TWO-STROKE TUESDAY: WE RIDE THE LAST FACTORY 125

We test Brett Metcalfe’s 2005 Yamaha of Troy YZ125 when it was the only smoker left on the track

MXA BUYER’S GUIDE TO THE WIDE WORLD OF 2024 FOUR-STROKES

With the 2025 models just peeking over the horizon, it’s a good chance to catch up on the bikes that are still on the showroom floors—the 2024 250, 350 & 450 four-strokes

TWO-STROKE TUESDAY: FIRST YEAR OF THE ALUMINUM YZ250 FRAME

Yamaha spent millions of dollars on the development of the most advanced two-stroke motocross bike in motocross history at the exact moment when two-stroke sales hit the dumpster

2024 YAMAHA YZ125X VS. YZ250X: WHICH OFF-ROAD YZ-X TWO-STROKE IS BEST FOR YOU?

Yamaha offers two four-stroke cross-country models & two two-stroke models. MXA breaks down the differences between the 2024 YZ250X and YZ125X

MXA VIDEO: 2024 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE TEST

Our tune has changed… Thank you, Yamaha

YAMAHA DT-1: THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO MOTOCROSS

The wild and wacky story of how Yamaha got into the dirt bike business and the cast of characters that made it a success

TWO-STROKE TUESDAY: 2004 HONDA CR250 VERSUS YAMAHA YZ250

No offense to Kawasaki, Suzuki and KTM, but their combined motocross bike sales didn’t equal one-half of the numbers put up by Yamaha and Honda in 2004

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST RIDE ENGINEERING’S PROJECT YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

This Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke was purpose-built to be crisp, clean, light and fun. It has Ride Engineering triple clamps, linkage and brakes, Twisted Development engine and carb mods, Enzo suspension and more

IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR! THE WRECKING CREW’S FAVORITE YAMAHA TWO-STROKE PROJECT BIKES

There is no time limit on the love between a man and his first two-stroke—and when a two-stroke has been in production since 1974, like the YZ125/YZ250, it has a devoted congregation hoping to pay homage to the past with their own Yamaha project bikes

WE RIDE A HOT-ROD YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

The Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke is a timeless testament to, “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.”

MXA RETRO TEST: TIM FERRY’S “UNFACTORY” 2000 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

Tim Ferry and Jeremy McGrath may have been on the same Mazda/Chaparral Yamaha team, but they didn’t get the same bike

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST PRO CIRCUIT’S 2023 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

This 2023 Yamaha YZ125 is the new version of Pro Circuit’s “Race Spec” engine and suspension for this bike, and we were the lucky ones who were able to sling a leg over it

2023 JUNIOR CYCLE SHOOTOUT: YAMAHA YZ65 VERSUS HUSQVARNA TC65

One look at the Yamaha YZ65 and Husqvarna TC65 two-strokes made our big-bike test riders wish they had bikes as good as these when they were kids

WE RIDE PRO CIRCUIT’S 2023 YAMAHA YZ125 RACE BIKE

MXA has traditionally carbon-dated the start of the YZ125 era to 2006 because that’s when the class-leading Kayaba SSS forks were installed.

WISECO’S BEAUTIFUL YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE PROJECT BUILD

A clean looking, well-prep, 2023 YZ250 two-stroke, that doesn’t have any crazy mods, just stuff that can be set-up to be better than what comes stock.

2023 MXA 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT: HUSQVARNA TC, GASGAS MC, YAMAHA YZ & KTM SX GO TO WAR

Take your pick! Two are fuel injected and two are carbureted—and one is by far the best in the 2023 125 class. Everything you need to know

TEST UPDATE: 2023 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

Being trustworthy, timeless & true to its purpose make the 2023 Yamaha YZ125 the Boy Scout of the 125 class.

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2023 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

The Yamaha YZ250 is tried-true-and-blue. We appreciate the Kayaba SSS forks, smooth engine, and recently updated bodywork

MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2023 TWO-STROKE BUYER’S GUIDE

Thinking about switching to a smoker? The market for two-strokes is flush with race bikes built for riders as young as 4 years old all the way up to senior citizens

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

If Yamaha wanted to engage in a horsepower war with the Austrian bike, they would have no choice but to pursue KTM’s stronger pull from idle to the middle, but going all-out to match the KTM 250SX would be a mistake

CLASSIC MOTOCROSS IRON: 1985 YAMAHA YZ490 TWO-STROKE

The fact that Broc Glover won the 1985 AMA 500 Championship on this bike was testament to his talent

BUDGET BIKE SHOOTOUT: 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z250 FOUR-STROKE “VERSUS” YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

You may not think they are comparable, but the AMA rulebook says they are. Which one is better?

