was time for another race bike and I have really liked my 2017 TX 300 and rank it as one of the best bikes I ever owned, UNTIL...
I refuse to pay $10k+ for a 2 stroke at this point, and I wanted to stay away from these first generation TPI bikes. That brought me to look at the YZ250X. I know it doesn't have electric start, but what it does have more than makes up. I am happy I made the switch and at this point I am not sure if I will ever return to KTM/Husky.
YZ250X review (LONG)...
Had a chance to take the new bike for a good "jersey" ride on Sunday. So the terrain was sand, whoops, fast and tight single track. The bike is still mostly stock right now, however I was able to add radiator guards, a solid rear rotor, cut the bars down 1 inch, and add hand guards just in time for the ride. I plan on adding a skid plate and larger gas tank soon. Bike was broken in at my house, so it was ready to go.
Initial impressions...
LIGHT, LIGHT and LIGHT. You can feel it just pushing it around, you can feel it riding at 5 mph and at 60mph. I didn't weight the bike, but it is noticeable lighter than my 300 and that bike is suppose to be very light.
Super well built. Everything on this bike is purpose built and race oriented. The frame, swingarm, fork lugs, triple clamps are aluminum blocks of solid race beauty. You can see this thing is going to last a LONG time. Keihin carb...YAY!
Brakes are BIGGER! Both front and rear rotors are 1/2 inch bigger. The front has a full floating rotor. I really felt the different in the rear. The modulation was better. I never overheated to stock brakes on this!! The KTM brakes are too touchy (on/off) compared to the YZ.
The bike is more compact. The rider triangle is smaller than KTM. I am like 5' 10-11" and while not uncomfortable, it is a bit more cramp than the KTM. I'd say anyone my height and under would be fine, but taller than that and you will need lower pegs, higher bars, etc. The bike is also shorter than the KTM by several inches. The wheelbase is short.
The vibration is not issue. The jetting and motor are butter smooth and you only notice it while sitting on the bike revving the motor, otherwise you can't feel it. I attribute this to the great jetting and the smooth running motor. I spent 1-2 years trying to jet my KTM and this bike out of the box is better than any KTM 2 stroke jetting wise. It's perfection.
I rode 30 miles and had about 2/3rd of gallon left. So I estimate stock range about 40-50 miles (not bad for 2 gallon tank). I never hit reserve.
Power...
Awesome! This bike hits. It is not for the timid. Mid range is phenomenal as is the top end. The bottom end is great. It doesn't have the raw off idle torque of a 300, but it is there 95%. At most this bike gives us maybe 5% torque on the bottom compared to the 300, which is amazing for a 250. It is a non-issue, I never rode it down in that zone, but if I did, a quick stab at the throttle and front end came off the ground and I was in the power band. This bike requires an athletic rider. It is not a casual trail bike.
Handling...
Another thumbs up for the YZ. The KTM isn't even in the same league. I attribute this to it's light weight and shorter wheel base. I was able to go through tight tree farms that would frustrate the KTM. Over the years the KTM's have gotten longer (2020 they got longer again). This is great for motocross stability, but really hurts in the woods. The short wheelbase of the YZ allows it to turn on a dime. It is a woods weapon!
Suspension...
Again, another win for the YZ. What can you say about KYB SSS that hasn't been said. Softer, more compliant right out of the box. The KYB is a 10 out of 10, while I like the WP AER, it doesn't hold a candle to KYB. Hit anything and its plush.
Final thoughts...
Great bike at a great price. While I occasionally reached out for the electric start, I did not really miss it. The bike kicked 1st time 95% of the time, and I only stalled it a 2-3 times. I attribute that to my not being use to the cable clutch, which is kind of vague. That was the only downside of the bike IMO. Also the gearing is tall. I rarely got in 3rd in single track. This is good and bad. Good because the bike pulls longer in each gear, but 2nd is too tall for the really tight and 1st is too snappy. Now I don't often ride the "really" tight, so it should not be an issue, but for woods riding this bike wants another tooth in the rear (maybe 2). Put on a rekluse and you'l never miss electric start ever again. The bike lugs to idle speed.
Who is this bike for? A woods racer (enduro/HS), not the casual trail rider. Someone who rides a 4 stroke trail bike will die on this in 10 minutes...LOL.
