YZ250 (MY2022)

The YZ250 is a two-stroke motocross bike in its purest form, and in this generation it is still the reference point for riders who want the raw version of the sport. Its 249 cc liquid-cooled single makes 49 hp and hits hard. The whole bike weighs 227 lb (103 kg) wet, so there is very little mass to fight. It comes with fully adjustable suspension front and rear, with an upside-down fork. Out of the box it takes heavy flat landings and high-speed braking bumps with real composure. There's no electronic safety net. You get a 5-speed box, a chain and a chassis built to be ridden hard.

This is not a lazy rider's motorcycle. The powerband comes on with a punch, and you have to work the clutch precisely to get the most drive out of a corner. Ride it half-hearted and it will make you look slow. Ride it with commitment and it gives back a directness modern four-strokes struggle to match. It's tough, it's easy to work on and the aftermarket support is deep, which is why it still fills the pits at local tracks. The honest caveat: it rewards technique and punishes sloppiness, so riders still learning throttle and clutch control should know what they're signing up for.