Yamaha introduced its motocross racing dirt bike YZ 250 in 1974. Yamaha is the only company importing two stock bikes in the U.S. They are regularly updating it and still manufacturing this bike as it is in high demand and one of the selling racing bikes Yamaha.
If you want to know more about this high-demand bike, read the full article. I will tell you about this lightweight bike’s specifications, price, and top speed.
Yamaha YZ 250
Yamaha YZ 250 has a 249 cc two-stroke engine providing a 75 MPH top speed. It has a decent 32.5 inches height and a 58.5 inches wheelbase. KYB® Speed-Sensitive System inverted fork on the front and KYB® single shock on the rear side is installed.

It is also loaded with fuel injection and a liquid cooling system, so you can ride as much as you want. This bike is also loaded with big 21 inches front and 19 inches rear Dunlop® premium tires.
Pros
- It is a super-fast bike loaded with a 249 cc engine.
- It has 227 lb. weight which is a perk for the riders as light weight makes handling easy and convenient.
- You can ride it for hours as it is a reliable bike with quality products installed
- If you are facing any issue with this bike, you can even fix it by yourself. Its parts are readily available in the market.
- If you are facing any issue with this bike, you can even fix it by yourself. Its parts are readily available in the market.
Cons
- If you are looking for a bike with a soft and comfortable seat, you will be disappointed because this bike does not have a comfortable seat
- You may face an issue when shifting between the 2nd and 3rd gear
- Usually, bikes have powerful first gear, but in this cast of YZ 250, you can get more power in 2nd gear.
- It can be uncomfortable on long rides, so avoid long rides on it
Specification
Here are the specifications of this bike written below.
Engine Type | 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke; reed-valve inducted |
Bore x Stroke | 66.4 mm × 72.0 mm |
Compression Ratio | 8.9~10.6:1 |
Transmission | Constant-mesh 5-speed; multi-plate wet clutch |
Fuel Delivery | Hitachi Astemo® Keihin PWK38S carburetor |
Top Speed | 75 MPH |
Front Suspension | Front KYB® Speed-Sensitive System inverted fork; fully adjustable, 11.8 inches travel |
Rear Suspension | Rear KYB® single shock; fully adjustable, 12.4 inches travel |
Front Brakes | Front Hydraulic disc, 270 mm |
Rear Brakes | Rear Hydraulic disc, 240 mm |
Front Tires | Front 80 / 100-21 Dunlop® Geomax MX33F |
Rear Tires | Rear 110 / 90-19 Dunlop® Geomax MX33 |
Length | 86.0 inches |
Width | 32.5 inches |
Seat Height | 38.4 inches |
Rake (Caster Angle) | 27.7 inches |
Wheelbase | 58.5 inches |
Height | 50.8 inches |
Trail | 4.8 inches |
Ground Clearance | 14.2 inches |
Wet Weight | 227 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 1.8 gal |
Price | $7,799 – $7,899 |
Engine
Yamaha YZ 250 has a 2-stroke 249 cc engine with a liquid cooling system. It also has a reed-valve instated that gives power to the engine by reloading the combustion chamber with the fresh air-fuel mixture. It is a compact and robust bike with hard-hitting power. On 8,800 rpm, it produces 48.8 horsepower / 36.4 kW, and on 7,500 rpm, with a 9,000 rpm redline, it has a 30.6 foot-pound force (41.5 NM) of torque.
Dimensions
It has 86.0 inches in length with a width and height of 32.5 inches and 50.8 inches, respectively. It has a decent seat height of 38.4 inches, so an average-height person can easily touch his feet on the ground. 58.5 inches wheelbase is also good and provides a smooth ride experience.
Suppose your last bike hits the ground while riding off-road or on the hills, don’t worry. Yamaha got you with this bike having a ground clearance of 14.2 inches. Furthermore, it has 4.8 inches long trail size and a rake size of 27.7 inches.
Suspension
Suspensions are the main thing behind a comfortable ride so before buying any of the vehicles, look at the vehicle’s suspension. But don’t worry about this bike’s suspension; it has KYB® Speed-Sensitive System inverted front fork, fully adjustable, and KYB® single rear shock that is also fully adjustable. Its front fork has 11.8 inches of travel, and the rear shock has 12.4 inches.
Its suspensions are set well, and there’s no need to modify them, but if you need more advanced suspensions, you can modify them. You will get a smooth and comfortable ride while riding on it.
Ignition & Transmission
It comes with a digital CDI ignition that precise spark for fast speed. It has a robust compression ratio of 8.9-10.6:1. YZ 250 has a liquid cooling system with a high-capacity radiator that provides maximum cooling to the engine to prevent overheating. Its Bore x Stroke size is 66.4 mm × 72.0 mm.
It has a 5-speed transmission with a heavy-duty wet, multidisc clutch system. This clutch system assures secure gear changes in all conditions. This bike also has a special-designed carbon fiber reed-valve that improves the response rate and gives your bike enough power to cross the entire rpm range.
Tires
The tire gives strength and good contact with the road for a stable and secure ride. It has a Dunlop® Geomax MX33F front tire of size 80/100-21 and a Dunlop® Geomax MX33 rear tire of size 110/90-19.
