CycleNews 250F Shootout

keith101
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keith101
Edited Date/Time 1/20/2016 8:33am
Looks like Yamaha has the game changer for 2016.

http://magazine.cyclenews.com/t/24308-cycle-news
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 1/19/2016 12:29pm
1/19/2016 12:29pm
Really no surprise here, the YZF has been the best 250 for 3 years now....what IS surprising is where the Honda is (2nd) and it backs up Vitals results too (whereas MXA was totally different).. I thought the KXF was better than the CRF but perhaps I am biased?
ML512
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ML512 1/19/2016 12:34pm
1/19/2016 12:34pm
kiwifan wrote:
Really no surprise here, the YZF has been the best 250 for 3 years now....what IS surprising is where the Honda is (2nd) and it backs...
Really no surprise here, the YZF has been the best 250 for 3 years now....what IS surprising is where the Honda is (2nd) and it backs up Vitals results too (whereas MXA was totally different).. I thought the KXF was better than the CRF but perhaps I am biased?
KXF is definitely getting long-in-the-tooth... It's on the block for major upgrades in the 2017 model.

I prefer the fit of the KX's chassis over the Honda, but the Kawi could really use some help in the fork department... It's gaining new suspension components for 17 anyhow.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 1/19/2016 12:50pm
1/19/2016 12:50pm
ML512 wrote:
KXF is definitely getting long-in-the-tooth... It's on the block for major upgrades in the 2017 model. I prefer the fit of the KX's chassis over the...
KXF is definitely getting long-in-the-tooth... It's on the block for major upgrades in the 2017 model.

I prefer the fit of the KX's chassis over the Honda, but the Kawi could really use some help in the fork department... It's gaining new suspension components for 17 anyhow.
Yeah it is getting outdated, good point ...expect that to change (as you say) in 2017...then there might be a change in the guard! :-)
luckyguy19
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luckyguy19 1/19/2016 3:11pm
1/19/2016 3:11pm
I don't think the YZ250F lost a single shootout this year. Since 14 its been one of the most universally praised dirt bikes in history. Makes me wonder why I don't have one in my garage.

