Yamaha introduces new 2019 YZ250F and YZ85
Yamaha has been building the most competitive cutting-edge motocross bikes for nearly half a century – and since the company’s first MX world championship win back in 1973, Yamaha has entered and won in every category that matters. Racing is an integral part of the company’s DNA, and the will to win is at the very heart of the company’s operations.
Full line up from 65cc to 450cc
From young racers starting out on the YZ65 and then progressing onto the new MY19 YZ85 and YZ125, riders have the opportunity to stick with Yamaha right from the start of their professional racing careers – and with the company’s bLU cRU programme, more than 80 YZ125 riders from 17 European nations are benefitting from professional Yamaha support by participating in the YZ125 bLU cRU Cup.
When it’s time to move on up to the adult categories, machine continuity can be maintained with the YZ250, new MY19 YZ250F or YZ450F, giving aspiring champions the chance to experience Yamaha’s winning performance at every step of their career.
Yamaha YZ motocross bikes offer the very latest technology and performance features designed to make enthusiasts and professional racers alike the best riders possible, win races and become one with their machine – putting them in the victorYZone and atop the podium.
New YZ250F
For 2019 season Yamaha introduce the all-new YZ250F, the most sophisticated model in its class. Featuring a newly designed high-performance electric start engine and an agile new chassis, this state of the art 250cc 4-stroke opens up a new era in wireless connectivity and trackside tuneability with its Yamaha Power Tuner smartphone app.
New YZ85
Yamaha’s total commitment to all sectors of the motocross market is reinforced with the launch of the all-new YZ85, the most advanced youth MX bike in its class. Powered by a liquid-cooled 2-stroke engine that features Yamaha’s torque boosting Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) technology – and equipped with newly developed suspension systems – this sharp looking race bike delivers more performance and more control for young riders.
Other models in the 2019 YZ Range
For 2019 the YZ450F receives a number of technical upgrades, while YZ250 and YZ125 models get all-new graphics. With the launch of the new YZ250F and YZ85 ¬- not forgetting the recently launched YZ65 – Yamaha offers the most complete range of winning models that give racers of all ages the opportunity to be a part of one of the most successful brands in the history of motocross.
2018 season so far
With factory supported racers in every major class, Yamaha’s 2018 season is looking strong, with Courtney Duncan dominating the WMX Championship and Yamaha leading the prestigious WMX Manufacturers Championship. In MX2, Kemea Yamaha Official MX2 team riders are challenging hard for the podium at every race on their factory YZ250F machine, and in MXGP Yamaha are holding a strong 2nd overall in the Manufacturers Championship, with Romain Febvre holding 3rd overall on his factory YZ450FM.
2019 Yamaha YZ250F
The 2019 YZ250F boasts an all-new engine design that features an electric starter, a new cylinder head, piston, cam shaft profile, cylinder geometry, larger diameter clutch and more – all working together to deliver top notch power, with even more mid-top power.
Its bilateral beam frame is completely revamped with an optimized engine mounting position to improve the machine’s rigidity balance, which benefits cornering ability, and traction. Redesigned bodywork and ergonomics provide a lighter and more compact feel that bind rider and machine as one. The class leading KYB® suspension with updated internals provides the optimal balance between comfort and race-winning performance.
Along with all the above, the all-new 2019 YZ250F also comes standard with a Communication Control Unit (CCU) allowing riders to connect wirelessly to their bike, and tune it according to their preferences – all they need is a phone and the Yamaha Power Tuner app.
New engine
For 2019, Yamaha has refined its distinct rearward-slanted cylinder design for the YZ250F engine. The liquid-cooled, DOHC 4-valve, fuel-injected engine features a forward-positioned straight downdraft intake with symmetrical intake and exhaust ports. Fuel is delivered by a lighter 44mm throttle body, through a new 12-hole Denso® injector.
A new, higher-compression flat-top forged piston features a bridge-box design for additional strength with minimal weight. The piston, rings and DLC-coated piston pin, along with the offset cylinder configuration, all reduce friction loss and contribute to quick response. The YZ250F’s lighter and more upright cylinder, newly designed intake ports, cam profiles, high-strength connecting rod and optimized crank and counterbalancer all work together to produce more potent mid-high-rpm power with user-friendly delivery and exceptional reliability.
