Meet the Yamaha YZ125 & YZ250 — The Legends That Refuse to Retire

Some bikes evolve. Others revolt.

The Yamaha YZ125 and YZ250 belong to the latter category, two-stroke rebels that have somehow survived the age of traction control, fuel injection, and ECU maps by doing what they do best: screaming, sliding, and smiling their way around a motocross track.

Lightweight, loud, and a little unhinged. The YZs are not here to coddle you. They are here to remind you why you fell in love with dirt bikes in the first place.

The 2-Stroke Personality

If four-strokes are calculators, two-strokes are paintbrushes. The YZ125 and YZ250 make power with personality, a sharp hit that rewards commitment and punishes hesitation.

The 125 is the eager little brother, quick to rev, quick to forgive, and always looking for trouble. The 250 is the older sibling with real muscle, still light and wild, but with enough grunt to pull you straight into a grin.

Both share the same DNA: simplicity, sound, and soul.

• Lightweight: Around 207 to 227 pounds ready to race. You can practically pick it up yourself.

• Responsive: Zero delay, all attitude. Twist the throttle, and it sings.

• Timeless: Two decades later, the formula has not changed, because it does not need to.

Who Is Riding Them

Not everyone can appreciate a two-stroke. That is the point.

• Old-school purists who swear by pre-mix and clutch control.

• Young riders chasing skill over horsepower.

• Weekend warriors who want a bike that feels alive under them.

• Motocross dreamers who watched James Stewart rail a berm and thought, “I want that.”

If you understand the sound of a crisp two-stroke echoing through the trees, you already belong to the club.

What Makes Them Special

YZs do not pretend to be sophisticated. They do not whisper; they shout.

• Powerband therapy: That explosive mid-range hit never gets old.

• Low maintenance: Fewer moving parts, easier rebuilds, and more wrenching satisfaction.

• Real connection: Every shift, every clutch feather, every corner exit, it is all you.

They do not smooth out the experience. They sharpen it.

The Legacy Lives On

The YZ line has been around since the 1970s, outlasting trends, tech, and even entire brands. Every time Yamaha updates these bikes, it is not reinvention, it is refinement.

New plastics, better suspension, small touches of modern detail, but the heart stays the same: a carbureted engine that spits fire and asks you to hang on.

It is the kind of motorcycle that turns tracks into playgrounds and trails into stories.

Why Riders Still Choose Them

Because riding is not supposed to feel automated.

A YZ does not apologize for being raw. It does not have a rain mode or a comfort setting. You are the map. You are the traction control. And when you get it right, nothing feels better.

Every corner exit, every jump landing, every perfectly timed shift feels earned, because it is.

The Takeaway

The Yamaha YZ125 and YZ250 are proof that not everything needs to change.
They do not try to be modern. They try to be memorable.

Whether you are a first-time racer learning throttle discipline or a veteran chasing that perfect line through a loamy berm, these bikes deliver the same thing they always have: pure, unfiltered riding joy.

Two-strokes may smoke, but the YZ line still burns brighter than ever.

How to Make the YZ Even Better

The YZ125 and YZ250 are brilliant out of the box, but half the fun comes from making them yours. Here are some proven upgrades that riders trust, designed to match the YZ’s raw performance and clean simplicity.

Performance and Comfort

Shop Rear Brake Pedal

Forged from high-strength A2014 aluminum with a CNC-machined A7079 tip, this pedal offers precision and durability.
The stainless hardware resists corrosion, keeping performance consistent through mud, rain, and heat.

Shop Rear Brake Clevis

CNC-machined from aluminum for a sharper and more direct brake feel.
Lightweight, anodized, and includes a stainless pin for long-term reliability.

Shop Lowering Link Kit (21 mm Down)
Shop Adjustable Lowering Link Kit (18 mm Down)

Reduces seat height by 21 millimeters for better ground reach and comfort.
The bolt-on design installs quickly, and the 7000-series aluminum construction includes sealed bearings and dust seals for smooth operation and durability.

Shop Rear Shock Lowering Kit (30 mm)
Shop Rear Shock Lowering Kit (40 mm)
Shop Rear Shock Lowering Kit (50 mm)

Lowers the rear suspension without full disassembly while maintaining the shock’s original performance.
Machined from precision aluminum and compatible with KYB and WP shocks. Smart design prevents tire and fender interference and improves control for shorter riders or technical terrain.

Control and Feel

Shop Pivot Lever Set

MX-ready folding clutch and brake levers that pivot outward during a crash.
CNC-machined adapters keep them light, strong, and race-proven.

Shop Standard Replacement Levers

OEM-style clutch and brake levers that provide reliable performance and familiar feel.
Perfect spares for track or trail.

Shop Throttle Tube Replacement

Direct-fit closed-end throttle tube compatible with OEM housings.
Restores smooth throttle action and is ideal when changing grips or replacing worn parts.

Shop Brake Line Clamp

CNC-machined aluminum clamp with weight-saving cutouts for a cleaner, stronger setup.
A small detail that makes a noticeable difference.

Shop Stabilizer One-Piece Clamp Conversion

Replaces the stock two-piece handlebar clamp with a solid one-piece design for improved rigidity.
Prevents handlebar twist in crashes and is available in COMP and SX types for different preferences.

Protection and Style

Shop Case Saver with Cover

Machined from A6061 aluminum with an anodized finish to resist corrosion and impact.
Protects the crankcase from chain damage and includes stainless steel mounting bolts for easy installation.

Shop Engine Oil Filler Cap

Simple and secure filler cap that opens with a 14-millimeter wrench.
Includes a pre-drilled safety wire hole and delivers a clean look without unnecessary bulk.

Shop Reservoir Cover

CNC-machined aluminum with an anodized finish for corrosion resistance.
Fits Brembo systems and adds a subtle touch of color to the controls.

Performance and Cooling

Shop Radiator Hose Kit

Constructed from multi-layer reinforced silicone that resists extreme heat and pressure.
Maintains stable coolant flow and long-term durability in demanding off-road conditions.

Foot Control and Stability

Shop 50 mm Wide Footpegs

Chromium-molybdenum steel with a 50-millimeter-wide platform for stable grip and mud clearance.
Available in three height positions (Mid, High, Low) with a black powder-coated finish for lasting protection.

Shop 57 mm Wide Footpegs

Same durable construction with an even wider 57-millimeter platform for maximum traction and comfort.
Ideal for taller riders or those who prefer a larger contact surface.

Shop Footpeg Pin Kit

Complete stainless kit with pins, springs, washers, and cotter pins.
Restores smooth and secure footpeg movement for consistent control.

Wheel and Chassis Strength

Shop Z-Wheel Astelight Front Hub
Shop Z-Wheel Astelight Rear Hub

CNC-machined from forged aluminum for precision and durability.
Compatible with OEM spokes and rims, featuring slant holes to reduce mud buildup and maintain consistent performance.
Lightweight yet strong, engineered for serious off-road and motocross riding.

Bottom Line

The Yamaha YZ125 and YZ250 prove that simplicity still defines the best kind of riding.
When equipped with purposeful upgrades like forged pedals, wide footpegs, and reinforced hubs, they become even more capable without losing their character.

The YZ has always been about feel — the sound, the throttle, the rush.
These parts do not change that spirit. They carry it forward.