We had the chance to ride/test the 2024 Yamaha YZ250F at Perris Raceway this week and wanted to give you a digestible read so you can possibly decide if it is the right bike for you. Orrrrr maybe you just want to know some stuff about Yamaha’s new quarter liter motocross machine. This is our first impression, quick hit article that you can put alongside our Racerxonline.com video or even our RMATVMC Keefer Tested Podcast.Text.Watch. Talk. We got you covered!
1. Engine Changes: Though the chassis is all new, the engine is not. The 24′ YZ250F engine is updated with an increased volume air cleaner, new cam chain, updated ECU system. These changes are mostly for durability and simplicity with the wiring harness.
2. Chassis Changes: The chassis on this 2024 blue machine is all new with a new frame, subframe, as well as updated suspension specs. The chassis has increased rigidity on the downtube, swingarm pivot and foot peg crossmembers. The subframe rails have decreased from 1.8mm to 1.5mm and is lighter.The suspension is beefed up for less pitching as well as a whole new body layout for a smoother rider triangle.
3. Weight: The total weight of the YZ250F is down 2.5 pounds from the 2023 and most of that comes from the wiring harness, chain guide, footpeg brackets, subframe, battery tray, rear axle, air box, fuel pump and throttle cables.
4. Engine Feel: Ok so what the hell does the engine feel like? If you have a 2023 YZ250F there is not going to be that much difference in power besides a little less torque feel down low and more mid-top end pulling power. The difference is slight but you can feel the 2024 YZ250F pull a little further in third gear than the 2023 version. I will say that the second gear feel is super short and you must shift into third (out of corners) very quick! The 2024 machine will not lug in third gear as well as the 2022 but will pull farther in upper rpm ranges. If it was me, I would like to try a 49T rear sprocket to see if I can use second gear more and spread the 2nd-3rd spacing out a bit. This engine is still top in its class when it comes to torque feel and pulling your fat ass out of a corner so I am glad that is NOT lost.
4. Chassis Feel: There is good and bad to this. Let’s get to the good first: It has a lighter feel when entering corners (tip in/area 1). It tracks better inside ruts and is more stable when inside ruts without pitching or having a jerky feel. Let’s get to the bad: The bad would be that it is less stable on edge of tire (with nothing to push off of), has a firmer feel on slap down landings and does get a little more nervous once chopping the throttle from wide open (full gas to off throttle). These are all similar feelings that I had when I rode the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F and learned to dial the bike in more, which we eventually did, but it didn’t come easy. If you’re looking for a sharper more precise cornering YZ250F in ruts, this new 2024 model does this. It is more unstable (at higher speeds and when going from wide open to closed throttle) than the 23′ but it isn’t un-fixable, so just know this. Perris Raceway had long ruts but also were hard/firm so us “hard pack” riders feel more of the firm 24′ chassis than you softer rutty track riders.
5. Suspension Feel: We had three test riders that weighed in at 140/145/175 pounds and all of them thought the fork needed more hold up so we went four clicks stiffer on the fork compression as well as 1-2 clicks slower on rebound to help with this. This allowed for less diving off throttle and kept each rider happy as well with comfort. As per usual there is tons of comfort with the KYB suspension and still feels like it soaks up small bumps as well as large hits better than others in the same class.
6. Ergonomics: Our smallest test rider at 5’6 still preferred the more open cockpit of the 2024 YZ250F instead of the smaller feel of the 2023. Going -5mm down and -5mm back with the footpeg mounts helps with feel on the bike out on the track. Staying seated through corners with your feet on the pegs is much easier as your legs are more relaxed. The seat shape however will give you some hard core monkey butt and is NOT friendly to you on longer ride days. My suggestion is to go with a more traditional square/blocky seat foam and live happy. The skinny shape of the 24 YZ250F foam isn’t for riders with no ass.
7. Suspension Setting:
Below is are suspension spec that we left with after day one. This may evolve over time and those numbers will be posted to keeferinctesting.com if/when we do change them.
Fork:
C: 7 out
R: 5 out
Fork Height: 3-4mm (Stock is 7mm)
Shock:
LSC: 11 out
HSC: 1-1/4 turns out
R: 11 out
Sag: 104-105mm
8. Sound: The muffler sounds atrocious. Raspy and loud. Ear plugs might not be a bad thing on this bike!
9. Looks: I will say that the 50 Year anniversary retro scheme is cool, but I prefer the more traditional blue look but that is why we have choices in life right? The white/purple (or magenta if you want to call it that) is awesome at first, but to me white plastic will look worn quickly. At least blue likes SC-1 A LOT BETTER!
10. Is the 2024 YZ250F Better Than The 2023? This is not just a simple yes or no answer. Were you looking for your older YZ250F to turn better in ruts and feel lighter? Then you should be sold on the 2024 YZ250F because it is better in those areas for sure! Are you looking for the most torque out of any 250F being sold currently? Then the 2024 is still your winner there as well. The new 24’ chassis will take a little more pampering and set up if you’re looking for more straight line stability over your 23 or older YZ250F. Is it achievable to get the 24 more stable than the 23? We think the answer is yes, but that might take a little extra cash.
Optional Map:
Steve Tokarski is a test rider for Yamaha and has come up with this map if you want to clean up the rich feel that we got on low rpm, as well as gives you more excitement in low-mid RPM (crack of throttle). Any questions about the new bLU cRU 250F? Email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com as we are here to help you. We don’t just throw up a video then leave you like some others. We are HERE FOR YOU!
