Aside from wearing proper and quality riding gear, I would comment that the most important modifications or add ons to any bike would be the ones that allow you to get home. First and foremost is making sure your bike is solid and well maintained, carry tools, some fast setting epoxy weld, water and something to eat as well as a communication device and a lighter. Alongside those in importance are radiator braces and guards. If you crash and crush your radiator, or impale your radiator with a hemlock branch, you are pushing the bike home, or ditching it, walking out, getting a new radiator and going back to fix it in the woods. Radiator braces and guards are number one priority add on to the bike IMHO. Next up, the wheels. I've used IRC heavy duty tubes at 14 - 15 psi in the rocky/rooty/muddy Northeast for three years. I replace them every year with a new set of tubes. Haven't had a problem yet. You could limp home on a flat if you had too, I suppose. The rest is just tuning the bike and personal preference to tailor the bike to your riding environment and enjoyment.
I love my APEX head on my YZ250X. Agree with your assessment of its effect on low end power. Also, something for tall guys to think about...Most tall guys have longer arms, so your hands are approximately in the same place, therefore tall bars or risers are seldom needed unless your proportions are gimpy lol, and they WILL mess up your riding position.
Great video. Your part choices change and evolve and that is something that can't be overstated. What you thought was rad one year doesn't even make it to the next bike.
Good stuff Jason. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and ideas on dirtbiking. Real good watch here. Merry Christmas. And I too have had the boot catching on the kickstand. Happened once in a very sketchy exposed side hill and scared me a lot.
I like seeing beat up plastics on a bike and paint scratched off the wheels. It shows me that the owner hopefully cares more about maintain crucial items rather than spend it all of fancy graphics/
I like my grips worn right out actually I like my grips the best when I wear a little notch wear my thumb fits right into it and find as long as I don't get mud on my gloves or grips my worn grips have more grip
Great all around video and you’ve convinced me to swap the kickstand. My boot also gets stuck and it’s so frustrating. I fell on my left side coming to a stop once this season when I couldn’t get my foot off. Thanks!
@@JasonHamborg when I asked them they said they had no clue. They ended up saying add foam there. I think I’ll just try to add a bigger piece of rubber behind the hinge point to stop it from traveling that extra little bit and hitting. I’m sure it’s not a big deal but it is kinda annoying. It’s not like it was cheap
Good idea on keeping 3/4 air filters on reserve. I thought I was doing good by having 1 backup. But you're right it takes as much effort to clean a few as it does just one. And since I always make a sticky mess I'm going to get a couple more. Any thoughts or ever tried a rekluse auto clutch? I've been sitting on a used one I bought months ago on fb and still haven't installed.. its like im scared to try it but Idk why lol..
The biggest reason I wouldn't want to use a rekluse is the fact that it freewheels when you stall the bike... there are lots of times when I am stalled on a hill and the bike is in gear and it prevents rolling back which is a major one for me. People say it's cheating, I don't care about that... I think learning good clutch control is important though. None of the top guys use them.
Rekluse auto is amazing. It makes riding far more enjoyable, particularly if you are on a larger four stroke. Four strokes can sometimes flame out in slower technicals when it is hot. The Rekluse auto will allow the bike to maintain forward momentum should the bike stall. With electric start, press the start button and you keep moving. Without an auto clutch, when that happens, you can crash when the bike suddenly stops dead in its tracks. Also the auto is fantastic for when you are in technical areas, as you don't have to cover the clutch if you don't want too and the clutch keeps all of the normal properties when using the lever. Some newer bikes don't come with kick starts anymore. This could be a potential problem with an auto clutch should your starter malfunction as it would be almost impossible to bump start. But the speed of engagement is adjustable on the auto clutch to help adjust how soon it operates speedwise.
Oddly enough, the brand new enduro engineering guards look like the best ones on the market. Not available for the YZ last time I checked though. I was also screwed by the EE/moose guards and bent my rad pretty good. Using Unabiker now.
hey Jason thanks for the video. I just bought a brand new Yz250x and plan on adding a couple necessary add ons for more of our west coast hard Enduro. I was just wondering if you ever delt with Emperor racing for any of there parts.? Thanks dude!
