nikki
Moto Junkie
- Apr 21, 2000
- 5,802
- 1
I just picked up an '03 YZ 250F yesterday and took it out to a buddy's practice track this morning. Track was sandy/loamy and pretty wide open. Not too much for jumps. Temperature was around 40 degrees.
Here are my first impressions. Keep in mind I am coming off of an '01 YZ 125. I have done some laps on 450's, 426's, and 250F's but this is my first thumper.
STARTING - Finally Yamaha got it right. And I mean RIGHT!! The bike started FIRST kick every single time today (at least 12-15 different times). A few times I tried it in gear. Once was after having it nearly upside down over a berm (yep I laid her over in a sand berm). Once when I purposly let it stall in 2nd gear. Once when cold (first warmed it up for the day). And all other times just normal. Keep in mind I'm 5'5" and just manage to kick over my 125. Even that normally takes 2-3 kicks. I always used the hot start (now bar mounted) except for the initial start where I just used the choke. I did turn the idle up a little bit before riding the bike. Even though I was riding sand and loam (and going very slow at times) I never stalled the bike once. I was VERY IMPRESSED with the 250F starting! It was one of my main concerns. I hope it stays this good!
POWER/MOTOR - This thing is awesome! Throttle response is really good and there seems to be power everywhere. Not throw you off the back of the bike power like a 450/426/etc., but very usable power. I never got in 5th but used 1st through 4th on the whole track. Turned most corners in 2nd and 3rd and didn't have to use the clutch anything like a 125. The deep sand/loam sections did suck me in a few times, but usually because I was in a gear too high. Seems to make the best power in the midrange revvs. It has overrev but doesn't pull as hard when topped out in a gear. I like the 250F because I feel comfortable twisting the throttle wide open in 2nd/3rd and hanging it out a little more before a turn. I love the power of this thing over a 125 (and the less effort needed)!
SUSPENSION/RIDE - Can you say STIFF! Red (who's 210 lbs. and riding a CRF450) thinks the 250F suspension is stiffer than his 450! I had a hard time pounding through whoops (didn't soak up much with the bike... all with my body). Also had a hard time in some turns trying to get it to stick. And got out of shape in some rough sand whooped sections and had a hard time controlling it and bringing it back. One time I totally blew a tall left handed sand berm and put the front tire right over the berm and did a nice headder into the sand. Luckily the stock bars, despite getting buried in the berm, didn't twist up. It would have also helped if I could have carried more speed through the turns but I didn't feel quite comfortable with the stiff set-up. (Just a note - I'm 125 lbs. and run .38 and 4.2 springs on my 125). Once Jeremy Wilkey works his magic on my 250F suspension - I'll be all set. The new seat is also very thin and very hard. Probably doesn't help ease the ride.
WEIGHT - I was very worried about the extra 15-20 lbs. over a 125 and if I would be able to notice. The power and easy to ride motor counterbalanced the extra work needed due to the extra weight. On straights and sweeping corners and jumps, the 250F was effortless and felt just as light as a 125. In some turns, whoops, and rough sections - I could notice the extra weight in the effort to bring the bike back to a comfortable ride position. I think suspension will help some with the weight issues. In the air, the bike doesn't feel much heavier except when I tried to get a little whip going and had a hard time bringing the bike back before landing.
COMPRESSION BRAKING - I didn't notice extreme compression braking like on an older 426, but there is a little. I seemed to use the front brake a little more for a little extra stopping power when approaching a turn but no huge need for the back brake. Seemed like downshifting before a turn was the most effecting way to slow down for a turn and get through it quick. Sometimes I did feel I was getting a little sucked in to the deeper sand/loam sections but this was probably because of the terrain not compression braking.
