Launch: 2012 Yamaha YZ250F

Let’s face it -- the trusty old Yamaha YZ250F hasn’t been shown a lot of love over the past few years. Sure, the frame looks a little beefier down the bottom and the stickers have been updated, but to many it just looks like the same old quarter-litre motocrosser.

But there’s been a circuit breaker, and flicking through the Yamaha press kit presents several pages of changes and updates to the 2012 YZ250F’s engine, chassis and suspension. The only real areas that don’t get some form of update are the wheels and ergonomics. So, let’s take a look at the updates and what Yamaha aimed to improve with them.

1. Frame: The new YZ250F has a bigger frame around the footpegs, aimed at increasing rigidity low on the bike. Then, up higher in the frame, it has reduced the size of the engine mounts, changed the frame structure with its honeycomb procedure all designed to add flex. So, in a nut shell, Yamaha wanted to frame to be stiffer down low for more stability, and offer more flex higher up for a more forgiving ride.

2. Suspension: To aid the rigidity in the frame, the shock also received a good going over. A 16mm shock shaft replaces the 18mm one from 2011, with internal valving changes to suit. The forks are also 10mm longer, with different outer tubers and also some internal changes.

3. Chassis: The old 25mm triple clamp offset has now been changed to 22mm. With the sharper steering angle, Yamaha hopes to get a more precise and quicker steering bike. The swingarm has also been changed with it thicker at the rear.

4. Engine: Bolting up a bigger carburetor nearly always offers more mid-range and top end. It’s a simple fix for a bike that has in the past been criticized for lacking some top end. The piston is lighter for 2012 so that the bottom end snap and quick rpm isn’t lost to the big-bore carburetor. The filter cage and counterbalancer have also been updated to keep throttle response.

So, with all the changes, does it all add up to a better bike that will keep it competitive in the face of some stiff competition? Here are the questions you want answered.

Yamaha claims the weight added by EFI is more than offset by any performance gain. On top of that, Yamaha has traditionally been conservative about releasing anything that doesn’t exceed the performance of any current part. So, the simple answer is, Yamaha is happy with the simple, yet solid performance of a carburetor and the fact the bike weighs up to 4kg less than the opposition is the added bonus.

There is no doubt that EFI will hit the YZ250F in time; in fact the flat bottom tank and the YZ450F all point to it coming in the future. But until it’s better than what it has now, doesn’t add weight and improves the performance of the bike, a full carburetor diet will stay on the YZ250F.

Yes. The 2011 engine has plenty of bottom and a handy mid-range that was fun and well suited to Australian conditions, but it just didn’t have the overrev to finish off the package. For 2012, the engine is more powerful yet smoother off the bottom, is better in the transition into the mid-range and carries its power much higher into the rev range.
When we quizzed Serco Yamaha about the performance of the new bike, it claimed the 2012 model makes 1-1.5hp more than the 2011 from 4500rpm on the dyno. That is a handy gain in any one’s language.

A bit funky in our conditions, but it can be sorted quickly and easily. As delivered, the bike is lean off the bottom and rich up the top. Yamaha already had a setting in place for the start of the launch that had the bikes running well and all that was required was some minor tweaking.

Once jetted right, warmed up and on the stand, the YZ250F is as responsive as an EFI bike. Every test rider hit and snapped the throttle as hard as they could and the YZ donk picked up cleanly every time. It almost became a theme of the day to try and get the bike to bog and, apart from one rider trying to out manouevre the legendary Robbie Maddison with a huge over jump/flat land, the carburetor worked efficiently and effectively.  

In the past, the YZ250F has been a jack of all trades. It didn’t steer as quickly as the Suzuki RM-Z250, but offered a good compromise between stability and agility. After spending a couple of days on the bike, one of which was back-to-back with a 2011 model, two things stand out. No question high-speed stability has improved. Especially the back half of the bike, the YZ250F tracks as straight as an arrow through almost anything thrown at it. Where the 2011 model would react and break drive, the new bike remains rock solid and barely raises an eye brow and any bump.

The other is turning. There is more front wheel traction on offer, and that is especially noticeable at turn in and corner entry. On the basis that it has the same front tyre as previous years must mean that any performance gain is laid at the feet of the new frame geometry and design. Yamaha has kept the compromise of stability and agility, but just raised the level at each end of the spectrum.

As mentioned, the rear of the bike tracks better than any Yamaha previously so the changes to the shock must have some input here. The 16mm shock shaft and new valving work best on acceleration, but also reduce the impact on big braking bumps. Over the course of two days, the rear of the bike almost never stepped out of line.

The overall action of the suspension is great when new, but may get a little soft over time depending on your weight. At 85kg, the front was a tad soft for me but still very rideable. In fact, I quite enjoyed the plush feel of the fork, although I’m sure the fast, young punks of today will be looking to slow the travel rate down a little as the smooth action is good.

The ergonomics are the same as the past two years and, with the adjustable triple clamps and bar mounts, there is a spot for everyone. The throttle is lighter and quicker than 2011 with an updated throttle tube. The grips are tougher than nails and will outlast plastic. It comes in blue and also in white, although the white bike looks very similar to the 2010 model with its black and white colour scheme. Brakes are typical Yamaha and work well while the tyres are Bridgestone 403/ 404 combos and no complaints from us on that score.

In the four categories used to rate a bike -- engine, suspension, chassis and ergonomics -- three of them have significantly improved, so the simple answer is, yes! The engine is better almost all the way through; the frame offers better steering and a more planted feel; and the suspension is plush and predictable.

While this bike looks very similar to the naked eye, the on-track performance is certainly a step above the 2011 model. The changes aren’t going to thrill those looking for EFI or some new radically designed engine, but they are the right updates in the right place aimed at real world riders. And most importantly, the changes are noticeable out on the race track.

The $10,999 2012 YZ250F is at the lower end of the bling scale, but the core of the bike is very good. What it lacks in fanfare and technology it makes up for in effectiveness, performance and build quality. Combine that with Yamaha’s renowned durability and you have a bike that won’t disappoint.