MXA’S 2023 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

Yamaha’s pride and joy versus KTM and Husky’s new electronic fuel-injection technology versus the tried-and-true carbureted GasGas 125

TWO VERSUS TWO: 2022-23 YZ125 VERSUS OLDER 2021 YZ125

This is a completely RAW video for our viewers to check out. No talking. No music. Just pure two stroke bliss

BEHIND THE BLUE CURTAIN: INSIDE JODY’S PERSONAL YZ250 TWO-STROKE BUILD

What one man did to his old smoker. Why would an MXA test rider want a 2014 Yamaha YZ250 when he could just race MXA’s 2023 YZ250?

MXA’S 125 HOT-ROD PROJECT BIKE SHOOTOUT: THE THREE BEST TUNERS KICK OUT THE JAMS

Jamie Ellis, Dean Dickenson & Mitch Payton put our KTM, Husky & Yamaha 125s on remedial speed therapy — with video and something called “words”

“MY $1000 CRAIGSLIST WONDER BIKE” BY JOHN PERRY

“I chose the Yamaha YZ125 because it had been basically the same since 2005. I know lots of people criticize Yamaha for not making a new YZ125 and YZ250 every couple of years, but the fact that they don’t change is why I wanted one.”

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2022 YAMAHA YZ250

The 2022 Yamaha YZ250 got a much-needed facelift, but the lack of engine upgrades or weight savings means that the new YZ250 didn’t close the power gap on the 2022 KTM 250SX

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2022 YAMAHA YZ85 & YZ85 BIG WHEEL TWO-STROKES

Yamaha has updated their YZ85 and added a new model to their production line, the YZ85 Big Wheel. We shake down these new bikes here

TWO-STROKE BATTLE: ALL-NEW 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 VS. 2021 YAMAHA YZ125

What are the pros and cons of the tried-and-true YZ125 versus the all-new 2022 version? We break them down here

THE “MUST-READ” MOTOCROSS ACTION 2022 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT

When Yamaha introduced a brand-new YZ125 for 2022, it was imperative that we schedule the 125s for a rematch. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a 2022 TM 125MX because of COVID-related issues in Holland

MIKE ALESSI’S 42-HORSEPOWER YAMAHA YZ134 TWO-STROKE

Mike Alessi not only shows how to ride a YZ125 fast, but also how to build one that leaves no stone unturned

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE JOHN DOWD’S 1998 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS YZ250

And, while we were there to ride John Dowd’s MXDN YZ250, we decided to ride Doug Henry’s YZ400 team bike also

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE ALL-NEW 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

We didn’t expect it, but Yamaha went all-out on their new YZ125. How good is it? We break it all down for you right here

MXA VIDEO: 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 VERSUS 2022 HUSKY TC125 TWO-STROKES

How does the new YZ125 compare to the Husky 125? We put them head-to-head and break down all the details here

WATCH THREE MXA TEST RIDERS WRING OUT A KTM 125SX, GASGAS MC125 & YAMAHA YZ125

Test riders always make their jobs seem so hard, but watch these three and you’ll see that it’s hardly like working in the salt mines

ON THE RECORD: COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2000 YAMAHA YZ250

The 2000 Yamaha YZ250 was a seamless blend of usability

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE KEVIN WINDHAM’S 1996 FACTORY YZ125

Factory-prepped bikes evoke images of unbelievable power, superb handling, and razor-like control. Yet visually, Windham’s YZ125 looked pretty much like the stock YZ125 that the MXA gang brought along for comparison

ON THE RECORD: MXA’S 2004 250 TWO-STROKE MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT

We flashback to when all the Japanese manufactures made two-stroke dirt bikes. This is the complete 2004 RM250 vs. YZ250 vs. CR250 vs. KX250 vs. KTM brawl

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE THE LAST FACTORY 125cc TWO-STROKE

