2010 Yamaha YZ250F First Ride Photo Gallery

2010 Yamaha YZ250F Motorcycle Review

We test the 2010 Yamaha YZ250F for two days at Washougal Motocross Park. There was nothing the new YZ250F couldn't handle and we found the bike a better performer than years past.

Riding a YZ250F around the outside edge of a berm is completely optional. It has the handling and motor grunt to work the inside just as well, if not better.

Out back is a new KYB shock, and this piece has more of an active role in the new model changes. Internal specs are redone, of course, but the biggest change is that the spring position is 30mm lower than previously.

Boot snags? Not with these new shrouds.

The speed-sensitive KYB fork is updated with a new surface treatment on the piston rod, revised internal damping settings and different fork seals.

Tucking the motor into the new frame called for new mount points so it now has one on each side of the head rather than a single located in the middle.

New bodywork is angular, sleek and basically awesome. We never had any issues with the more compact layout and love the way this new version looks.

Riding the 2010 Yamaha YZ250F at Washougal MX Park proved to be a terrific match. The updated YZ-F is a very good machine - without succumbing to the fuel-injection craze.

The bi-lateral beam chassis makes all the difference with the 2010 YZ250F.

The 1.7-gallon tank is now down inside the spars which helps lower the center of gravity and adds to the Yamaha’s nimble attitude.

The Kayaba suspension still rides very nice, but then again, anything would have on the imaculate Washougal track.

Left: 2010 bi-lateral aluminum chassis. Right: 2009 backbone aluminum chassis

The white/red option is especially nice, plus we like how the light plastic shows less wear over time.

We were able tell that the 27.5 degrees of rake and extra 3mm of trail combine with a relocated steering head pipe to make a better-handling machine.

The new motor has the extra muscle to get up and over jumps.