I've got the 250x. Absolutely love it. Great stock suspension for woods. KYB forks just make suspension very predictable...roots, rocks, ruts...dont cause issues. Bike just tracks over and through obstacles. I'm a bigger guy...240 lbs, but bike has great tractable power...I did add 10oz FWW and Lectron carb. I will probably get larger tank bc I tend to cut trail rides short at 45 miles for fear of running out of gas.
There are sooo many more things you can do to the YZ that will make it great on the trail. WR gear swap, when the cylinder needs to be replated, get it ported the way you want. You can do big bore kits. Parts are cheap and available. The YZ250 is the Leatherman of dirtbikes.
I run a 2018 yz250, I adjusted my suspension to yz250x settings and run a Clark 3.1 gallon tank, zeta hand guards, I made a teflon skidplate, and sicass racing headlight n taillight drop fender, battery operated, and motion pro coolant recovery system tank ( life saver) , I mostly ride hard enduro stuff and lots of slower speed punishing trails, I love my yz250
I just bought an 03 yz250 for just this reason, came with the kicker stand the pipe guard and the hand protectors extended gas tank , silencer and spark arrestor, seems im well on my way. Sweet cost me 1800 bucks.
With an expensive mods, it'll surely will. It's still an MX mo matter what. It's far different from trail bikes consider the gearing bro it's set up differently
2003 yz250 with Lectron and 18” wheel. Nothing else to aid in performance. No complaints on the trails. Only downfall is the suspension in slow rocky terrain. It really comes down to the rider, bikes haven’t changed THAT much in 15 years...I sometimes even prefer my 03 over my 250x. Great bottom end power, just a little easier to stall haha
What year and model 18" wheel did you use? I need a new wheel and looking at getting one of them for my 01 yz250. Also will the rotor and sprocket work from the 18 on my current swingarm?
you all prolly dont give a damn but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb lost my login password. I would love any help you can give me!
@Gael Harlem i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process atm. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
I ride a 2001 yz250. Added a flywheel weight to help on the rocks. Absolutely love it. Does feel like a bit much but if you can handle it by all means an excellent trail weapon
"You have to ride it on the pipe more than a KTM" That's only because you have the standard powervalve spring installed. Get an enduro spec spring from Cisco or similarly and it becomes a KTM killer.
I had a yz250 set up like this sans the 18 rear wheel. My next bike will be a yz250x with a lectron. Ill be honest im lazy and terrrible at jetting for constant elevation changes . Love the yz 250 platform.
Sooo much better than what Dirt Bike Channel did...spent over $9k on a 15 year old CR250 upgrading, then pissed and moaned that it wasnt as good as a '18 KTM purpose built for enduro. Totally missed the point! Flywheel weight, Handguards, front sprocket and gummy tires makes any old MX two stroke a real fun trail bike for real cheap. I really like all your bike builds, Jay. {only hating on the hot cams builds, its a bit expensive for average rider to do engine mods LOL}
I bought a 2019 YZ250X and absolutely LOVE it !! It's so nimble and just an all around super fun bike to ride. You can't beat the stock suspension on the Yamaha. I rode my buddies Husqvarna TE 300i and I'm glad I bought the Yamaha. I think you will be very happy with this bike.
@@souprstarhero8684 how was the te 300i? i have a 250x and was considering a 300i, but found out a lot of the 2020's have a leak after about a few hours. the yz 250x has been truly fun & reliable.
@@eddiekelley527 keep in mind I only rode the 300i for about 10 minutes... the most notable difference was E start, the gear box and power, that bikes is definitely a beast !! But, the 3 guys I've been riding with lately all surprisingly upgraded their suspension on their 300i. My buddy had to add a fan kit aswell. He would constantly overheat on technical climbs. All I know is I loved mine out the box, my buddy who let me ride his bike had to throw a lot of money at his before he really liked it...
I'm on a 250x comming up on 200 trouble free hours. I tried a 300xc and am glad I got the 250x. As soon as you get over 5 mph, the yamaha is the better bike.
I have a 07 all done up for single track and it doesn't give up much to a new ktm 300. I ride with them all the time. I do have an RK Tek head lower gearing and an 11 oz flywheel weight. You can lug it like no tomorrow.
I been using my yz250 on trails for years I wouldnt use anything else best change to make is back wheel from 19" to 18" it will make a world of difference for traction on the trails
A brand new 2019 YZ250x is only around $7400.00 and that is full retail. My guess is that you can get one for a bit less than that. Best bang for your buck in my opinion.
The steel frame YZs are better if you're going the trail route. Not only does the frame flex a bit more which adds to comfort, but the steel frame bikes are green stickers in California meaning you can ride them year-round.
So, the dictators are dictating what we use for frame material. The steel frame also transmits less vibration to the bars. My older hands go numb more with the aluminum frame. But I have something to try in an effort to kill some of that vibration, filling those frame cavities around the engine with permatex ultra black.
