Whats the big differences between the yz250's?

Drakep2
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102
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Loretto, TN, USA
6/11/2016 7:42am
2stroked wrote:
img]https://www.instagram.com/p/BD7M-huqPM3/?taken-by=jmils84/[/img] 2013 here. Where do I start? I absolutely love this bike. I race desert and GP's. Do the occasional REM and SRA GP. it was...
img]https://www.instagram.com/p/BD7M-huqPM3/?taken-by=jmils84/[/img]

2013 here. Where do I start? I absolutely love this bike. I race desert and GP's. Do the occasional REM and SRA GP. it was said in this thread the steel frames handle better. I disagree. I do not feel there is any performance difference between the steel and aluminum frames, only rider preference for chassis feel. The steel frame does flex better, and for some riders they feel the flex of the steel frame makes the bike handle better. Again there is only empirical evidence of this at best, and no real world conclusive data.

Things to watch out for. The shifter detent wheel. Yamaha lists it as a stopper wheel. part number is 5CU-18140-01-00 Go ahead and buy a couple. Immediately replace your's. Replace it every 50 hours when you do your top end. Otherwise, this is what will happen:
img]https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10342488_1020381580849333…]
img]https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10172579_1020381579501299…]

This happened to my bike around hour 20 from off the show room floor. Look I love Yamaha. However they are not perfect. The shifter detent wheel is a ball bearing design. same as its been for years. Identical on the yz125. However yamaha knows this is a defective design. The race on the inside portion of the wheel gets flared and worn, and then drops 8-9 wonderful little steel ball bearings into your transmission. BOOM. The redesign on the newer 07-up YZ125's is a solid steel wheel, no more bearings. However yamaha has not carried over this design on to the YZ250. My sources tell me that because of the inherent shifting necessary for riding a 125 vs that of a 250, yamaha had to make a change. ive owned three YZ125's. every single one of them has had this part fail. Its also failed on my YZ250. Be aware.

Shift forks arent the strongest either. Im currently splitting my cases to replace my 4th and 5th gear, and the shift forks as Ive started to experience 4th dropping into nuetral on its own, and when in 5th it dropping back down into 4th on its own. Since I race off road these two gears are where I spend most of my time. It happens. It sucks. watch for the signs and dont push your luck. KX500 racers used to replace their transmissions with every top end. So it could be worse!

Run race gas. Dont be stupid. Dont try and think you're smarter than everyone else. Run race gas. This is your warning. I run straight VP C12 @ 32:1 with motul 800. If I'm trail riding, I'll run 50/50 VP C12 and VP 100 unleaded. The bike runs correctly with race gas. They are known to ping on 91/93 octance. Especially when its hot. I personally change my air filter and gear oil after EVERY ride. Not just race, but EVERY ride. its cheap insurance. Dont be lazy.

the 2015/16/17 has different triple clamps, steering stem, and the entire front end is basically different. The performance is the same. however the newer forks are a little larger on the top (as I believe was already mentioned). So if you decide to go the OEM bodywork upgrade like I did, be aware the front number plate will not fit correctly. Its a little too short to work with the older triple clamps. It'll fit but you'll need to finesse it on. also the front fender holes dont line up with the older lower clamps. take your original fender and place it upside down on the new fender. Take a sharpie and mark out the new holes. Drill out new holes on updated fender. Now it fits.

Have fun!!
Thank you! I found your whole post full of useful information.

As soon as I get the bike I will replace that "Stopper", I have heard way too much about it to leave it alone.

Also, are there any modifications or precautions that can be taken in order to prevent a shift fork failure? I also change my filter and oil super frequently, but I sometimes skip the casual backyard rip around.

I will try to get the most high-quality gas I can but I am in high school and my budget is also that of a high schooler. I am unfamiliar with the term "ping"...? Can you clarify?

I will most defiantly have fun and will post some pics up on my new ride when I get it ( Don't hold your breath tho )

Cheers, Drake
notme
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Location
CA
6/11/2016 10:32am Edited Date/Time 6/11/2016 1:46pm
Wow tons o great info in here. Not sure if I want a YZ anymore though haha.

How is the SSS for woods riding?
Falcon
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Location
Menifee, CA, USA
6/11/2016 12:45pm
I have a 2006 that I've owned since 2006 and the only thing that has ever broken is the brake pedal pivot bolt. Remember to keep that greased up and you won't have any problems.
at687
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Location
Newport Beach, CA, USA
6/11/2016 2:33pm
at687 wrote:
You want to sell it??
bgpn35 wrote:
Yeah, It's for sale. I haven't put it on Craigslist yet or anything
I'm interested, how much?

