With the KTM group on the financial ropes.... Could there be a better time for Yamaha to get back into producing true modern 2stroke enduro machines?? 🤔
Don’t get too excited. Your dream Yamaha 300 is years away. The good news is that Yamaha is finally waking up from hibernation and is seeing a marketing opportunity in the enduro segment. I bought their first attempt at Off Road, an IT 400 two stroke in 1975, and have been following the industry development ever since. Cody stated that his main objection to a 300 kit on the current platform is excessive vibration. That is why he said he will race the 250X, despite a big lack of low end torque. To be competitive, the new bike will need new cases to hold an integrated E start, a balancer shaft, a 6 speed transmission, fuel injection, proper lighting, and a larger charging system to power it all. If you have followed KTM’s development of the 300, these items will all be familiar. Anything less will be a failure as even Sherco and TM have adopted most of these features. Witness those who have tried to race KTM XC 300’s in hard enduro. Common problems are too high a first gear in pre 2024 models, overheating, hard starting when hot, preignition, and too harsh suspension in the rough stuff ( air fork models). Hard Enduro has become a specific discipline, and makes specific demands on the rider and machine. As a lifelong Yamaha fanboy, I truly hope they take up the challenge and build a modern version. The 250 X is a great machine, especially for the price, but its major shortcomings are why you don’t see any on the podium at Erzberg.
Yeah it is only Hard enduro , 1 category of the two wheels. If watching the amateurs paying to enter those Hard Enduro events it may be worth sales wise to build a Hard Enduro Putt Putt bike
I had an IT465 H in 82 and did an enduro on it it was heavier than euro bikes at the time but had that bulletproof Yamaha reliability even back then that Euros lacked.. A great bike in its day for sure.
Yeah, I love my yz250x but in the extreme stuff it is just no comparison to a ktm 300. I’ve ridden both in the extreme stuff. The ktm or gasgas 300 is just made for it. But, I love my yz for what I ride. Some Mx and harescrambles. The yz rules in those conditions and it’s so much simpler. I’m just not much on the extreme stuff, too much work. Dirt bikes are meant to rip!
It's not just hard enduro. Look at enduro GP in Europe and you will see what the European bikes are built for. It's a mix of everything. Overall the enduro in Europe is just constant stones, roots, ruts, mud. The japanese bikes are overall too harsh, too aggressive, light flywheel, wrong gearing etc as they are modified mx bikes. Really fast guys can handle it and make use of the performance but for average guys they are not the easiest to ride. At least this is the general opinion, i don't have personal experience of all bikes of course. That's why there are almost no japanese bikes out on the enduro tracks in Europe today. There are a few wr 250 but nothing else. I'm not hating on japanese bikes in general, it would be great if they put out more alternatives on the market.
The parts going on that YZ250 are off-the-shelf parts like the panthera electric start kit Steely flywheel and gytr parts. He had an interview with highland cycles This morning
The Panthera starter is a joke and does not work. Yamaha would need to redesign the entire bottom end to integrate the starter the correct way. Yamaha is not going to throw an external chit starter on their bike.
@@onthethrottle7104 My Panthera e-start has over 200 hours on it. Been through a few starter motors, and just replaced the solenoid because of how it looked. The weak point on the kit is the stator and my first one failed almost immediately, the 2nd one lasted approximately 80 hours, and the current one is still going strong.
Hi Joe, just wanted to say thank you for all the fun content! I know it takes a lot of time, but your videos are fun to watch! I would really like to hear why you are moving on from the Beta! I was considering a 300rr for my next bike, but I don’t know anymore… I still have a 2014 Husaberg FE350. I’m ready for an update, just not sure what direction to go.. Anywho, just wanted to say keep on keepn’ on! Dan N NE Ohio
I've been saying it for years, Yamaha need to do a Six speed, 250/300cc two stroke, with E start and balance shaft. They would sell like hot cakes. With KTM in the CAN, now would be an even better time. Hopefully Yamaha isn't that short-sighted and takes advantage of the open market.
