Tested: 2019 Yamaha YZ250F and YZ450F
Last week, MCLB Inter Maarten Govaert traveled to Spain for us, where Yamaha presented its 2019 motocross range at the Vallgorguina circuit (San Celoni). You can read his findings on these two new YZ weapons here!
To be fair, during such a two-day launch with many new models, from the YZ65, the YZ85 to the YZ250F to the YZ450F, there is a lot coming your way. That's why I've broken down my impressions a bit. You can find out what happens during such a presentation read here. You can read the information specifically about the youth crossers here. But what I was most looking forward to was of course the completely new YZ250F.
YZ250F with 'button'
The 250F is the engine, together with the 85cc, that Yamaha has focused most on for 2019. One of the big novelties for Yamaha's 250 four-stroke is of course the lightweight electric starter. It couldn't be easier, one push of a button and we were off! When I rode onto the track I immediately felt pretty good on the bike. The 2019 YZ250F feels very light and agile, partly due to the Kayaba front fork and the fact that the engine has become 1cm narrower on both sides of the tank. The frame is also completely new. Equipped with a revised upper frame tube, rear frame profiles, swingarm pivot area and completely new engine mounts, they have succeeded in creating a very high-performance compact aluminum cradle frame. The emphasis was on centralizing weight, better handling and the best possible balance. This really gives you the feeling that you have a light motorcycle under your butt!
They have changed the offset of the triple clamp from 22mm to 25mm, which feels a lot calmer when you take the brake pits towards the corner. Here and there Yamaha has also reduced some weight so that you do not notice the battery that is now installed to provide power for the electric starter. When I started to drive faster I immediately noticed that the engine has really gotten a lot of power and torque, combine this with the fact that it runs for quite a long time in gear. The result is a motorcycle that is very competitive and ready for battle as standard!
World first: the Power Tuner app!
Another plus to the YZ250F is that you can use 2 different mappings as standard. The setting that is there is a rather quiet setting that pilots of all levels can drive with. If you prefer a more aggressive engine, you only need to switch on this mapping by pressing the button on the left of your handlebar for 2 seconds. You can feel a big difference, so I think this will be a good setting for circuits that run a bit harder, such as sand circuits. Or you can also drive more slowly and with this setting, turn up a gear in every bend, it picks up nicely every time.
Like its bigger brother the YZ450F, you can now easily adjust the mappings of this 250F with the Power Tuner app on your smartphone, so a material case is not necessary if you want to change your bike. You can change as much as you want, Yamaha has ensured that there is a limit on the parameters so that you cannot cause damage to your engine. Or you can just ask your dealer.
To conclude, I drove the 250f with a full GYTR kit and I have to say that it has a lot more power, both at low and high revs, so anyone who has some euros to spare and would like to have an engine that really is great, I wouldn't hesitate to order your kit. Although I must admit that I think that as a regular amateur pilot you can go a long way with the original version of this engine…
2019 YZ450F: familiar feeling
In the afternoon it was the YZ450F's turn. After the complete redesign for 2018, this has not changed that much. Some minor adjustments but nothing drastic, in the jargon these are 'detailed technical improvements'.
GYTR kit: what power!
For 2019, the most important change is at the front, where the front fork legs are equipped with larger axle holders and new wheel bushings. This made the front stiffer. This increased front-end stiffness should improve the YZ450F's overall handling through more precise feedback. In concrete terms, this provides a better feeling and more control, and you also have a clearer picture of the front wheel traction.
Personally, I felt very little difference on the standard bike compared to the 2018 model that I ride myself. After riding the original YZ450F a few times, I jumped on the 450F with the GYTR kit. And what a difference that was! So much power, both at the bottom and at the top. With this kit you can easily drive up a gear everywhere, it picks up with ease, even in the short corners. With this 450F you can also easily adjust the engine completely to your liking using the Power Tuner app on your smartphone.
Tekst: Maarten Govaert
Photos: Yamaha
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