2020 Yamaha YZ125X First Look

Yamaha just revealed its 2020 cross-country off-road motorcycle lineup, and the big news is the arrival of the brand-new two-stroke YZ125X. The YZ250FX received some strategic updates that make it even more formidable in the woods this year as well. These two small-bore bikes give GNCC and hare scrambles racers a pair of lightweight, trail-shredding options for the upcoming season, so come and take a look at what the bLU cRU has to offer. If you are looking to upgrade your big-bore, you'll be happy to hear the YZ450FX is back as well as the venerable YZ250X two-stroke.

With the addition of the 2020 YZ125X, Yamaha has all the bases covered with both small- and large-displacement two- and four-stroke off-road motorcycles to choose from. The tiny two-stroke is targeted at those racers who find themselves competing in tight, technical terrain, rocky, root-filled routes, and other courses that put a premium on its lighter weight (209 pounds, wet) and zippy handling.

Based upon the closed-course YZ125, the YZ125X chassis features the same lightweight aluminum frame equipped with fully adjustable KYB spring-type fork and KYB shock that have been valved to accommodate the needs of off-road riding. A large 270mm front and 245mm rear disc brakes should provide more than capable stopping power in the woods. The new bike will roll on blue 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels shod with Dunlop Geomax AT81 tires.

The 2020 YZ125X features a reed-valve-inducted, water-cooled, 125cc engine with a reshaped Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS), revised power valve timing, reshaped combustion chamber, and revised ignition mapping that puts power to the ground via a wide-ratio six-speed transmission. With carbon-fiber reeds and the broader power valve timing, the 125X should offer much wider and smoother power delivery than its snappy YZ125 stablemate.

Other off-road-specific features include a 2.1-gallon fuel tank with a fuel petcock that has reserve, large radiator, gripper seat, aluminum handlebar, wider YZ-F-style footpegs, factory sidestand, and an O-ring chain. Yamaha believes this is the ultimate GNCC and hare scrambles weapon for new riders as well as those who simply want a light, nimble motorcycle to compete upon. Whatever the reason, we have a feeling the YZ125X is going to garner a lot of attention in the resurgent two-stroke racing community. The 2020 YZ125X will be available at the end of June with an MSRP set at $6,699.

The YZ250X is back for a return performance with its 249cc, reed-inducted, two-stroke engine and wide-ratio five-speed transmission that is designed around the MX and SX racing YZ250F model with off-road-specific mods that make this a joy to race in the woods. The 2020 YZ250X will be available in June with an MSRP of $7,599.

Four-stroke fans get a revised 2020 YZ250FX to lure them to the bLU cRU. The YZ250FX has a championship-winning pedigree, so for this year Yamaha focused on making small improvements that emulate its racebikes. It continues to feature the front-intake, rear-exhaust layout of the DOHC engine with six-speed transmission. For 2020, it gets revised electronics starting with a center-mounted electric start powered by a light lithium-ion battery along with a handlebar-mounted map switch which allows you to toggle between preselected engine mapping on the fly. Riders can decide which maps to run for any particular course by using the Yamaha Power Tuner app on their phone.

Improved rider ergonomics is the other big news on this model. The 2020 YZ250FX bodywork is now slimmer with the goal of making it easier to move around on the bike while battling for a place on the podium. Four-position rubber-mounted handlebar clamps make it easy to adjust the bar to your particular needs as well. The 250FX still features fully adjustable KYB suspension and will roll on Dunlop MX3S tires. It will be available in September with an MSRP of $8,499.

The big, bad YZ450FX is back for 2020 with bold new graphics wrapped around the bilateral aluminum frame, 449cc rearward-slanted cylinder with intake forward design, requisite KYB suspension, and all of the latest updated electronics, including the Yamaha Power Tuner adjustability right from your smartphone. The new 450 will be available in August with an MSRP of $9,599.

“Yamaha’s cross-country lineup builds on the unmatched success of our motocross designs, using industry-leading technology to provide uncompromised performance for the tight, technical terrain of hare scramble and GNCC racing,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s motorsports marketing manager. “With the introduction of the all-new YZ125X and newly redesigned YZ250FX, Yamaha offers even more variety to meet the demands of cross-country racers and enthusiasts alike.”

The new bLU cRU Contingency Program is set up to help Yamaha riders as they contend for championships across the United States in 2020 with over $5-million up for grabs. Check it out and get signed up at yamahamotorsports.com.