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Seems the current development cycle of the Japanese manufacturers is to add features at the expense of added weight. 5 pounds added to this machine. Hydraulic clutch, new exhaust and frame changes seem to be the added weight. Hopefully the added performance of these things make up for the weight.
But sure would be nice if they would start to put some development energy into weight reduction. Maybe some frame or engine material innovations are needed at this point to get the weight back down. 200-210 sure would be nice. But probably a pipe dream.
To be fair, when the re-did the '23 450 and the '26 update, you can see an effort to reduce weight compared to prior models. The headtube of the frame, the chain guide (finally), rear brake etc. There are little things you notice, if you've had each generation. I still was a little bit shocked that the '27 250F is gaining that much weigh. The '23 450 lost 5lbs and then when they added the baffles and hydro clutch to the '26 450, they were still able to shave almost all of that back off to keep it even with the '25.
Either way, I'm pretty excited to hear reviews on the new 250F. It's been a long time since the engine was actually "all new." And obviously it's a little bit scary to mess with success but at the same time, if they can make it even better, that would be amazing.
Reedy posted that they rode the bike and it was awesome.
Bike still sounds loud af, and that's with the stock exhaust which everyone will throw away right after purchase.
Not necessarily a complaint just observing from the video.
5lbs seems like a lot, but its not a lot. considering ive taken a shit that was 5lbs lol.
really depends on where the 5lbs is placed and how its felt on the bike. on my 2010 yz450f, it was heavy, but while riding, it felt light and snappy. many ppl pointed out that even though the ktm 450 in 16 was super light, it kinda worked against the bike to settle it down on faster tracks. and Roczens camp, and JGR both have talked about the weight of the RMZ actually being a benefit.
but 5 lbs can be shaved off just by changing seat foam and picking different tires and tubes. and reality is shaving weight costs a lot of money for diminishing returns. you can spend thousands on titanium and carbon and only drop 4lbs
Some weight saving measures are a big compromise - lightweight tubes, or inferior but lighter tires for eg.
Others are only expensive - Ti fasteners in non critical locations (Some people can feel a difference with Ti axles/pivots)
And inevitably there is a trade off with durability - a pro might be happy for a part to be reliable for a race meet, an amateur for a season, a farmer for ever.
EG side plate bolt - Aluminium, Ti, Steel for the farmer.
Lightweight is very important on a race bike*, and it’s difficult for the consumer do do much about it. If one bike is 10 pounds heavier from the factory: It’s likely to still be 10 pounds heavier after both bikes get the Ti/Seat foam/etc treatment.
*You know - at least for accelerating, braking and changing direction!!
August 26th. Next Wednesday.
Anyone hear what time today the embargo lifts?
9am PDT
Ditt bike mag has their video up
Pit Row
Not too many surprises. Sounds about what many of us expected. Sounds like given the goal of keeping it within the new sound requirements, they did a really good job. Doesn't sound like it quite has the explosiveness that make the 21-23 so exciting, but it makes up for it with the ability to pull the gear longer. And they new chassis and suspension from the 450, are probably a good mix between the prior 2 generation chassis, which is probably a positive for most people. Seems like it still kept the YZ identity as best that it could, but improved in other areas. So I'd consider that all to be a good thing.
I'm very close to pulling the pin on one of these. Does anyone have any feedback on how the Yamaha's feels compared to the Austrian bikes when it comes to bump touch and comfort feel in the hands on harder pack tracks?
i have a 2025 ktm350SXF and a 2026 yz450F. Bump touch on the KTM is good and bad. You feel everything and have great control to change direction and miss the bumps. But...if you hit a smaller bump on the Yamaha it just drives through with less feedback. The chassis soaks everything up better than a KTM. You feel every little bump on the KTM. Some like that feel. How's that?
Awesome thankyou, that's exactly the feedback I'm after. I also have a 25 350sxf and it is my favourite bike by far, but after riding a few concrete hard tracks I'm getting more feedback into my hands than I'd like. I like the idea of a more forgivin 2nd bike I can ride at hardpack tracks and this new yamy has me very interested.
I was originally thinking of the 26 yz450 because im a heavier guy but I've just never loved the handling of 450's. Which bike do you prefer between your 2 and do you like having both?
You will notice large improvement in hand and feet feel due to less vibration and the KYB are amazing. Ride it until you break it in and go to your local tuner or whomever you used and tell them what you want. Bike sounds like it will be very good. Just opening up the airbox, putting a pipe on it and it sounds like it really livens it up. I could imagine an ECU would really do wonders on this thing.
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