Hey Shane, I have yup. I used to have their big ass skid plate pipe guard but felt it was too heavy and the aluminum impacted the flex of my bike too much at speed. I think they make a decent set of rad guards. Not bulletproof good, but better than enduro engineering 😅
@@JasonHamborg hahaha right on! Yea I don’t think I’m going to go that route it is big and ugly for sure! That setup on ur bike looks pretty rad think I’m going to pick one up. Thanks for getting back to me!
I really want to know your thoughts on why you chose the Apex MX dome over the others? I'm running the Xc Dome on my bike Because they suggested that for trail riding. Also do you have to run a higher octane fuel with the MX dome?
I figured it was worth trying. I really liked the sx for how much gain it gave buy unfortunately it was too much in thr technical stuff (for me). The xc is awesome and I ran that on my 2020, but the mx is a nice blend between the two. Just run regular pump gas 91 or 94
Hi Jason..Great video..I thank you for posting! I also have a YZ250x and I ride Single Track in the NJ Pine Barrens..I'm intrugued you went to the MX dome over the XC..I tried the XC and my bike never ran quite right, was only lean and sounded like marbles in the motor with APEX jetting, and even tried stock..any advice?
Good stuff! I'm big fan of testing all sort of extra stuff but my must have for technical riding would be: light clutch, gearing, protection, low seat and gummy tires. I'm curious what makes you a Yamaha guy?
Started with a 2017 yz250 because I had a good relationship with the local dealer. I've enjoyed the process of building and testing bikes and seeing what the 250x is capable of over the years. Honestly it boils down to the fact that it's the rider that causes the most problems hahaha
@@JasonHamborg Dealer is important part of hobby and having a local shop with good relationship for spare parts is enjoyable. All major brand bikes 'can do' more than 99% of riders. I think best bike / mods are the ones that make you love the bike and want to spend a lot of time playing with it. My favorite at the moment is ktm 150tpi
There are a few out there, however I think you are one of the few who have had a lectron anf then removed it. I have had an sc2 and loved it. Waiting on my 250x to show up and have another sc2 on the way as well.
The sc2 is just a more expensive less adjustable lectron. If you don’t like the lectron you will like the sc2 even less. These carbs are great on gas mileage though I’ll give them that ☝️
@@jamesoso259 i disagree. They operate on the same basic principle but in a few ways are quite different. The sc2 is less adjustable in that it is actually jet-less. No power jet required. Its also tool-less adjustment and twice as fine of clicker adjustments as the lectron (10 clicks per revolution vs 4). But it is freaking expensive! It worked great on my 125x though. Super crisp all the way through.
Hey curious as why you picked the Yamaha over a KTM? I currently interested in buying a 2 stroke enduro/XC bike and am torn between 250x, 250xc and the beta 250rr race edition. Thanks for any input
Hi Jason hope alls well need your opinion since you’ve owned many new 250xs was thinking about a new 22 but found a very low hr 18 for 5500$ maybe 5200$ your thoughts on it I’m 56 still have a steel frame with about 50 hrs have 4 other bikes as well have my own 4 mile single track loop just want a newer one I guess hard to justify 7700& on new don’t ride as much as I did years ago
Get the 2018! Same bike and if it has low hours you can save your money for additional parts/upgrades OR for adult things like taxes and groceries! Hahah
This is going to sound like BS... but I had a buddy jet it with some old spec that he had for one of his KTM's with a Keihin... I never asked him the spec and still don't know what it is :P
Aside from wearing proper and quality riding gear, I would comment that the most important modifications or add ons to any bike would be the ones that allow you to get home. First and foremost is making sure your bike is solid and well maintained, carry tools, some fast setting epoxy weld, water and something to eat as well as a communication device and a lighter. Alongside those in importance are radiator braces and guards. If you crash and crush your radiator, or impale your radiator with a hemlock branch, you are pushing the bike home, or ditching it, walking out, getting a new radiator and going back to fix it in the woods. Radiator braces and guards are number one priority add on to the bike IMHO. Next up, the wheels. I've used IRC heavy duty tubes at 14 - 15 psi in the rocky/rooty/muddy Northeast for three years. I replace them every year with a new set of tubes. Haven't had a problem yet. You could limp home on a flat if you had too, I suppose. The rest is just tuning the bike and personal preference to tailor the bike to your riding environment and enjoyment.
For jetting I find the JD jet kit works amazing
I love my APEX head on my YZ250X. Agree with your assessment of its effect on low end power. Also, something for tall guys to think about...Most tall guys have longer arms, so your hands are approximately in the same place, therefore tall bars or risers are seldom needed unless your proportions are gimpy lol, and they WILL mess up your riding position.
