I put an Apex Technical Innovations Head onto my 2020 YZ250x. Here's a quick look at the install as well as my initial thoughts testing the SX & XC heads.
‘06 YZ250 here with the SX dome. What you said about it is accurate. I went for a little ride in the woods and it was exactly how you described. I’m not a woods/trail rider. I prefer motocross tracks where the SX dome is a must if you have one of these bikes. You can just put it third and hammer it and the power is just there.
Good riding and you have great taste in motorcycles. Very nice squish band on the SX. The XC band cut simply looks less efficient. Instead, I would try a G3 throttle tamer with the SX and see if you don't get the best of both.
I have a YZ150 that’s had X gears put in and added a kickstand. Such a blast to ride. But I’m honestly not a fan of the “hit” especially coming off 4 strokes and having ridden a friends KTM 300. While the KTM is badass, I bleed blue and I’m not made of money. That XC head looks so good! First gear gets a little sketchy on hills so maybe this will tame it especially if I retard the timing a degree or so.
I bought a head from them lastyear. I have a heavy flywheel weight and a rekluse. I ended up going with the mx dome only because the rekluse tends to smooth the bike out so much I was afraid to go with the xc dome. I ride mostly single track and hard enduro in similar terrain to you. I’m a huge fan of apex
I wanna go with the mx or xc..I want top end ..I have a fmf gnarly and hate it.falls flat so fast..how is your top end power with the mx head? And how does the POWERBAND compare to stock as far grunt and TRACTIBILITY..?
@@craigsteinman9807 I’m actually swapping over to a different pipe to do some testing. I love the apex head it has a very aggressive grunt but is easily manageable with clutch control. I’ve felt the exact same as you about the gnarly. The bike falls flat on its face after the mid range. Going back to my pro circuit pipe which is an absolute ripper
@@cheesychuck123 awesome info bro..I hate my POWERBAND as of now..I could use my stock pipe as it is so much more fun it it is in perfect shape wanna keep it that way..I do have the magnura hydraulic clutch and I planned switching the the PC pipe I am so excited to that snappy eye watering type POWERBAND back.. MERRY CHRISTMAS
Good video man, you crack me up. Only thing I’d recommend is watch that dirt hanging on the frame and wiring. That stuff loves to fall in where it shouldn’t.
Haha thanks, man!! Yeah, it was definitely a little less clean than I would have liked once I got that tank off there :S most of it was hard baked-on film though, I gave it a pretty serious blast with compressed air before pulling apart the head.
Great video! Thanks for the insights, since apex shares and suggests rejetting it. Is there a sure way to know if the calmness of the bike is solely due to dome ? I’m thinking to play with jetting first before buying the dome to calm the bike down.
Thanks for the info!! After riding my buddies 2022 KTM 300XC, I gotta get my YZ more competitive. So this looks like a great way to stay in the chase. One recommendation, I wouldn't go through a whole stroke with the solder in, even though it's soft, can possibly get it stuck in transfer port and cause issues. Other then that can't wait to beat the Halloween crew!!
@@jacobhendrickson8935 The power is insanely smooth for a 300 2 stroke, it's not snappy but will throw you off the seat in a second if you underestimate it. The bike just rides easy and smooth, I mean it's no beginner bike, but for experienced riders it just flows really nice. But I'll never join the Halloween crowd, but definitely give respect to where it's due.
@@AlexB-ts8oo I always like a snap, but do see where it’s not so ideal when it gets super technical. I love a good single track but not the really slow stuff.
Not to argue with the logic, but why not use clay puddy for checking compression height? So basically your just changing the flame front and raising the compression ratio.
Love the video. I just recently purchased the blue anodized Apex XC head and I’m curious about the jetting changes. clearly I need to learn to read instructions because I just installed mine and never once glanced in the instructions to find or see anything about jetting. Thanks to your video I am going back to read the instructions to see if re-jetting will help some of the bogging that I’m getting at low RPM’s.
Jason, have you considered SX head with additional flywheel weight? Lots of guys with the KTM TBI bikes that say they're too snappy for the same reasons you mention here, and they claim the flywheel weight is a great solution.
