Yamaha showed two new off-road models to the assembled press and dealers at the Orlando AIMExpo, the WR250F and the YZ250FX. The bikes are intended to give Yamaha customers competitive racing or leisure riding machines.
The WR250F has always been a popular model—Yamaha claims its a sales leader in that segment—but the 2015 is improved anyway. Yamaha claims the motor and frame are designed to keep mass low for better handling, with the KYB suspension with speed-sensitive forks and a rear shock tuned specifically for enduro riding. It also offers a sixth gear, electric start, lighting and comprehensive instrumentation. Year-round riders will appreciate its compliance with emissions in all 50 states, including a California green sticker.
The YZ250FX (ridden on stage by Yamaha racer Randy Hawkins) is for even more challenging off-road competition like GNCC Hare Scrambles and WORCS events. Yamaha claims it has a specially tuned motor and suspension, as well as a special clutch design intended to increase its durability and longevity under harsh conditions. A wide array of accessories (for both models), including a high-flow radiator fan and electronic tuning module lets racers tune the bike to each race.
The $7,990 WR250F and the $7,890 YZ250FX will be on showroom floors before December.
Though it mentioned in the above article, I learned these are both EFI. No other Japanese (non-played) dirtbike in the 250cc class have EFI until these models. To now EFI was limited to 450 class bikes, European bikes, dual sports. I think EFI will make choke less warm ups easy and altitude changes will not require rejetting.
Yamaha: please put the WR engine into the XT250 chassis–that is all. Thank you.