Project 2017 YZ250FX: Ride Impression

When you’re in the business of testing motorcycles day-in and day-out and publishing feedback about these machines on your media channels, there’s a tendency to get too carried away with highfalutin tech talk. And as much as that serves its purpose for those who are about to drop their hard-earned into a new or used machine, the reality is that riding a dirt bike is a sensory, emotional experience.

That’s why we enlisted the help of some non-conventional ‘testers’ – an award-winning chef, a Byron Bay-based grasstrack fiend, a couple of two-wheel addicts from Deus Camperdown’s workshop, and a red-haired hippy dingo who runs Transmoto’s events – to offer their heartfelt insight into how Transmoto’s 2017-model Yamaha YZ250FX affected their senses. Take it away, fellas…

Mark LaBrooy – Three Blue Ducks Restaurant

I’m obviously not riding this bike to its entire potential, but my first impression was that it has heaps of bottom-end and torque for a quarter-litre machine. It gets on the back wheel pretty easily and it’s great under brakes. And I was amazed how easy it was to slide with confidence. I could get the rear-end stepped out in a controlled way, rather than having to go all-balls-out to get it sideways. Basically, it’s a super-fun and predictable machine – whether you’re riding it in tight terrain or giving it plenty around this amazing flat-track/grasstrack we tore up today. It’s clean, comfy, crisp and cool. Much like a summer chardonnay!

James Thomson – Deus Byron

Well, the YZ250 two-stroke is by far my favourite dirt bike, and has been for a while now. But this latest model has trumped it – from power to handling to ergos to braking. Every time I get on one of Yamaha’s 250cc four-strokes, I just love them because they’re so responsive and confidence-inspiring. This new YZ250FX cross-country model feels so safe, it lets you go fast without feeling like you’re putting your life on the line to do it. I would highly recommend it as an addition to any garage’s dirt bike quiver.

Jeremy Tagand – Deus Camperdown

Let me cut to the chase: it was fun and very cool! Lots of power, comfortable cockpit, good in tight turns, stable around fast and sweeping corners. It’s got a lot more suspension travel that I’m used to, and that made it very forgiving if you hit a bump or G-out you weren’t expecting. I’d need more practice to ride this bike to anywhere close to its full potential. And I wouldn’t mind doing exactly that.

Robbie Warden – Transmoto

Mate, the YZ250FX goes that well … it’s super-quick, bloody nimble and feels great on the dingo’s dillybag. As you might have picked up from those astute comments, I’m not very tech-savvy when it comes to feedback about dirt bikes, but I can tell you that this little blue-ball buzz-box just feels unreal to jump aboard and tear around a grasstrack on. It’s so light, responsive and refined, it’s almost as if it makes up for your shortcomings as a rider. The standout thing for me was how the FX felt super-agile on the tight enduro loop, but then had so much grip and stability around the little flat-track we tore to pieces all afternoon. It’s exciting and user-friendly at the same time. None of us were really experienced riders, but all the boys managed to jump on the thing and rip in on their first lap. To me, that’s a sign this bike is versatile and forgiving. And bloody good value for money, I’d say.

Faidon Christodoulou – Deus Camperdown

What do I think? Fantastic bike! I own a 2015-model WR250F Yamaha, which I absolutely love because I’ve got a bad back and neck and can’t ride all day. Riding this 250FX today – a hybrid of Yamaha’s MX and enduro models – reinforced what a totally different beast it is compared with the WR-F. It’s so much more responsive to throttle inputs and, as you’d expect, the suspension feels a fair bit firmer – probably too firm for a guy of my weight and ability. But for all those rev-heads out there who prefer snapping the throttle and getting an immediate result, and hucking big jumps, this is the bike for them. Who doesn’t like the idea of a high-performance MX bike with the convenience of an electric start?!