I’ve always ran my YZs bone stock and now that I’m a bit older I find myself wanting to try different things. I’m curious as to if these heads really do anything power wise except move the power around without any real gains anywhere. I like a snappy hit with low end as well. But I’m not interested In losing any top end either.
Up until this bike, my bike's have always been mostly stock. Especially engine wise... I honestly just like doing the upgrades because it's fun to experiment and learn how each part impacts the performance. These heads give you more power. The sx is too much down low for the technical stuff but makes the bike a fire breather mid to top. I have actually ran the mx dome in my 2021, it's sick. A perfect blend between the two heads featured in this video
Running the blue version with xc dome. Also got the sx dome, but haven't tried it yet. Oh.... And how dare you work in sub standard youtube work spaces. Lol
Yeah I have done the power valve mod. It doesn't really give you any more power, it just removes the slight hesitation from low range to mid range. Do you feel that? If so, do the mod. If not, don't worry about it :)
Great video. I got the same bike with the mx head at sea level 52 pilot n3ew 2 180 main 91 pump gas 34 to 1 premix thing rips . They said it takes away from bottom end I gained there as well as everywhere else .
Jason, did you have to adjust your lectron after installing this. Reading through the install instructions, it says that adjustment may be necessary. Just wondering You're experience
Hi Jason. Did you do this to a 250 or a 250X? Sorry if i have missed the model of the bike. I have a 250 that i want to make more rideable for the exact terrain that you ride in this video.
This is a 250x, BUT my recommendation to make a regular 250 more rideable in this terrain would be the XC dome, 13-51 gearing and a heavier flywheel. Mitas also makes some good enduro options for 19" rear wheels :)
Thank you much for the excellent vid. Just got the XC dome. Little worried about all their notes saying “strongly recommend professional installation “ as I was planning to do it myself using your video here. What do you think??
So what was that test for in the beginning with the little metal rod? I have a yz125 and want to get an apex head but I dont know if I need to do a test or if I can just slap it on
Hello. Nice video. Im thinking to put vmh top head . They have some options stock or modification. And o don't know what i choose. The problem with me is i want one bike with more little nore power before the middle reps and i dont have this now . I win some earlier power? That do tou think ? Thanks a lot .( My yz 250 is 2011 model full stock
Apex makes a really nice head for these bikes. In this video I was using the XC dome, but the MX dome is what I use now. Also look at changing your gearing. I run 13/51 (Stock is 14/50)
so like what you mean by the xc dome is like a more mellowed out bike but still has the insane power an the sx dome would be more for like aggressiveness like hold on for dear life type deal?
The SX Dome comes on stronger and faster off the bottom and has a steeper power curve. The XC makes more power than stock but is more progressive, continuing to make good power all the way through the power curve.
Great vid! I am using an RK Tek head and love it. Question about your cylinder and piston though. I notice your Cylinder is stamped C. Shouldn't you be using a piston with the green mark? I may have missed it but if it's your first top end, the dealer may have given you the wrong piston. My cylinder is marked B and I got the orange piston. Page 4-26 in the manual.
@@JasonHamborg Good then, maybe the differences aren't big enough to actually matter and they by default give the orange pistons with new bikes. Ride on!
@@Distracted_driving_kills I bought a 21 and got a C stamped cylinder and of course they gave me an orange piston. Usually when you do a top end you would size up the next piston, not down no? I know the differences aren’t big, but still they do make different sizes for a reason.
I already have lectron carb, fmf fatty pipe and shorty exhaust for my 125x. Would u recommend apex head for technical or rocky trails? Which is better xc or sx? Tia
90% chance you'll be within spec... doing the test is like 5 minutes extra and then you know for sure... the bummer would be if you're not within spec and have to start adjusting gaskets... but I'd say if you're gunna spend the money, just take the extra time to do it right, so you know you're good.
I put a sx head and didnt do the squish test, just sent it, ive done a couple hrs so far and nothings exploded, goes better, more usable power, i also added a softer pv spring at the same time and have a 11oz stealthy flywheel weight, way better bike for my style of riding now
I would say it bumps the power up, and cleans things up a bit. Xc won't give you the power gains of the sx... in my opinion the mx dome is underrated and it's what I have been using this season!
