Get a taste of Yamaha’s two latest bulletproof offerings
For the 2015 season, Yamaha has introduced the all-new YZ250FX and WR250F, the latter being the first enduro machine to feature the famous Yamaha “rearward-inclined cylinder with reverse cylinder hacapped ECU that delivers enduro-specific fuel-injection settings.
To ensure stable oil pressure over long distances and many hours of enduro riding, the new WR250F features an increased oil capacity of 1100cc, 22% more than its motocross brother, the YZ250F. Available as an accessory, a Yamaha Power Tuner is a remarkably quick and easy way to adjust the fuel-injection volume and ignition-timing settings on the new WR250F. As with the YZ250F, riders looking to fine-tune their WR250F’s power delivery are now able to plug the Yamaha Power Tuner directly into their bike – without the need for a laptop – and make adjustments to suit the prevailing track conditions and their riding style.
One of the 2014 YZ250F’s features that has won over many new fans is its outstanding front suspension system. Compared to the YZ250F the WR-F’s shock is 4mm longer, giving an overall increase in rear suspension travel of 10mm. The YZ250FX is a similar bike to the WR250F, but comes with less features than the WR 250F. The features that are standard on the WR and not on the FX are: headlight, tail light, odometer, radiat or fan and bash plate. The FX also comes with a different silencer (same silencer as the YZ250F motocrosser) to the WR, and different tyres as OEM fitment. The FX was developed for specific markets, and is only available for purchase in the USA, Australia and South Africa. It is considered more of a cross-country bike as apposed to an enduro bike.
Here’s what some of the local owners of the WR250F and the YZ250FX have to say:
Wihan le Hanie: Die 2015 Yamaha WR250F is een puik motorfiets – baie meer krag as enige ander 250CC 4-slag en hanteer beter as my vorige motorfietse – die Yamaha YZ250F. Hy voldoen aan al die nodige enduro-vereistes nammwk elektriese aansitter, 6-spoed ratkas, sagter onderstel, waterverkoeler, waaier vir vinnige afkoeling, uitstekende gewigsverspreiding vir beter traksie, meer wringkrag sodat hy nie sommer vrek teen klippe en berge op nie. Die nuwe petrol-inspuiting verskaf meer en egalige kragverspreiding. Dit is die motorfiets van die toekoms en Rudamans se diens is enig in sy soort.
Stefan Oosthuizen: The YZ250FX with its electric start is the best all-rounder off-road bike there is – full stop.
Chris Bam: I have used a Yamaha YZ250 with many and expensive modifications to equip it for racing. The YZ250FX is five years ahead of its time and straight off the showroom floor ready for racing – no mods required. The mapping tool which can be used on the fly, is brilliant for fine-tuning its performance to suit the terrain. Fuel consumption is excellent and the 18” wheels make it unbeatable. As I said – five years ahead of its time and extremely durable and trustworthy.
Mark Galliers: Yamaha have placed themselves firmly in the number one spot for four-stroke enduro bikes with these two new 250 models. They both combine an incredibly powerful engine with the best suspension money can buy, and coupled with Yamaha’s bulletproof reliability they’ve really put some distance between themselves and all other manufacturers. I chose the WR as I think it’s smoother power delivery and larger oil capacity is better suited to the very technical terrain we have here and it’s definitely a bike that you can ride all day as fast or slow as you like without getting tired.
