Above all, the best part of the Team Faith Yamaha is the here-we-go, wrist rocket-like power that emanates from the motor. One can squirt into a turn on Kevin's bike, square up on a dime while taking someone's line and then dart to the next obstacle before retaliation strikes. However, the bike isn't too powerful. While I did enjoy ricocheting like a pinball from turn to turn, I never once felt as though I'd launch straight off a berm, nor did I grit my teeth in anticipation of knocking them loose by overjumping any of the doubles on the track (flashback to Darcy Lange's fire-breathing KX450F last year. Yeow!). This sense of ridability, combined with the stock stability of the Yamaha, makes for a bike that's easy to go fast on without wearing you out.
All in all, the Team Faith/Fly Racing/Michelin/Bobby J's Yamaha YZ250F is a strapping reflection of the team's star rider: sharp, balanced and remarkably approachable. The major difference, though, is that nearly every rider on the pro tour considers Kevin to be a friend. Yet after getting beat off the line and consequently slapped by Johnson's signature white plastic for 20 laps straight, I'm not sure they'd say the same thing about his bike!
Read upcoming issues of Dirt Rider for more on Team Faith's admirable program.
01 A host of loyal sponsors...
01 A host of loyal sponsors make this bike what it is.
02 The Pro Circuit-tuned...
02 The Pro Circuit-tuned motor is perfect for tight, tech stadium tracks.
03 13/52 does the trick!...
03 13/52 does the trick!