I have the more recent 2019 YZ250, and i don't see it as a great machine stock for anything. This is because the bike is set up from the factory to try to keep up with 450's on today's fast MX tracks, and that isn't happening. I had taken 18 years off riding/racing before I got this bike, and for me, stock, the bike was un-ride-able, (an extra 40lbs from my racing days was a big factor, I will admit.). The bike is way too tall for a 30 inch inseam and trails (or even flat ground cornering, which people are very slow with today), so I ended up doing a lot of work to this bike to be what I consider a great trail bike. The motor mods I did should give a very healthy punch in lower rpm's, but each mod can be reversed to tame it down, and I have not added a flywheel weight which may be another option. 2-4 gear whooped out single track is what i set this bike up for. One mistake I made, (But it turns out I like it), was to not measure how much I wanted to lower the seat and suspension. I just guessed 1.75" from looking at both of my feet off the ground. I went about 1/4" more than I really wanted, but it should corner better. Next time, I will equally stack magazines under my boots to get the "toe touch" I want, and measure the thickness of them. Lower your bike after you get the correct spring rates, especially for the forks, so your measurement of how much you want to lower it is not changed. Here are the mods i have done. Chassis: 1) Plastic. I removed/cut off as much of the modern "Batman art" plastic a I could, because abstract art (which means nothing), does not belong on my functional bike. :) 2) Had the seat cut down 1". 3) Lowered the suspension by .75", (1mm more on the rear as I went by percentage of travel. Probably did not matter.), and got the correct springs. No re-valving. Motor: 1) FMF Gnarley pipe for a lower peak power rpm target. 2) V-Force reeds will help lower rpm power, and the stock reed cage reed stop plate block off the rear transfer port about 50%, so that port will flow better to fill the rear of the cylinder. Not using the stock aluminum spacer. That can be added if you want to make the hit smoother. 3) No porting really. Just clean up the goobers and the exhaust champers. But I did open up at that rear port transfer tunnel 1mm on the long side (not the port window) 4) Now for the magic. I lowered the cylinder .024" by not using a cylinder base gasket (seal it with something great though). It is a good mod for more lower end power, and what it dopes is lower the exhaust port time to better match the FMF lower RPM pipe. That also raises the compression if you do not modify the head, and I will have to run 100 octane gas. That can be reversed just by adding the gasket, but if I like it, I will machine .024" off the base of the cylinder and use the gasket again. I just finished the motor and will ride it in the spring. I expect it to be very good with the whooped out trails I ride on. For tighter stuff, I would probably want to reverse a mod or two to tame it down if a flywheel weight did not do the trick for it. Doug in Michigan ESP (Earth Surfer Performance)
Had a 04. Great bike. Very reliable and for people like me that just buy and ride, it was good. I am 6-2 though so had to put tall seat and bar risers. Other than that just guarding. I just picked up a 2012 KTM 250SX with 20 hours on it and is a better bike hands down. It is much roomier for me stock, motor can lug and pull just like the YZ but is definietley got more top end. The hydraulic clutch is much better. A little more if you bought new but I think it is worth it.
You can buy a brand-new YZ250X for $7,000. I bought my 2018 250X for $6800 and I LOVE it. Way cheaper than the Husqy's or KTMs and just as capable of a bike as long as you don't mind kick starting.
You don't know anybody that has a 250X they want to sell do you I live in Illinois and finding a used one is next to Impossible has been for me anyways would love to find a nice used trail bike yz250x
Just sold my 19 YZ250X today. Replaced with a 21 KTM 350 EXC-F. No need for a huge tank. No mixing gas. No kick start. No jets. The YZ is a fun bike but no e start just plain sucks when you are riding in the nasty stuff. My KTM was about 2500 bucks more than the YZ plus another 1k for the GET ECU and totally worth the extra cost.
I am old school, racing MX from the mid 80's to mid 90's, and our generation learned how to work our our bikes. I took 18 years off a bike before I bought that bike. The set up for my 2019 YZ250 I listed here in another post just now. I agree, the bike is terrible stock, and I did a lot of work to it to make it the way I like it. But I sure get a lot of pleasure modifying my bike the way I want, and it keeps me "thinking". The only map I need is a trail map. :) There are even benefits to mixing your own gas. By changing the mix ratio a bit, you can actually change the jetting a bit for different rides, and I never thought I would see the day when people begged for electric start for a 250cc 2-stroke. I think we started becoming more helpless after John Wayne died. :)
@@EarthSurferUSAWelcome to the 21st century. My 65 Mustang and 69 Z28 along with all the other old cars and motorcycles I've had across the years had carbs, points, manual transmissions etc, and were easy to work on, but when it comes to riding out in the stuff I do, I want a button to start my bike. Hanging at the edge of a cliff trying to kick my bike and not pitch over the edge taught me a lesson. Trust me, if John Wayne was still around, he would have e start on his bike too.
Can I drive enduro with a 2018 YZ250, or will I crash it every 5 minutes? I'm considering buying one. It has already been modified with an 18" rear wheel/tire and a full FMF system. I'm a lower-intermediate rider, so I understand that I probably should buy a WR250F instead, but this '18 YZ250 I found is so gorgeous that I fell in love with it instantly. 😅
I purchased a 2002 Yamaha YZ250 from a dealer in Glenwood Springs Colorado. It had a large Fuel tank, Handguards, Skid plate, Factory connection suspension, Etc. The rear wheel was completely shot. But other than that it seemed OK. I purchased it on a whim for 2500 out the door . I spent another 500 on a real wheel. It was the best off road bike I ever had . And believe me I've had more than a few. Now I am looking at Another Yamaha YZ250. I'm just on The fence between 2 and 4 stroke. I do like the idea of 11 less pounds plus 15 more horsepower. However I am looking at a 2009 YZ250F for 2600 or a 2006 yz250 for 3500 obo. Both bikes seem to be clean. However the yz250f has a Skid plate bark busters Shark fin etc. The 2 stroke appears to be rather stock . Both bikes have low hours..... Any thoughts?
