YZ250FX Six Months Ownership Should I have bought another bike?

#yz250fx #singletrack #enduro #Yamaha #dirtbike

My opinion on purchasing a YZ250FX as a "NEW" Dirt bike rider and if I made the right choice??
A Tip from a Newbie to dirt bikes and singletrack/enduro riding.
Time to buy a 2 Stroke?

[painsrides]

For single track here in the Northeast 2T is the way to go... But the 250FX is capable and you're going to learn a lot riding this bike. Balance along with clutch throttle control are the name of game no matter what engine you have under you.

[bryand]

You bought the correct bike especially being new. This is the exact bike i would recommend to someone getting into the sport. You did a good job on the choice. 2 strokes are no easier than that, i promise you!

[AdventureAwaits]

I'd recommend trying a recluse clutch. It's a game changer if your bike dies a lot in the slow parts.

[Randy_Cox]

To save you a bunch of money a 2 stroke won't be any better. I have spent the last year riding and racing harescrambles and learning to ride woods. The feeling of needing a bike to be able to lug down more is a sure sign you just need to ride faster, and yes I know that sounds dumb but the way bikes work is they work better the faster you go. To a point of course, but I went through this same thing of hitting rocky areas and wanting to slow down and lug through it...killing the bike...losing balance....dabbing a ton and just feeling like the bike was no good for that stuff. Till I started just hitting those areas 2, 3 or 4 mph faster and keeping the throttle turned on a little. Now they are nothing and I see my mistake. hope this helps.👍

[jimmast]

I've ridden off and on for sixty years. The FX is a wonderful bike for going fast. I, like you, have not found a setting for going slow without really working the clutch and throttle. I bought a Beta 300 and now the FX sits in the garage. Slow going, rocks, no problem. Just put it in third gear and enjoy your ride. Stay safe!

[RPeacock]

Four years ago I got back into riding after nearly a 25 year layoff (work, kids, travel sports, etc.). I purchased a new 2019 YZ250FX and ride the same type of trails at AOAA, Mountain Ridge and other Pennsylvania areas. I have my bike setup with a G2 Throttle Tamer, different link and the Torque Map and my bike is pretty good in the rocks and tight trails. Different tires will also help since the stock tires are not a soft compound. My bike can lug and is way more difficult to stall over a stock bike. To get better at riding tighter trails I added the G2 Throttle Tamer and Torque Map and rode in slow figure 8s in my yard for weeks. Learning throttle and clutch control while getting use to your bike will change your mind about the YZ250FX. For hard enduro a 2 stroke may be better but for the trails around us the YZ250FX is pretty versatile and can handle most any terrain. Join the ThumperTalk Forum and go to the YZ250FX page. I started a Map thread that is posted at the top section of the YZ250FX Forum. Other riders have added their Maps for different setups and conditions. Its also a wealth of information for all things YZ250FX. Don’t get rid of the bike just yet…….

[Dan_]

After 10yrs of road racing I bought a 21' YZ250FX. Suspension was perfect for MX, but way too stiff for trails. I revalved and that helped a ton. I then resprung the front and that helped more. Resprung again this week so hopefully that'll allow me to use most of my travel. Out back the stock spring and my revalve is really good. I'm a c class 165lb rider and the stock suspension is setup for a much faster larger person.

Get your suspension done. As for the rest... well I feel the bike is perfect. I want the throttle to be aggressive and responsive.

[thambu]

Thank you for sharing... I have owned and ridden over 60 different bike so yes I agree with you that a 2S bike is going to be easier to ride tight gnarly single track especially when you are new. But once you progress your skills on a 2S you will do equally well on the 4S.
What I would suggest if you can is get an older 2S for cheap and ride it on the same trails and master your skills.
When it comes to 2S not all bikes are the same. If you get a motocross 2S you will face exactly the same issues with a light flyhweel and the bike will want to be on the pipe all the time and will end up hurting you. I would recommend a 2S woods bike like a KDX200 or Yamaha wr250 or RMX250 or an older KTM 200/250/300 EXC. Now this may sound dumb but an even better choice would be a trail based 4s like TTR230 or CRF250F to learn on as those machines are designed with low compression ratios and immense bottom end (but you give up top end power which you dont need anyway if you are a new rider)... A slow bike will give you the skills you need and then you would be very fast and very comfortable on a fast bike on the same trails... My first bike was an RMZ450 and I almost hated dirtbikes immediately. I switched to an old KTM 250EXC and it was like magic... Never looked back.

[joesmith]

G2 throttle cam and Rekluse clutch makes this thing perfect for old guys like us

[rodneysoole]

You could go up on the rear sprocket and get some more grunt. I own one but I am a A level rider. It's a great motorcycle. I also ride MX and the bike is great on the track. I went from the stock 50 rear to a 48 and rip through the woods. Find some friends and have fun. Just a reminder for you as an entry level rider go up a tooth on the rear sprocket should help you with the slow sections.

[rockpenguino]

I ride FRO as well. 2T vs. 4T in the rocky single track really won’t make a difference, as others have mentioned. Dial in the suspension and you’ll be able to chug along with little to no stalling. I had a ‘20 FX and didn’t like the handling much until I sent the suspension to Factory Connection and got it setup for my weight and skill level. Then it was awesome in the rocks and roots! Rarely stalled it because then I could blast the rough sections. Plus you just can’t beat a 4T on rough/slippery uphills. I’m now riding a Husqvarna TE150i but there are times I miss that 250FX!

[itsonlyjeff]

I had a similar experience with a 350. Switched from two stroke to see what it was about, but 2T is really the way to go for northeast woods.

[wyattguttery]

Bike choice doesn’t really matter honestly, being completely comfortable on whatever bike you choose is way more important than having a better bike. Put in more hours riding and try to ride faster, that’s the best thing you can do to ride better

[sumpter]

Send it to factory connection they are right there in PA. You will be impressed for sure.

[paulbunyan]

I started off on a 250FX and I just recently bought a Sherco 250 SE 2 stroke. The difference is night and day on single track. The FX is fun in the fast flowy stuff like you said... but so is the Sherco and it feels WAY easier to ride the tight stuff. I wish I would have started off on the Sherco. Also it has a map switch and the tame map is very manageable for a new rider.

[sicklygazelle]

my 250fx came with a rekluse. I wouldnt of put it on but now thats its on i wouldnt ride without it. its crazy if you already have good bike control

[tonyrichengod]

Once you are comfortable, I’d recommend getting into 2T. 250-300 carbureted 2T is the way to go. Find a good deal on an older one in good condition, then spend some on the savings on a SMARTCARB and you’re set for life with no headaches. Also 2T super easy to work on yourself.

[OtisFlint]

A 2 stroke is no better in the rocks? You guys have hit your heads too many times, or you're trying to ride a MX bike in the woods. Go ride a current 300XC or XC-W then come back and say that.

[siphomwemba]

Just keep riding man... Everything else will definitely follow. I'm on a ktm 450 sxf in the bush. It's wild. 😅😅😅

[jg]

Try raising the idle to reduce stalling.

Try a higher gear for lugging. The Yamaha 250 4-strokes are capable of pulling 3rd in many places. It’ll smooth out the power.

Spin your clickers out so you not deflecting off everything.

Great bike.