OVERALL IMPRESSION - Once I get the suspension worked out... I think I will be deeply in love. This bike will compliment my riding style. Over a 125 - the 250F is easier to ride, requires less effort, and less clutching. The power always seems to be there whereas if you turned a corner in 3rd on a 125 and gassed it, it may take a second or two to get the power up to where it needs to be. This thing instantly goes. Awesome bike!! I'm glad I went for it! :thumb:
Here are my first impressions. Keep in mind I am coming off of an '01 YZ 125. I have done some laps on 450's, 426's, and 250F's but this is my first thumper.
STARTING - Finally Yamaha got it right. And I mean RIGHT!! The bike started FIRST kick every single time today (at least 12-15 different times). A few times I tried it in gear. Once was after having it nearly upside down over a berm (yep I laid her over in a sand berm). Once when I purposly let it stall in 2nd gear. Once when cold (first warmed it up for the day). And all other times just normal. Keep in mind I'm 5'5" and just manage to kick over my 125. Even that normally takes 2-3 kicks. I always used the hot start (now bar mounted) except for the initial start where I just used the choke. I did turn the idle up a little bit before riding the bike. Even though I was riding sand and loam (and going very slow at times) I never stalled the bike once. I was VERY IMPRESSED with the 250F starting! It was one of my main concerns. I hope it stays this good!
POWER/MOTOR - This thing is awesome! Throttle response is really good and there seems to be power everywhere. Not throw you off the back of the bike power like a 450/426/etc., but very usable power. I never got in 5th but used 1st through 4th on the whole track. Turned most corners in 2nd and 3rd and didn't have to use the clutch anything like a 125. The deep sand/loam sections did suck me in a few times, but usually because I was in a gear too high. Seems to make the best power in the midrange revvs. It has overrev but doesn't pull as hard when topped out in a gear. I like the 250F because I feel comfortable twisting the throttle wide open in 2nd/3rd and hanging it out a little more before a turn. I love the power of this thing over a 125 (and the less effort needed)!
SUSPENSION/RIDE - Can you say STIFF! Red (who's 210 lbs. and riding a CRF450) thinks the 250F suspension is stiffer than his 450! I had a hard time pounding through whoops (didn't soak up much with the bike... all with my body). Also had a hard time in some turns trying to get it to stick. And got out of shape in some rough sand whooped sections and had a hard time controlling it and bringing it back. One time I totally blew a tall left handed sand berm and put the front tire right over the berm and did a nice headder into the sand. Luckily the stock bars, despite getting buried in the berm, didn't twist up. It would have also helped if I could have carried more speed through the turns but I didn't feel quite comfortable with the stiff set-up. (Just a note - I'm 125 lbs. and run .38 and 4.2 springs on my 125). Once Jeremy Wilkey works his magic on my 250F suspension - I'll be all set. The new seat is also very thin and very hard. Probably doesn't help ease the ride.
WEIGHT - I was very worried about the extra 15-20 lbs. over a 125 and if I would be able to notice. The power and easy to ride motor counterbalanced the extra work needed due to the extra weight. On straights and sweeping corners and jumps, the 250F was effortless and felt just as light as a 125. In some turns, whoops, and rough sections - I could notice the extra weight in the effort to bring the bike back to a comfortable ride position. I think suspension will help some with the weight issues. In the air, the bike doesn't feel much heavier except when I tried to get a little whip going and had a hard time bringing the bike back before landing.
COMPRESSION BRAKING - I didn't notice extreme compression braking like on an older 426, but there is a little. I seemed to use the front brake a little more for a little extra stopping power when approaching a turn but no huge need for the back brake. Seemed like downshifting before a turn was the most effecting way to slow down for a turn and get through it quick. Sometimes I did feel I was getting a little sucked in to the deeper sand/loam sections but this was probably because of the terrain not compression braking.
OVERALL IMPRESSION - Once I get the suspension worked out... I think I will be deeply in love. This bike will compliment my riding style. Over a 125 - the 250F is easier to ride, requires less effort, and less clutching. The power always seems to be there whereas if you turned a corner in 3rd on a 125 and gassed it, it may take a second or two to get the power up to where it needs to be. This thing instantly goes. Awesome bike!! I'm glad I went for it! :thumb:
