We discussed some of Yamaha’s changes to the 2006 YZ250F in our preview article on June 13, 2005. We finally got a chance to ride the new, aluminum-framed YZ250F. After a brief review of the major technical changes to the bike, we will get right into our ride review.
Aside from receiving an aluminum frame this year, the YZ250F gets trick , “speed sensitive” Kayaba front forks, a shock with an anti-stiction coating and a titanium spring (Yamaha is the first to do this with production machinery . . . as far as we know), and some engine tweaks to increase mid-range power without sacrificing low-end or over-rev. Take a look back at our earlier article for more details.
What did we think of the new YZ250F? Well, our vet/pro tester Russ Somers had a day, and a relatively empty, groomed track to find out. The track was located at elevation (approximately 4,000 feet) and features some serious uphill sections. This affected our ability to evaluate the power of the new YZ, as we will discuss below.
The biggest impression Russ took home from a day of riding the new YZ250F came from the front fork. This new Kayaba fork, as valved by Yamaha for the YZ250F, is really outstanding. As we are finding out this year, Kayaba may have caught, and passed, Showa in the suspension plushness sweepstakes. The 48mm Kayaba unit found at the front of the 2006 YZ250F is plush, controlled, and also resists bottoming extremely well. The thick tubes create a solid, flex-free platform, as well.
We have no complaints about the shock, either. It resisted kicking on braking and acceleration bumps, and generally did its job well . . . hooking up the rear tire and tracking well through corners.
The 2006 YZ250F felt balanced in the air, and composed around the track, with one exception. The front end of the YZ250F tended to push (wash out) on certain corners. This situation improved with the addition of a bit more ride height in the back(to add weight to the front wheel), but Russ suspected it may have been a tire issue, i.e., an incompatibility between the stock front tire design and the traction at this particular track. Without further testing, we can’t reach any solid conclusion.
No complaints in the ergonomics department. The new frame and the stock Pro Taper bars create a comfortable environment for the rider, and Russ did not experience any problems catching his boots or other gear on the bike while riding this track.
Power delivery of the new YZ250F was difficult to gauge given the elevation and the hills (which, in our experience, would rob virtually any 250F of the snap it might show at sea level). We are unsure why a manufacturer would introduce a 250F on a track like this, but Yamaha chose to. Nevertheless, at this point, we have no reason to doubt Yamaha’s claim that the motor is every bit as good as last year’s, with a bit more power and snap in the mid-range.
Yamaha has really stepped it up in the braking department. The 2006 YZ250F offers excellent stopping power coupled with good feel.
The transmission did its job very well, with easy, positive shifts.
The 2006 YZ250F has a clean, modern look. It is a complete departure from the old school design of the prior, steel-framed unit. The 50th Anniversary Yellow/Black edition is particularly sharp.
Overall, our impressions of the 2006 YZ250F are mixed. We would need to ride the bike again, and perhaps experiment with a different front tire, in order to reach any conclusion about how this new YZ corners. The forks, like the new generation Kayaba found at the front of many other bikes this year, rank up there with the best forks ever. The rest of the 2006 YZ250F package is solid, and we look forward to an opportunity to further test this machine.
U.S. MSRP of the 2006 YZ250F is $5,999.00 ($6,199.00 for the 50th Anniversary Yellow/Black model). The 2006 YZ250F should be available now at your U.S. Yamaha dealers. For additional details and specifications (and a photo of the 50th Anniversary model), visit Yamaha’s web site here.
