If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Time and again, motorcycle manufacturers don’t heed this bit of advice. Instead, they often opt for change in the name of performance or sometimes just for the sake of change. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always amount to a better product, so anytime a manufacturer messes with an already good thing, like the YZ250F, it can be a risky move.
Photography by Kit Palmer
Enter the new 2024 Yamaha YZ250F. The blue crew recently dropped the veil on arguably the most anticipated 250F of the year. Yamaha’s current model (’23) was, in most people’s minds, the best stock 250F in the field, with several media shootout wins to its credit and championship plaques over the recent years to back that up. Results don’t lie. But, as good as the YZ250F has been, nothing is perfect. YZ riders still voiced a few complaints, mainly about the bike’s wide front end and ergos. For 2024, Yamaha addressed these issues by introducing a significantly changed motorcycle. Yamaha could’ve just left it alone, and we’d all be happy, so we were curious going into this first ride review if they should’ve just stuck with the “if it ain’t broke” adage.
The retro 50th Anniversary YZ250F is a looker. It’s still available in traditional Yamaha Racing blue.
2024 Yamaha YZ250F | What’s New?
The 2024 YZ250F isn’t totally new. Its much-loved motor returns virtually unchanged. Frankly, it didn’t need anything. The frame and chassis, however, are a whole different story. It now has the same slim frame that its bigger YZ450F brother got last year. The skinnier frame comes with new, sharper bodywork, a rounded seat, and a more streamlined airbox. The battery tray and subframe have also been consolidated. The new chassis is designed to rid the bike of its wide front end and feel more like you’re sitting “in” the bike rather than “on” it. The bike is also 2.5 pounds lighter than last year’s at a claimed 233 pounds wet.
As mentioned, Yamaha left well enough alone with the motor, but they did beef up the cam chain and tweaked the air intake area to go along with the new bodywork.
The YZ250F now shares the same chassis as its YZ450F bigger brother.
2024 Yamaha YZ250F | For Better or For Worse
The slimmed-down chassis is immediately evident, and the new ergos feel spot on. The cockpit is neutral and comfortable for my six-foot frame. Compared to last year, the rider triangle has increased by 10mm with a flatter, taller seat (five millimeters) and optional bar positions for cockpit customization. My biggest takeaway came from the redesigned shrouds and airbox. Before, the YZ’s front end pushed your knees outward. Now, the cockpit feels racey and thin, allowing the rider to move around in a much freer nature. The round seat feels more aggressive than the ’23, but it took me a little while to get used to the new shape.
Even though the motor is the same as before, the new mapping makes it feel slightly different. The power window is narrow and requires short-shifting the bike to keep it in the happy zone. On our first ride on the bike, the track was ripped deep, contributing to the YZ’s sluggish feel. I kept searching for that torquey pull from the YZ of years past. I went back to the pits in search of an answer. The Yamaha techs changed the bike’s mapping to what they called “Response” in Yamaha’s newly streamlined Power Tuner App. Within a minute or so, my question had been answered.
Yamaha went to great lengths to give the YZ250F a slimmer profile.
Now, this was the engine I was expecting! The Response map woke the engine up from its early morning slumber. It was now the exciting, strong-pulling YZ that I had come to know and love. Now, I could get around the entire course in second and third gears with minimal shift points and long-range over-rev qualities. The fast engine that the Yamaha is known for was back, and it gelled perfectly with the deep conditions of the track.
The new chassis also worked well on the day’s track layout, as the slim-feeling frame was a great fit on the tight and jumpy course. With the updated shrouds and airbox, the rider can easily slide up on the tank and hit the inside lines. Moving around on the YZ has never been easier. Along with the skinny feel, the bike is agile and can be moved between your legs with noticeable ease. This translates into less effort when maneuvering around the track and switching up lines. Its nimble character is perfect for tighter tracks, but we’ve yet to ride it on a faster, wide-open setting.
Yamaha left well enough alone with the engine.
YZ suspension has consistently been best in class, and this year is no different. New toolless adjusters are found on the top of the fork, which means trackside changes require no tools. I stiffened the fork early in the day to combat the ultra-deep conditions but softened them back to stock once the dirt packed in. The hold-up in the top part of the stroke provides comfort in smaller chop but transitions smoothly as the bumps increase. You feel confident on the YZ; casing jumps or going long isn’t a worry.
Your knees will appreciate the narrower radiator shroud area, especially in the turns.
Everything about the new Yamaha is better, almost. I have a few minor gripes. This bike is still loud. The 2023 YZ450F’s airbox is closed off in the new chassis, which significantly squelches that notorious YZ vacuum sound from the front end, but this isn’t the case with the YZ250F. Vents inside the intake make the engine noise almost unbearable at times. If you currently ride a Yamaha, you might not notice, but if you’re new to the YZ250F, be sure to grab some earplugs. While you’re at it, pick up some padded bike shorts. The new seat is hard and gets uncomfortable after a few motos. And, if you opt for the 50th Anniversary retro white YZ, which looks great in the pits, be prepared to do a lot of cleaning and scrubbing after every ride if you want to keep it looking that way. The bike is still offered in traditional blue, but the previous Monster Energy graphics version is kaput this year.
The ’24 YZ250F feels even more agile.
2024 Yamaha YZ250F | Risk Takers
So far, Yamaha has debunked the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage, which will be a relief for YZ diehards. Yamaha took the risk of making some big changes to the 2024 YZ250F and somehow managed to get away with it. CN
VIDEO | 2024 Yamaha YZ250F
2024 Yamaha YZ250F
2024 Yamaha YZ250F Specifications
| MSRP: |
$8899 (50th Anniversary $9099) |
| Engine Type |
4-stroke, single-cylinder |
| Valvetrain: |
4-valve, DOHC |
| Cooling System: |
Liquid |
| Displacement |
250cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
77.0 × 53.6mm |
| Compression Ratio |
13.8:1 |
| Starting System |
Electric |
| Fueling |
Mikuni fuel injection, 44mm |
| Clutch |
Multiplate wet clutch |
| Transmission |
5-speed constant mesh |
| Frame |
Aluminum Bilateral Beam |
| Subframe |
Aluminum |
| Front Suspension |
KYB Speed-Sensitive System inverted fork; fully adjustable |
| Rear Suspension |
KYB single shock; fully adjustable |
| Front Suspension Travel |
12.2 in. |
| Rear Suspension Travel |
12.3 in. |
| Front Wheel |
21 in. |
| Rear Wheel |
19 in. |
| Front Tire |
80/100-21 Dunlop Geomax MX33F |
| Rear Tire |
110/90-19 Dunlop Geomax MX33 |
| Front Brake |
Nissin, single 270mm |
| Rear Brake |
Nissin, single 240mm |
| Wheelbase |
58.1 in. |
| Seat Height |
38.2 in. |
| Ground Clearance |
13.8 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
1.6 gal. |
| Weight (curb) |
233 lbs. |
