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I get this question a lot in my email. So many guys love the YZ250X since it’s a great platform, great motor, great forks, and it’s a cheaper bike than some of the others.
Lets get another thing out of the way, I didn’t like the YZ250X, I LOVED my 2017 YZ250X… go back and watch the review I did on it. GLOWING remarks at the time.
Lets set aside the fact that the Yamaha YZ250X is literally a 2004- 2006 YZ250 (16-18 years old) with an 18" rear wheel, lower compression motor, a little extra flywheel weight, Kickstand, and a weird spaced 5 speed gear box that doesn’t really work that great anywhere.
$7600 vs $10,000 - $2400 cheaper but it’s 18 model years older!
I’ll take the KTM 250XC any day of the week and twice on Saturday!
Don’t get me started on the bolt on starter kit making the bike much heavier overall and giving us the same design of starter that everyone complained about on the KTMs for a decade. Not interested in that. You’d blow half the amount you saved by buying this bike and end up with a Frankenstein bike. No offense.
Motors
* The KTM motor makes smooth power over a wide RPM range - pulls hard everwhere
* The KTM motor is counter balanced - smoother than some of the 4 strokes I’ve ridden
* The Yamaha motor lacks bottom end and signs off sooner on the top end
* While the Yamaha motor doesn’t vibrate as much as some 2 strokes, it’s a rattle box compared to the modern (2017 and newer) KTM 2 strokes
Forks
* This is where all the Yamaha Fan boys think they are going to win!
* Yes, the KYB fork and valving on the Yamaha is good. Yes, it was better than the WP fork for a LOOOONNNGG time, but in 2020, I’d take the WP Exact fork for the adjuabitly and balance. It’s that good.
* I like that I can adjust the air pressure on my 250 XC to suit the terrain we are going to do. More versatile to me.
* Yes, I have some great KYB forks, even in this room right now on the Sherco, but they Arne’t “better anymore” IMO.
Frame
* The KTM smokes the Yamaha here. It’s just more modern and more balanced. Yes, the Yamaha feels good in the whoops and high speed, but it’s more sluggish and stubborn in the slower more technical terrain.
Weight
In 2017, it was 1.5 lbs heavier than my 2017 250 XC. Now with the 2020 TPI, it’s 2.5 lbs lighter, but it’s missing a battery and electric start.
* Yes, it’s 2 lbs lighter but about half of that weight is in lesser fuel it has
* It’s carrying a 5 speed tranny vs 6
* No battery for running headlights or other accessories
* No Electric start for doing hard enduro stuff or hanging off the side of cliffs when kicking the bike is nearly impossible
In short, I feel that the KTM 250 XC is superior to the Yamaha in every measurable way I can think of. The motor is better, the clutch is better, the gearing is better, the power is better, the balance is better, it’s more capable in technical terrain. The only thing I wouldn’t fight you on is on the forks because I can go either way on those, even though I prefer the adjustability on the AER forks.
I love the YZ250X, but I want Yamaha to put up or shut up. DO SOMETHING with this bike to improve it. It's getting embarrassing for you trotting around with your 2003-2006 technology these days!
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