‘06 YZ250 here with the SX dome. What you said about it is accurate. I went for a little ride in the woods and it was exactly how you described. I’m not a woods/trail rider. I prefer motocross tracks where the SX dome is a must if you have one of these bikes. You can just put it third and hammer it and the power is just there.
🙏
I think it’s great that you ride that scoot in that terrain over any of the Euro scoots. 80% rider 20% the credit card. 👊🏽✊🏽🤘🏽
Cheers mate!! 🙌
Good riding and you have great taste in motorcycles. Very nice squish band on the SX. The XC band cut simply looks less efficient. Instead, I would try a G3 throttle tamer with the SX and see if you don't get the best of both.
I have a YZ150 that’s had X gears put in and added a kickstand. Such a blast to ride. But I’m honestly not a fan of the “hit” especially coming off 4 strokes and having ridden a friends KTM 300. While the KTM is badass, I bleed blue and I’m not made of money.
That XC head looks so good! First gear gets a little sketchy on hills so maybe this will tame it especially if I retard the timing a degree or so.
I laughed when you said nothing is shiny on my bike. LoL
I bought a head from them lastyear. I have a heavy flywheel weight and a rekluse. I ended up going with the mx dome only because the rekluse tends to smooth the bike out so much I was afraid to go with the xc dome. I ride mostly single track and hard enduro in similar terrain to you. I’m a huge fan of apex
I wanna go with the mx or xc..I want top end ..I have a fmf gnarly and hate it.falls flat so fast..how is your top end power with the mx head? And how does the POWERBAND compare to stock as far grunt and TRACTIBILITY..?
@@craigsteinman9807 I’m actually swapping over to a different pipe to do some testing. I love the apex head it has a very aggressive grunt but is easily manageable with clutch control. I’ve felt the exact same as you about the gnarly. The bike falls flat on its face after the mid range. Going back to my pro circuit pipe which is an absolute ripper
@@cheesychuck123 awesome info bro..I hate my POWERBAND as of now..I could use my stock pipe as it is so much more fun it it is in perfect shape wanna keep it that way..I do have the magnura hydraulic clutch and I planned switching the the PC pipe I am so excited to that snappy eye watering type POWERBAND back.. MERRY CHRISTMAS
Good video man, you crack me up. Only thing I’d recommend is watch that dirt hanging on the frame and wiring. That stuff loves to fall in where it shouldn’t.
Haha thanks, man!! Yeah, it was definitely a little less clean than I would have liked once I got that tank off there :S most of it was hard baked-on film though, I gave it a pretty serious blast with compressed air before pulling apart the head.
Wow that soil looks amazing! I want to go ride with you!
It's pretty amazing! I am a lucky guy :D
Great video! Thanks for the insights, since apex shares and suggests rejetting it. Is there a sure way to know if the calmness of the bike is solely due to dome ? I’m thinking to play with jetting first before buying the dome to calm the bike down.
Thanks for the info!! After riding my buddies 2022 KTM 300XC, I gotta get my YZ more competitive. So this looks like a great way to stay in the chase. One recommendation, I wouldn't go through a whole stroke with the solder in, even though it's soft, can possibly get it stuck in transfer port and cause issues. Other then that can't wait to beat the Halloween crew!!
What is it that’s so good about the KTM 300??
@@jacobhendrickson8935 The power is insanely smooth for a 300 2 stroke, it's not snappy but will throw you off the seat in a second if you underestimate it. The bike just rides easy and smooth, I mean it's no beginner bike, but for experienced riders it just flows really nice. But I'll never join the Halloween crowd, but definitely give respect to where it's due.
@@AlexB-ts8oo I always like a snap, but do see where it’s not so ideal when it gets super technical. I love a good single track but not the really slow stuff.
Think this is next for. Got V force reeds, Lectron carb, fmf gnarly & turbine2.1 so far running a 13/50 gearing.
You will be stoked on it!
Great input and channel. Well done!!
Thank you!!
Not to argue with the logic, but why not use clay puddy for checking compression height? So basically your just changing the flame front and raising the compression ratio.
That question is above my pay grade 😅
Love the video. I just recently purchased the blue anodized Apex XC head and I’m curious about the jetting changes. clearly I need to learn to read instructions because I just installed mine and never once glanced in the instructions to find or see anything about jetting. Thanks to your video I am going back to read the instructions to see if re-jetting will help some of the bogging that I’m getting at low RPM’s.