The transmission and clutch have been overhauled for a more direct connection as well as enhanced durability. The transmission retains the same proven gear ratios as in the previous model, but the gears are now made of a new alloy which provides stronger shock resistance. Due to the increased strength, the gear teeth could be made thinner, reducing weight and allowing a more compact design. The clutch assembly in the YZ250F features friction plates which are now 1.6mm thicker. The increase in thickness has allowed our engineers to reduce the number of plates to by one to 8.
The radiators and exhaust have also been modified for improved performance and weight distribution. The updated radiators are larger and angled more directly towards the incoming air stream for improved cooling under the most demanding race conditions. The innovative wraparound exhaust pipe design improves mass concentration and improves power development, with revised geometry for 2019. This layout moves the rear end of the exhaust pipe farther forward and enables a muffler position close to the center of mass.
World’s first production 250cc class Power Tuner app
The 2019 YZ250F is the world’s first production 250cc motocross bike with a wireless smartphone-based engine tuner. Using Yamaha’s exclusive Power Tuner app, it’s easy to choose the exact power profile for optimum race results at every track.
By connecting wirelessly with the YZ250F’s inbuilt Communication Control Unit (CCU), riders and technicians can instantly and easily adjust air/fuel mixture and ignition timing maps to tune engine performance for various track conditions, record race log information, and monitor a range of data such as coolant temperature, intake air temperature, air pressure, battery stats and also maintenance related data such total run time and more.
The Yamaha Power Tuner App – first released with the 2018 YZ450F – makes it possible to modify engine mapping in even greater detail than before. It also allows users to share settings among their team or with friends (along with other information) thus evolving the system into a tool that helps facilitate communication.
Dual-mode switchable engine mapping
Two-mode adjustable engine mapping allows the rider to adjust engine character with the push of a button, making it easy to tune the YZ250F for changing track or weather conditions.
All-new lightweight electric start
Utilizing a compact starter motor and ultra-lightweight lithium-ion battery, the 2019 YZ250F brings the convenience of push-button starting for quick and effortless restarts under pressure and relaxed riding when the clock isn’t ticking. Powered by a high-capacity and ultra-lightweight lithium-ion battery, the system adds minimal weight.
New frame and optimized ergonomics
The 2019 YZ250F’s compact frame is completely new to further refine the instinctive handling that makes this Yamaha one of the best handling machines in the class. The all-new compact bilateral beam frame features redesigned upper frame bracing, rear frame spars, swingarm pivot area and all new engine mounts that centralize mass and increase rigidity on lateral, horizontal and vertical axis to provide an ideal balance between cornering feel and straight-line rigidity.
Simply, the new frame was designed to improve contact to the ground and provide the best possible balance of stiffness for bump absorption, and effortless cornering.
New compact body and seat design
Surrounding this fully redesigned chassis, the 2019 YZ250F features a new lighter, compact body from tip to tail. The radiator shrouds incorporate a new air duct with a concave shape that not only improves styling, but is also narrower for better knee grip and overall rider movement. The seat height has been reduced by 8mm towards the front and almost 20mm lower at the tail end, giving the rider better maneuverability on the bike.
Easily tuned KYB® coil spring suspension
The industry-leading, fully adjustable KYB® coil spring-type forks with speed sensitive damping receive updated settings, larger pistons and newly designed fork lugs / axle brackets to provide exceptional balance between handling and bump absorption for race-winning performance. The KYB® shock boasts new damping characteristics to match the new chassis as well as a new, lighter weight spring. The reservoir has been increased 30cc to increase damping control during long motos.
Lighter wheels
Careful computer-aided refinement of the EXCEL rim’s cross-sectional profile shaves valuable unsprung weight without sacrificing durability, while more rigid wheel collars provide an improved feeling of contact to the ground when braking and a clear feeling of traction.
