The success of the new wave of four-stroke motocross bikes has
led some manufacturers to give up developing two-strokes. But not
Yamaha. Every year our engineers seek to refine and further develop
the blend of light weight, hard hitting power and easy maintenance
that characterises our two-stroke MX range.
Some have tried to imitate the magic inside the YZ250's compact
liquid-cooled cylinder, but there's never been a match for that
seamless surge of roll-on power all the way through the rev range.
Meanwhile, the lean and scalpel sharp YZ125's flexible power
delivery means it is still among the smartest launching platforms
from which a young junior motocross rider can learn the tricks of
the sport.
And Yamaha continues to offer two versions of the YZ85 -
junior's very own factory motocross bike. That's 85cc of
lightweight, liquid-cooled, crankcase reed-inducted thrust slotted
under a flat, roomy cockpit designed for perfect pilot movement.
Particularly when it comes with potent mid and top-end punch, a
slick six-speed gearbox and the handling and braking to convert
brute thrust into wicked lap times.
The 250 and 125 have many refinements for 2008 to make them
sharper and lighter than ever. New front ends benefit from a range
of lightweight components, including new fork outer tubes, fork
protectors and a redesigned axle which deliver even lighter
steering. The new ultra-compact YZ250F-type front caliper and
master cylinder shed even more grams and ensure outstanding braking
- and new wave-type discs at the front and rear look great and cut
unsprung weight.
In addition, the YZ125 sports a redesigned reed valve spacer
that optimises flow volume and flow speed across the full rpm range
from low to high rpm to improve acceleration. Meanwhile, it's a
case of don't change when you're winning for the YZ85s which simply
receive trick black paint for their high tensile steel frames.
This quest for perfection has meant that the YZs have been the
winningest two-strokes in the business for years. The amazing
versatility of these models has led to some fantastic race results
in 2007... and not just on the motocross track.
For example, Ballards enduro ace Jarrod Bewley has been at the
pointy end of the Yamaha National Off Road Series (YZ250), Kirk
Hutton finished an amazing sixth outright in the gruelling A4DE on
his YZ125 and Showtime FMX rider Steve Mini has been thrilling
crowds nationwide on the Crusty Tour (YZ250). New Zealand has a
world motocross champion in YZ250 rider Tony Cooksley who easily
won the Veteran's World Cup in Europe while Darryll King is the
current NZ 250cc 2-stroke champion.
Plus the 85cc riders have been kicking goals with Joel Milesevic
winning a 2007 Victorian State MX title, Keiran Leigh an 85cc NZ
title and Luke Temple a 125cc NZ title. And Aussie teenage
freestyle sensation Tyrone Gilks is planning an 85cc world long
distance jump on his YZ later this year.
So whether it's MX, SX, freestyle or enduro... or distance
jumping, the YZ two-stroke range looks set to remain in the
limelight for 2008 and beyond.