Send Apex a message! They can give you some jetting specs based on your location!
Jason, have you considered SX head with additional flywheel weight? Lots of guys with the KTM TBI bikes that say they're too snappy for the same reasons you mention here, and they claim the flywheel weight is a great solution.
I haven't... it could maybe produce similar results. But I'm too cheap to buy a different heavy flywheel 😅
I see your clips on Instagram all the time! Your awesome bro! Keep doing what your doing it’s great, live your vidoes
Cheers! Glad you're digging the content!!
What is his Instagram so I can follow
@@cooperboutdoors4002 @innowayfamous
Very informative, although I dont have the bike yet. 😁
Thanks!
looks like i'll have to get that XC for my 125 then :D . nice riding too, to technical for my liking though.
Cheers!
Hey did you ever get the xc dome for your 125? And how is it .??
Well done 👌
Cheers dude!
Did you notice any difference on the effort it takes to kick the engine over with the increased compression? Thanks!
No, I personally didn't notice any difference with that.
I’ve always ran my YZs bone stock and now that I’m a bit older I find myself wanting to try different things. I’m curious as to if these heads really do anything power wise except move the power around without any real gains anywhere. I like a snappy hit with low end as well. But I’m not interested In losing any top end either.
Up until this bike, my bike's have always been mostly stock. Especially engine wise... I honestly just like doing the upgrades because it's fun to experiment and learn how each part impacts the performance. These heads give you more power. The sx is too much down low for the technical stuff but makes the bike a fire breather mid to top. I have actually ran the mx dome in my 2021, it's sick. A perfect blend between the two heads featured in this video
@@JasonHamborg have you had to tinker with the jetting from dome to dome?
@@joeuknobro I didn't make any adjustments no. I'm not very picky though.
Running the blue version with xc dome. Also got the sx dome, but haven't tried it yet. Oh.... And how dare you work in sub standard youtube work spaces. Lol
The SX dome is definitely worth a try! The power it makes is pretty impressive! Haha, doing the best with what I got in the shop :P
Hi there I was wondering if you are running the power valve mod with the apex head or just the head?? Thanks love your videos
Yeah I have done the power valve mod. It doesn't really give you any more power, it just removes the slight hesitation from low range to mid range. Do you feel that? If so, do the mod. If not, don't worry about it :)
Great video. I got the same bike with the mx head at sea level 52 pilot n3ew 2 180 main 91 pump gas 34 to 1 premix thing rips . They said it takes away from bottom end I gained there as well as everywhere else .
Yeah the mx is rad!!
Jason, did you have to adjust your lectron after installing this. Reading through the install instructions, it says that adjustment may be necessary. Just wondering You're experience
Hey Matt, yeah I had to make some adjustments. Best person to ask about that would be BeRad! He is super knowledgeable about the Lectrons :)
Hi Jason. Did you do this to a 250 or a 250X? Sorry if i have missed the model of the bike. I have a 250 that i want to make more rideable for the exact terrain that you ride in this video.
This is a 250x, BUT my recommendation to make a regular 250 more rideable in this terrain would be the XC dome, 13-51 gearing and a heavier flywheel. Mitas also makes some good enduro options for 19" rear wheels :)
Thank you much for the excellent vid. Just got the XC dome. Little worried about all their notes saying “strongly recommend professional installation “ as I was planning to do it myself using your video here. What do you think??
I am NOT a professional haha! But I'm smart enough to realize that and follow the directions properly. So that and you'll be fine :)
So what was that test for in the beginning with the little metal rod? I have a yz125 and want to get an apex head but I dont know if I need to do a test or if I can just slap it on
It's to measure the "squish" when you get the head it comes with pretty good instructions. You want to do the test so it works the best
@@JasonHamborg ok thank you
Hello. Nice video. Im thinking to put vmh top head . They have some options stock or modification. And o don't know what i choose. The problem with me is i want one bike with more little nore power before the middle reps and i dont have this now . I win some earlier power? That do tou think ? Thanks a lot .( My yz 250 is 2011 model full stock
Apex makes a really nice head for these bikes. In this video I was using the XC dome, but the MX dome is what I use now. Also look at changing your gearing. I run 13/51 (Stock is 14/50)
How do u like the mx dome I just bought one for my yz125 2003 I bought mx dome
so like what you mean by the xc dome is like a more mellowed out bike but still has the insane power an the sx dome would be more for like aggressiveness like hold on for dear life type deal?