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Zycki11
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Zycki11 1/19/2016 4:07pm
1/19/2016 4:07pm
luckyguy19 wrote:
I don't think the YZ250F lost a single shootout this year. Since 14 its been one of the most universally praised dirt bikes in history. Makes...
I don't think the YZ250F lost a single shootout this year. Since 14 its been one of the most universally praised dirt bikes in history. Makes me wonder why I don't have one in my garage.
Makes me thankful I do!
kiwifan
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kiwifan 1/19/2016 4:11pm
1/19/2016 4:11pm
luckyguy19 wrote:
I don't think the YZ250F lost a single shootout this year. Since 14 its been one of the most universally praised dirt bikes in history. Makes...
I don't think the YZ250F lost a single shootout this year. Since 14 its been one of the most universally praised dirt bikes in history. Makes me wonder why I don't have one in my garage.
yes but winning shootouts doesn't mean that the bike is perfect for your riding style or ability, its kind of horses for courses. I think (and ML will correct me I am sure) that any of the bikes you can win on, some yes you need to spend money on but fact is you can win on any of them...the YZF is clearly the better package for a range of riders but not necessarily all riders.
luckyguy19
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luckyguy19 1/19/2016 4:40pm
1/19/2016 4:40pm
luckyguy19 wrote:
I don't think the YZ250F lost a single shootout this year. Since 14 its been one of the most universally praised dirt bikes in history. Makes...
I don't think the YZ250F lost a single shootout this year. Since 14 its been one of the most universally praised dirt bikes in history. Makes me wonder why I don't have one in my garage.
kiwifan wrote:
yes but winning shootouts doesn't mean that the bike is perfect for your riding style or ability, its kind of horses for courses. I think (and...
yes but winning shootouts doesn't mean that the bike is perfect for your riding style or ability, its kind of horses for courses. I think (and ML will correct me I am sure) that any of the bikes you can win on, some yes you need to spend money on but fact is you can win on any of them...the YZF is clearly the better package for a range of riders but not necessarily all riders.
I do agree that all the bikes are very good these days. But this is why different bikes have won different shoot outs in years past. Each different publication preferred a certain bike for one reason or another. I ride a 2014 YZ450f and its the best bike I've owned. From suspension to stability to power, it just rips. If I didn't ride mostly desert I'd be on a YZ250F, but I'm hoping to add the 250F to the stable in the next year or so.
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Bruce372 1/19/2016 4:59pm
1/19/2016 4:59pm
It's pretty sad, but not unsurprising that the suzukis are doing so bad.
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FGR01 1/19/2016 5:06pm
1/19/2016 5:06pm
The YZF's are good for taller riders. They are big beasts for shorter dudes. I have no idea how Webb and the Martin Bros ride them so well.
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Zycki11 1/19/2016 6:30pm
1/19/2016 6:30pm
FGR01 wrote:
The YZF's are good for taller riders. They are big beasts for shorter dudes. I have no idea how Webb and the Martin Bros ride them...
The YZF's are good for taller riders. They are big beasts for shorter dudes. I have no idea how Webb and the Martin Bros ride them so well.
Because Factory Yamaha and now Star Racing Yamaha reduce the width of the radiators by 10mm and now run Cycra Powerflow plastics which are a little narrower yet. In the end, the bike isn't wide at all.
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Rdubs19 1/19/2016 6:38pm
1/19/2016 6:38pm
I've had a few Yamahas recently including a YZ250F currently, and my only gripe is how vague the rear feels. I've played with shock settings which helped but it still doesn't feel very planted going into corners. Sometimes I think about returning to a CRF because Hondas always feel extremely confidence inspiring .Then I borrow one, crack the throttle, and remember why I buy Yamahas now.
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FGR01 1/19/2016 7:31pm
1/19/2016 7:31pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Because Factory Yamaha and now Star Racing Yamaha reduce the width of the radiators by 10mm and now run Cycra Powerflow plastics which are a little...
Because Factory Yamaha and now Star Racing Yamaha reduce the width of the radiators by 10mm and now run Cycra Powerflow plastics which are a little narrower yet. In the end, the bike isn't wide at all.
It's more the height of the bike. It is tall. And it has a very thin seat so there is not a lot of cutting you can do. Us shorter riders don't mind the wide radiators because our knees aren't that far front anyway!
NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 1/19/2016 7:46pm
1/19/2016 7:46pm
Zycki11 wrote:
Because Factory Yamaha and now Star Racing Yamaha reduce the width of the radiators by 10mm and now run Cycra Powerflow plastics which are a little...
Because Factory Yamaha and now Star Racing Yamaha reduce the width of the radiators by 10mm and now run Cycra Powerflow plastics which are a little narrower yet. In the end, the bike isn't wide at all.
FGR01 wrote:
It's more the height of the bike. It is tall. And it has a very thin seat so there is not a lot of cutting you...
It's more the height of the bike. It is tall. And it has a very thin seat so there is not a lot of cutting you can do. Us shorter riders don't mind the wide radiators because our knees aren't that far front anyway!
They also cut/lower the sub-frame, so it's not as tall.
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kiwifan 1/19/2016 8:26pm
1/19/2016 8:26pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2016 8:30pm
Rdubs19 wrote:
I've had a few Yamahas recently including a YZ250F currently, and my only gripe is how vague the rear feels. I've played with shock settings which...
I've had a few Yamahas recently including a YZ250F currently, and my only gripe is how vague the rear feels. I've played with shock settings which helped but it still doesn't feel very planted going into corners. Sometimes I think about returning to a CRF because Hondas always feel extremely confidence inspiring .Then I borrow one, crack the throttle, and remember why I buy Yamahas now.
Hop on any 250F and it wont feel powerful compared to the YZF :-)
keith101
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keith101 1/19/2016 8:46pm
1/19/2016 8:46pm
Rdubs19 wrote:
I've had a few Yamahas recently including a YZ250F currently, and my only gripe is how vague the rear feels. I've played with shock settings which...
I've had a few Yamahas recently including a YZ250F currently, and my only gripe is how vague the rear feels. I've played with shock settings which helped but it still doesn't feel very planted going into corners. Sometimes I think about returning to a CRF because Hondas always feel extremely confidence inspiring .Then I borrow one, crack the throttle, and remember why I buy Yamahas now.
kiwifan wrote:
Hop on any 250F and it wont feel powerful compared to the YZF :-)
Big Tex27
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Big Tex27 1/19/2016 9:13pm
1/19/2016 9:13pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2016 9:14pm
Before I bought my rmz250 I rode a yz250f and the thing felt like a tank between my legs. Powerful yes, but very wide and not comfortable for me personally. After putting in some hours on my suzk I'm very happy I made that choice. Nothing like laying that thing down in a rut and just railing it so effortlessly. the power might not be exactly on par with the yami, but the suzk just has smooth usable power through the whole motor which I love combined with the cornering makes it worth it to me. Ill sacrifice a tidbit of power before comfort and cornering any day..

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kiwifan
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kiwifan 1/20/2016 12:08am
1/20/2016 12:08am
keith101 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/01/08/119038/s1200_250_shootout.jpg[/img]
So does showing that graph change your OP???
Reggsie
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Reggsie 1/20/2016 12:29am
1/20/2016 12:29am
Wonder if they're hiring proofreaders? Lot of errors and awkward sentence structure in that article...
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Tarz483 1/20/2016 6:01am
1/20/2016 6:01am
FGR01 wrote:
The YZF's are good for taller riders. They are big beasts for shorter dudes. I have no idea how Webb and the Martin Bros ride them...
The YZF's are good for taller riders. They are big beasts for shorter dudes. I have no idea how Webb and the Martin Bros ride them so well.
My guess is smaller sub frames
Lowering links etc ..
BobPA
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BobPA 1/20/2016 6:28am
1/20/2016 6:28am
FGR01 wrote:
The YZF's are good for taller riders. They are big beasts for shorter dudes. I have no idea how Webb and the Martin Bros ride them...
The YZF's are good for taller riders. They are big beasts for shorter dudes. I have no idea how Webb and the Martin Bros ride them so well.
Because those boys could ride and win on anything...

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