You didn’t ask this is significant history, but we tested Brett Metcalfe’s 2005 Yamaha of Troy YZ125 when it was the only smoker left on the track

FIRST LOOK! ALL-NEW 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 WITH AN IMPROVED ENGINE

The 2022 YZ125 gets a new cylinder, head, piston, piston pin, connecting rod, crankcase, expansion chamber, Hitachi Astemo Keihin PWK38S carburetor and 3D-map-controlled CDI

FIRST LOOK! 2022 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE GETS A LONG AWAITED UPDATE

The YZ250 two-stroke receives an enhanced lightweight braking system, updated suspension settings, improved ergonomic design and modern YZ styling

FIRST LOOK! 2022 YAMAHA NEW MODEL YZ85LW & UPDATED YZ85

Yamaha is stepping up to the little league plate in a big way

INSIDE SCOOP ON MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT

Thinking about a new one-two-five? GasGas MC 125 versus Husvarna TC125 versus KTM 125SX versus TM 125MX versus Yamaha YZ125

ON THE RECORD: COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2001 YAMAHA YZ250

Yamaha was the first motorcycle manufacturer to figure out that it’s not how much power you make, but how you make it.

MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2021 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

We breakdown the details on each of the 2021 125 Two-Strokes and rank them from fifth to first

MXA TESTS MIKE ALESSI’S XPR-BUILT YAMAHA YZ134 TWO-STROKE

The MXA wrecking crew had a very good time on Mike’s Yamaha YZ134; we bonded with it; it encouraged our test riders, didn’t punish them for mistakes and never talked back

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2021 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

The best thing about the YZ250 is that Yamaha keeps making it. Yamaha’s last Japanese two-stroke competitor said, “Sayonara” 12 years ago

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE THE LAST WORKS 125 TWO-STROKE

Brett Metcalfe’s Yamaha of Troy YZ125 was the last of the breed — and he was the last of the Mohicans

WE RIDE THE ESR YZ325 TWO-STROKE THAT MADE MIKE ALESSI $30,000 RICHER

Mike walked away from the 2020 World Two-Stroke Championship with a smile on his face and $30,000 in his bank account

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2021 YAMAHA YZ125

It’s a fun bike to ride. It’s a fun bike to own. If you feel compelled to spend money on your 2021 Yamaha YZ125, spend it on the engine

ON THE RECORD: 2004 HONDA CR250 VERSUS YAMAHA YZ250

Time has a way of blurring the rear-view vision of motocross fans. What’s better a 2004 Honda or 2004 Yamaha? We not surprised that you don’t know the correct answer

MXA’S WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP PRO CIRCUIT YAMAHA YZ125RV

On MXA’s 2020 Yamaha YZ125, we wanted a no-frills race bike. We only wanted to change the stuff that needed changing, work on the items that needed help and replace the parts that we knew could be better

MXA’S RYAN VILLOPOTO YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE REPLICA VIDEO

Mitch Payton gave us Ryan Villopoto’s engine specs and his special YZ125RV works pipe which is now available to buy

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF 2020 YAMAHA YZ250X CROSS-COUNTRY

One caveat: if you buy a YZ250X and port the cylinder, mill the head and add an aftermarket pipe, you might as well have bought a YZ250 and saved the money

MXA FIRST RIDE VIDEO: 2021 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

Yamaha is back with their YZ250 two-stroke. No, it hasn’t changed. Yes, we’re still testing it

THE ULTIMATE YAMAHA YZ125: SMUGGLED IN FROM AMSTERDAM BY MXA

This is the engine package that Yamaha’s sponsored riders use in European EMX 125 and the Yamaha Cup 125 races. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Sadly, it’s not sold in America

ON THE RECORD: COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2006 YAMAHA YZ250

Our prescription? Pop one Yamaha YZ250 under your fanny and kiss the four-stroke doldrums goodbye

YAMAHA YZ250X TWO-STROKE: WHAT’S IT GOOD FOR?

The Yamaha YZ250X two-stroke is a half cross-country, half motocross model

MXA TECH SPEC: 10 THINGS ABOUT THE 2020 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

It was an Edison light-bulb moment back in 2006 when Kayaba switched the YZ250 forks from 70-percent position-sensitive damping to 90-percent speed-sensitive damping. It became the Holy Grail of motocross suspension