@@madeindade.3242 just bought a 2003 yz250f. Street legal ,rekluse auto clutch, Hand guard, Clark fuel tank, protaper bars, skid plate, 290 overboard kit, race tech suspension, shark fin, dial a jet, 18" rear wheel, fmf q4 plus power bomb pipe,etc etc, $2250 next it's a yz250x
I tried riding a 2004 kx250 on a trail and tight technical terrain on rocks and you definitely don't need to have a 250cc 2-stroke "on the pipe" lol the thing has way too much power and 1st gear is way too long for any tight space riding and you need to use the clutch constantly to not stall the bike. I can't even imagine what it's like without a flywheel weight, like sitting on a bomb? Ok seriously Im guessing a kdx200 or klx250 would be a perfect bike for a regular joe or a DT200WR. Even my DT125 R does everything I need, maybe needs some more torque for 2-6k rpm's to accelerate faster on tight spaces but other than that I can climb impossible looking hills that my friend does with his kx250 :)
Thanks for this video I’ve been wanting to have a bike specifically set up for woods but didn’t wanna spend 8, 9, 10 grand on a new bike so I did some research and I think I’m gonna go with an older yz250
before everyone runs out to buy a JD jet kit, do realize, please, that the OEM manual has the exact jetting information for using oem jets at certain elevations.... so there isn't much benefit to the JD kit imo.
I Love Kennedy Meadows, just got back from a two-week stay in their cabins, however how do you find trails up near there and Pinecrest? Id love to take my bike up next visit and get on some trails!
we go out of Troy Meadows campground -- my buddy Jim knows all of the trails and gets us around out there. Email me if you want to meet up with him on one of his rides this summer.
Nice video and sweet build! I'm also looking to build a good trail YZ250 smoker. I've been out of the game for too long and I've never rode an aluminum frame YZ. Any thoughts, pros/cons for aluminum vs steel frame? I'm 6'3" 260lbs. Should I be concerned about cracking an aluminum frame? Appreciate any info. Thanks!! Tom C. Maine.
Great bike yes. BUT a number of ex KTM riders dont love them as standard. Most put in a FWW hicap fuel tank lighting system hand guards and tweak the front suspenion to get the X to KTM standards. All that costs extra money... So why bother? .... Just buy a KTM.
Hey Jay, how does that bike compare to a crf250x? I know you have a sweet spot for the crf250x and was wondering your opinion on how it compares to that on the trail. Thanks Jay
Haha -- so different from each other for sure. The 250X will not be as exciting to ride or have that instant power for sure. The X needs a bit more work to make fast but a good reliable bike that chugs an I would rather ride it than a YZ250 in most cases on the trails. But if a faster guy more aggressive will want the YZ250 -- hope that helps.
Thanks so much Jay. I love my 250x and learned to ride on it the past 5 years, it's got me to B level skill set. It's getting pretty tired and I spent the last year on my 97' Rm 250 to try a 2 stroke off road. I like the lightweight and no engine breaking from the 2 stroke but can't quite seem to dial my suspension on the Rm, even had it revalved. It's going to be hard for me to sell that X as I've had so many good times on it but debating selling both for an 09+ 250xc-w. However I could be convinced to get an older yz as suspension is just about the most important thing to me. On a budget so these videos are great for me. Just not quite sure if that yz will be that much better than the Rm or if I should just get the purpose built xc-w
Hi Jay, I have my 2019 yz250x, and I'm at 900ft and I install my jd jetting with a 40 and 50:1 mix , my question is , with my altitude can I go with the Jd ? I think yess but you say that jd is more fore 7000 and up ? Am a little confused ! What you recommed , jd or stock jetting for my altitude ! Thanks your the best men 💪👍
Sorry for confusion-- email me off my UA-cam or my site if want more answers- _ The JD kit is good and good for 900ft follow the chart-- I think you can go a bit leaner than the chart-- I think I was saying at Altitude the Leaner red needle is an even bigger help
Sometimes-- this one is - email me if interested - racerxonline.com/2019/07/04/racer-x-films-2002-yamaha-yz250-project-build jayclarkent.com/2018/racer-x-films-2010-honda-crf250r-build/
We run Klotz R-50. at 40:1 most of the time-- on the trail bikes we drop down to 50:1. Also motor X has a good oil- if you continue with the problems check your jetting -- Good luck
I run amsoil dominator at 32:1 and have really rich jetting. I have only fouled a plug one time. Dont let your bike idle. Dont shut it off after a startup until its warmed all the way up
I have a 2018 yz250, I only woods ride it. I run 100% stock jetting. Never even touched the idle. I run 32 to 1 mixed Yamalube R, I HAVE NOT FOULED ANY PLUGS, STILL ORIGINAL PLUG. Gotta be 50 hours on it now. I run shell 91 octane gas, but I do add lucus octane booster for automotive, 4 ounces for 16L of gas. ( 16L gas to 500mL of oil gives me 32 to 1 ratio) , I start my bike on choke, idle 30 seconds then choke off idle,,,,, brap ,,,, idle ,,,,, braaaaappppp. I warm it up very well before I ride. YAMAHA wont take a start n ride on a cold engine. 39 years of running YAMAHA 2 strokes and none of them ate plugs.