Great video. Your part choices change and evolve and that is something that can't be overstated. What you thought was rad one year doesn't even make it to the next bike.
🤝
Good stuff Jason. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and ideas on dirtbiking. Real good watch here. Merry Christmas. And I too have had the boot catching on the kickstand. Happened once in a very sketchy exposed side hill and scared me a lot.
Thank you chad! Appreciate it :) Give that fastway a look 🤝
what a nice video! so much knowledge!, I already have big foot pegs and they help a lot, but those seem very interesting!
Thank you!
Really enjoyed the format of this video.
Thank you!! Glad you liked it!
I like seeing beat up plastics on a bike and paint scratched off the wheels. It shows me that the owner hopefully cares more about maintain crucial items rather than spend it all of fancy graphics/
Graphics and being are in the don't waste your time category for me... *unless I get them for free* 😅
Great video ! I have most of the same parts as you. Minus the boyesen reed cage and guts seat cover. Great taste in parts 👌🏻
Thanks for checking it out! Sounds like you have a nice bike 😏
I like my grips worn right out actually I like my grips the best when I wear a little notch wear my thumb fits right into it and find as long as I don't get mud on my gloves or grips my worn grips have more grip
Great all around video and you’ve convinced me to swap the kickstand. My boot also gets stuck and it’s so frustrating. I fell on my left side coming to a stop once this season when I couldn’t get my foot off. Thanks!
Rad, yeah that Fastway kickstand is very good!
@@JasonHamborg got it last week. As far as kickstands go, yeah this thing is awesome. The foot slams into my subframe but otherwise it’s sweet
@@Dropsix Yeah the foot on mine hits under the fender if I just let it shoot up.
@@JasonHamborg when I asked them they said they had no clue. They ended up saying add foam there. I think I’ll just try to add a bigger piece of rubber behind the hinge point to stop it from traveling that extra little bit and hitting. I’m sure it’s not a big deal but it is kinda annoying. It’s not like it was cheap
Good idea on keeping 3/4 air filters on reserve. I thought I was doing good by having 1 backup. But you're right it takes as much effort to clean a few as it does just one. And since I always make a sticky mess I'm going to get a couple more. Any thoughts or ever tried a rekluse auto clutch? I've been sitting on a used one I bought months ago on fb and still haven't installed.. its like im scared to try it but Idk why lol..
The biggest reason I wouldn't want to use a rekluse is the fact that it freewheels when you stall the bike... there are lots of times when I am stalled on a hill and the bike is in gear and it prevents rolling back which is a major one for me. People say it's cheating, I don't care about that... I think learning good clutch control is important though. None of the top guys use them.
Rekluse auto is amazing. It makes riding far more enjoyable, particularly if you are on a larger four stroke. Four strokes can sometimes flame out in slower technicals when it is hot. The Rekluse auto will allow the bike to maintain forward momentum should the bike stall. With electric start, press the start button and you keep moving. Without an auto clutch, when that happens, you can crash when the bike suddenly stops dead in its tracks. Also the auto is fantastic for when you are in technical areas, as you don't have to cover the clutch if you don't want too and the clutch keeps all of the normal properties when using the lever. Some newer bikes don't come with kick starts anymore. This could be a potential problem with an auto clutch should your starter malfunction as it would be almost impossible to bump start. But the speed of engagement is adjustable on the auto clutch to help adjust how soon it operates speedwise.
Good stuff as always. Pushing me to go blu cru and start my content as well nxt yr. Cheers up jason 🤟🏼
Cheers! Thanks for the stoke :)
Amazing video!! Keep up the content!
Thanks! Will do 💪
Good video and very informative. Thanks 👌
Thank you! 😊
Oddly enough, the brand new enduro engineering guards look like the best ones on the market. Not available for the YZ last time I checked though. I was also screwed by the EE/moose guards and bent my rad pretty good.
Using Unabiker now.
Yeah the ones I am referring to were the same design as the Moose ones... cracked without dropping the bike and fell apart...
@@JasonHamborg yeah exactly. My problem is that piece of flat aluminum on the outside. It cannot protect the rads.
hey Jason thanks for the video. I just bought a brand new Yz250x and plan on adding a couple necessary add ons for more of our west coast hard Enduro. I was just wondering if you ever delt with Emperor racing for any of there parts.? Thanks dude!
