ASK THE MXPERTS: (02/06/10)

On Feb 6, 2010

2006 Yamaha YZ250.

2009 Yamaha YZ250.

Dear MXA,
In MXA you said that 2007 YZ250 is as far back as you’d go on a used YZ250 because it’s the first with the Kayaba SSS suspension, but in the March 2009 issue of MXA you stated, “Starting with the 2006, Yamaha spec’d the YZ250 with Kayaba SSS suspension, which is why the 2005 model (with the AOSS components) is not a keeper. The difference between the 2006 engine and the 2009 engine are nil.” Please clarify.

    You are correct, the 2006 YZ250 comes with SSS suspension. We got had it right and then got it wrong.

    Here is a list of YZ250 changes from 2006 through 2010 (the 2010 YZ250 has not been released to dealers yet).

    (1) Front tire: In 2008 the YZ250 came stock with the Dunlop D739 front tire. For 2009 it got a Dunlop D742FA (the same tire that is spec’ed on the YZ450F).

    (2) Rear tire: Although the rear D756 rear tire looks the same as last year, it is in fact the 2009 got the “G” model tire. How does the 756G differ from a regular 756. It is 200 grams lighter. How much lighter is 200 grams? About seven ounces.

    (3) Front brake hose clamp: Yamaha drop-kicked the previous steel front brake hose clamp in 2009 for a smaller and lighter aluminum clamps. The DR.D-style clamps saves 32 grams (a little more than one ounce).

    (4) Chain: The side plates on the new D.I.D. chain have been zinc coated for better rust resistance.

    (5) Seat cover: For 2009 the YZ250 seat cover has a woven pattern instead of the old sandpaper-style gripper material on the seat cover.

    (6) In 2007 the thickness of the inner and outer fork tubes have been changed to feed more flex into the front end of the YZ250. Additionally, there have been damping changes to improved the feel and lower the overall weight of the fork.

    (7) Several of the key pieces of the Kayaba shock absorber have been changed from steel or brass to aluminum. The valving has undergone some modest changes.

    (8) The 7/8-inch Renthal bars were replaced with 1-1/8 inch ProTaper Contour bars.

    (9) In 2007 a new jet needle in the 38mm Keihin PWK carburetor boosts bottom-end and mid-range response.

    (10) Lighter bolts are used throughout the chassis to reduced weight.

    (11) Caulfiflower-style brake rotors.

    (12) Five years of newness.