Just my third ride on the 2022 Monster Energy edition Yamaha YZ 250. Has a Pro Circuit exhaust and some jetting changes. Still figuring out the powerband. This thing is a fun bike, it's really great to be back on a two stroke.
Its so damn fun. I ride my buddys yz 450 sometimes too and I am definitely faster on it though. There's a visceral feeling that I don't get on a 4 stroke though.
The last one I rode was a 2004 and it was a few years ago. I’ve been riding a yz450 the last few years but mostly doing trail stuff on my ktm 300 xcw so I wouldn’t have a good answer for you. All I know is it seems thinner than I remember and the suspension is fantastic. Turning just feels like point and shoot, perfect. Other than that it seems similar, they haven’t done much, but I’m not a great source. They changed the 125 this year but not really the 250. I think those changes will be on the 250 next year
@@straightnobraker4677 They changed the 125 to be competitive in class I think. No 250cc 2-stroke competition, so I'm not sure they update it ever. I have a 2016 because I wanted a 2-stroke coming back to riding after 33 years. Love the bike but I think a much harder bike to ride than a 450. I'm still being stubborn. Changed the sprockets so I could ring second gear out a little more on a MX track. Also springs for my 210 pound body. Never hit a braking bump I was afraid of. Enjoy the bike!
@@alienxyt You might be right about the 250 not getting the same updates, I just assumed. The new 250 actually feels a lot different though with the slimmer profile and flatter seat. I guess they changed the intake a bit for a more linear feel and Keefer confirmed that with his test. Basically the same bike though. Did you go down to a 48 or 49? I was actually thinking 51 or 52 so I could just smash everything in 3rd. I love the bike so much, it is waaaaay harder to ride than a 450 but I was getting bored on a 450 to be honest. I'm not that fast though and to make the 450 fun you have to really haul ass. I have some springs ordered too. Such a fun and playful bike
@@straightnobraker4677 I was wrong. I took another look around the web and Yamaha actually did much more than I gave them credit for. And they finally got the rim color to match the plastic!! Beautiful wheels. I'm more envious of your bike now than before. I went down 2 teeth in the back to 48 and left the front at 14. I only ride it on a MX track and wanted a little lower revs for jumps out of a turn. Up a tooth or two is interesting to me. I would have never thought of that. I line up at the gate in 2nd and mostly only need 3rd. There's one or two straights where you can use 4th to your advantage. My front brakes are a little spongy so they finally took care of that it looks like. I may have to take a look at the new one myself! Enjoy the riding!!
@@alienxyt the brakes are great, although I have a ktm 300 xcw with the brembo and it isn't quite that good. I've mostly been riding it on vet tracks to break it in and get used to it so I will see how I like the gearing this weekend on the main at state fair where I am going. The suspension also got an update but its so soft for me that Ive gone up 6 clicks of compression in the front and its pretty harsh in braking bumps...just a stop gap though until I can install the new springs. The bike feels like a modern bike when you sit on it and that is my favorite part
Ya buddy! I'm so stoked on it. Any setup advice? I have the Pro Circuit pipe and 304 shorty and am waiting for my vForce reeds. Had to get springs because I'm 6'4" 195lbs, but I am waiting on them too. Most fun bike I've owned so far though. Absolutely in love with it.
@@straightnobraker4677 Same here I am enjoying mine. So far I am looking to do a shorty pipe(not sure if Ill run PC or FMF) GYTR Flywheel to calm down the motor a bit and (make the bike more manageable during long motos/ rough conditions), & Pro Taper Pillow Grips. Thats all the modifications I have planned for now because the stock platform is solid for me so far :)
@@knolysjohnson7244 I got those Pro Taper Pillow Grips...game changers for the vibration. The vforce reeds were a way bigger difference than the pipe and silencer. Its basically perfect now, needs nothing.
Ouch they tricked you into spending extra for graphics you can get for a third of the cost aftermarket. There is zero mechanical changes to the monster edition Yamaha not worth the extra price.
@@straightnobraker4677 when they first came out it was like 800 difference at my local dealer and I just laughed. Glad to see they brought it down to almost reasonable
@@jonruger I put a deposit down 3 months in advance on the blue one at 2 dealerships. One place said they actually weren't going to get any yz 250s until maybe June 2022 and then the other place said they were actually only getting this one...its crazy out there trying to buy a good bike.
@@straightnobraker4677 I know it’s crazy I got the itch for a new one this year and in my area unless I want to switch to KTM it’s almost impossible to find a new bike. I’ve always owned Honda and Yamaha not sure I’m ready to switch over.
