The shock was similarly enhanced and is now valved nicely to work with the S3 fork. Plusher initially, it seems to handle chop about as well as anything. It is very active in extreme braking bumps and likes to be ridden hard through them. Get a little lazy, and the bike will find time to kick around. We tried playing with the rebound, both faster and slower, but wound up back at stock-it being the best compromise when considering the rest of the track. We'll see how much attention this needs when we stack up the bikes in a shootout, but riding just the YZ, it was the only area we faulted. Our bike also tended to jump a little front end high for most of our riders, but no one was complaining about it. The YZ was able to get away with dropping the sag (recommended at 105mm) a bit for better stability in the rough. There wasn't a big penalty on the turning, something that wasn't the case last year. There isn't an overly light feel to the bike, especially through the bar; instead, it offers a nice, planted ride that makes the Yamie feel as connected to the ground as any two-stroke. In the air, the YZ gets more feathery but never too much. Don't mistake us, the YZ is flickable, just bordering on the safe side so as not to get as twitchy as some of the lightest-feeling bikes do.
Our YZ's front brake was on the strong side, being more grabby and grippy than a Honda's but not as powerful as a KTM's. The rear was average but not as precise as some others. The clutch gets the job done well, but its performance doesn't need to come under such scrutiny because the motor is so good. It has a controlled feel and engagement and will hook solidly when snapped.
Where does this leave the YZ? Heading straight off into shootout land with a head of steam ready to reclaim the crown, feeling confident in a field of improved players, especially the Suzuki RM and KTM SX. But if you judge from sales figures, the YZ is doing just fine, owning the dealer's floor in the 250cc two-stroke class. Even in the midst of the rise of the four-stroke, there are those who will always prefer the lightweight feel and aggressive power that exemplify a two-stroke. Still improving with its pre-mix burner, Yamaha wants even more of this class's market share.
Opinions
The first thing I noticed about the 2006 YZ250 was the power. Much like the '05, the new YZ rips, and wheelying over obstacles is quick and easy. It's the kind of power that's a blast to ride, but if you're like me and don't always control momentum properly, it can tire you out in a hurry. The first few laps I turned were timid at best, as I adjusted to the bike and tried to navigate the punishing Glen Helen Raceway Park circuit. As expected, I was pooped after about four slow laps. The next time I rode I decided to see how fast I could go and was happily surprised at how well the bike responded. This bike, like a lot of two-strokes, is best ridden aggressively. It likes going into bumps with momentum, and Yamaha's suspension changes, from what I could tell during that initial ride, seemed to handle them well. Now I'm excited to pair the '06 YZ250 against the other new two-strokes in our 250 shootout and uncover which one shines. Jesse Ziegler5'1O"/175 lb/Novice