2021 Yamaha YZ250F – Test Ride, first look and specs!

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It’s fair to say that Yamaha have really got it going on these days, just as they did 65 years ago from their beginnings when they won the first ever race they entered. For one they are the only Japanese manufacture still producing a comprehensive range of motocross bikes from 65cc up to 450cc and compete with KTM, Husqvarna and now Gas Gas in that respect, but they on top of that they are continuing to innovate.

Test Rider Dylan Woodcock

On the global racing front things are pretty good for them too. In the 450 category they have Justin Barcia and Jeremy Seewer as regular podium contenders and potential race winners, but it’s in the 250 classes where the ‘Blue Cru’ are really on point and winning races. The Star Racing Yamaha team in America are now one serious outfit with bikes that absolutely rip, especially in the hands of AMA West Coast SX back to back champ Dylan Ferrandis. In the GP MX2 championship Jago Geerts is the serious threat to putting an end to the incredible run of championships that KTM have going on again since they last were beaten to the crown by Honda and Tim Gajser back in 2015.

There’s no doubt the YZ250F is a bike can win, and now going forward there’s even more chance of that happening as they improve an already good bike into a better one. The YZ250F has had a pretty comprehensive overhaul for 2021. A refined power plant to increase more mid to top end drive, changes to the chassis, revised suspension settings, improved brakes and advancements in the digital technology have all come together to produce a bike that is easier to ride for all levels of rider.

Let’s start with that redesigned engine. The key Yamaha engineers, armed with the feedback from their race teams have analysed all the major components of the motor with the aim of making a wider range of useable power with a smoother gearbox for an easier, more energy efficient ride. The proof is in the pudding, not that this bike is a pudding at all, although it sure is sweet! Compared with this year’s model the 2021 YZ250F definitely has more going for it from the mid-range through to the top end power delivery. Now it’s revs on where previously it used to peak out somewhere between the mid to top end rev range. The power is now there, with a smooth linear curve. It doesn’t punch in with a hit that can often intimidate an amateur rider.

Of course, as most of you will know, the YZF range is different to most bikes out there with it’s air intake directly at the front of the bike above fuel tank which allows the air to jet straight in for better combustion efficiency and throttle response. Of course that’s a good thing, but you also want that response to be manageable and not feel like you’re trying to tame a wild mustang. With that in mind and trying to find a balance the new 2021 model has a new airbox without the intake funnel and it’s 20mm shorter to give a smoother, more direct route for airflow. There’s also a new air cleaner box cover mounted at the front of the seat that increases the volume of air.

They’ve achieved their goal in improving the gearbox, even though it wasn’t really an issue on this year’s model. For 2021 the clutch basket has thicker walls that will increase durability and consistency throughout longer motos. 3rd, 4th and 5th gears on both the input and output shafts have been redesigned to give improved transmission performance, and selected gears are shot peened to give greater strength to match the increased engine performance.

To help out that smooth experience further the rear exhaust tail pipe has been given more capacity and made longer by 70mm. This helps with the high end RPM rev range and makes it more manageable and smooth all the way to the top.

So, power wise the 2021 YZ250F is faster and smoother, but as the saying goes, ‘power is nothing without control’ so has the changes to the chassis and suspension also improved on this year’s model. In a word – yes.

The refined bilateral beamed frame may be subtle in its changes to look at, but more noticeable once in motion out on the track. By looking at the rigidity of the frame at key locations the Yamaha engineers have seemingly been able to make this bike feel a little easier to put where you want on track. Married up with redesigned, lighter top triple clamps and handlebar mounts, which are further forward making it easier to shift your body weight forward and have less rigidity to ease the stress through your arms. The new chromoly steel footrests are also lighter, as is the new front axle shaft, enabling the Yamaha YZ250F to weigh in at 106kg with a full 6.2 litre fuel tank, all of which helps make the new bike feel that little bit better in it’s overall feel.

The suspension is a marked improvement too. It just seems to have more scope for all levels of rider. The new settings on the KYB forks have noticeably better damping with a more progressive feel right through the entire stroke and that gives you a better feeling of contact with the ground beneath you but with better absorption of the bumps, so less fatigue and chance of arm pump. The rear shock has also been given revised settings to give the bike a better balance between front and rear. The bike feels and rides more level, especially on entering and exiting corners at speed and that gives you a bit more confidence to attack the track.

With more confidence to do that, you’re going to want to feel confident in the brakes too so you can put on those overtaking moves in the breaking zone. Again the Blue Cru have improved their offering. For one, the entire system (front and rear) is lighter. There’s a new front caliper with larger diameter pistons and more rigidity. To accompany that is a new 270mm front disc that has increased contact with the new designed brake pads. Overall, more controlled stopping power at your right hand. You’ve also got more under your right foot. Like the front brake system, the rear has undergone changes with the caliper getting a makeover and a new, lighter 240mm rear disc coming in 120g lighter.

On top of the upgrades for the YZ250F there’s still the Yamaha Power Tuner to personalise the bike to your riding ability and technique. Offering you the opportunity to fine tune the engine characteristics at the track and make you own bespoke power mapping settings using your smartphone (modern technology eh, mad ain’t it?) as well as having the option of two different settings whilst out on track with a switch of the handlebar mounted button it’s definitely another feather in the cap of what is an excellent piece of engineering and an all round superb motocross bike for all levels of rider.

At a glance – YZ250F New Features for 2021

Redesigned high-performance engine with stronger top end power Smoother throttle response with longer over-rev feeling
Optimized exhaust camshaft design with new profile and reduced overlap
Idealized fuel injection settings deliver enhanced power character
Completely redesigned intake system boosts high rpm performance
Larger capacity muffler for seamless high rpm acceleration
Stronger clutch housing to handle increased engine performance
Redesigned transmission gears with optimized performance and strength
New-specification bilateral beam frame with idealized strength/rigidity balance
Revised front and rear suspension settings offer improved controllability
Lighter and more powerful front (Ø270 mm) and rear brakes (Ø240 mm)
Lighter handlebar crown and revised handlebar position
Lighter chromoly steel footpegs
Lighter front axle shaft
Icon Blue bodywork and matching blue front and side plates
Liquid-cooled DOHC 4-valve engine with reversed cylinder head
Mass-centralized engine configuration with rearward-inclined cylinder
High-efficiency forward-facing inlet and rear-exit exhaust
Lightweight titanium valves for ultra-responsive performance Lightweight exhaust delivers strong pulse effect
Heavy-duty clutch with excellent feel
Special shift camshaft shape delivers smooth and accurate gear shifting
Power Tuner smartphone app enables precise, quick and easy trackside tuning
ECU 2-map switch for adjusting engine power character while riding
Electric starter with lightweight lithium-ion battery
Industry-leading KYB® spring-type inverted forks with speed-sensitive damping KYB® rear shock and link-type Monocross rear suspension