you and many others but it is one category of many , Hard Enduro, slow ride bounce suspension and a Putt Putt engine . Enduro is the fun stuff for a large market that has been met for decades , Hard Enduro has become a possible viable sustainable of manufacturing costs to Business wise partake . Never will there be a Bankruptcy with Yamaha for that matter this is twice for ktm now and there poor reliability is why they folded the first time , who would have thought ! Crappy bikes , all they had to do was R and D on reliability and source parts from quality manufacturers . KTM are a Frankenstein bike since the begging , china parts assembled in Austria is a big media contract secrets. Ive been saying for over a decade ktmhuska are top shelf marketing bottom shelf quality throughout
Read what I posted. It’s not in the cards. The company can’t see how they would ever get back the millions of dollars it would take to do what you are suggesting. I’d like to see it myself but I get the business side too.
26 model, perfect timing for my new bike! I am very interested! Around 2015 I had a 96 yamaha that suprisingly handled beautiful in the woods for an MX. So much so that I did a full nut and bolt on it and actually raced it. If these handle anything close to that I will be happy. Also the majority of these European Enduro bikes are not nice to work on, with the exception being TM. If I remember correctly I think the Yamaha's are a pleasure to work on.
@bhoges5145 sure, the yz125 is more nimble, you bought a 300cc trial bike. while the 300xc-w is legendary, it won't ever be as light and playful as any 125. It sounds like you need to ride that 300 more and learn what it's purpose is and how to ride it for the intended purpose.
Yes! This is a good indicator of new development with Yamaha. I will be all blue within a year I am hoping. I have not been riding my Husky TE250 as much as my WR450F. Actually less fatigued on the 450. Drooling over a 250X. Regret selling my 125X.
He said he can’t run the hydraulic clutch with the e starter because there’s not enough space, so it’s two bikes, one with e starter because and another with hydro clutch and kick starter. Those would be 2 huge steps forward , but Yamaha still needs to solve the vibration issue with their 2 strokes.
Don’t hold your breath for any all new YZ two strokes just because they are helping Cody Webb. I talked to Yamaha very recently and I asked them why have they not updated the 125 & 250 two strokes and the response I got was that they have looked at doing it numerous times and they cannot see the potential return on the investment it would take to add e-start or go to a 300. He said it costs many millions of dollars to do the R&D, tooling and production changes and if they did they would be forced to race the price significantly. He said they sell every bike they build now and it’s affordable to buy and maintain. Basically don’t try to fix a successful marketing strategy.
I agree, as I said in my other comment Cody approached Yamaha looking for support. Not like they went looking for a rider to ride hard Enduro and develop a bike.
It's about damn time! 😂 The YZ250X is a great all around bike for reliability, great suspension, and decent price. If they made an upgraded version YZ300X with E-start and TBI, everyone else would be playing catch up. I got a GASGAS EC300 because it was the only thing available that checked all the boxes and didn't cost $14K. Now that KTM/GG/Husky is in trouble, I am sure my next bike will be Japanese.
Very awesome news! I would love to add a yz to my lineup again. I handled woods much better on my yz than my xcw. Hard enduro sections I couldn't say as I didn't do much of those on the yz....
Yamaha is and always was awesome. Glad these bike manufacturers are going electric start. That's the reason I just bought a KTM xc w. I love all bikes, no preference, I just wish they weren't all being manufactured with a 90" seat height! Yeah I'm exaggerating but seriously they are all too tall for shorter riders.
I've always thought the Yamaha has been throwing away uncountable sales by not having e-starts on their YZ-X's. The rest of the world has had it for over ten years while Yamaha sleeps.
Not big money in it , sleeping on Enduro 4ts and all the the other great bikes for over ten years is the wide thought to be realised . Its like all the muppets saying Suzuki is going down the drain for how long now ? SuZuki is a massive financially responsible company that have produced decades of quality product , boat motors you name it they are good if Suzuki make them. Not Hard enduro bubble life 2 wheel life and as i said Enduro , like the Enduro GP is where big sales have been outside of the RedPull Hard enduro scene , ktms little niche of Trials bike skills adapted to big bike two stroke Putt Putts . Its all good but there has to be dollar in it ongoing and not just a fashion payed and promoted for by KTM and Redpull.
