Our big question going into our 2015 250F Motocross Shootout was simple: could any of the other manufacturers step it up a notch or two and knock the revived Yamaha YZ250F off the top step of the podium?
In 2014, the YZ250F got a complete ground-up overhaul, finally getting rid of its long-in-the-tooth motor for the reversed and rearward-inclined cylinder and all-new chassis concept that its big brother got five years ago. The radical “backward” change took time to sink in with the YZ450F, but the YZ250F responded instantly. It went from trailing the pack to leading the way almost over night. Now, everyone is chasing the Yamaha.
Honda, KTM, Husqvarna, Kawasaki and Suzuki have all had a year to respond—some did, some not so much. The Honda, for example, made some significant updates, like giving the 2015 CRF250R air forks, a handlebar-mounted engine-mode select button, new EFI settings and an oversized front brake. The KTM got new WP 4CS forks, new CNC-machined triple clamps, and updated WP shock and linkage. The Husky, new to our shootout this year, got new rear-suspension linkage, a stiffer frame and new plastic. The Kawasaki received a bridge-box piston, a bigger front brake and revised suspension. The Suzuki, on the other hand, took on very little changes, just revised EFI and minor suspension settings. So, were any of these upgrades enough to bypass the latest YZ250F, which, like the Suzuki, received little changes for 2015? After many weeks riding all six bikes at a variety of tracks across Southern California, we eventually found the answer.
As usual, we rode the bikes in box-stock condition, exactly how you’d receive them off the showroom floor, even the tires, grips and handlebars. Only the graphics—courtesy of Dirt Digits—were changed to spice up the painfully plain number plates.
Here we go, let the debate begin…
Reach the full review in Cycle News magazine HERE.
For more Cycle News Motocross motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