The Shop

JM485
Posts
5826
Joined
10/1/2013
Location
Davis, CA, USA
6/11/2016 2:44pm
Drakep2 wrote:
Thank you! I found your whole post full of useful information. As soon as I get the bike I will replace that "Stopper", I have heard...
Thank you! I found your whole post full of useful information.

As soon as I get the bike I will replace that "Stopper", I have heard way too much about it to leave it alone.

Also, are there any modifications or precautions that can be taken in order to prevent a shift fork failure? I also change my filter and oil super frequently, but I sometimes skip the casual backyard rip around.

I will try to get the most high-quality gas I can but I am in high school and my budget is also that of a high schooler. I am unfamiliar with the term "ping"...? Can you clarify?

I will most defiantly have fun and will post some pics up on my new ride when I get it ( Don't hold your breath tho )

Cheers, Drake
2stroked has some great info, I learned a lot from that post as well. As far as fuel, I've been running a 50/50 mix of pump 91 and 100ll aviation fuel for about a year now and have had zero problems with detination. This occurs when the fuel you are using is too low of an octane, essentially allowing it to burn in the cylinder before the correct time. This leads to a popcorn type sound, usually described as "pinging", meaning that the piston is being loaded prematurely and eventually leading to engine damage.

Race gas would be a great choice, but I understand the budget thing and I'm in the same boat as a college student. The 100ll aviation fuel works great for bringing the octane up enough to avoid detination. You probably won't get any performance benefits out of it, but for me I am only worried about keeping the motor happy and healthy. I'm not sure what the laws are in your area, but in California they are technically not supposed to sell it to anyone but plane owners, however the little airport I go to doesn't really care and they know it isn't going in my truck or anything like that. Maybe just ask and see what they can do for you if you think it might be an option, assuming there is a small airport near you.
bgpn35
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Gastonia, NC, USA
6/11/2016 4:59pm
at687 wrote:
I'm interested, how much?
I don't even know what it's really worth, I have a little over 4 grand in it but I know I'm not getting that. I put so much in because I built for myself and didn't plan on selling it ever. Pretty much everything on the bike has been replaced along with kite hubs and A60 rims, I wish I could convert the wheels for my 450 because I'm having a hard time parting ways with the wheels. Haha
6/11/2016 5:10pm
bgpn35 wrote:
I don't even know what it's really worth, I have a little over 4 grand in it but I know I'm not getting that. I put...
I don't even know what it's really worth, I have a little over 4 grand in it but I know I'm not getting that. I put so much in because I built for myself and didn't plan on selling it ever. Pretty much everything on the bike has been replaced along with kite hubs and A60 rims, I wish I could convert the wheels for my 450 because I'm having a hard time parting ways with the wheels. Haha
if they are anything like talon hubs you can swap axle tubes and get new spacers. that's what i did to use my 09 YZ250f hubs on my 14 450.
Flip109
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6/11/2016 5:20pm
at687 wrote:
You want to sell it??
bgpn35 wrote:
Yeah, It's for sale. I haven't put it on Craigslist yet or anything
at687 wrote:
I'm interested, how much?
Mm mm I like that bike also!
Drakep2
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Location
Loretto, TN, USA
6/11/2016 6:52pm
at687 wrote:
I'm interested, how much?
bgpn35 wrote:
I don't even know what it's really worth, I have a little over 4 grand in it but I know I'm not getting that. I put...
I don't even know what it's really worth, I have a little over 4 grand in it but I know I'm not getting that. I put so much in because I built for myself and didn't plan on selling it ever. Pretty much everything on the bike has been replaced along with kite hubs and A60 rims, I wish I could convert the wheels for my 450 because I'm having a hard time parting ways with the wheels. Haha
As soon as my bike sells I should have enough for it.... if you want to i'd really like to work something out Woohoo
bgpn35
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Gastonia, NC, USA
6/11/2016 7:39pm
Drakep2 wrote:
As soon as my bike sells I should have enough for it.... if you want to i'd really like to work something out Woohoo
Ok cool, like I said I haven't listed it yet so she will be around. My cousin text me last night about maybe wanting to buy it but who knows. Haha, anyway just let me know and I'm coming to muddy creek for the national so there is potential for a 2 stroke to be in the back of my truck since you are in TN
Drakep2
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102
Joined
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Loretto, TN, USA
6/11/2016 7:52pm
bgpn35 wrote:
Ok cool, like I said I haven't listed it yet so she will be around. My cousin text me last night about maybe wanting to buy...
Ok cool, like I said I haven't listed it yet so she will be around. My cousin text me last night about maybe wanting to buy it but who knows. Haha, anyway just let me know and I'm coming to muddy creek for the national so there is potential for a 2 stroke to be in the back of my truck since you are in TN
It all depends on whether or not I can sell my bike. I've been saving up for a yz250 for a while by fixing up old bikes for people and selling them, So if my bike gets sold I will definitely hit you up!

