WORDS: 2025 Yamaha YZ250F First Impression
Photos: Trevor Hunter and Scott Hoffman
All Changes in a Good Way
Yes, some of you still like to read, so here you go
Last year (the 2024 model year), Yamaha launched an all-new YZ250F, which was based off the YZ450F that was released the prior year (2023). The 2024 changes to the chassis are pretty much shared with the YZ450F, which offers a slimmer feel and a flatter seat profile, updated frame, and so forth, which were all well received by those who have ridden the new bikes. The 2024 250F engine received changes to the cam chain for durability but mostly the engine is a carryover from 2023. In addition, the intake tract and electronics are now similar to the 450F setup. Although comparable, the power character now, especially in the low end, were moved around and emphasized now more toward the mid and top end starting with the 2024 model. The 2024 was well received but not perfect with regard to suspension settings and some novice and vet riders preferred the low-end grunt that the 2023 offered.
Fast forward to 2025, instead of just running the same bike for 2025, Yamaha made some changes and updates, which is not always the case for a second-year release. The 250 received many of the same changes as the 450F, including a revised, stiffer rear shock linkage, lighter spring rate out back, and a new delta-shaped valving in the fork. Overall new valving specs for the fork and the shock were dialed in around the new linkage. The footpeg mounts were revised/shaved down on the top section to avoid catching your boot or stepping on the edge of the mounts. Only a select few had issues, it was never a complaint at DBT. Also, the tuning app was updated for a broader ability to tune the settings. Yamaha by far has the most advanced and functional tuning app in the business, they were also the first to pioneer a phone app available to the public.
The YZ250F is obviously a championship-winning machine, the proof is in the pudding and in the hands Haiden Deegan. Although his Star Racing Yamaha is far from stock, the bones of the race bike are still based off a production Yamaha YZ250F.
Our single-day test out at Fox Raceway/Pala laid down a good base for what the 2025 YZ250F has to offer. Both of our test riders, who differ in weight from 165 lbs and 195 lbs and 5’7″ and 6’1″, praised the new suspension settings. Only minor clicker adjustments were needed to make both riders comfortable for their respected riding ability. From 2024 to 2025 the bike is more balanced, and the fork does not dive or ride as low in the stroke compared to last year. The chassis is very plush on the small braking and busy hits, yet still has improved holdup and bottoming resistance. By the end of the day both our faster rider and our slower/heavier vet rider ended up stiffening the fork by one to two clicks and slowed the rebound down. Our heavier rider did the same in the back and our faster rider also adjusted the high-speed compression, 1/8-1/4 out to allow the rear to soak up and avoid kicking on square-edged hits.
The chassis is calmer and more balanced compared to the 2024, offering a plush feel on the fork without feeling twitchy. The overall suspension action is not as reactive and has a little less feedback to the rider compared to last year, but for us it was a good feeling and a step in the right direction and an overall improvement compared to 2024. For our one-day test, Yamaha for sure made improvements. The KYB SSS fork on the Yamaha is still a major winner in our book for a vast majority of riders.
Regarding performance, the 2025 is very similar to the 2024, except for minor ECU settings. The 2024-2025 rides like a traditional 250F, gobs of mid- and high-revving screaming top-end. Trevor Hunter, our fast, light pilot and 250F specialist, kept the ’25 Yamaha singing no matter where he was on the track and had a smile on his face most of the day. I actually had to peel him off the bike to get a chance to ride before the day came to an end. This is for sure an engine for faster riders and those with 250F experience. Hunter noted it’s a really fun engine platform if you keep it in the meat of the power curve and are not afraid to let it rev. Yet our slower vet rider still missed the grunty bottom end of the 2023 engine and found himself having to use a decent amount of clutch to get the engine into the meat while exiting corners. Not a deal breaker, just more of an adjustment. The vet rider noted if you are not in the right gear, they experienced a slight dip or bog in the delivery if the RPM was too low, mostly attributed to skill level (or lack of) and being over 200 lbs with gear. If we had more time we might have made slight gearing adjustments that might help move the power around to avoid having to shift mid-corner at times or between gears exiting corners.
There are two maps available on the fly. We liked the standard map. While the performance map offers more mid and top end, it takes away too much bottom in places.
The 2024 YZ250F came out swinging and was a favorite amongst a slew of riders, for 2025, they made it better with slight suspension and linkage changes along with tuning app and ECU settings. Much like the YZ450F, Yamaha has always had the ability to build a bike that caters to a wide range of riders, the 2025 YZ250F is much the same. We had little issues switching from a 165-lb rider to a 195-lb rider. It may not be ideal but it does work.
The ’25 chassis is more balanced, plusher, and less twitchy. The engine is still at the top of the class and screams (some wish for a little more bottom-to-mid transition but they might just be whiners). We also know coming from the ’24 model, with minor mods it gets even better. If you are a 250F rider and a fan of the fit and feel of a YZ, the 2025 YZ250F is better out of the box over the 2024.