You also have the return of Kailub Russell 557 into GNCC on the blue bike. Could this be Yamaha‘s opportunity to dominate off-road? A 350 F? Don’t get me wrong. I hate to see the KTM group on the downhill. I come from an era where it was KTM versus Husqvarna as the only two real options for off-road. I rode Swedish Husqvarna at that time. I must admit, it does make it a little bit sweeter because I am now riding a Yamaha E bike.
Maybe Yamaha could use the 300 in the Fantic 300… which is essentially a massively reworked YZ. My only concern is that Yamaha said all of this when Pol Tarres joined them and nothing happened.
But it’s a case of are people going to put there $ were there mouth is and pay the extra 2 plus k until they recover all the $ spent on R & D or even pre pay for a bike that they have to wait for like ie stark varg owners had to
Click bait really. Cody approached Yamaha, not like Yamaha is trying to develop the yz other than bolt on parts. Same hype Pol Tarres got when he went to Yamaha and nothing happened.
Man if Yamaha comes out with a 300cc two stroke with electric start it is game over for everybody else
Dead on
Lol dream on , their two strokes are garbage. Good suspension crap motor
True 💪
@@Leick42 lol I highly doubt that! 😂
Why? 😂 There’s Fantic XE300…. 300 yz with electric starter and injection
With the KTM group on the financial ropes.... Could there be a better time for Yamaha to get back into producing true modern 2stroke enduro machines?? 🤔
Hard enduro , they have excellent Enduro bikes already
@motozz8258 ... But not a modernized 2stroke Enduro
I was scared to buy the new ktm I went with 2023ktm 300 no idea yet havent even rode it😂
If yamaha drops a 3002T electric start, and 6speeds will be badass, I will definitely get one...
Don’t get too excited. Your dream Yamaha 300 is years away. The good news is that Yamaha is finally waking up from hibernation and is seeing a marketing opportunity in the enduro segment. I bought their first attempt at Off Road, an IT 400 two stroke in 1975, and have been following the industry development ever since. Cody stated that his main objection to a 300 kit on the current platform is excessive vibration. That is why he said he will race the 250X, despite a big lack of low end torque. To be competitive, the new bike will need new cases to hold an integrated E start, a balancer shaft, a 6 speed transmission, fuel injection, proper lighting, and a larger charging system to power it all. If you have followed KTM’s development of the 300, these items will all be familiar. Anything less will be a failure as even Sherco and TM have adopted most of these features. Witness those who have tried to race KTM XC 300’s in hard enduro. Common problems are too high a first gear in pre 2024 models, overheating, hard starting when hot, preignition, and too harsh suspension in the rough stuff ( air fork models). Hard Enduro has become a specific discipline, and makes specific demands on the rider and machine. As a lifelong Yamaha fanboy, I truly hope they take up the challenge and build a modern version. The 250 X is a great machine, especially for the price, but its major shortcomings are why you don’t see any on the podium at Erzberg.
Well said and you reiterate a lot of what i thoughts for years. Wake up Yamaha. Stir that sleeping blue dragon for the Enduro two stroke segment!!
Yeah it is only Hard enduro , 1 category of the two wheels. If watching the amateurs paying to enter those Hard Enduro events it may be worth sales wise to build a Hard Enduro Putt Putt bike
I had an IT465 H in 82 and did an enduro on it it was heavier than euro bikes at the time but had that bulletproof Yamaha reliability even back then that Euros lacked..
A great bike in its day for sure.
Yeah, I love my yz250x but in the extreme stuff it is just no comparison to a ktm 300. I’ve ridden both in the extreme stuff. The ktm or gasgas 300 is just made for it. But, I love my yz for what I ride. Some Mx and harescrambles. The yz rules in those conditions and it’s so much simpler. I’m just not much on the extreme stuff, too much work. Dirt bikes are meant to rip!
