YZ250F (MY2024)

The 2024 YZ250F is a pure quarter-liter motocross racer, and it rides like the reference point of the 250 four-stroke class. Yamaha builds it around a reversed-cylinder single with a strong mid-range, so it pulls hard in the part of the rev range where most of a moto gets decided. The chassis is set up by the KYB Speed-Sensitive System coil-spring fork, which gives excellent damping control and clear feedback straight off the showroom floor. Traction control, ride modes, launch control and smartphone mapping all come standard. The result is a race bike you can shape to the dirt in front of you.

It weighs 231 lb (105 kg) wet, runs 12.2 in (310 mm) of front travel and puts the seat at a tall 38.2 in (970 mm). Those numbers tell you who it is for: the closed-course racer or ambitious amateur who wants to line up on a stock machine and be competitive. The build is rugged and aftermarket support is deep, so it takes a season of hard use well. The honest caveat is that the tunability only pays off if you use it, and the 1.6 gal (6.2 L) tank plus race-first setup make it a poor fit away from the track.