YZ250F Technical Highlights
• All-new DOHC 250cc liquid cooled 4-stroke engine
• Power Tuner smartphone app for trackside tuning
• ‘On the fly’ 2-position engine mapping switch
• Lightweight electric starter with lithium-ion battery
• Slim and compact new bodywork and seat
• New stronger bilateral aluminium beam frame
• New larger diameter Air-Oil-Separate front forks
• Lighter rear shock with improved damping performance
• New heavy-duty clutch with lighter feel at lever
• New high-efficiency angled radiator design
• Redesigned air filter box
• Stiffer front axle mounting bracket for better feel
• New high specification cam chain assembly
2019 Yamaha YZ85
The new Yamaha YZ85 youth motocross bike features a large number of major redesigns that are focused performance and ergonomics. Featuring an all-new engine, suspension, and more, the YZ85 is designed to assist bLU cRU riders to earn their entry into the victorYZone with race winning performance and unrivaled reliability.
All-new engine
The 2019 YZ85 utilizes a newly designed 85cc liquid-cooled, 2-stroke engine featuring a case reed-valve intake and a mechanical Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS). Combined with redesigned cylinder and head, crankcase, crankshaft, connecting rod, transmission, exhaust and CDI unit, this new YZ engine provides broad tractable power across the rev range without losing peak power at high RPM.
Updated chassis and optimized ergonomics
The 2019 YZ85’s semi-double-cradle steel frame, removable subframe and redesigned aluminum swing-arm provide a nimble feel, confident handling and ease of maintenance. The ergonomics feature a flat, comfortable seat, four-position adjustable aluminum tapered handlebars and adjustable reach levers to provide comfort and ease of movement for a wide range of young rider sizes.
Uprated brake system
For 2019, a new, stiffer front brake line with new routing improves braking feel, while wave-style brake discs offer improved self-cleaning and cooler-running performance. The 220mm front disc and 190mm rear disc deliver strong, precise stopping power.
Easily tuned KYB® coil spring suspension
The new YZ85 features KYB®’s race-proven, fully adjustable 36mm coil spring fork with one-piece outer tubes and tapered shape to provide optimal rigidity balance. This provides exceptional handling, bump absorption and ease of set-up for race-winning performance. The KYB® fully adjustable link-type shock utilizes specially designed damping characteristics to match the new chassis.
YZ85 Technical Highlights
• New 85cc liquid cooled 2-stroke engine with YPVS
• Plastic resin reed valve and new expansion chamber
• Increased compression ratio of 8.2-9.6:1
• New close ratio 6-speed transmission
• Light and efficient large core radiator
• Fully adjustable 36mm KYB® upside down front forks
• New impact resistant fork guards
• New wave discs and brake hoses
• 4-position adjustable tapered aluminium handlebars
• New aluminium swingarm for easy chain adjustment
• Link-type Monocross rear suspension
• Sharp styling and factory inspired graphics
2019 YZ450F
Following its major redesign for 2018, the flagship YZ450F receives a number of detail technical improvements for 2019. The most significant change has been made to the front end, where the forks are equipped with larger front axle brackets featuring new shape wheel collars that ensure a higher level of front end rigidity.
This increased front end rigidity improves the YZ450F’s overall handling performance by giving more accurate surface feedback and enabling the rider to better assess the level of front wheel traction, giving greater feel and improved control.
Genuine Yamaha Accessories
Yamaha offers a wide range of Genuine Accessories for the YZF 4-stroke and YZ 2-stroke models, including a specially developed line up of GYTR® Performance Products including slip-on mufflers, exhaust pipes, billet clutches, wheels and much more.
Yamaha also offers a selection of motocross riding gear, with a choice of styles and designs in the GYTR® and the Zenkai collections that feature riding jerseys, pants, gloves and more.
Yamaha’s Genuine Accessories and clothing ranges are constantly evolving, so please visit www.yamaha-motor.eu for detailed information on the latest designs.
2019 off-road range models price and availability.
The 2019 Yamaha YZF and YZ models will be available at Yamaha dealers starting end of June 2018. Please contact your national Yamaha press officer for more detailed information and the local retail price.
MX Pro Tour
Yamaha will once again visit various tracks around Europe where customers will be able to test, feel and gain knowledge about the 2019 YZ range, as well as find out more about Genuine Yamaha accessories and GYTR® Performance Products. Details about dates and venues will be live on national Yamaha websites in June.