It's not just hard enduro. Look at enduro GP in Europe and you will see what the European bikes are built for. It's a mix of everything. Overall the enduro in Europe is just constant stones, roots, ruts, mud. The japanese bikes are overall too harsh, too aggressive, light flywheel, wrong gearing etc as they are modified mx bikes. Really fast guys can handle it and make use of the performance but for average guys they are not the easiest to ride. At least this is the general opinion, i don't have personal experience of all bikes of course. That's why there are almost no japanese bikes out on the enduro tracks in Europe today. There are a few wr 250 but nothing else. I'm not hating on japanese bikes in general, it would be great if they put out more alternatives on the market.
The parts going on that YZ250 are off-the-shelf parts like the panthera electric start kit Steely flywheel and gytr parts. He had an interview with highland cycles This morning
EGR 300 then? Will see
yeah, Pol Tarres has a bike like that already
The Panthera starter is a joke and does not work. Yamaha would need to redesign the entire bottom end to integrate the starter the correct way. Yamaha is not going to throw an external chit starter on their bike.
@@onthethrottle7104 My Panthera e-start has over 200 hours on it. Been through a few starter motors, and just replaced the solenoid because of how it looked. The weak point on the kit is the stator and my first one failed almost immediately, the 2nd one lasted approximately 80 hours, and the current one is still going strong.
Thats awesome I love Yamaha, i just bought a 2025 WR 250f
Hi Joe, just wanted to say thank you for all the fun content! I know it takes a lot of time, but your videos are fun to watch!
I would really like to hear why you are moving on from the Beta! I was considering a 300rr for my next bike, but I don’t know anymore… I still have a 2014 Husaberg FE350. I’m ready for an update, just not sure what direction to go..
Anywho, just wanted to say keep on keepn’ on!
Dan N
NE Ohio
@8danrock hey thanks for the support man! Stay tuned to the channel I will be posting a video about all of that soon! Keep on riding! - Joe
@@8danrock be super interested which way you go! looking at either Husky 350 25 or Wr250 25! thanks
@@-boska I just made that same exact decision my buddy has the husky fe 350. I'll be releasing a video talking about all that real soon so stay tuned!
I've been saying it for years, Yamaha need to do a Six speed, 250/300cc two stroke, with E start and balance shaft. They would sell like hot cakes. With KTM in the CAN, now would be an even better time. Hopefully Yamaha isn't that short-sighted and takes advantage of the open market.
you and many others but it is one category of many , Hard Enduro, slow ride bounce suspension and a Putt Putt engine . Enduro is the fun stuff for a large market that has been met for decades , Hard Enduro has become a possible viable sustainable of manufacturing costs to Business wise partake . Never will there be a Bankruptcy with Yamaha for that matter this is twice for ktm now and there poor reliability is why they folded the first time , who would have thought ! Crappy bikes , all they had to do was R and D on reliability and source parts from quality manufacturers . KTM are a Frankenstein bike since the begging , china parts assembled in Austria is a big media contract secrets. Ive been saying for over a decade ktmhuska are top shelf marketing bottom shelf quality throughout
Hotcakes is one word
Read what I posted. It’s not in the cards. The company can’t see how they would ever get back the millions of dollars it would take to do what you are suggesting. I’d like to see it myself but I get the business side too.
300cc doesn't make sense when the 250x is so close in output. Yamaha should make it closer to 400cc 2-stroke.
26 model, perfect timing for my new bike! I am very interested!
Around 2015 I had a 96 yamaha that suprisingly handled beautiful in the woods for an MX. So much so that I did a full nut and bolt on it and actually raced it. If these handle anything close to that I will be happy.
Also the majority of these European Enduro bikes are not nice to work on, with the exception being TM. If I remember correctly I think the Yamaha's are a pleasure to work on.
