Dirt and Trail AUG 21

2022 models
Yamaha revise two-stroke YZ motocross
range and reveal all-new YZ125
Yamaha is aiming to get the holeshot on the off-road racing
competition with their 2021 two-stroke motocross range;
revealing updates to the YZ85 and YZ250, plus an all-new
YZ125 for good measure.
2021 Yamaha YZ125 in detail
Starting with the new YZ125, the mid-sized dinger gets
a more powerful engine, revised chassis, slimmer profile
and new look. Also promising better brakes and improved
handling, Yamaha claim it’s the ideal machine for up-andcoming
riders progressing through the discipline.
Yamaha has tickled the carburettor and installed a longer
conrod and heavier crank, with changes also made to
the gearbox and air intake to help make the increase in
performance more manageable for the rider.
Covering these internal alterations is revised bodywork,
which also masks an tweaked rear frame that features a
new mounting point for the pipe, and improved routing for
incoming air. In the middle there is a slimmer tank, seat, and
radiator shrouds - reducing the width between the rider’s
knees by nearly 36mm for great control.
The changes don’t stop there. Low speed damping has been
altered at the front and rear. What’s more, there’s a new twopiston
front caliper and 270mm disc featuring larger diameter
25.4mm pistons and new pads said to give a 30% increase in
contact with the disc.
Yamaha YZ250 changes
Like the 125, the 250 is now also 36mm narrower between
the rider’s legs and features a flatter seat – said to make
shifting your weight from front to rear an easier practice.
Helping further in the bends is revised low-speed damping in
the 48mm KYB front forks and rear shock.
Adding to this is better stopping power, with a new 270mm
front disc working with a more rigid caliper, complete with
larger diameter 25.4mm pistons. A new front pad also
promises a 30% larger contact patch with the disc.
At the rear, the disc size comes down by 5mm to 240mm
and is combined with a new caliper that saves just shy
of 100g of the total weight. Much like before, there’s
also improved bodywork, said to help enhance air intake
efficiency.
YZ85 also improved
Away from the 250, the YZ85 is also improved with a new
look and revised ergonomics. Starting with the bodywork,