06 YZ 250 for Enduro? Good Idea?

[Danger16]

Last year I went from an 08 KTM 250 SX (set-up) for off-road to an 09 YZ450 which I currently have set-up for hare scrambles and enduros. I have ridden 2 strokes for 5+ years and was interested in trying the KTM 350 XCF, but didn't want to pay top dollar for the KTM to only end up deciding I wouldn't like 4 strokes. Instead I traded for the 09 YZ450. The 450 is a very good bike - I LOVE the stock suspension and the Rekluse I added, but the 4 stroke doesn't suit my riding style, and I feel like I've slowed down (based on race results) riding the 4 stroke.

I'm in the process of buying a new home and plan on buying a new KTM 250 XC next year, but I don't want to shell out more then about $1500 this year to get back on a 2 stroke... So here are my questions / options... I'm planning on selling the YZ450 and picking up a 2006 YZ 250 (2T) with a new top end and about 50 total hours for this racing season. If I can pick up the YZ 250 I plan on adding a Rekluse, setting the sag (have the shock and fork fluids serviced soon), adding hand guards, and replacing / greasing all of the bearings.

So

- Does the YZ250 have great suspension like the YZ450?

- Will I get the 2 stroke feel that I want back? I'm hoping to get away from the heavy feel of the 4T and the "surging" power feeling in tight single track. I really miss the light feel of the 2T

- What is the power delivery like on the 2006 YZ250 (anyone ride one with a Rekluse Pro)? I've heard the YZ250 doesn't have a huge hit and has a great powerband for off road but wanted some first hand opinions

- Can anyone compare the YZ250 handling to the 2008 - 2010 generation of KTMs?

- AND FINALLY, am I just creating another issue for myself by buying the YZ250 as a stop gap until I can get a new KTM? Should I just stay with the 450?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[dirtjumpordie]

if you can get rid of the 450 do it by all means. you cant go wrong with a yz250 for anything. they are literally the best bike to have in every situation imaginable.

[Hans Schmid]

The power of the YZ is great for off-road racing.

The suspension on the 2t should be similar to your 450, obviously it's lighter. My 08 stuff was amazing before my revalve and after. I see a trend of people saying the 06 stuff is some of the best stuff around.

IMO, the handeling of the YZs were better then the earlier KTMs. I had 2 09 KTMs and felt both needed a stabilizer where as my 08 YZ didn't. The YZ has a very stable platform.

No, your not creating another issue by going to a 2t. That bike will easily sell when you want to pick up a new KTM. The only problem you might have is you like your YZ so much you don't end up buying a KTM. The YZ 250s are very very good bikes.

Edited February 5, 2012 by Pumpkin450sxf

[mtdirtbag]

Danger; I have an 09 YZ250 and have owned Yamahas since 1969 except for about 2yrs on and RMX so my comments could be construed to be somewhat biased. Much of what you have listed is what I would do with a new to me YZ, one thing that I do is add flywheel weight and in my case have a 7oz on board. The SSS forks are excellent but I also revalved both ends using Dave J's SPI specs, parts and fluids to tailor it to my likes. The Rekluse Pro works well in this bike, the little I still race has proven to me that it works well for both enduro and MX and it's absolutely brilliant in nasty terrian trail riding. I do not have any experience with the new KTMs other than two that still ride with my group occasionaly on a 250 exc & 300 xc and I have not ridden either of them (trying to keep the YZ 2smoke a secret!!). Sounds as if you may like more snap than I do since you had chosen the SX model in the past, so the flywheel weight may not be your thing. Also I feel the Yami likes to be ridden a gear high in enduro situations and make it grunt, it may NOT sound like your going fast but the ground is disappearing rapidily under you. I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying you're going to like this machine!

Best of luck!

[ckny]

Great machine, very good stock suspension, great powerband and easy to lug in stock form. Turns well, even better with a set of 22.5 offset triple clams.

Brakes are not bad but really benefit from steel lines and a aftermarket rear return spring helps with pedal feel.

Stock seat is too slippery in my opinion, lot's of cover options out there.

[andrzej]

I have an '06 YZ250, with many mods to make it more trail-suitable (9oz FWW, steering stabilizer, kickstand, oversized tank, etc.).

The frame and suspension was improved greatly in 2006, and the bike really hasn't changed much, except for cosmetics, since then. But if you want the best platform. then an '06 or later is your best bet.

The suspension is great....Kayabas. But you'll probably need to have it serviced and revalved for your weight and style of riding to get the most out of it. The bike does have a big hit in stock form...but adding a FWW and/or a Recluse (I'm thinking about a Core EXP for mine) would definitely help that...and also change the sprockets somewhat to gear it down a bit, which lets you stay in a higher gear a bit more easily in the tight single track stuff.

If the 450 is in good shape, you should be able to get an '06+ YZ250 in an even trade perhaps.

I would go for it, rather than stay on the 4T for a few years and miss out on all the 2-smoke fun.

[shagger]

Get a Rekluse Core EXP, a head mod at RB, an 8 slide and a big tank full of gas. Done!

[Danger16]

Guys thanks for the inputs. Are there parts that are interchangable between the 09 YZ450 and the 06 YZ250 2T? I was specifically thinking about the forks, wheels, brake assemblies and the foot pegs?

You guys have mean motivated to look at (and possibly pick up) an 06 tomorrow.

[mtdirtbag]

Switch out the foot pegs. Not sure if the forks would be any different - others will probably chime in.

