Flying on the New YZ250FX

We were heading down to Vegas for the Supercross race. Bad luck put it on the same weekend as the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight, which meant non-existent, or overpriced hotel rooms and air fare. Giving us the perfect excuse to drive and bring the new Yamaha YZ250FX and Rmz 250 down for some desert trials and camping. Not only would we be saving money for Maverick Motorsports but we would be getting some critical Spring testing in as well. This is what you tell the boss is a “win, win” situation and a great way to underwrite a little fun.

Arriving at Apex (A giant playground for off road riding just North of Vegas) around noon, we suited up and headed out to break the new Yamaha in. Two hours later, I was pretty sure I was going to die. This was the first time these two Montana boys had felt temperatures over 80, much less 95, in nearly a year. After a one hour truck conditioning break, we were back at it.

I loved the new YZ250FX! It was everything I had hoped it would be and we hadn’t even done a proper setup yet. I felt like I was really eating up the terrain, until I watched my GoPro footage (Why do I always look so slow on that thing?). The fact is, this wide open wonderland, of tremendous heat can be a little intimidating at first. You go from loam, to sand, to loose rock, to hard rock all while throwing in some big elevation changes. Some how it feels a little overwhelming to us woods riders.

I struggled finding the proper gear on the hill climbs. With the wide ratio, I often found myself nearing the top of a steep hill climb or high mark, wishing I was in third and too nervous to go for the shift (I blame the new Alpinestars I was wearing. They were great. I just wasn’t used to them or the new bike for that matter. Certainly it had nothing to do with my riding ability.) An extra tooth on the back sprocket might make that a bit easier.

Leaving Las Vegas I was pretty sure I had found my next bike. Upon returning home, I headed to my old familiar trails, up on Blue Mountain. After tearing through the mountains at speeds I have never before gone, I knew I had a winner!

Thank you Yamaha for giving us the competition trail bike we have all been yearning for. With a few tweaks here in there I know that orange will be something we only see somewhere far behind us in a trail of dust.

By Brent Gyuricza