It would be perfect because people around here think that their stuff is gold and post ragged out bikes for 4-5k Blink Plus I would love to buy from a fellow vital member.

I've also never been to muddy creek so i would definitely have to stay around for it Laughing



bgpn35
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Gastonia, NC, USA
6/11/2016 8:07pm
Drakep2 wrote:
It all depends on whether or not I can sell my bike. I've been saving up for a yz250 for a while by fixing up old...
It all depends on whether or not I can sell my bike. I've been saving up for a yz250 for a while by fixing up old bikes for people and selling them, So if my bike gets sold I will definitely hit you up!

It would be perfect because people around here think that their stuff is gold and post ragged out bikes for 4-5k Blink Plus I would love to buy from a fellow vital member.

I've also never been to muddy creek so i would definitely have to stay around for it Laughing



Oh for sure, I'm in no hurry! Just let me know and we will see what works out, thanks!
Drakep2
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102
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Location
Loretto, TN, USA
6/13/2016 10:19am
bgpn35 wrote:
Oh for sure, I'm in no hurry! Just let me know and we will see what works out, thanks!
Hey man can you message me your number so we can talk about the bike a little more? Mine should be selling here very soon

thanks, Drake Smile
bgpn35
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506
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Location
Gastonia, NC, USA
6/13/2016 12:24pm
Drakep2 wrote:
Hey man can you message me your number so we can talk about the bike a little more? Mine should be selling here very soon thanks...
Hey man can you message me your number so we can talk about the bike a little more? Mine should be selling here very soon

thanks, Drake Smile
I just sent you one! Thanks
Jbulz
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Ithaca, NY, USA
6/13/2016 1:44pm
2stroked wrote:
img]https://www.instagram.com/p/BD7M-huqPM3/?taken-by=jmils84/[/img] 2013 here. Where do I start? I absolutely love this bike. I race desert and GP's. Do the occasional REM and SRA GP. it was...
img]https://www.instagram.com/p/BD7M-huqPM3/?taken-by=jmils84/[/img]

2013 here. Where do I start? I absolutely love this bike. I race desert and GP's. Do the occasional REM and SRA GP. it was said in this thread the steel frames handle better. I disagree. I do not feel there is any performance difference between the steel and aluminum frames, only rider preference for chassis feel. The steel frame does flex better, and for some riders they feel the flex of the steel frame makes the bike handle better. Again there is only empirical evidence of this at best, and no real world conclusive data.

Things to watch out for. The shifter detent wheel. Yamaha lists it as a stopper wheel. part number is 5CU-18140-01-00 Go ahead and buy a couple. Immediately replace your's. Replace it every 50 hours when you do your top end. Otherwise, this is what will happen:
img]https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10342488_1020381580849333…]
img]https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10172579_1020381579501299…]

This happened to my bike around hour 20 from off the show room floor. Look I love Yamaha. However they are not perfect. The shifter detent wheel is a ball bearing design. same as its been for years. Identical on the yz125. However yamaha knows this is a defective design. The race on the inside portion of the wheel gets flared and worn, and then drops 8-9 wonderful little steel ball bearings into your transmission. BOOM. The redesign on the newer 07-up YZ125's is a solid steel wheel, no more bearings. However yamaha has not carried over this design on to the YZ250. My sources tell me that because of the inherent shifting necessary for riding a 125 vs that of a 250, yamaha had to make a change. ive owned three YZ125's. every single one of them has had this part fail. Its also failed on my YZ250. Be aware.

Shift forks arent the strongest either. Im currently splitting my cases to replace my 4th and 5th gear, and the shift forks as Ive started to experience 4th dropping into nuetral on its own, and when in 5th it dropping back down into 4th on its own. Since I race off road these two gears are where I spend most of my time. It happens. It sucks. watch for the signs and dont push your luck. KX500 racers used to replace their transmissions with every top end. So it could be worse!