These premium tires of Dunlop are race, ready, and you can take your bike in any terrain without getting into trouble. And due to its Excel® Rims’, it gives remarkable durability and superior looks.
Brakes
Yamaha has fulfilled the brake requirement by giving updated brakes of the 202 four-stroke series, so you will get excellent performance brakes that will never disappoint you.
It has a single 270 mm hydraulic disc front and a single 240 mm hydraulic disc rear brake with large front pistons and rigid calipers. With the combination of all of these, it gives an excellent quality braking experience.
Fuel System
Yamaha YZ 250 has an injection fuel system with a fuel capacity of 1.8 gals. Its fuel system gives the engine a perfect mixture of air and fuel for producing high power. It has a narrow fuel tank.
Handling
It is a perfect bike for slow and lightweight riders, but if you ride fast or your weight is high, you may have some issues while cornering as its soft suspensions become too soft, which is not best for riders. Hold on; if you have YZ 250 2022, it has kaya ba SSS forks that can easily adjust according to the rider’s need and want.
Ready to Learn More about other Yamaha Bikes? Then Check the Below Reviews:
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- Top Speed and Specs of Yamaha TT-R230 Review
- An Ultimate Guide to Yamaha YZ125
- Top Speed of Suzuki DR650 and Complete Review
Conclusion
Yamaha YZ 250 is a durable bike with a 249 cc engine. You can buy this high-demand dirt bike and win many races. As a user of this bike, it is a long-lasting bike and does not even have an engine overheating issue. You can ride it for hours if you are okay with its hard seat, as many people find it difficult on long routes because of its stiff seat.
It has superior race ready 21 inches front and 19 inches rear tires with dual hydraulic brake that provides excellent braking. If you are considering this bike, remember that it has an excellent adjustable suspension that becomes too soft when a massive rider rides it at top speed. You may also face issues while cornering.
Besides that, it has a speed of 75MPH and smooth handling due to its lightweight. Yamaha YZ 250 is easy to maintain the bike. Consider this bike if you choose a racing bike in the 250 cc category.
FAQ
Here are some answers to the frequently asked questions by those considering buying this dirt bike. I hope you get a clear idea about this bike and now you can buy the perfect dirt bike.
What is the Top Speed of the Yamaha YZ 250?
The top speed of the Yamaha YZ 250 is 75 MPH, with 48.8 horsepower at 8,800 RPM. It is a bike made for racing, so it has to be fast. Although it has enough speed, if you want more, you can tune your carbonate, or by adding a big bore kit, you can increase its speed. Remember that it will not make your bike a rocket; it only increases its speed up to 5 MPH.
What is the price of the Yamaha YZ 250?
The Yamaha YZ 250 2022 model is $7,799, and if you want to buy its 2023 model, it will cost you a little bit more. You have to pay $7,899 for the 2023 model as it is one of the selling dirt bikes by Yamaha, so if you are looking for a used or new model, its demand and price are always high. It’s an average price bike with many features and advantages that you should consider when choosing a racing dirt bike in the 250 cc league.
What is the weight of the Yamaha YZ 250?
The weight of the Yamaha YZ 250 is 227 lb / 102.9 KG. It is a very lightweight bike with a mighty engine that produces enough power that needs to be a drag race bike. You can easily take it anywhere; it’s a compact and lightweight bike perfect for the drag race.
Why is it considered a race-ready bike?
It is considered race ready bike because it has an aluminum handlebar with two-position options that the ride can adjust according to its requirement. It also has an adjustable clutch lever with the additional feature of work style cable adjuster. To easily ride the road and stand up, Yamaha also gives wide-foot pegs.
Is Yamaha WR 250R better than Yamaha YZ 250?
Both have the same engine, but YZ 250 is made for motocross racing, and WR 250R is a road-legal dirt bike, which means it can be used on both roads and trails. The excellent suspension is a must because YZ 250 is made for racing. It also has dual hydraulic brakes that provide immediate braking.
On the other hand, YZ 250R has DOT street-legal tires that are good for the street but can be very difficult to drive on trails due to their high weight. YZ 250 has premium tires of Dunlop® that provides extra grip on the trail. If you are looking for a bike for a comfortable trail ride or motocross race, do consider YZ 250 because it is far better than its league bikes.
What are the improvements you make to increase the performance of the Yamaha YZ 250?
If you want to improve your Yamaha YZ 250 to increase its performance, then you can upgrade its jetting because it gives an increased amount of air and fuel mixture to make more engine power. You can upgrade its tires that have less weight to provide extra grip while off-roading.
One more thing is most of the massive or fast riders complained that the suspension of this bike becomes too soft on the trail and makes cornering difficult so that you can upgrade its suspension. Lastly, if you are uncomfortable with its sound, you can use other silencers to make it sound calm and soft.

Rand Frankey is OffRoadsCare freelance Content Editor. He loves offroad Travelling and bikes, jeeps, and dirk bikes. He will explain all his experience with dirt bikes and offroad vehicles which helps you to make a decision like which vehicle is right for you.