The original YZ400F set the pace for the new breed of four-stroke off road bikes.  Afterwards came the even more amazing YZ250F.

Yamaha are not about to rest on their laurels and gloat over their incredible race success with their 250, small but important detail changes have been made for the 2003 model year.

Like the new 450, the 250 scores a new auto-decompression system which is claimed to make starting the beast a much easier affair.  Of course with the new electric start on the WR this is not important for the road legal model.

New bodywork makes for a sleeker profile.

The frame has been reduced in weight but Yamaha claim that rigidity has also been improved. 

Fork and shock action is claimed to be much improved.  New master cylinders for the front and rear brakes offer less effort and reduced weight.

For the WR model the addition of electric start will be an absolute bonus and will ensure that Yamaha's WR models will retain their positions near the top of the sales charts.

Specifications

• Engine - 249cc, liquid-cooled, 5-valve, DOHC, 4-stroke

• Bore x Stroke - 77 x 53.6mm

• Compression Ratio - 12.5:1

• Induction - 37mm Keihin FCR flat-slide carb'

• Ignition - Digital CDI

• Gearbox - 5-speed

• Front Suspension - 46mm Kayaba inverted telescopic fork, adjustable compression and rebound damping; 295mm travel

• Rear Suspension - Kayaba single shock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping, 310mm travel

• Front Brake - 250mm floating disc

• Rear Brake - 245mm disc

• Length - 2127mm

• Width - 812mm

• Height - 1280mm

• Seat Height - 980mm

• Wheelbase - 1450mm

• Ground Clearance - 375mm

• Dry Weight - ?

• Fuel Capacity - 8 litres (WR gets a 12 litre tank)

• Availability - Best guess is for a November release for the YZ, while we may have to wait until  around March for the WR

• RRP - ?