Yamaha could build one just like a ktm but it probably going to cost more to make that bike so that's why they don't make one but maybe one day it will happen l probably will never see it though...
Mainly referring to newer 2017 and up KTM 250/300 with the updated Engine that has a counterbalancer -- this means NO vibration- Also the power tends to be way more Trail ride friendly - hope that makes sense
Suspension way to stiff for woods riding, and needs 6spd wide ratio box - so no not a good trail bike. Don't get me wrong you can set them up so they are a rocket ship in the trees but as soon as you have a little commute between sections or a nasty bolder strewn hill that gear box annoys the %^&* out of you
If you know someone selling a nice YZ250 or 250X please let me know I live in Illinois and it is next to Impossible to find a nice used YZ250 at a reasonable price I have a 2016 KX450 with 50 hours on it and probably $2,000 in extras on it would love to trade it for a yz250x please help
@@dirtbiketv1 yup I've gone through 2 sets of wheel bearings in the last year. No I don't ride in deep mud or through standing water a lot. Wish Tusk chose to use bigger stronger bearings.
Front ones on a Yamaha? If so then because exact same set up as OEM and they go out- Otherwise We have not had a issue-- I already have done fronts on my Stock Yamaha 2019 YZ250F with 40hrs on it--
![Best 4 Stroke Dirt Bike For Trail Riding [5 To AVOID]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3Vh7gyFX-KY/mqdefault.jpg)
I've got the 250x. Absolutely love it. Great stock suspension for woods. KYB forks just make suspension very predictable...roots, rocks, ruts...dont cause issues. Bike just tracks over and through obstacles. I'm a bigger guy...240 lbs, but bike has great tractable power...I did add 10oz FWW and Lectron carb. I will probably get larger tank bc I tend to cut trail rides short at 45 miles for fear of running out of gas.
There are sooo many more things you can do to the YZ that will make it great on the trail. WR gear swap, when the cylinder needs to be replated, get it ported the way you want. You can do big bore kits. Parts are cheap and available. The YZ250 is the Leatherman of dirtbikes.
Mountain Valley Frost true. If you can only have one bike in the garage and do a little bit of everything you can’t go wrong w. A yz250
Cant go wrong with a trusty YZ 250 great bike stock and even better now! Great looking build!.
I run a 2018 yz250, I adjusted my suspension to yz250x settings and run a Clark 3.1 gallon tank, zeta hand guards, I made a teflon skidplate, and sicass racing headlight n taillight drop fender, battery operated, and motion pro coolant recovery system tank ( life saver) , I mostly ride hard enduro stuff and lots of slower speed punishing trails, I love my yz250
Those hand guards & that fuel tank should come Stock on the 250X
I just bought an 03 yz250 for just this reason, came with the kicker stand the pipe guard and the hand protectors extended gas tank , silencer and spark arrestor, seems im well on my way. Sweet cost me 1800 bucks.
Yz250 can do anything u need it to
amen
With an expensive mods, it'll surely will. It's still an MX mo matter what. It's far different from trail bikes consider the gearing bro it's set up differently
@@levene8756 not hard to put in wr gearbox and long range tank my guy
2003 yz250 with Lectron and 18” wheel. Nothing else to aid in performance. No complaints on the trails. Only downfall is the suspension in slow rocky terrain. It really comes down to the rider, bikes haven’t changed THAT much in 15 years...I sometimes even prefer my 03 over my 250x. Great bottom end power, just a little easier to stall haha
Cool- Feel free to email me sometime to talk bikes and what you have coming up.
What year and model 18" wheel did you use? I need a new wheel and looking at getting one of them for my 01 yz250. Also will the rotor and sprocket work from the 18 on my current swingarm?
18" rear wheel! this guy knows what im talking about! I got a 2000 yz250 my only complaint is I hardly ever get past 3rd gear in the trails lol
@@dragonguy_129 I use excel 18" rear & wider style tire it makes a world of difference & yes both will work fine
I love my yz in the woods, especially in the tight Technical stuff. Such a great platform
you all prolly dont give a damn but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account??
I was dumb lost my login password. I would love any help you can give me!
@Landyn Colt instablaster ;)
@Gael Harlem i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Gael Harlem It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thank you so much, you really help me out!
@Landyn Colt Glad I could help :)
I ride a 2001 yz250. Added a flywheel weight to help on the rocks. Absolutely love it. Does feel like a bit much but if you can handle it by all means an excellent trail weapon
Is it because the power band isn't super broad like a xc250 from KTM?
Olá piloto
Qual a média anda com o tanque cheio?!
"You have to ride it on the pipe more than a KTM" That's only because you have the standard powervalve spring installed. Get an enduro spec spring from Cisco or similarly and it becomes a KTM killer.
Good to know - we are doing one with Rado and gonna run the other spring
yamaha just needs to bring back the IT series.
I had a yz250 set up like this sans the 18 rear wheel. My next bike will be a yz250x with a lectron. Ill be honest im lazy and terrrible at jetting for constant elevation changes . Love the yz 250 platform.