Heck ya Buddy! I have wanted a fanatic to come to North America for a while!
I just bought an KTM300XC-W. I don't like it as much as my 125X so I'm still riding my 125X. I would have waited and got the Yamaha 300.
Interesting… what specifically? I love my yz125x too.
@@jamesjobe927 the Yamaha has a much better suspension and its way more nible.
I sold my Kim and bought a Sherco. KISS
@bhoges5145 sure, the yz125 is more nimble, you bought a 300cc trial bike. while the 300xc-w is legendary, it won't ever be as light and playful as any 125. It sounds like you need to ride that 300 more and learn what it's purpose is and how to ride it for the intended purpose.
I bought a 250x. The second they announce them I will immediately order the 300. Zero hesitation
Totally agree 300 will be just what Yamaha need to get in the game
Such cool news from Yamaha. Can’t wait to see what’s to come
If Yamaha make the 300 2 stroke it will be a winner for sure.
Yes! This is a good indicator of new development with Yamaha. I will be all blue within a year I am hoping. I have not been riding my Husky TE250 as much as my WR450F. Actually less fatigued on the 450. Drooling over a 250X. Regret selling my 125X.
Love my 23 250x. Absolutely love that bike
I'm hoping with Webb going to yamaha they will upgrade to a 300x with efi and hydraulic clutch
No need for fkn efi. Zero need.
He said he can’t run the hydraulic clutch with the e starter because there’s not enough space, so it’s two bikes, one with e starter because and another with hydro clutch and kick starter. Those would be 2 huge steps forward , but Yamaha still needs to solve the vibration issue with their 2 strokes.
Don’t hold your breath for any all new YZ two strokes just because they are helping Cody Webb. I talked to Yamaha very recently and I asked them why have they not updated the 125 & 250 two strokes and the response I got was that they have looked at doing it numerous times and they cannot see the potential return on the investment it would take to add e-start or go to a 300. He said it costs many millions of dollars to do the R&D, tooling and production changes and if they did they would be forced to race the price significantly. He said they sell every bike they build now and it’s affordable to buy and maintain. Basically don’t try to fix a successful marketing strategy.
I agree, as I said in my other comment Cody approached Yamaha looking for support. Not like they went looking for a rider to ride hard Enduro and develop a bike.
Great news for dirtbiking, stopped buying KTM in 19', Beta now, blue in the future ?
That's when KTM went fuel injected, They wast really good until they started to make a throttle body injections after 2022
It's about damn time! 😂 The YZ250X is a great all around bike for reliability, great suspension, and decent price. If they made an upgraded version YZ300X with E-start and TBI, everyone else would be playing catch up. I got a GASGAS EC300 because it was the only thing available that checked all the boxes and didn't cost $14K. Now that KTM/GG/Husky is in trouble, I am sure my next bike will be Japanese.
I literally was just thinking about this and if they made a 2 stroke with electric start and the fuel injection, that would be my new dream bike.
Very awesome news! I would love to add a yz to my lineup again. I handled woods much better on my yz than my xcw. Hard enduro sections I couldn't say as I didn't do much of those on the yz....
I Will hold off buying a 2025 KTM 300 XWF for the new Yamaha 300. Especially a hydraulic clutch and user programmable ECU.
You will be waiting a while
I have a 'street legal' 24 ktm 250 XCW and I love it. Hope Yamaha makes a 2 stroke with E start and oil and fuel injection!
at last the japanese manufactures needed to make this step forward
Yamaha is and always was awesome. Glad these bike manufacturers are going electric start. That's the reason I just bought a KTM xc w. I love all bikes, no preference, I just wish they weren't all being manufactured with a 90" seat height! Yeah I'm exaggerating but seriously they are all too tall for shorter riders.
WR300R! ....that would be awesome too.
The factory teams have everything they need at their disposal . A YZ300X e-start is already available to them
I have a Sherco 300 SE Factory, and a Yammi YZ325x with e-start, and I pick the Sherco over the Yamaha as my main bike.
