AJ Catanzaro's Honest Review Of The 2024 YZ250f!

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[chrisp.bacon_exe]

Picked up a 2024 a few weeks ago. Can’t really test it until spring. Already a step up from my 06 so I can’t complain 😂

[Justabirdlover]

I have a 2024 250F and found my shock a little stiff stock so went half a turn softer on high speed. I set sag at 105mm and the fork I went flush to help balance the chassis in the soft dirt/sand I ride. The fork a found a little soft still compared to the shock so went stiffer by 2 clicks on compression and rebound. The shock I also went 2 clicks stiffer on rebound .

Engine wise yes the stock bike with stock mapping is actually even worse throttle response and bottom end wise with the FMF header. First thing I did was try Keefers Passive Aggressive map. That mapping helped. I felt like the intake airflow through the lid was actually too much (big inner airbox and big airfilter versus a 2023) and was hurting throttle response so I sealed the rear airbox holes like a YZ450 lid comes and stuffed foam into the front and left rear holes. This made a big difference in throttle response, made the bike much more pleasant to ride (less loud in the helmet) and didn’t seem to hurt top end at all. I then added a FMF PC4 slip on and that definitely made it sound a lot less raspy and felt like it also helped throttle response a little. Next I tried a FMF header and that definitely made the bottom end noticeably worse especially without any remapping. I then put a Twin Air powerflo kit on (mostly for better sealing) but found that it helped gain back what the header lost and then some. The powerflo kit felt like it gained a lot from bottom to top especially upper midrange to over rev and complimented the FMF header well. I then richened the mapping by 2-4% versus Keefers map which gave much better throttle response and power feel from bottom to top end. It feels Kawasaki and KTM powerful now. Wife has a 23 KX250 I’ve ridden for comparison and stock for stock the Kawasaki is noticeably stronger but not anymore.

[kamakrazi]

To be fair, its hard to do a true assessment without making any adjustments. One thing I've learned the most over the last few years is that every bike is setup differently for each rider. What works for one person, may not work for another. You can't complain about the engine package without using the tuner app and making adjustments. A lot of them are tuned down from the dealer, and then adding a full exhaust without making adjustments to the engine and fuel, makes any review null. I have a 2014 that I added a full exhaust to, and it didn't really open up until I started getting tunes off forums to assist with making the power curves I wanted to see for my riding style. I'm not saying your assessment of THAT bike, at THAT point in time is wrong or bad, but I don't think its fair to the bike. As for suspension, every bike sucks for someone my size. So I can't fault the manufacturer for the forks or shock not working the way I think it should specifically for me. They can only put out one configuration, usually the most general setting. I had to spend some $$$ to get mine configured just right for me and now I love mine more.

[DamonCT]

Comparing the 2024 Yamaha 250f to my 2023 Honda 250f I feel almost the opposite of what you said. The power on the Yamaha is much more than the Honda at every level I feel like. Maybe because its a brand new bike but the brakes blew me away with stopping power compared to the Honda as well. My Yamaha actually feels a lot softer than the Honda and I had to go in and stiffen it up. As far as how the bike feels, the Yamaha feels much smaller, lighter and more controllable. The Honda feels extremely tall and long, which I don't prefer.

[dcouture]

Proper valve job on the suspension. Every other review in this bike is nothing short but stellar so this video kind of on its own.

[mikemcswain]

Not a lemon, needs a map, stainless front brake line and a skinny guy shock spring. Unless they changed the front master cylinder, the front brake needs to be adjusted out so you have it applies pressure sooner.

[Ameerdala]

Today, 3/2/2024 i rode my yamaha yz250f 2024 brand new with 2 hotes total runtime (after break in and oil change)
It felt amazing, chasis, corners are super wow!
Bottom power is insane, thrid gear and fourth gear are very similar, i could enter a conrer with fourth gear or third gear almost same feeling of power amazing!

[TommyK]

MXA made the same comments about the suspension in their 2024 review

[phill]

The cam gears are press fit onto the cam shafts. Not welded or bolted. There’s still a missed weld on the frames. Quality control issues but do with that info what you will. Seen a bunch come back to the dealership I work at.

[MClyne]

Get a an actual stock one mate and retest. The suspension is really good however like the 450 needs to be adjusted a bit particularly fork height and sag. The 2024 does lack the bottom end to previous years but can improved with power tuner app.

[dennismillus]

Hey how about doing an Ho estimate Review of Do a Tire Shootout. Dumblop, Maxxis, Pirrelli vs Hoosiers.

[jerryhill]

I applaud the honest opinion. Great stuff. Thanks

[bryanray]

I’m hearing the problem could be that they’re using the bigger air box from the 450 on the new 250 design.

[ridendrive]

AJ - Based on the review, I would say the set up this bike has caused issues. Suspension for certain is an adjustment issue. Also as for the power, the new air box has taken some bottom end snap out of the bike, but for a stock engine bike, you need to test one with a stock header, otherwise you will need to try a bike that has a full exhaust with a matching ECU. The new changes for engine durability have made this new 24 more sensitive to these changes. Also stock gearing is a bit tall.

[DevinDaye]

Michael Mosimans brother seemed to have said close to the same thing. And he did mention the bog as well which is interesting

[petermoygannon]

I'd like to know what difference the brakes are from 23 to 24 .

[jacobocejo]

I just recently test rode a 24 yz250f, out of the box I was very impressed. I've never felt so comfortable on a bike from stock.

[REKLUSE]

I have been seeing a lot of issues with the 450F. Not a lot of information on the 250F.
I have the 22' 250f, and I absolutely love it, BUT they do have a major issue.
Timing chains wear very quickly and spontaneously break without warning. Most guys are doing them @10-15 hours max. Race teams every 3 hours. Hopefully that issue is rectified, but I haven't been able to find any information out about it.

The 450's I know multiple pro riders having the piston grenade (most common issue I've seen), one of my buddies is on his 3rd motor! Keeps the bike and puts 45 hours on it and they give him a new one.
Another failure was one crank failure on the lower rod bearing.

I am a huge YZ fan, but I think I'll wait and see how the Triumph pans out.
The new bikes certainly aren't what they used to be.

[thetruthserum]

Video Idea - Track reviews... Since you are literally visiting so many tracks.

[enochwatchers]

I agree with your assessment 100%. I have been riding the Yamaha 250f since 2017. I went to a recent ride day and rode the 2024 and was very disappointed. It ran dirty off the bottom and didn't really feel any faster in the mid or top to me. The suspension felt stiff and non compliant. I also rode 2024 250fx and 2023 250f back to back the same day and both were much better all around.