Instead of lectron look at a STIC block maybe.
Sooo much better than what Dirt Bike Channel did...spent over $9k on a 15 year old CR250 upgrading, then pissed and moaned that it wasnt as good as a '18 KTM purpose built for enduro. Totally missed the point! Flywheel weight, Handguards, front sprocket and gummy tires makes any old MX two stroke a real fun trail bike for real cheap. I really like all your bike builds, Jay. {only hating on the hot cams builds, its a bit expensive for average rider to do engine mods LOL}
My next bike will be a YZ 250X, I think.
I bought a 2019 YZ250X and absolutely LOVE it !! It's so nimble and just an all around super fun bike to ride. You can't beat the stock suspension on the Yamaha. I rode my buddies Husqvarna TE 300i and I'm glad I bought the Yamaha. I think you will be very happy with this bike.
Bought a new 2020 yz250x best bike I’ve ever ridden
@@souprstarhero8684 how was the te 300i? i have a 250x and was considering a 300i, but found out a lot of the 2020's have a leak after about a few hours. the yz 250x has been truly fun & reliable.
@@eddiekelley527 keep in mind I only rode the 300i for about 10 minutes... the most notable difference was E start, the gear box and power, that bikes is definitely a beast !!
But, the 3 guys I've been riding with lately all surprisingly upgraded their suspension on their 300i. My buddy had to add a fan kit aswell. He would constantly overheat on technical climbs. All I know is I loved mine out the box, my buddy who let me ride his bike had to throw a lot of money at his before he really liked it...
I'm on a 250x comming up on 200 trouble free hours. I tried a 300xc and am glad I got the 250x. As soon as you get over 5 mph, the yamaha is the better bike.
00' YZ250, 13 oz. flywheel weight, g2 throttle tamer, lectron carb, V-Force 3 reeds, 3.6 gal IMS tank...I'm keeping mine!
I have a 07 all done up for single track and it doesn't give up much to a new ktm 300. I ride with them all the time. I do have an RK Tek head lower gearing and an 11 oz flywheel weight. You can lug it like no tomorrow.
What gearing? I’m just tryna see cause I’m looking to build one
@@krispy216 13 on the front and 52 on the back is what i used for tight single track. Not much for top speed though.
I been using my yz250 on trails for years I wouldnt use anything else best change to make is back wheel from 19" to 18" it will make a world of difference for traction on the trails
So will a different or new tire.
Answer: one of the best options for an off-road project!
A brand new 2019 YZ250x is only around $7400.00 and that is full retail. My guess is that you can get one for a bit less than that. Best bang for your buck in my opinion.
The steel frame YZs are better if you're going the trail route. Not only does the frame flex a bit more which adds to comfort, but the steel frame bikes are green stickers in California meaning you can ride them year-round.
So, the dictators are dictating what we use for frame material. The steel frame also transmits less vibration to the bars. My older hands go numb more with the aluminum frame. But I have something to try in an effort to kill some of that vibration, filling those frame cavities around the engine with permatex ultra black.
Dude wherever these dudes went to ride looks like a damn dream just sayin smoke a joint while your out there....
Flywheel weight and a gnarly fmf made mine a great woods bike
Need the gnarly header. My 2002 yz250 is better than my 2014 ktm 300
J. D. Actually do have gnarly
Haven’t rode up there in 13 years and heading back up in 2 weeks can’t wait 👍,great video
Have fun-- gonna be cold at night
Dirt Bike TV can’t have a bad time with friends and riding , yup always come prepared up there 👍
Looks like a great trail bike Jay.
Not as good as yours --
I have the more recent 2019 YZ250, and i don't see it as a great machine stock for anything. This is because the bike is set up from the factory to try to keep up with 450's on today's fast MX tracks, and that isn't happening. I had taken 18 years off riding/racing before I got this bike, and for me, stock, the bike was un-ride-able, (an extra 40lbs from my racing days was a big factor, I will admit.). The bike is way too tall for a 30 inch inseam and trails (or even flat ground cornering, which people are very slow with today), so I ended up doing a lot of work to this bike to be what I consider a great trail bike. The motor mods I did should give a very healthy punch in lower rpm's, but each mod can be reversed to tame it down, and I have not added a flywheel weight which may be another option. 2-4 gear whooped out single track is what i set this bike up for. One mistake I made, (But it turns out I like it), was to not measure how much I wanted to lower the seat and suspension. I just guessed 1.75" from looking at both of my feet off the ground. I went about 1/4" more than I really wanted, but it should corner better. Next time, I will equally stack magazines under my boots to get the "toe touch" I want, and measure the thickness of them. Lower your bike after you get the correct spring rates, especially for the forks, so your measurement of how much you want to lower it is not changed.
Here are the mods i have done.
Chassis:
1) Plastic. I removed/cut off as much of the modern "Batman art" plastic a I could, because abstract art (which means nothing), does not belong on my functional bike. :)
2) Had the seat cut down 1".
3) Lowered the suspension by .75", (1mm more on the rear as I went by percentage of travel. Probably did not matter.), and got the correct springs. No re-valving.
Motor:
1) FMF Gnarley pipe for a lower peak power rpm target.
2) V-Force reeds will help lower rpm power, and the stock reed cage reed stop plate block off the rear transfer port about 50%, so that port will flow better to fill the rear of the cylinder. Not using the stock aluminum spacer. That can be added if you want to make the hit smoother.