Run race gas. Dont be stupid. Dont try and think you're smarter than everyone else. Run race gas. This is your warning. I run straight VP C12 @ 32:1 with motul 800. If I'm trail riding, I'll run 50/50 VP C12 and VP 100 unleaded. The bike runs correctly with race gas. They are known to ping on 91/93 octance. Especially when its hot. I personally change my air filter and gear oil after EVERY ride. Not just race, but EVERY ride. its cheap insurance. Dont be lazy.

the 2015/16/17 has different triple clamps, steering stem, and the entire front end is basically different. The performance is the same. however the newer forks are a little larger on the top (as I believe was already mentioned). So if you decide to go the OEM bodywork upgrade like I did, be aware the front number plate will not fit correctly. Its a little too short to work with the older triple clamps. It'll fit but you'll need to finesse it on. also the front fender holes dont line up with the older lower clamps. take your original fender and place it upside down on the new fender. Take a sharpie and mark out the new holes. Drill out new holes on updated fender. Now it fits.

Have fun!!
I regularly wreck those shifter detents on my 2003 YZ125 I think it is on its 4th one right now (for what it is worth, the bike has hundreds of hours on it - I've lost count of how many rebuilds this bike has had. 10th crank maybe?). Yamaha superseded the part for the 05+ bike, but never changed that part for the older bikes. I'm working on seeing if I can fab a bushing-style replacement, because I amsick of having repeated detent failures.
Drakep2
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Loretto, TN, USA
6/13/2016 6:18pm
bgpn35 wrote:
I just sent you one! Thanks
Ok man I'm sorry, but I'm kinda new and haven't sent a message before so can you tell me where to go? Whistling Grinning
bgpn35
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506
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Gastonia, NC, USA
6/13/2016 6:54pm
Drakep2 wrote:
Ok man I'm sorry, but I'm kinda new and haven't sent a message before so can you tell me where to go? Whistling Grinning
Go to your profile it should be in your messages.
FGR01
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Fantasy
6/13/2016 7:09pm
No I never dynod it. My butt dyno can feel it pull stronger off the bottom and into the midrange better. And as far as the...
No I never dynod it. My butt dyno can feel it pull stronger off the bottom and into the midrange better. And as far as the vforce reeds I just used the supplied gasket. I haven't heard of that issue before but I will definitely check into it
Never tried the V-Force on my YZ250 but I did try one on my YZ125 and had the leaking probs. I would see gas oozing and dripping on the cases and when I would get it good and hot it would suck air and get a lean bog. Need to seal it up good with Permatex Moto-Seal or Ultra-Gray.

adam8781
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CA
6/13/2016 8:55pm
I rock a 2006, Its as old as i was willing to buy so i could have the sss forks. thing is still a capable weapon, But in the right hands build right anything 03+ is deadly

pro action suspension
springs
rg3 top clamp
ss brake line
06 caliper, 08 master cylinder (huge jump is braking power)
many pipes
ironman sprockets
mxu chain
many pipe silencer combos

Decked head .020 timing 1 deg retarded, ran ethanol free 91 pump no problem
advanced 2 deg, 50/50 c12/91




has my numbers on it now but i crashed and shatterd my pelvis 2 months ago so its in pieces now for another makeover for next summer

love my yz250. 10 year old bike, 11 year old shift, gear still wasting 450s at the track



hogkiller
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194
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Location
champion, AB, CA
11/28/2018 11:37am
2stroked wrote:
img]https://www.instagram.com/p/BD7M-huqPM3/?taken-by=jmils84/[/img] 2013 here. Where do I start? I absolutely love this bike. I race desert and GP's. Do the occasional REM and SRA GP. it was...
img]https://www.instagram.com/p/BD7M-huqPM3/?taken-by=jmils84/[/img]

2013 here. Where do I start? I absolutely love this bike. I race desert and GP's. Do the occasional REM and SRA GP. it was said in this thread the steel frames handle better. I disagree. I do not feel there is any performance difference between the steel and aluminum frames, only rider preference for chassis feel. The steel frame does flex better, and for some riders they feel the flex of the steel frame makes the bike handle better. Again there is only empirical evidence of this at best, and no real world conclusive data.

Things to watch out for. The shifter detent wheel. Yamaha lists it as a stopper wheel. part number is 5CU-18140-01-00 Go ahead and buy a couple. Immediately replace your's. Replace it every 50 hours when you do your top end. Otherwise, this is what will happen:
img]https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10342488_1020381580849333…]
img]https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10172579_1020381579501299…]

This happened to my bike around hour 20 from off the show room floor. Look I love Yamaha. However they are not perfect. The shifter detent wheel is a ball bearing design. same as its been for years. Identical on the yz125. However yamaha knows this is a defective design. The race on the inside portion of the wheel gets flared and worn, and then drops 8-9 wonderful little steel ball bearings into your transmission. BOOM. The redesign on the newer 07-up YZ125's is a solid steel wheel, no more bearings. However yamaha has not carried over this design on to the YZ250. My sources tell me that because of the inherent shifting necessary for riding a 125 vs that of a 250, yamaha had to make a change. ive owned three YZ125's. every single one of them has had this part fail. Its also failed on my YZ250. Be aware.

