MX DAVE...
Very interested in your set up..just about to pull the trigger on a newer 250. LOVE my 144 but at 200 lbs with out gear some obstacles are "challenging"!
When you say you had to bore your clamps your refering to the clamps for tubes correct?
All else worked out as is other than stem and stock yz fender??

With the other guys talking about it being spooky at speed is yours not with 22 versus higher??

Thanks alot dude.
DJ

I have run stock clamps on my bike in the past and now run pro taper 22.5mm rubber mount clamps. Been that way for about 2 years now. Changing the clamps was definitely a pretty big difference. It made my bike feel completely different, similar to making suspension modifications.

In stock form, the Yamaha is a very neutral feeling bike, this is why a lot of people love them. They are extremely easy to ride and keep stable. However, once you start going fast (I don't mean in a straight line but making fast, sharp turns), that stability begins to slow you down. At least it did with me. So I went on a mission to improve the responsiveness of my bike. At first, the basics were done, stock tires were changed, clickers and preload adjusted. These things definitely helped, then finally I got my suspension done by a local shop and was hooked on suspension work. After riding that setup for a while, I found some Pro Taper 22.5mm triple clamps on sale for the 08+ yz250's. I quickly jumped onto the deal and soon had a box of parts at my front door. Everything was installed and the bike was taken to the track the next day.

The change felt so significant that it was actually awkward to ride my bike at first. Pushing out of corners was replaced by the front tire falling into the turn and sticking to it no matter how fast I was going. I could just lean the bike over and as long as I had the traction, it would rail corners. I actually gave myself whiplash at one point because I took a corner so fast at a local track. It was an extremely confidence boosting upgrade once I got used to it. Ever since then, I've been making little suspension changes here and there getting my bike closer to the point of perfection.

Current suspension specs for a 195lb 6'3" novice/intermediate motocross rider:

.46 fork springs (4mm down in clamps)
5.1 shock spring (98mm race sag)
I will be going to stiffer springs soon
Race Tech G2-R fork/shock valves
Fork floating piston drilled to prevent cracking due to hydrolocking
Rear shock high speed adjustment valve porting increased to 08+ specs to reduce hydrolocking during accel/braking bumps
Building a B-kit through Factory Connection hopefully over the summer!



There are a few things to note. All of those "positives" that I mentioned definitely came with their share of negatives. If you ride in the dunes or sandy conditions a lot, I would suggest against these clamps. They tend to make the bike oversteer quite a bit in those conditions. While the overall steering responsiveness did improve, this also means that you must be more aware and alert while riding the bike. Precise maneuvers are rewarded more and carelessness is not ignored. Riding at high speed is more unstable.



That's been my experience with different offset clamps. Let me know if I can provide any additional insight!

rusky, on 24 March 2012 - 11:35 PM, said:

Well said.

Thanks for that info RUSKY! As far as your high speed stuf is it headshake that is the issue??

So thats the verdict then??? 22.5 clamps are the ticket?

fishkiller, on 25 March 2012 - 08:41 AM, said:

It's not headshake to begin with. Best way to describe it is that it feels less able to come back from a mistake. With the stock clamps, the bike always wants to come back to the upright position. The lower offset clamps allows the bike to stick to the turned position until you decide to pick it back up again. Sometimes even wanting to drop lower. For example, you're riding a fast motorcross track with a long rutted straight by the end of which you're top of 4th/bottom of 5th gear. If you get cross rutted, the front end will want to move around way more than if you had the stock clamps. With the stock clamps, the bike kind of plows through everything. It's not unmanageable, but definitely something that takes getting used to.

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If I had to go back and do it all over again, these clamps would be one of the first things I'd buy. Even if you don't like them, it'll teach you more about your bike and what you want from it in the long run.

rusky, on 26 March 2012 - 11:19 PM, said:

Another great explaination. Good stuff, rusky!

CaptDan, on 27 March 2012 - 03:12 AM, said:

I just put on some RG3 22mm triples on my 01' YZ125, and ruskys explanation is exactly right.

Yup. Leans easier. Lowering the rear helps heaps too (shorter shock or longer link). Doesn't fight leans and allows you to pick your lean angle while mid-lean easier.

^ ^ ^
Another very true observation.

22.5 clamps really do make a YZ more fun to ride. They simply offer more options while turning, rather than what the stockers seem to.

There are drawbacks, but paying attention to feedback from the front end (and maybe a steering stabilizer?!) will get you through most of 'em.