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Alright, I'm a little hesitant to post it but here we go anyways. I little while back I decided to take my RM and my YZ out to two tracks and do a short comparison video between the two. People will argue until they're blue in the face about which bike is better, and to be totally honest I still don't think you can draw a clear winner between the two, so I did my best to compare what I felt were the strengths and weaknesses of each. Aside from telling me I have the most annoying voice on the planet let me know what you think, keep in mind this is my first time doing anything like this so it's not going to be ML quality.
Great job!
Looking forward to more
Let us know what tracks your riding when doing these
SSS are not magic??? I have an '05 RM125 and often ride a friends '06 YZ125 and I prefer the Showas on the RM. In fairness they were set up for me by Factory Connection, but it tells me the differences are less than the ability to tune.
The Shop
"So, for you, which one do you pick?"
Me?
I prefer my RM. But it's refined for me. If I were set up the YZ suspension and controls for me I'd likely be very happy with it. The YZ is more numb if that makes sense. Doesn't so anything bad, just not as lively. Components on the YZ may be a little better, last a little longer? Both bikes are smile generators after riding a 250 4t.
I am honestly shocked at how good the suspension and handling on the RM really is. I've come into some really nasty braking bumps or kickers and cringed then only have it soak it all up with no fuss. And, the handling is flawless in my opinion.
Manufacturers specs? What do you think I am bro, some kind of Ridgeline driving crossfitter? If you aren't yielding threads you aren't torquing bro. . .
NeedMoto:
Argyle and Diablo (Sand Hill). If you ever drive on down send me a message, we'll be at Diablo this Saturday.
PRM31:
The forks and shock on the RM are revalved, but it was done a long time ago and I remember not feeling a huge difference when they were done, so the settings are really close to stock. Everyone raves about the SSS (especially people who haven't even ridden them), but a lot of it is internet exaggeration as far as I'm concerned. The forks are good, but they aren't incredible.
racingforthesun:
Performance wise, it's a crap shoot between the two, it would really depend on the track. As far as long term ownership, YZ all day long. Parts are much cheaper, and as far as I'm concerned overall build quality is just a little bit better. When it's time to do a top end or crank, you'll be happy you have a YZ.
Ted722:
Nailed it! I love both bikes, you just can't go wrong with any of the 250 two strokes as far as I'm concerned!
B8res:
You got it, both bikes are very similar. I think if the Yamaha had a slightly steaper head angle it would be right in line with the turning abilities of the RM. But, at the same time, you'll lose a little bit of that stability at speed, so like anything else it's always a trade off that each manufacturer has to consider. Interestingly enough, when I was riding my cr125 a lot I demoed the yz125. To be honest the bike didn't feel all that much faster, just had a wider power, but man did it turn like crap compared to the Honda. After hearing how underpowered and slow the Honda was I was sure I would hate it after riding the YZ, but that wasn't the case at all, I actually like my CR better.
Thanks for watching guys, glad you enjoyed it.
Also, nice riding!
Motocross83, I'm assuming a lot of the tracks you ride over there are a little softer and more rutted since it's a wetter climate (if I'm wrong on this just smack me across the head, I don't travel ). If that's true, then I can see you liking the RM more for those conditions. It was considerably easier for me to stay in ruts with the RM since it didn't have as much of a tendancy to want to slide the front wheel up and out, and if I only rode tracks like that I probably would have given the RM the win. Just consider though that you are going to pay A LOT more for RM parts, and they tend to command some pretty high prices. Just some things to consider, all said and done though they are great bikes and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
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