Words: Guy Streeter

You could say Yamaha has delivered an ‘X’ factor in its off-road line-up for 2016, adding the YZ250X two-stroke model alongside its existing YZ250FX four-stroke variant within the new year’s range.

The YZ250FX – first released for 2015 – fits right between the WR250F enduro bike and the YZ250F motocross bike. Meanwhile, the YZ250X sits in its own category for Yamaha being its only two-stroke enduro bike, which has been derived from the legendary YZ250 and massaged into an off-road winner.

If you’re in the market for a closed-course enduro racer and looking for the aggressive nature and performance of a motocross bike, then the Yamaha ‘X’ range is for you! Yamaha has produced two quarter-litre bikes that are ready for cross country and enduro competition; think GNCC or AORC and that is what Yamaha has developed here.

Yamaha Motor Australia invited us to Mackay in Queensland for the national media launch this month, to get our first taste of the X models alongside a host of 250cc options available from the brand.

You might be thinking, why wouldn’t I buy a WR250F, YZ250F or a YZ250 instead? Good question. Yamaha has spent a lot of time developing the X model bikes to offer the consumer a package that is tailored specifically for enduro/off-road racers – both four- and two-stroke.

First up, the Yamaha YZ250X. For years Yamaha has been known for having one of the best 250cc two-strokes on the market, because of great handling, explosive power and Yamaha reliability. It has utilised and refined the YZ250, optimising for the expanding enduro two-stroke racing market.

The YZ250X from the outside looks just like a YZ250 with a sidestand, and you’re right, it is a YZ250 with a sidestand, along with a few minor changes to adapt the bike to the off-road racing machine that it is.

The YZ250X uses the 249cc two-stroke engine and combined it with a wider-ratio five-speed transmission, suiting it better for the off-road racer in tight, twisting trails, right through to the wide-open fire trails.

It uses the same ultra lightweight YZ250-spec aluminum frame engineered for optimal flex and rigidity, plus KYB Speed Sensitive Spring (SSS) type suspension tuned specifically for off-road racing. A more compact exhaust pipe has been designed, narrower both horizontally and vertically, for better clearance on tight and technical trails, but still providing an efficient exhaust.

The features that make the bike more specifically an off-road racer are the 18-inch rear wheel, rear brake protector, aluminum sidestand, sealed O-ring chain, YZ-F style pegs, gripper seat, narrow fuel tank, narrow expansion chamber wide range transmission, fuel tank with reserve position, updated digital CDI ignition system and specific Dunlop enduro tyres.

And for those who are lucky enough to reside in a state that has recreational rego, an optional lighting kit is available, which increases the usage options when it comes to trail riding.

I was excited to throw a leg over the YZ250X, it had been a while since riding a two-stroke and let’s face it, who doesn’t like the smell of burning oil? There is not a lot new to the two-stroke market these days and the YZ250X felt exactly the way I remember the YZ250 to be.

The bike feels like the complete package as far as two-strokes go, boasting power on tap, nimble and precise handling in tight technical terrain, along with a sound that brings a smile to your face. The only thing that is missing is an electric start.

The YZ250X will retail at $10,499 and is available from late September in the traditional Team Yamaha Blue. A rec rego-spec YZ250XR model featuring the optional cross country kit is available for $10,999.

With that cross country option (as per accompanying action image abive), the YZ250X comes fitted with headlight assembly, cowl/graphic, LED headlight and tail light, rear brake light switch, handguards, wiring harness, horn, amplifier/capacitor, stator, handlebar switch, RHS mirror and braided front brake line.

Now onto the already-popular YZ250FX, Yamaha used New Zealand legend Josh Coppins to develop the bike to be considerably different from the YZ250F and the WR250F. The bike comes from a winning background with motocross championships both overseas and here domestically, so it has a proven pedigree.

The YZ250FX is basically a competition-ready machine; its a YZ250F tuned specifically for the off-road enduro racer, without the weight of ADR specifications that you will find on the top-selling WR250F.

We don’t need to go into detail about what has made the revolutionary reverse fed engine and everything else that makes the YZ250F a class leader, because that is well documented including our recent 2016 test, so instead lets take a look at what separates the YZ250FX from the WR and the YZ250F versions.

Jump on board the YZ250FX and if feels just like the YZ250F. Never mind reaching down for the kickstarter, because an electric start on the throttle side of the handlebars will fire the YZ250FX into life for you and you’re away.

The bike is about four kilograms lighter than a WR, but still a little heavier than the YZ250F – you would expect that right? With the addition of an aluminium sidestand, heavier flywheel, electric start and a sixth gear, that’s where the weight gain comes from.

Firmer suspension offers more confidence over a variety of terrain than the WR in my experience between the pair. The FX suspension has a predictable feeling over rough and tricky terrain, which is gained by using KYB’s SSS fork and shock combination.

The FX’s power is pretty spot on with a revised ‘off-road’ ECU setting, but can be easily tuned with the GYTR Power Tuner if you feel the need. I really noticed more difference from the WR to the FX in power delivery – the FX is much more lively and feels less restricted, partly because the ECU mapping is closer to YZ250F.

Yamaha’s 2016 YZ250FX has a lot of power down low, ideal for snotty hills and navigating over large rocks and logs, and then on the open, faster terrain the FX will come into its own when shifted into sixth gear. That’s a true added advantage over the YZ250F’s five-speed gearbox.

What particularly sets the FX apart from the YZ250F is the 18-inch rear wheel, electric start, six-speed gear box, aluminum sidestand and revised ECU settings. And what you gain is a bike that is ready for enduro competition right out of the showroom.

Although Acetive8 Yamaha won the Australian Off-Road E1 Championship with Josh Green on the WR250F in 2015, the YZ205FX would probably suit an off-road racer even more, straight out of the box as it’s closer to being a race-ready machine with minimal changes required. There is no need to strip the bike of any weight or engine restrictions the WR comes with to comply with ADR standards.

The FX is in its second year in the market and retails for $11,499 in stock trim, or an up-spec YZ250FXR featuring a specific cross country kit is available at $11,999. They’ll be on the market in late September 2015.

Yamaha’s aforementioned optional cross country kit includes a headlight assembly with horn pre-fitted, tail light, rear brake light switch, wiring harness, LHS handlebar switch, RHS mirror, handguards, licence plate holder, braided steel front brake line and an alloy GYTR bashplate.

Make sure you head over to www.yamaha-motor.com.au for further information on the models, as well as Yamaha’s complete enduro and motocross range introduced for 2016.