3) No porting really. Just clean up the goobers and the exhaust champers. But I did open up at that rear port transfer tunnel 1mm on the long side (not the port window)
4) Now for the magic. I lowered the cylinder .024" by not using a cylinder base gasket (seal it with something great though). It is a good mod for more lower end power, and what it dopes is lower the exhaust port time to better match the FMF lower RPM pipe. That also raises the compression if you do not modify the head, and I will have to run 100 octane gas. That can be reversed just by adding the gasket, but if I like it, I will machine .024" off the base of the cylinder and use the gasket again.
I just finished the motor and will ride it in the spring. I expect it to be very good with the whooped out trails I ride on. For tighter stuff, I would probably want to reverse a mod or two to tame it down if a flywheel weight did not do the trick for it.
Doug in Michigan
ESP (Earth Surfer Performance)
Great build, motor sounds fantastic!
Had a 04. Great bike. Very reliable and for people like me that just buy and ride, it was good. I am 6-2 though so had to put tall seat and bar risers. Other than that just guarding. I just picked up a 2012 KTM 250SX with 20 hours on it and is a better bike hands down. It is much roomier for me stock, motor can lug and pull just like the YZ but is definietley got more top end. The hydraulic clutch is much better. A little more if you bought new but I think it is worth it.
You can buy a brand-new YZ250X for $7,000. I bought my 2018 250X for $6800 and I LOVE it. Way cheaper than the Husqy's or KTMs and just as capable of a bike as long as you don't mind kick starting.
Is this a out the door price or is it plus tax and other fees ?
@@goodboyringo9716 $6800+fees if the latest model. $7k ish oTd if it's a 1-2yr old bike(even a new leftover)
You don't know anybody that has a 250X they want to sell do you I live in Illinois and finding a used one is next to Impossible has been for me anyways would love to find a nice used trail bike yz250x
@@paulbarnett2083 i have a 2019.im in south carolina
I run a 45 pilot, red #2, 40 power jet and a 180 main at sea level.
Should have put a flywheel weight, that improved mine 10x on trails. Traction everywhere.
change the rear 19in to a 18in wheel & you will get even more traction
@@2stroketyson79 Yep, I have been looking to order a wheel set from Warp9.
Just sold my 19 YZ250X today. Replaced with a 21 KTM 350 EXC-F. No need for a huge tank. No mixing gas. No kick start. No jets. The YZ is a fun bike but no e start just plain sucks when you are riding in the nasty stuff. My KTM was about 2500 bucks more than the YZ plus another 1k for the GET ECU and totally worth the extra cost.
I am old school, racing MX from the mid 80's to mid 90's, and our generation learned how to work our our bikes. I took 18 years off a bike before I bought that bike. The set up for my 2019 YZ250 I listed here in another post just now. I agree, the bike is terrible stock, and I did a lot of work to it to make it the way I like it.
But I sure get a lot of pleasure modifying my bike the way I want, and it keeps me "thinking". The only map I need is a trail map. :)
There are even benefits to mixing your own gas. By changing the mix ratio a bit, you can actually change the jetting a bit for different rides, and I never thought I would see the day when people begged for electric start for a 250cc 2-stroke. I think we started becoming more helpless after John Wayne died. :)
@@EarthSurferUSAWelcome to the 21st century. My 65 Mustang and 69 Z28 along with all the other old cars and motorcycles I've had across the years had carbs, points, manual transmissions etc, and were easy to work on, but when it comes to riding out in the stuff I do, I want a button to start my bike. Hanging at the edge of a cliff trying to kick my bike and not pitch over the edge taught me a lesson. Trust me, if John Wayne was still around, he would have e start on his bike too.
Great video but did bro ripped one at 1:58?
I bought my 98 for 800 it didn’t run but I had to buy a stator which was like 100 so 900 dollar bike and runs just as good as a new one
Such a RAD build!!!
Is the sky blue? Exactly.
Fit "closeenoughish" LOL!
I also turn my racing YZ250 into a enduro looking and even big bore it to 300cc. Good to know I am not alone on this
Jay=King
well gotta like that
I agree. Love all your stuff, Jay. Especially with Rado
A lot guys in Washington race them in harescrambles.
Can I drive enduro with a 2018 YZ250, or will I crash it every 5 minutes? I'm considering buying one. It has already been modified with an 18" rear wheel/tire and a full FMF system. I'm a lower-intermediate rider, so I understand that I probably should buy a WR250F instead, but this '18 YZ250 I found is so gorgeous that I fell in love with it instantly. 😅
Email Jay directly with any questions. Contact info in About tab.
I purchased a 2002 Yamaha YZ250 from a dealer in Glenwood Springs Colorado. It had a large Fuel tank, Handguards, Skid plate, Factory connection suspension, Etc. The rear wheel was completely shot. But other than that it seemed OK. I purchased it on a whim for 2500 out the door . I spent another 500 on a real wheel. It was the best off road bike I ever had . And believe me I've had more than a few. Now I am looking at Another Yamaha YZ250. I'm just on The fence between 2 and 4 stroke. I do like the idea of 11 less pounds plus 15 more horsepower. However I am looking at a 2009 YZ250F for 2600 or a 2006 yz250 for 3500 obo. Both bikes seem to be clean. However the yz250f has a Skid plate bark busters Shark fin etc. The 2 stroke appears to be rather stock . Both bikes have low hours..... Any thoughts?