I refuse to pay $10k+ for a 2 stroke at this point, and I wanted to stay away from these first generation TPI bikes. That brought me to look at the YZ250X. I know it doesn't have electric start, but what it does have more than makes up. I am happy I made the switch and at this point I am not sure if I will ever return to KTM/Husky.
YZ250X review (LONG)...
Had a chance to take the new bike for a good "jersey" ride on Sunday. So the terrain was sand, whoops, fast and tight single track. The bike is still mostly stock right now, however I was able to add radiator guards, a solid rear rotor, cut the bars down 1 inch, and add hand guards just in time for the ride. I plan on adding a skid plate and larger gas tank soon. Bike was broken in at my house, so it was ready to go.
Initial impressions...
LIGHT, LIGHT and LIGHT. You can feel it just pushing it around, you can feel it riding at 5 mph and at 60mph. I didn't weight the bike, but it is noticeable lighter than my 300 and that bike is suppose to be very light.
Super well built. Everything on this bike is purpose built and race oriented. The frame, swingarm, fork lugs, triple clamps are aluminum blocks of solid race beauty. You can see this thing is going to last a LONG time. Keihin carb...YAY!
Brakes are BIGGER! Both front and rear rotors are 1/2 inch bigger. The front has a full floating rotor. I really felt the different in the rear. The modulation was better. I never overheated to stock brakes on this!! The KTM brakes are too touchy (on/off) compared to the YZ.
The bike is more compact. The rider triangle is smaller than KTM. I am like 5' 10-11" and while not uncomfortable, it is a bit more cramp than the KTM. I'd say anyone my height and under would be fine, but taller than that and you will need lower pegs, higher bars, etc. The bike is also shorter than the KTM by several inches. The wheelbase is short.
The vibration is not issue. The jetting and motor are butter smooth and you only notice it while sitting on the bike revving the motor, otherwise you can't feel it. I attribute this to the great jetting and the smooth running motor. I spent 1-2 years trying to jet my KTM and this bike out of the box is better than any KTM 2 stroke jetting wise. It's perfection.
I rode 30 miles and had about 2/3rd of gallon left. So I estimate stock range about 40-50 miles (not bad for 2 gallon tank). I never hit reserve.
Power...
Awesome! This bike hits. It is not for the timid. Mid range is phenomenal as is the top end. The bottom end is great. It doesn't have the raw off idle torque of a 300, but it is there 95%. At most this bike gives us maybe 5% torque on the bottom compared to the 300, which is amazing for a 250. It is a non-issue, I never rode it down in that zone, but if I did, a quick stab at the throttle and front end came off the ground and I was in the power band. This bike requires an athletic rider. It is not a casual trail bike.
Handling...
Another thumbs up for the YZ. The KTM isn't even in the same league. I attribute this to it's light weight and shorter wheel base. I was able to go through tight tree farms that would frustrate the KTM. Over the years the KTM's have gotten longer (2020 they got longer again). This is great for motocross stability, but really hurts in the woods. The short wheelbase of the YZ allows it to turn on a dime. It is a woods weapon!
Suspension...
Again, another win for the YZ. What can you say about KYB SSS that hasn't been said. Softer, more compliant right out of the box. The KYB is a 10 out of 10, while I like the WP AER, it doesn't hold a candle to KYB. Hit anything and its plush.
Final thoughts...
Great bike at a great price. While I occasionally reached out for the electric start, I did not really miss it. The bike kicked 1st time 95% of the time, and I only stalled it a 2-3 times. I attribute that to my not being use to the cable clutch, which is kind of vague. That was the only downside of the bike IMO. Also the gearing is tall. I rarely got in 3rd in single track. This is good and bad. Good because the bike pulls longer in each gear, but 2nd is too tall for the really tight and 1st is too snappy. Now I don't often ride the "really" tight, so it should not be an issue, but for woods riding this bike wants another tooth in the rear (maybe 2). Put on a rekluse and you'l never miss electric start ever again. The bike lugs to idle speed.
Who is this bike for? A woods racer (enduro/HS), not the casual trail rider. Someone who rides a 4 stroke trail bike will die on this in 10 minutes...LOL.
The CR with half a tank of fuel was 220 lbs on a commercial digital scale and the YZ is noticeably lighter. I haven't weighed it, but I can really notice the difference throwing it up on the stand. When riding, not really.