[jerret125]

At the Sumter enduro brad Bakken got 5th on a yz 250 and Jordan ashburn also raced a yz 250 for the enduro. They are for sure a offroad beast with little setup

[BRM]

Guys thanks for the inputs. Are there parts that are interchangable between the 09 YZ450 and the 06 YZ250 2T? I was specifically thinking about the forks, wheels, brake assemblies and the foot pegs?

You guys have mean motivated to look at (and possibly pick up) an 06 tomorrow.

Lets see, swingarm, linkage, brakes, forks, tripleclamps, wheels, hubs, footpegs.

Swap these over and you have a very nice YZ.

[Danger16]

How can I make sure a bike is an 06 not an 05? Is it stamped on the frame?

[shrubitup]

forks will fit up (as does shock). I moved them from my 07 YZ250 to my 07 YZ250F. No issues. Rekluse Pro CHANGES the power delivery of the YZ emphasizing torque but still providing respectable snap.

[BRM]

Yeh, the rekluse should swap over also.

[joshua_inigo]

- AND FINALLY, am I just creating another issue for myself by buying the YZ250 as a stop gap until I can get a new KTM? Should I just stay with the 450?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Good day Danger.

Won't go much into detail. Should you be comparing your 2008 250SX (say imagine it aka dejavu) against any 2006 and up YZ250, stock-for-stock, the YZ is the better bike.

HOWEVER, granting that you're an orange guy and your mid- to long-term plan is to acquire a modern KTM 2T, KINDLY think about this before say you shell out US$2,500 for that USED 2006 YZ250, and another US$2,500 to US$3,000 minimum for offroad MODS ---- that once you buy that, you're already SHORT of US$12,500 to 13k from your ultimate dream of owning a brand new KTM 2-stroke, you're bike for the long-haul.

Make no mistake about it man, I'm a Yamaha guy myself, but what i see in you is the YZ is just there as a STOP-GAP, like you mentioned....

You should plan it man all at a ONE-GO, and don't dilly-dally.... Although the YZ is the perfect 2T platform both for MX and offroad with just some few mods, HOWEVER, it may not be what your heart is after.... Goodluck!

Edited February 6, 2012 by joshua_inigo

[strtdsmallproject]

I was a 2 stroke guy, went 4 stroke 450s, switched back to the yz250 for the same reasons as you. I had planed on racing the 450 and fun riding the yz250. I race woods only and was cranking faster times on the 250 so now the 450 is my play bike. We have a 4.5 mile tight woods track and the proof was in the times. My old man races a KTM 300. Cousin races a 530. Both like the snap of the Yz over their bikes. The 300 doesnt seem to be as responsive but has a longer steadier pull. I dont like it as much. We both run rekluse pros. I wouldnt run the ffw because i like the yz motor. The rekluse will give you all the traction you need. I was never a yamaha fan untill the 450.....now after the yz250 im hooked!

Edited February 6, 2012 by strtdsmallproject

[andrzej]

How can I make sure a bike is an 06 not an 05? Is it stamped on the frame?

Should be part of the serial number, though I'm not sure how that is encoded. Here's a review article of the '06 by Dirt Rider when the bike first came out, which lists all the changes made in the 2006 model year:

http://www.dirtrider.com/reviews/dirt_bike/141_0511_2006_yamaha_yz250/viewall.html

That might help a bit...

[Danger16]

Good day Danger.

Won't go much into detail. Should you be comparing your 2008 250SX (say imagine it aka dejavu) against any 2006 and up YZ250, stock-for-stock, the YZ is the better bike.

HOWEVER, granting that you're an orange guy and your mid- to long-term plan is to acquire a modern KTM 2T, KINDLY think about this before say you shell out US$2,500 for that USED 2006 YZ250, and another US$2,500 to US$3,000 minimum for offroad MODS ---- that once you buy that, you're already SHORT of US$12,500 to 13k from your ultimate dream of owning a brand new KTM 2-stroke, you're bike for the long-haul.

Make no mistake about it man, I'm a Yamaha guy myself, but what i see in you is the YZ is just there as a STOP-GAP, like you mentioned....

You should plan it man all at a ONE-GO, and don't dilly-dally.... Although the YZ is the perfect 2T platform both for MX and offroad with just some few mods, HOWEVER, it may not be what your heart is after.... Goodluck!

Excellent points. Here is my breakdown: I'm picking up the 06 YZ250 for $400 less than I'm selling my 09 YZ450. I have a small sponsorship from Rekluse so I can add the Rekluse for about $450. I'll swap handguards and some other parts. This keeps me close to equal cost for the swap. I was planning on new plastics and graphics for the 450, so instead I'll buy those items for the 250. The only other real expense I can think of is things like bearing replacement and maybe switching to V-Force 3 reeds which I hope to keep all other expenses in the $500 range. So my goal is to keep the whole exchange at less than a $1000 to get back on the 2T. If I waited the whole year to go back to the KTM I would be fine, it's only dirt bikes we're talking about, but I think I will enjoy the 2T more (I sure hope) and just to pick up a descent used 2008+ KTM 2T I would have to spend $2000 without any mods.

[Danger16]

Here is the link let me know what you think? Looks like the TI rear spring (sign of an 06)? He is willing to come down off that price.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/mcy/2824882419.html

[shagger]

The V-Force reeds are not a cost effective "upgrade". Some guys don't like them at all. I have a set of one of my YZs and the stock stuff on the other. I can't seem to notice much of a difference.

The '06 got the current suspension componants as well. The speed sensitive forks. They are the big reason I got a YZ. I rode an '06 back to back at Akeley with a CR250 Honda. The SSS forks really drink in the big hits nicely. Logs and rocks and stuff just welt in your wake.