2stroke
@@madeindade.3242 just bought a 2003 yz250f. Street legal ,rekluse auto clutch, Hand guard, Clark fuel tank, protaper bars, skid plate, 290 overboard kit, race tech suspension, shark fin, dial a jet, 18" rear wheel, fmf q4 plus power bomb pipe,etc etc, $2250 next it's a yz250x
@@jahbay u did good..,even tho its a 4t😄
It’s the best bike!!
Yz & mx 125, 2 stroke great bikes for trail
I tried riding a 2004 kx250 on a trail and tight technical terrain on rocks and you definitely don't need to have a 250cc 2-stroke "on the pipe" lol the thing has way too much power and 1st gear is way too long for any tight space riding and you need to use the clutch constantly to not stall the bike. I can't even imagine what it's like without a flywheel weight, like sitting on a bomb?
Ok seriously Im guessing a kdx200 or klx250 would be a perfect bike for a regular joe or a DT200WR. Even my DT125 R does everything I need, maybe needs some more torque for 2-6k rpm's to accelerate faster on tight spaces but other than that I can climb impossible looking hills that my friend does with his kx250 :)
One word for the jetting... lectron
Amen
Thanks for this video I’ve been wanting to have a bike specifically set up for woods but didn’t wanna spend 8, 9, 10 grand on a new bike so I did some research and I think I’m gonna go with an older yz250
Glad I could help!
before everyone runs out to buy a JD jet kit, do realize, please, that the OEM manual has the exact jetting information for using oem jets at certain elevations.... so there isn't much benefit to the JD kit imo.
Yes you can do that--- This just can save time and money on buy needles etc-
Great video 👍👍 I just got one myself!!! Who was the maker of the kickstand? Thanx!!!
Pro Mot Billet Fastway
Thanx, much appreciated 👍👍
Only difference may be porting , heavier flywheel and gears. That's all
I Love Kennedy Meadows, just got back from a two-week stay in their cabins, however how do you find trails up near there and Pinecrest? Id love to take my bike up next visit and get on some trails!
we go out of Troy Meadows campground -- my buddy Jim knows all of the trails and gets us around out there. Email me if you want to meet up with him on one of his rides this summer.
When did Joey Kocur started riding dirt bikes?
Nice video and sweet build! I'm also looking to build a good trail YZ250 smoker. I've been out of the game for too long and I've never rode an aluminum frame YZ. Any thoughts, pros/cons for aluminum vs steel frame? I'm 6'3" 260lbs. Should I be concerned about cracking an aluminum frame? Appreciate any info. Thanks!! Tom C. Maine.
Go for it!-- haha no way you crack a frame unless drop it out of a moving truck on the frwy---
The yz 250s have surprisingly large amounts of bottom end for a race bike to
Yes bro god bless keep up the good work
Steel frame? Somebody knows the benefits of woods riding
Renthal unbreakable leavers and a billet throttle avoids the bark busters and the risk of a broken arm
Clickers recommendation for both suspension???
Love the yz250s
Yes
Yzf250 the best 🔥🔥🔥 bike in the ward
Is there a T-Rex walking in the background or something 😂
Would a larger rear sprocket help?
I live up there, I also built a bike like that
Great bike yes. BUT a number of ex KTM riders dont love them as standard. Most put in a FWW hicap fuel tank lighting system hand guards and tweak the front suspenion to get the X to KTM standards. All that costs extra money...
So why bother? .... Just buy a KTM.
Hugh Van Zuydam reliability and cost of maintenance, initial cost is also much lower
Hey Jay, how does that bike compare to a crf250x? I know you have a sweet spot for the crf250x and was wondering your opinion on how it compares to that on the trail. Thanks Jay
Haha -- so different from each other for sure. The 250X will not be as exciting to ride or have that instant power for sure. The X needs a bit more work to make fast but a good reliable bike that chugs an I would rather ride it than a YZ250 in most cases on the trails. But if a faster guy more aggressive will want the YZ250 -- hope that helps.
Thanks so much Jay. I love my 250x and learned to ride on it the past 5 years, it's got me to B level skill set. It's getting pretty tired and I spent the last year on my 97' Rm 250 to try a 2 stroke off road. I like the lightweight and no engine breaking from the 2 stroke but can't quite seem to dial my suspension on the Rm, even had it revalved. It's going to be hard for me to sell that X as I've had so many good times on it but debating selling both for an 09+ 250xc-w. However I could be convinced to get an older yz as suspension is just about the most important thing to me. On a budget so these videos are great for me. Just not quite sure if that yz will be that much better than the Rm or if I should just get the purpose built xc-w
I think with what your saying I would lean towards the YZ250 newest one you can find in your price range-- Good luck
@@dirtbiketv1 i thought the x had more top end?
