Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Rider stats:
Name: Craig Fortune
Home: Tobiano, BC
Age: 44 Height: 5’10”
Weight: 165 lbs
Off-Road Level:
Expert MX level: Vet Master / Plus 40
Bikes at Home: 2015 Husqvarna 300 TE, 2015 Husqvarna 450 FE
I was lucky enough to get out between rounds of the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals and drive to the awesome, fully prepped and ready to go practice day at Sand Del Lee Motocross facility and throw my leg over the new 2015 Yamaha YZ 250FX.
First impression of the bike was typical Yamaha fit and finish; very clean and well put together. I set the levers, adjusted the bars, fuelled up and was ready to go. The electric start is something that I can’t believe more manufacturers are not doing as it is an awesome feature on this bike, which works flawlessly.
As soon as I started riding I immediately became comfortable on the bike. The levers, brakes and balance felt really good, and I would say as good, if not better, than any new bikes I have been on this season. Very noticeable was the low first gear, which would be great for super tight woods riding in the loose, slippery terrain.
I clicked second on the track and started to warm up to get a feel for the bike. Power was extremely smooth through the whole range from bottom, mid and all the way into the peak rev. Fuel injection was calibrated perfectly and was extremely confidence building on how it would come on so smoothly and always pull when needed.
The clutch pull and performance was very good. I was impressed with how well the clutch reacted when coming out of a corner or in the loose stuff to pull that front end up and get the power to the rear wheel. I see this as a huge positive in the woods to pop up over logs and rocks that manage to jump out in front of you.
Suspension, although a little soft for the big hits, was very plush and really didn’t give me any negative feedback especially in the choppy straights where I found the bike to track extremely straight with a lot of stability. This suspension would be great for a Cross Country race one day and a practice day at the MX track the next.
I found the air box intake noise a little louder than other bikes but not offensive. The balance in the air was very good and felt light on the 250FX. I found after every lap I did I was more and more confident on the bike, throwing it around and really just playing with it.
Conclusion: The YZ250FX is a hit in my books. The potent YZ250F engine mated to a great chassis with electric start and the Wide Ratio 6-speed is going to be a great bike for the woods, track or both. I would add some hand guards and play with the suspension settings a little more for myself, and I would be pretty excited every night to see this machine in my garage waiting for me.
