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WR250F is 6 speed too. I can't wait for an updated YZ250X.
Should just be any another 17 years or so?
Webb to Yamaha seems odd to me. That Sherco seemed to work pretty good for him. The YZ is a step backwards for Hard Enduro IMO.
Neither one of these signings will lead to new engine or chassis development, at least in my opinion.
Sherco wasn't paying.
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That makes better sense then......
Yamaha doesn't need chassis development on the 2 stroker, even their 20 year old design is light years ahead of any of the offerings dudes are riding in hard enduro currently. I mean, dudes buy KTMs then spend $2k just to have forks similar to a Yamaha.
I don't know that I'm confident it'll lead to a bunch of development either but we'll see.
It was interesting to hear Cody say there is a GYTR e-start kit coming for the YZ 250, that in itself is pretty awesome and will get more people on YZs for off road.
I had not heard about the GYTR E start. That would be awesome and I would likely buy one. My only other wish would be a 6th gear.
I disagree that Yamaha does not need chassis development on their 2-stroker. If you hop of a new KTM to a YZ250 it feels like an antique. The engine is awesome (besides the vibration) but the chassis, IMO of course, leaves a lot to be desired.
I think the 22' redesign with the flatter seat profile was a big improvement. It just needs the 4 stroke triple clamp for a more modern rake angle.
I don't totally disagree, however that's a little more of a personal preference thing as far as bike feel goes. I'd still put the Yamaha way ahead of a Beta, Sherco or Rieju in that department.
Fact of the matter remains that KTM hasn't ever put a bike off the production line that had forks anywhere near the level of what the YZ 250 has been coming with for 20 years now.
I own several KTMs and 3-4 YZ 250s of various generations so I'm in the middle of the road you could say!
But the race teams (and bike owners) can already handle that in the aftermarket.
Yep, and I have no issue with it. I regularly switch back and fourth between my 2024 YZ250F and my 2008 YZ125.
I believe the Sherco some odd mechanical failures that let him down a couple of times this past year.
While on paper the YZ250X doesn't look like a great hard enduro bike it actually works very well both in the motor and suspension department.
He'll be on the 4 stroke for endurocross.
Nice to see Yamaha getting involved in this type of racing.
He mentioned in the podcast with Max Gerston that there was some change over in staff at Sherco the last year that he wasn't too pumped on either.
Rumor is that Will Riordan is taking the Sherco seat.
You don't like the WP CC forks that came out last year?
Best production KTM forks ever but still not as good as the KYBs that come on the Yamaha.
My 2022 YZ 250X with the Fisch Moto EStart from Canada.
At a minimum the YZ-X needs E-start for hard enduro. An extra 50cc's is a game changer as well.
Pit Row
Cody made it sound like sometimes he'll ride a bike with e-start and sometimes not.
As it stands now he can have a Hydro Clutch OR E-start, the motor can't fit both the way it works. Maybe the GYTR starter will change that though.
He mentioned at King of the Motos he'll probably ride a non-estart bike cause he's pretty confident he can go the whole race without shutting the bike off.
Hopefully the GYTR kit is a bit more streamlined than this, this looks like it wouldn't last 30 minutes on a pros hard enduro bike.
I've been saving money on one of their e-start kits for my KDX220 motor into an '03 KX125 frame project. They're not terribly expensive and my old leg/knee likes a button to start!
Having ridden a 24 300XC back to back with my 2021 YZ250 I'd say that's not a true statement at all. Now if I could put my front end on the KTM I'd probably change my opinion but both stock suspensions the KTM was nowhere near as good.
And your 21 doesn't have the modern ergonomic package like the current YZ.
My right leg is 1 1/2" shorter and all my shoes and boots are lifted 3/4". The leg is also not as strong as I favor my left leg by default. Muscle atrophy is real. Since it is the kick leg it sucks to start a high compression motor, thus the E-Start. The 125 even as a 144 is easy to kick start.
Damn dirt bikes🤣🙃😇😉
I've always wanted to do a similar build! Should be a fun single track ripper when you're done.
Maybe! But in my opinion XC racing isn’t about horse power, it’s about keeping your momentum up ! But I’m shure he knows what he wants!
At his level HP is definitely a deciding factor. If you think KR could go head to head against JG 250 vs 450, youre nuts
The XC2 guys have been steadily creeping into the top 3 overall. Josh Toth took an overall this year on a Honda CRF250RX. https://racerxonline.com/2024/03/11/josh-toth-makes-history-with-gncc-o…;
Let's not forget the enigma Shane Watts, although going back a few years, really drove the point home that it's more about the rider. "I rode five different models on the way to that GNCC title – the 125, 200, 250, 300 and 380cc two-strokes, and the 400cc four-stroke. The 520EXC was the only model I didn’t win on in 2000"
In most XC racing, but GNCC is so open and fast that a 450 definitely makes a difference.
I don't totally disagree with you but Toth and Davis winning multiple overalls this year does kinda discredit that some.
Also worth noting that KR won all his titles on the 350 and I believe the current KTM XC1 guys are on 350s too.
That said, I do think to do battle with guys like Stu and Johnny you definitely don't wanna be at a horsepower disadvantage and somebody like KR is obviously gonna be fit enough that a 450 shouldn't wear him out like it does us mere mortals.
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