2024 Yamaha YZ250X 2-stroke test ride

This was my third demo ride of the 2023 Corduroy Enduro weekend and the test course was starting to get pretty chewed up an deeply rutted on the steepest uphills an a few downhill sections.

I like Yamahas in general and I love their excellent KYB suspension but I didn't like this bike as much as I thought I would.  For one thing, a previous tester fouled the spark plug and it was difficult to start right from the beginning with only a kick starter.  It got a bit better as I rode it but it didn't feel like it was running crisply and I dislike not having an electric starter.  It also seemed like the jetting was a bit off or the power valve was gummed up or not set correctly at higher RPM.  The engine also seemed too much like a motocross engine to me; peaky and high RPM required rather than the broader power and lower end grunt of my much smaller engined Husqvarna TE150.  This would be a great bike for a faster rider but I found it more difficult and tiring to ride than my TE.  Even with not being used to this bike yet not withstanding, I think I am faster on my 150 even using less energy.