Yamaha YZ250F 2027 Review

The all-new 2027 Yamaha YZ250F was launched at QMP in South-East Queensland, just two days after the final round of the Australian ProMX Championship. 

We had the opportunity to ride the same ProMX track after it had been prepped, and conditions were quite good. The hard-packed circuit had some moisture in places, which created some good ruts, while other sections were a little drier, resulting in harder surfaces and some undulation. Overall, it gave us a good variety of track conditions to put the new machine through its paces.  

Related: We rode Jed Beaton's championship-winning CDR Yamaha YZ450F

The 2027 Yamaha YZ250F is priced at $15,049, while the YZ250FSP Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition is $15,149. The only differences between the two are the guards and graphics.

The 2027 YZ250F has adopted the new look and characteristics of the 450 chassis, while Yamaha has also optimised rigidity in the down tube and asymmetrical engine mounts. It features a hydraulic clutch, but the main talking point is the engine, which has received some significant improvements. Another great addition is the Yamaha Power Tuner App, which allows you to adjust the engine characteristics to your liking.

I had only done half a dozen laps on a 250F since I last rode one in 2012, when the YZ250F was still carburetted. The main reason I had stayed away from 250Fs was that whenever I got on one, it felt slow and lacked bottom-end power. I couldn't carry third gear through the turns, which meant I was constantly changing gears.

So, when I did my first laps on the 2027 Yamaha YZ250F, I was seriously impressed. The engine Yamaha has worked so hard on is excellent, with plenty of power from the bottom to the top of the rev range. With the additional 700rpm of usable range, the engine wants to keep pulling, allowing you to hold gears for longer without feeling like you are constantly changing gears.

I was able to ride every turn at QMP in third gear, with only the tightest corner on the track requiring a little extra throttle and clutch. There is a small amount of lag when using the taller gear through a tighter turn, but for a stock bike, I found it super impressive.

I also jumped on the Yamaha Power Tuner App, selected the aggressive map and fitted a GYTR airbox cover to the bike. Those changes made a significant improvement to the lag and provided more response from the bottom of the rev range through to the top.

The chassis also felt nice and balanced. The suspension was obviously a little soft for me personally, but it still had a good feel and was predictable, which made the bike easy to ride.

There are only a few very minor things I would change, and these are really down to personal preference.

The handlebars aren't that bad at all, but I would prefer them to have a little less sweep. The stock grips are also quite hard. I prefer a softer, no-waffle-style grip. But that's about it.

I haven't done a huge amount of riding on a completely stock bike, but I'm going to say the 2027 Yamaha YZ250F is the best production bike I have ever ridden.

It really impressed me with the engine and how well it performs for a 250. I think the bike would suit riders at any level, whether they simply want to ride for fun or are racing at the highest level.

For someone racing at a high level, the biggest advantage is that you wouldn't need to do much at all to make the bike truly competitive. Get the suspension sorted to your liking, fit a GYTR airbox cover, Twin Air filter and cage, run race fuel, add a pipe and make some adjustments through the Power Tuner App, and you would have a race-winning bike.

If you're riding for fun, you can simply push it off the showroom floor, put your gear on and you're ready to go.

ENGINE
Type: Four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, four valve
Capacity: 250cc
Bore x stroke: 77 x 53.6mm
Fuel supply: Fuel injection

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed constant mesh
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate, hydraulic

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Bilateral beam aluminium
Front suspension: 49mm KYB SSS spring fork, 310mm travel
Rear suspension: KYB single shock with linkage, 295mm travel
Front brake: 270mm disc
Rear brake: 220mm disc
Tyres: Dunlop Geomax MX33F – Front 80/100-21, Rear 110/80-19

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 107kg
Seat height: 970mm
Ground clearance: 345mm
Fuel capacity: 6.2 litres

OTHER STUFF
Ride-away price: $15,049
Colour: Team Yamaha Blue