2014 Yamaha YZ250F Preproduction Intro 7

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Yamaha first revealed the 2014 motocross models back in June, and while the YZ450F is all ready on showroom floors, the YZ250F is not. Don't fear though, the completely revamped fuel-injected small-bore will soon be going full steam ahead, and we recently had a sneak peek at the new blue machine during a preproduction intro at Glen Helen Raceway.
Credit: Bayo Olukotun
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2014
YZ250F
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View replies to: 2014 Yamaha YZ250F Preproduction Intro

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Cashmore
12 years ago
Compared to the other preproduction videos... racerx / transworld.. this one is the best by far.
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Roostarvo
12 years ago
Looks like a winner to me!!. I would like to know more about suspension changes if any. My yz 2stroke is really stable and easy to go fast on. wonder if suspension was upgraded much.
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bayodome
12 years ago
Just like on the 2014 YZ450F the forks and shocks received minor upgrades. Yamaha decided to keep the SSS fork instead of moving to the PSF like on the Honda and Kawasaki 450s...and for good reason. The SSS has always worked very well and this year is no different. The upper stanchions on slightly thicker towards the top for added rigidity and the front axle is slightly larger as well.

Overall the fork action, and shock (which also received a few upgrades) are very good. Both Andrew Silverstein (Pro, 5'7, 165lbs.) and myself (Int., 6'3, 195lbs...on a good day) we able to push as hard as we wanted. We both ran around 105mm of sag in the rear and the bike felt very well balanced. I would personally likely end up with a heavier spring in the rear after suspension mods, but overall the suspension performed as I have come to expect out of Yamahas...smooth, predictable, and stable.
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sesker15
12 years ago
@bayodome im the same height and weight as you, I was wondering how did the bike pull someone of your size around the track? Is the 250 motor more than enough power? Also is this front end more planted then the 2014yz450( rode one and didn't like the front end feel).?Thanks so much
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bayodome
12 years ago
Pulled me around just fine sesker15. Like we said in the video, the bottom end hit is surprisingly strong although it did fall a little flat up top. The preproduction bike's sweet spot was in the mid-range.

Is it enough power? That depends on what you're doing. If you are younger and racing in a 250 class, then it will be right on par with the other bikes. Racing a 250 against 450s in the Vet classes is a toss up. If you feel like your strengths are better suited on a smaller bike, then it can be competitive, but 450s will always accelerate faster, no matter what you do to a 250. If you're not racing, then I believe a 250 can be more fun than a big-bore.

Handling-wise the 2014 Yamaha's share similar chassis and both the 450 and 250 have similar characteristics. One day of riding on one track is not enough to determine a bike's overall performance, but so far the 250F front end has not been as planted as I would like in the turns. In rough straights, though, you could not ask for a more stable bike.

We'll be riding the YZ250F again in the next few weeks at a much different track than Glen Helen. Stay posted!
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sesker15
12 years ago
Thanks for getting back to me. Looking forward to read more about this bike.