Hey Shane, I have yup. I used to have their big ass skid plate pipe guard but felt it was too heavy and the aluminum impacted the flex of my bike too much at speed. I think they make a decent set of rad guards. Not bulletproof good, but better than enduro engineering 😅
@@JasonHamborg hahaha right on! Yea I don’t think I’m going to go that route it is big and ugly for sure! That setup on ur bike looks pretty rad think I’m going to pick one up. Thanks for getting back to me!
@@shanefreer3321 No stress! Thank you for taking the time to watch the video!
I really want to know your thoughts on why you chose the Apex MX dome over the others? I'm running the Xc Dome on my bike Because they suggested that for trail riding. Also do you have to run a higher octane fuel with the MX dome?
I figured it was worth trying. I really liked the sx for how much gain it gave buy unfortunately it was too much in thr technical stuff (for me). The xc is awesome and I ran that on my 2020, but the mx is a nice blend between the two. Just run regular pump gas 91 or 94
Hi Jason..Great video..I thank you for posting! I also have a YZ250x and I ride Single Track in the NJ Pine Barrens..I'm intrugued you went to the MX dome over the XC..I tried the XC and my bike never ran quite right, was only lean and sounded like marbles in the motor with APEX jetting, and even tried stock..any advice?
You forgot to the power valve mod...valuable and FREE
Good stuff!
I'm big fan of testing all sort of extra stuff but my must have for technical riding would be: light clutch, gearing, protection, low seat and gummy tires.
I'm curious what makes you a Yamaha guy?
Started with a 2017 yz250 because I had a good relationship with the local dealer. I've enjoyed the process of building and testing bikes and seeing what the 250x is capable of over the years. Honestly it boils down to the fact that it's the rider that causes the most problems hahaha
@@JasonHamborg Dealer is important part of hobby and having a local shop with good relationship for spare parts is enjoyable. All major brand bikes 'can do' more than 99% of riders.
I think best bike / mods are the ones that make you love the bike and want to spend a lot of time playing with it. My favorite at the moment is ktm 150tpi
Great video 🔥🔥🔥
Cheers!!
Id be interested in hearing your thoughts on a smart carb sc2.
Yeah, it would be cool to do a comparison with a smart carb, the keihin and thr new lectron
There are a few out there, however I think you are one of the few who have had a lectron anf then removed it. I have had an sc2 and loved it. Waiting on my 250x to show up and have another sc2 on the way as well.
The sc2 is just a more expensive less adjustable lectron. If you don’t like the lectron you will like the sc2 even less. These carbs are great on gas mileage though I’ll give them that ☝️
@@jamesoso259 i disagree. They operate on the same basic principle but in a few ways are quite different. The sc2 is less adjustable in that it is actually jet-less. No power jet required. Its also tool-less adjustment and twice as fine of clicker adjustments as the lectron (10 clicks per revolution vs 4). But it is freaking expensive! It worked great on my 125x though. Super crisp all the way through.
Have you ever tested or found the need for a heavier flywheel weight like a 11 or 13 putting together a list for my 22 and don’t want to choose wrong
Without testing, I couldn't say... I have the 8oz in there and like how it works, but I'm not sure how much of a difference I would notice!
Hey curious as why you picked the Yamaha over a KTM? I currently interested in buying a 2 stroke enduro/XC bike and am torn between 250x, 250xc and the beta 250rr race edition. Thanks for any input
I have a video coming out in a couple weeks that answers the question! 🤙
Nice!
Good stuff👍
Thank you kindly!!
Hi Jason hope alls well need your opinion since you’ve owned many new 250xs was thinking about a new 22 but found a very low hr 18 for 5500$ maybe 5200$ your thoughts on it I’m 56 still have a steel frame with about 50 hrs have 4 other bikes as well have my own 4 mile single track loop just want a newer one I guess hard to justify 7700& on new don’t ride as much as I did years ago
Get the 2018! Same bike and if it has low hours you can save your money for additional parts/upgrades OR for adult things like taxes and groceries! Hahah
What are your jetting specs?
This is going to sound like BS... but I had a buddy jet it with some old spec that he had for one of his KTM's with a Keihin... I never asked him the spec and still don't know what it is :P
@@JasonHamborg Haha not at all