ASK THE MXPERTS:

What Is The First Year For Yamaha SSS Suspension? 2006 or 2007? And How Does An Older Yamaha YZ250 Differ From A Brand-New One?

2006 Yamaha YZ250.

2009 Yamaha YZ250.

Dear MXA,
    In MXA you said that 2007 YZ250 is as far back as you'd go on a used YZ250 because it's the first with the Kayaba SSS suspension, but in the March 2009 issue of MXA you stated, "Starting with the 2006, Yamaha spec'd the YZ250 with Kayaba SSS suspension, which is why the 2005 model (with the AOSS components) is not a keeper. The difference between the 2006 engine and the 2009 engine are nil." Please clarify.

    You are correct, the 2006 YZ250 comes with SSS suspension. We got had it right and then got it wrong.

    Here is a list of YZ250 changes from 2006 through 2010 (the 2010 YZ250 has not been released to dealers yet).

    (1) Front tire: In 2008 the YZ250 came stock with the Dunlop D739 front tire. For 2009 it got a Dunlop D742FA (the same tire that is spec'ed on the YZ450F).

    (2) Rear tire: Although the rear D756 rear tire looks the same as last year, it is in fact the 2009 got the "G" model tire. How does the 756G differ from a regular 756. It is 200 grams lighter. How much lighter is 200 grams? About seven ounces.

    (3) Front brake hose clamp: Yamaha drop-kicked the previous steel front brake hose clamp in 2009 for a smaller and lighter aluminum clamps. The DR.D-style clamps saves 32 grams (a little more than one ounce).

    (4) Chain: The side plates on the new D.I.D. chain have been zinc coated for better rust resistance.

    (5) Seat cover: For 2009 the YZ250 seat cover has a woven pattern instead of the old sandpaper-style gripper material on the seat cover.

    (6) In 2007 the thickness of the inner and outer fork tubes have been changed to feed more flex into the front end of the YZ250. Additionally, there have been damping changes to improved the feel and lower the overall weight of the fork.

    (7) Several of the key pieces of the Kayaba shock absorber have been changed from steel or brass to aluminum. The valving has undergone some modest changes.

    (8) The 7/8-inch Renthal bars were replaced with 1-1/8 inch ProTaper Contour bars.

    (9) In 2007 a new jet needle in the 38mm Keihin PWK carburetor boosts bottom-end and mid-range response.

    (10) Lighter bolts are used throughout the chassis to reduced weight.

    (11) Caulfiflower-style brake rotors.

    (12) Five years of newness.

SUBSCRIBE NOW & SAVE:

- Print Magazine
- Digital Magazine

Related News Records

- MXA'S SATURDAY NEWS ROUND-UP: THIS IS MOTOCROSS... ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

- SEE IT NOW! CHAD REED EPISODE TWO (WHICH COMES AFTER LAST WEEK'S EPISODE ONE)

- REM RACES TOMORROW, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4: TRANSPONDER NEWS, YEAR END AWARDS AND OTHER IMORTANT STUFF

- WHAT YOU MISSED: THE OAKLAND SUPERCROSS BOILED DOWN TO TWO MINUTES OF ACTION—PLUS TWO MINUTES OF FLUFF

- IT'S FINALLY HERE! MXA'S 2012 450 SHOOTOUT: WE TELL YOU THE THINGS THAT EVERYONE ELSE PUSSYFOOTS AROUND

Subscribe to MXA's News Feed

ON SALE

MORE STUFF

Local Guides

- All Local Guides
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- DC
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming

	Dirt Bike	Dirt Wheels	ATV Action	MBA	RBA	BMX PLUS!
Copyright Hi-Torque Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. motocross news -motocross bike test - motocross features -motocross product reviews -motocross photos motocross videos Honda MX Tests - Husqvarna MX Test - Kawasaki MX Tests - KTM MX Tests - Suzuki MX Tests - Yamaha MX Tests WARNING: Much of the action depicted in this magazine is potentially dangerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced experts or professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts that are beyond your own capabilities. Always wear the appropriate safety gear.