Parabéns cara trabalho top demais 👏👏👏👍🇧🇷
Lol
Can a yz250 be a good trail bike? It's probably more popular as a trail bike
✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻
Hi Jay, I have my 2019 yz250x, and I'm at 900ft and I install my jd jetting with a 40 and 50:1 mix , my question is , with my altitude can I go with the Jd ? I think yess but you say that jd is more fore 7000 and up ? Am a little confused ! What you recommed , jd or stock jetting for my altitude ! Thanks your the best men 💪👍
Sorry for confusion-- email me off my UA-cam or my site if want more answers- _ The JD kit is good and good for 900ft follow the chart-- I think you can go a bit leaner than the chart-- I think I was saying at Altitude the Leaner red needle is an even bigger help
@@dirtbiketv1 yess , thanks for the info jay !
Do you guys he having these racer x project bikes for sale. Because i would buy one
Sometimes-- this one is - email me if interested - racerxonline.com/2019/07/04/racer-x-films-2002-yamaha-yz250-project-build
jayclarkent.com/2018/racer-x-films-2010-honda-crf250r-build/
Yz250s are mean af I go through the gears and can’t keep the front down
What was the make of the side stand Looking for one for my 2001
Pro Moto Billett
Where did you buy those graphics from
Decal Works www.decalmx.com/
Thank you
Ummmmm duh!!!!
Year of the bike ?
Wouldn't be caught dead on a KTM
what premix/oil type you guys used i have a 19 and im fouling plugs.all on the bike is stock
what mfg recommends.. or amsoil saber or interceptor.. You have to adjust your carb. If you dont know how pay someone or learn.
We run Klotz R-50. at 40:1 most of the time-- on the trail bikes we drop down to 50:1. Also motor X has a good oil- if you continue with the problems check your jetting -- Good luck
I run amsoil dominator at 32:1 and have really rich jetting. I have only fouled a plug one time. Dont let your bike idle. Dont shut it off after a startup until its warmed all the way up
I have a 2018 yz250, I only woods ride it. I run 100% stock jetting. Never even touched the idle. I run 32 to 1 mixed Yamalube R, I HAVE NOT FOULED ANY PLUGS, STILL ORIGINAL PLUG. Gotta be 50 hours on it now. I run shell 91 octane gas, but I do add lucus octane booster for automotive, 4 ounces for 16L of gas. ( 16L gas to 500mL of oil gives me 32 to 1 ratio) , I start my bike on choke, idle 30 seconds then choke off idle,,,,, brap ,,,, idle ,,,,, braaaaappppp. I warm it up very well before I ride. YAMAHA wont take a start n ride on a cold engine. 39 years of running YAMAHA 2 strokes and none of them ate plugs.
@@sciencemilitia1853 I idle my 18 yz250 alot, no problems
Yamaha could build one just like a ktm but it probably going to cost more to make that bike so that's why they don't make one but maybe one day it will happen l probably will never see it though...
Good..👌👍🙏
What year is this bike ?
2002
whats the name of the fuel tank?
Or it is possible to buy a older ktm 2012 to 2016
Anyone know what hand gaurds they are ?
Cycra probend
I’m going to be trading a 2002 Honda xr200 for a 1996 yz250 is it worth it?
All depends on the condition of each bike- The XR is running good is a reliable machine that can last forever.
What gearing did you end up running?
I think stock-- The bike was stolen from my buddy so I can't check.
@@dirtbiketv1 thanks! I'm going to give 14/49 a shot and see how it feels.
YZ250X is a better offroad bike than a YZ250 regardless of how much you mod it.
How many gear does it has ?? 3 or 4
5
What makes a Ktm 2stroke better just curious. Never ride a ktm.
*Ridden
Mainly referring to newer 2017 and up KTM 250/300 with the updated Engine that has a counterbalancer -- this means NO vibration- Also the power tends to be way more Trail ride friendly - hope that makes sense
how about a 125 😁
I will run out of gas on a mountain in the middle of nowhere before I put one of those god awful ugly ass gas tanks on my bike
Haha-- We have run out and its not too fun
@@dirtbiketv1 I been there a time or two as well lol
Suspension way to stiff for woods riding, and needs 6spd wide ratio box - so no not a good trail bike. Don't get me wrong you can set them up so they are a rocket ship in the trees but as soon as you have a little commute between sections or a nasty bolder strewn hill that gear box annoys the %^&* out of you
Tell me why I watch this vid, go on Craigslist look up yz 250 and the first thing I see is a post saying it was stolen 😂😂
Ya very sad-- We shot these videos months ago and just last weekend my buddy got this bike stolen from his house--
no pull handles tho
try not to get stuck that bad :-)
@@dirtbiketv1 try single track lol
If you know someone selling a nice YZ250 or 250X please let me know I live in Illinois and it is next to Impossible to find a nice used YZ250 at a reasonable price I have a 2016 KX450 with 50 hours on it and probably $2,000 in extras on it would love to trade it for a yz250x please help
I have Tusk impact wheels and they're total shit... Spokes always come loose, wheel bearings are very small and don't hold up to Enduro well.
Weird- -we have had good luck with ours--
@@dirtbiketv1 yup I've gone through 2 sets of wheel bearings in the last year. No I don't ride in deep mud or through standing water a lot. Wish Tusk chose to use bigger stronger bearings.
Front ones on a Yamaha? If so then because exact same set up as OEM and they go out- Otherwise We have not had a issue-- I already have done fronts on my Stock Yamaha 2019 YZ250F with 40hrs on it--
What did you do for gearing?
13-50
lol 2 strokes..
What year is that bike?
What skid plate are you running on this bike?
Cycra off an alum frame bike modified to fit--