Shift forks arent the strongest either. Im currently splitting my cases to replace my 4th and 5th gear, and the shift forks as Ive started to experience 4th dropping into nuetral on its own, and when in 5th it dropping back down into 4th on its own. Since I race off road these two gears are where I spend most of my time. It happens. It sucks. watch for the signs and dont push your luck. KX500 racers used to replace their transmissions with every top end. So it could be worse!

Run race gas. Dont be stupid. Dont try and think you're smarter than everyone else. Run race gas. This is your warning. I run straight VP C12 @ 32:1 with motul 800. If I'm trail riding, I'll run 50/50 VP C12 and VP 100 unleaded. The bike runs correctly with race gas. They are known to ping on 91/93 octance. Especially when its hot. I personally change my air filter and gear oil after EVERY ride. Not just race, but EVERY ride. its cheap insurance. Dont be lazy.

the 2015/16/17 has different triple clamps, steering stem, and the entire front end is basically different. The performance is the same. however the newer forks are a little larger on the top (as I believe was already mentioned). So if you decide to go the OEM bodywork upgrade like I did, be aware the front number plate will not fit correctly. Its a little too short to work with the older triple clamps. It'll fit but you'll need to finesse it on. also the front fender holes dont line up with the older lower clamps. take your original fender and place it upside down on the new fender. Take a sharpie and mark out the new holes. Drill out new holes on updated fender. Now it fits.

Have fun!!
Drakep2 wrote:
Thank you! I found your whole post full of useful information. As soon as I get the bike I will replace that "Stopper", I have heard...
Thank you! I found your whole post full of useful information.

As soon as I get the bike I will replace that "Stopper", I have heard way too much about it to leave it alone.

Also, are there any modifications or precautions that can be taken in order to prevent a shift fork failure? I also change my filter and oil super frequently, but I sometimes skip the casual backyard rip around.

I will try to get the most high-quality gas I can but I am in high school and my budget is also that of a high schooler. I am unfamiliar with the term "ping"...? Can you clarify?

I will most defiantly have fun and will post some pics up on my new ride when I get it ( Don't hold your breath tho )

Cheers, Drake
I have been Riding 2 strokes sins 1971 and have never used race gas on my bikes, never had a major failure or had any problems with my bikes. take your time to jet it, and for sure clean your filter every time you ride it and also change your oil every ride and you will be good to go . And no I dont think I am smarter than everyone else, but I do not know anyone who uses race gas that I race with. I race plus 60 intermediate
2
MohMoto14
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11/29/2018 3:31am
I have a 2011. I put a 2006 head on mine with a vforce 3 reed block, FMF factory fatty pipe & titanium 2 silencer &...
I have a 2011. I put a 2006 head on mine with a vforce 3 reed block, FMF factory fatty pipe & titanium 2 silencer & TwinAir air filter. Really brought the bike to life. Had Noleen do my suspension and its night and day difference over stock. I absolutely love this bike!

2stroked wrote:
have you ever done any dyno runs with the 2006 head vs the newer heads? Did you also double gasket the vforce 3 reed block? Ive...
have you ever done any dyno runs with the 2006 head vs the newer heads? Did you also double gasket the vforce 3 reed block? Ive heard of them leaking air and causing bikes to run lean and seize.
Used to run the exact same setup except mine had a reed spacer and some drimmel work done. Hardest pulling bottom end ive ever seen on a 125.
mb60
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GRAPEVINE, TX, USA
3/12/2019 6:50pm
I know this is a old post but hoping some yz experts can help me out. I have a 2005 yz 250 and was hoping to find some sss forks to bolt up to my 2005 yz 250. I found some 2007 yz 250f forks and was wondering if they will bolt straight up w/o changing anything. Someone told me the axle and caliper was changed in 2008 but others have said 2007. Just wondering if anybody can confirm on which year will work w/o the conversion.
Talisker
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Houston, TX, USA
3/12/2019 11:10pm Edited Date/Time 3/13/2019 5:19am
You will need to use the 250F clamps and 250F wheel spacers from the same year as the forks. I think Yamaha went 1mm wider on each side in 06 or 07. This will keep it simple.
Brake calliper did not change until 08.

Post a reply to: Whats the big differences between the yz250's?

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