The SX Dome comes on stronger and faster off the bottom and has a steeper power curve. The XC makes more power than stock but is more progressive, continuing to make good power all the way through the power curve.
@@JasonHamborg im thinking about putting one on my 2004 yz250
What size flywheel weight do you run? Thinking about getting one. I ride a 2019 yz250x with the stock pipe and an FMF Turbinecore 2.1. Love it.
I believe it's the 8oz from GYTR. Definitely helps!
Great vid! I am using an RK Tek head and love it. Question about your cylinder and piston though. I notice your Cylinder is stamped C. Shouldn't you be using a piston with the green mark? I may have missed it but if it's your first top end, the dealer may have given you the wrong piston. My cylinder is marked B and I got the orange piston. Page 4-26 in the manual.
hmmm, I'm not too sure! haven't run into any issues yet :S
@@JasonHamborg Good then, maybe the differences aren't big enough to actually matter and they by default give the orange pistons with new bikes. Ride on!
The letters dont mean as much/arent as critical as you might think.
@@Distracted_driving_kills yeah I know the tolerance differences aren’t huge. Better safe than sorry
@@Distracted_driving_kills I bought a 21 and got a C stamped cylinder and of course they gave me an orange piston. Usually when you do a top end you would size up the next piston, not down no? I know the differences aren’t big, but still they do make different sizes for a reason.
I already have lectron carb, fmf fatty pipe and shorty exhaust for my 125x. Would u recommend apex head for technical or rocky trails? Which is better xc or sx? Tia
Yeah the apex is rad. For technical rocky terrain the xc dome
@@JasonHamborg thanks bro!
What did you torque head nuts to.?
I can't remember off the top of my head. But just followed the service manual spec
@@JasonHamborgdid you reuse your copper washers on head nuts.?
I did yeah
Your next video should be on how to wash your bike.
I’m a bit too lazy to do the squish test. Is it absolutely necessary? I was planning on just bolting the head on and calling it a day.
90% chance you'll be within spec... doing the test is like 5 minutes extra and then you know for sure... the bummer would be if you're not within spec and have to start adjusting gaskets... but I'd say if you're gunna spend the money, just take the extra time to do it right, so you know you're good.
I put a sx head and didnt do the squish test, just sent it, ive done a couple hrs so far and nothings exploded, goes better, more usable power, i also added a softer pv spring at the same time and have a 11oz stealthy flywheel weight, way better bike for my style of riding now
please make a tips and trick vids for newbie
Do you know where I can get those blue shock covers ? Lol
My fork guards? Those are made by polisport i believes
is the xc similar to stock? or huge power difference?
im on a 20 yz250x, one size smaller jet otherwise stock power, 13/50 130/80/18 m5b
I would say it bumps the power up, and cleans things up a bit. Xc won't give you the power gains of the sx... in my opinion the mx dome is underrated and it's what I have been using this season!
How often are you swapping out the piston with your riding
I do a top end every 100 hours roughly
That's way to long should be 30 hours bro
Does the XC head make it as luggable as a KTM300? Or still pretty far off? Im trying to decide between this head or a big bore kit.
I have only ridden with a KTM 300 once... so I'm unfortunately not a super reliable source! Sorry!
It will lug pretty damn low for a 250 smoker with Apex head/xc dome. I love mine for single track/xc. Find myself in a gear higher overall vs stock
Pretty damn close.
Where did you get your head from?
Just found your channel and enjoying it!
Cheers! You can order directly from Apex! atinno.com/yamaha
What did you torque the head to?
What jetting are you running?
175/45 and a n3cw needle second clip.
Saweeet ✊✊
You should through it on the ground and get it dirty so it matches your bike. LoL
Hahah... it's plenty dirty now :P
@@JasonHamborg that's funny. Have a good ride.
Run s GYTR flywheel...
I do yes
Hmmmm... Looks like a copy design of the RK head.