2027 YAMAHA YZ250F: RIDE IMPRESSION

Every so often, a production bike comes along that blurs the line between what you can buy off the showroom floor and what the world’s top factory riders line up on come race day. And going by the hype, the all-new 2027 Yamaha YZ250F – headlined by its completely redesigned engine, extensive chassis changes, a new hydraulic clutch and a YZ450F-derived aluminium frame – might just be the closest thing yet to bridging that gap between a production model and a full-blown factory race bike.

Naturally, we wanted to find out for ourselves. So when Yamaha Motor Australia lined up a world-first media launch at Queensland Moto Park – straight after the final round of the 2026 ProMX Championship on August 2 – Transmoto test rider, Ryan Sherrington, alongside decorated former Pro off-road racer, Josh Green, put Yamaha’s new quarter-litre weapon to the test.

So, did the 2027 YZ250F ride as sharp as its spec sheet suggests? Here’s what they reckon…