I've always thought the Yamaha has been throwing away uncountable sales by not having e-starts on their YZ-X's. The rest of the world has had it for over ten years while Yamaha sleeps.
Not big money in it , sleeping on Enduro 4ts and all the the other great bikes for over ten years is the wide thought to be realised . Its like all the muppets saying Suzuki is going down the drain for how long now ? SuZuki is a massive financially responsible company that have produced decades of quality product , boat motors you name it they are good if Suzuki make them. Not Hard enduro bubble life 2 wheel life and as i said Enduro , like the Enduro GP is where big sales have been outside of the RedPull Hard enduro scene , ktms little niche of Trials bike skills adapted to big bike two stroke Putt Putts . Its all good but there has to be dollar in it ongoing and not just a fashion payed and promoted for by KTM and Redpull.
@@motozz8258 You forgot to mention a few million cars a year.
We will see…. I’m skeptical…
I just bought a 2023 ktm 300 xcw..... id be interested if they make a trail 2 stroke
Id buy the 250x in a minute if it had e-start.
E start, counter balance and possibly a 6 spd trans and I’ll switch to Yamaha without hesitation.
Yamaha just needs to add EFI and Electric Start on all their 2 strokes starting with the 65cc, 85cc, 85LW, etc...
They see the writing on the wall. Good move.
Going to be cool
Gytr already offers all the parts he needs, just not for public sale. Also if you want accurate info, watch the actual podcast that interviewed him.
I want the fantic 310 fx thingy.
Me too its a great bike but Europe only...
If you’re wondering all this guy did was summarize a Cody Webb interview
Forget 300cc
The sweet spot is 350cc both 4t and 2t …..let’s get it right Yamaha!!!
I foresee years of teaser videos like they did with the Tenere 700 😀eventually we'll get a 300 2T in 2030 😅
You also have the return of Kailub Russell 557 into GNCC on the blue bike. Could this be Yamaha‘s opportunity to dominate off-road? A 350 F? Don’t get me wrong. I hate to see the KTM group on the downhill. I come from an era where it was KTM versus Husqvarna as the only two real options for off-road. I rode Swedish Husqvarna at that time. I must admit, it does make it a little bit sweeter because I am now riding a Yamaha E bike.
Maybe Yamaha could use the 300 in the Fantic 300… which is essentially a massively reworked YZ.
My only concern is that Yamaha said all of this when Pol Tarres joined them and nothing happened.
He said Cody tried the Fantic but it had no bottom end torque.
@ How the hell did I miss that? 😂👍🏻
Everything mentioned has already been available.
If only they made a street legal version..
not gonna hapen
Thats the easy part
Started To Developing? What english language is this
The kind what can be questioned 😉
@roberturmosi-dirtbike-atv "Start Developing"
How about efi?
I think Yamaha will keep the carburetor
Horrible decision
He's riding a 250
But it’s a case of are people going to put there $ were there mouth is and pay the extra 2 plus k until they recover all the $ spent on R & D or even pre pay for a bike that they have to wait for like ie stark varg owners had to
Where are we seeing the facts on a 300 actually happening?
Meh, until Yammy offer all these upgrades as standard on a consumer model this discussion is moot. There's no way this is happening by 2026 xD
@@HorsepowerHouse Typo, thanks for pointing it out :-)
Why do you need a 300cc?
Really, if not riding actual hard Enduro, 300cc is just hype ...
Hope it doesn't come with FI. Keep it simple !!
@@bobelliott9790 I feel the same way
There is speculation that a YZF 350 will be developed. Or it is wishful thinking
Click bait really. Cody approached Yamaha, not like Yamaha is trying to develop the yz other than bolt on parts.
Same hype Pol Tarres got when he went to Yamaha and nothing happened.
Great. The industry is going backwards.. Just go buy an old yz250 and rebuild it.
Still a250. Big deal
Still plenty
@@panic-revv85 Agree, a 250 is more than 99% of riders need. Everyone thinks they need a 300 but they don't
Yes 💯