Transworld Motocross – 2010 Yamaha YZ250 Video
From Transworld Motocross…
In spite of how much any of us like two-strokes, the sad truth of the matter is that two-strokes in America are slowly fading away. Thankfully, though, for two-stroke lovers in the US Yamaha still produces both a 125 and 250 two-stroke. We got invited out to Glen Helen for the day to test the 2010 YZ250. And even though there aren’t any new changes to the bike for ‘10, it was still a blast to ride. Watch the video to find out what our newest test rider and national pro Ryan Beat thought about the bike at the end of the day.
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By motoman465 on March 25th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Thank the motocross gods that Yamaha is still making the YZ’s! I had a chance to ride a friend’s 2003 YZ250 last season and I loved it! I have said all along that it should not be just 4 strokes or just 2 strokes…the public should have a choice as the what they want to ride/race. Here’s to hoping that Yamaha keeps producing the YZ’s for a long time!
By bleake637 on March 25th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Despite what TWMX thinks, two strokes are not slowly fading away anymore. If anything, I’d say they’re making a comeback. I was racing a Loretta Lynn’s Area Qualifier last weekend, and I’d estimate between 30% and 40% two strokes across the board. Including many of the fastest riders in the fastest classes like the guy on the YZ250 who smoked me in the 250B Mod class! Long live pre-mix!
By JohnNicholas on March 25th, 2010 at 9:21 am
bleake637 – You’re right the two-stroke is more on it’s way back then on the slide it was on only a few short years ago. The tide is changing and it will include two strokes.
Not that I think it will ever be all two-strokes in the future, at least there will be a choice. That’s all that we are asking for, a choice.
By grumpy on March 25th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Just because Honda, Suzuki & Kawasaki aren’t making 2 strokes for sale in the U.S. doesn’t mean they’re on the way out. It just means those companies are losing money and companies of higher integrity are getting the business. Fortunately the eyes of the public get to see the likes of KTM, Maico, Gas Gas, TM, ATK, Yamaha and several others. Looks like Husaberg may be looking at a 2t line too.
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on March 25th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Is there any hard data to show the increase in two-stokes. Is there a count of 2 vs 4-stroke entrances to AMA races every year? Or a count of how many are sold each year?
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on March 25th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
I love that turn to wheelie to jump at 1:03 to 1:07.
By JohnNicholas on March 25th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
2STROKEREVOLUTION – I’m not sure if you will find hard data anyplace about the count of two-stroke vs. four-stroke. My guess is that it’s more that people are digging up the left-over two-strokes at the dealers and buying used machines… so you could not go by sales figures for the difference, especially when 3 of the Big 4 do not sell two-strokes in the USA.
Just spoke to my fiend who went riding at a private track in Long Island on Saturday. He said that out of 25 bikes, only 5 of them were four-strokes!! Don’t get me wrong, I think this is unusual.
The only way to really find out is when you go to the track, count how many bikes are there and how many are two-strokes and how many are four-strokes… it’s the only way to confirm the count.
By RM500 on March 26th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
I checked startinglists for two very big events in Europe.
Swedish Gotland Grand National is the biggest enduro race with 2500 on the grid. About 30-35% was 2strokes. Its a closed circuit so its a mix of MX and Enduro bikes.
The enduropale Le Touquet in Normandy, France is a beachrace with about 900 MX- and endurobikes. They too have around 30% 2strokes.
They are far from dead =)
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on March 26th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
JohnNicholas
Maybe 2-stroke sales won’t work.
But does AMA or FIM track what bikes enter in races? Or do local races track it? That would show how many were racing 2 years ago versus now, showing a rise in 2-strokes being ridden.
By JohnNicholas on March 26th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
The question is, would you accept the information that the AMA or FIM provided? Don’t they have a bit of a bias here?
Couldn’t they just say, “Oh yeah… there are two or three two-strokes, but the four-strokes are the future!” Just an example, but it is possible.
In my opinion, the only way to do this is to get down and dirty and actually count. Of course as always no matter what you counted, someone could disagree or say you are biased… kind of funny how that works!!
By RM500 on March 27th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Its a few races they actually have enginetype registered.
Its just to copy to Excel and count
http://www.enduropaledutouquet.fr/outils/download.aspx?id_fichier=2262&id_page=215&id_langue=2
By LouS on April 14th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Is there a two stroke out there that a 5’2″ inexperienced female could ride????
Lighter in weight….How could anyone say they’re on their way out? Sounds like my kind of bike.. I’ve been told however that a two stroke would be my demise….
By MXLord327 on April 14th, 2010 at 8:54 am
LouS – I can’t think of anything currently in production that would fit your needs, but an older Suzuki DS80 might work for you if you can find one in good shape. It is tuned pretty mellow, and is an oil-injected two stroke so no mixing gas and oil. You might outgrow it fairly quickly, but should be able to sell it for the same price you paid for it when you are ready to move up. If you have never ridden before, I would stay away from the 85cc motocross bikes, they would be tough to learn on.