most durable new 4stroke

jumper23
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jumper23
15 year old 135lb b/c rider moving up from a 220 KTM 125 to a new 4stroke . Will be riding 2-3 times a week with local races on weekend . So hours will pile up quick , which motor trans /bike will take the hours with the least tear downs . Leaning towards the Yamaha YZ250F but wanted opinions . Been on KTM's since 50's
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crc245
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crc245 4/29/2022 4:02pm
4/29/2022 4:02pm
Durable and 250F don't typically go hand in hand, especially after too many mods. Have heard Yamaha's need consistent timing chain swaps, and the AF maintenance is key to learn how to keep gravity from contaminating intake. With your KTM background and rider size, a 2019-2022 KTM 250 SX-F wouldn't be a bad way to go: A few parts interchange with your current 2020 two stroke, you're both familiar with the platform, they were in production for a number of years so reliability is known, and the new 2022.5+ versions with QS are too new to know much, long-term, just yet.

Even easier decision if you have updated to better suspenders that carryover, proper linkage, have a pile of current KTM air filters, backup wheels, etc. And if a color change is what's desired, an MC 250F or FC 250 are plenty of variety. Best of Luck with the decision making and remember to have fun with it: New bike times are the best. Cheers
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Marc_Honda 4/29/2022 5:17pm
4/29/2022 5:17pm Edited Date/Time 4/29/2022 5:18pm
jumper23 wrote:
15 year old 135lb b/c rider moving up from a 220 KTM 125 to a new 4stroke . Will be riding 2-3 times a week with...
15 year old 135lb b/c rider moving up from a 220 KTM 125 to a new 4stroke . Will be riding 2-3 times a week with local races on weekend . So hours will pile up quick , which motor trans /bike will take the hours with the least tear downs . Leaning towards the Yamaha YZ250F but wanted opinions . Been on KTM's since 50's
I’m going to say Yamaha is the most reliable 250f.. not because I’ve had one but because a friend had one with zero issues and 90% of posts when asked which 250f is most reliable are people saying Yamaha are the most reliable.

I think at this point it’s almost a fact that Yamaha are very reliable, but I think any modern Japanese 250f is pretty reliable. I’m not sure about KTM/Husqvarna/GasGas.. my experience with KTM 250f was a 2011 model and it was terrible, but that’s over 10years ago. There are the memes about KTM.

Realistically if you buy a 250f and look after it with oil/oil filter changes and regular clean properly oiled air filters they are all pretty reliable considering they are highly tuned race machines.
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Moto520
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Moto520 4/29/2022 9:10pm
4/29/2022 9:10pm
Yamaha is such a good bike. Best deal for a 250f
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walent215
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walent215 4/30/2022 4:35am
4/30/2022 4:35am Edited Date/Time 4/30/2022 4:36am
jumper23 wrote:
15 year old 135lb b/c rider moving up from a 220 KTM 125 to a new 4stroke . Will be riding 2-3 times a week with...
15 year old 135lb b/c rider moving up from a 220 KTM 125 to a new 4stroke . Will be riding 2-3 times a week with local races on weekend . So hours will pile up quick , which motor trans /bike will take the hours with the least tear downs . Leaning towards the Yamaha YZ250F but wanted opinions . Been on KTM's since 50's
Marc_Honda wrote:
I’m going to say Yamaha is the most reliable 250f.. not because I’ve had one but because a friend had one with zero issues and 90%...
I’m going to say Yamaha is the most reliable 250f.. not because I’ve had one but because a friend had one with zero issues and 90% of posts when asked which 250f is most reliable are people saying Yamaha are the most reliable.

I think at this point it’s almost a fact that Yamaha are very reliable, but I think any modern Japanese 250f is pretty reliable. I’m not sure about KTM/Husqvarna/GasGas.. my experience with KTM 250f was a 2011 model and it was terrible, but that’s over 10years ago. There are the memes about KTM.

Realistically if you buy a 250f and look after it with oil/oil filter changes and regular clean properly oiled air filters they are all pretty reliable considering they are highly tuned race machines.
The last paragraph from Marc_Honda is spot on
I’ve owned /rebuilt countless 250/450 4 strokes and can attest to his statement as being very accurate .
They all can and will have a failure at some point or another
I have done many Yamaha/Honda rebuilds and ironically those are the two that everyone touts as being the most reliable …Lol
Just buy the one you like and possibly from a local dealer that will be able to help when needed.
Track hours closely and be diligent with maintenance and you will be fine
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jumper23
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jumper23 4/30/2022 5:27am
4/30/2022 5:27am
thanks for the replys , dont care about a color change as actually rather stay orange /blue/red (KTM group) but have heard great things about that KYB suspension on the Yamaha vs the air forks that we have been on for the past few years .
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 4/30/2022 7:56am
4/30/2022 7:56am
All the modern 250s are very reliable. It’s not like the 90s. Keep on the maintenance. I know a bunch of riders with 100+ hours on stock pistons on their 250f
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wiedeman
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wiedeman 4/30/2022 3:47pm
4/30/2022 3:47pm
One thing to look at is the cost of parts.. Its only $50 for a OEM piston on a 2022 yz 250f... About another $60 more for gaskets, cam chain, rings, and a wrist pin... As long as you keep your air filter clean and oil changed, it should be far more reliable and far less maintenance than your prior 2 stroke.
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Leeham
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Leeham 4/30/2022 9:21pm
4/30/2022 9:21pm
Get the YZ250F. Just did the top end for mine. Bike at one point lost the oil drain bolt and oil. Ran for 2-5 minutes with no oil. Filled the bike up with oil and a new bolt. Ran it for another 20 hours no issue. I rev the piss out of it. Piston looked good with 50 hours on it. Cams looked great even with the low/no oil moment.

What I do:
Change the oil every ride (my days are 2-3 hours)
Oil filter every 2nd change
Twinair Powerflow system with filter skins that get changed very often.

Bottom line. Change the oil often and clean air. Its not that hard. Other than the one off issues that are few and far between. People who have constant issues are more likely to be negligent.
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Wiscomx
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Wiscomx 4/30/2022 10:26pm
4/30/2022 10:26pm
Yamahas are pretty solid, definitely one of the better when it comes to 250f bikes in my experience, everything has its pros and cons,
YZed250
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YZed250 5/2/2022 8:57am
5/2/2022 8:57am
My KTM and FC250 before that were solid. All told, I put 200hrs on those bikes, and the Husky had over 200 when I sold it, running well. That's one of the #1 reasons KTMs are popular with the off-road crew, because they hold up to many hours of riding. The weakest link in the current stock KTM 250F motor is the oiling system, IMHO.
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wrc777
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wrc777 5/2/2022 11:04am
5/2/2022 11:04am
Keefer has podcasts with a couple of engine builders and he asks them which bikes need the most parts upgraded to hold more power and which take the least.
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jumper23
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jumper23 5/2/2022 2:05pm
5/2/2022 2:05pm
wiedeman wrote:
One thing to look at is the cost of parts.. Its only $50 for a OEM piston on a 2022 yz 250f... About another $60 more...
One thing to look at is the cost of parts.. Its only $50 for a OEM piston on a 2022 yz 250f... About another $60 more for gaskets, cam chain, rings, and a wrist pin... As long as you keep your air filter clean and oil changed, it should be far more reliable and far less maintenance than your prior 2 stroke.
sounds good to me
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