Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250X Maintenance Schedule

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250X.

The YZ250 is a two-stroke single-cylinder motocross motorcycle that has been made for many many years in the same basic configuration. Yamaha has had it in the line-up since 1974, and hasn’t changed much in recent years. The models made in 2020 have the same engine as made in 2003 and the same chassis as in 2006, with an aluminium frame. In the words of one website, “you can list the changes on the YZ250 since 2006 on a Post-it note.”

These are

2006-2012: Titanium shock springs
2007: N3EW needle and oversized bars
2008: Removable bar mounts, smaller front brake caliper, and wave-style rotors
2011: 75mm-longer silencer and less compression
2013: White rear fender (don’t get too used to this)
2014: Blue rear fender returned
2015: Some plastics
2016: Black rims (don’t get too used to them either)
2017: 270mm front brake rotor
2018: Blue rims!

Nothing in the engine changed, though you’ll notice the brakes changed a couple of times. Where parts are different, we’ll make mention of it.

The YZ250 is a motocross bike, and the YZ250X is a dedicated off-road version. It has a kickstand, a wide ratio gearbox, remapped ignition, a more compact pipe, and re-valved suspension for off-road use. Maintenance wise, it’s the same.

2019 Yamaha YZ250X — Yamaha YZ250X — the off-road version of the YZ250

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Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250X Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250X.

It’s the same between both bikes, other than the Yamaha YZ250X having a kickstand to lubricate.

Yes, these are high-maintenance race motorcycles.

Notes on maintenance

The following maintenance schedule is intended as a general rule to maintenance and lubrication.
- Bear in mind that such factors as weather, terrain, geographical location, and individual usage will alter the required maintenance and lubrication intervals
- If you are in doubt as to what intervals to follow in maintaining and lubricating your machine, consult with your mechanic.
Periodic inspection is essential in making full use of the machine’s performance.
- The service life of the parts varies substantially according to the environment in which the machine runs (e.g., rain, dirt, etc.). Therefore, earlier inspection is required by reference to the list below

Item	Break-in	Every race (~2.5 hrs)	Every 3rd race (~7.5 hrs)	Every 5th (~12.5 hrs)	As required	Notes
PISTON — Inspect and clean	✓	✓				Inspect crack Inspect carbon deposits and eliminate them
Piston — Replace				✓	✓
PISTON RING — Inspect	✓	✓				Check ring end gap
Piston ring — Replace (Wiseco YZ250 Piston Rings)			✓		✓
PISTON PIN, SMALL END BEARING Inspect		✓
Piston pin bearing — Replace					✓
CYLINDER HEAD Inspect and clean, Retighten	✓	✓				Inspect carbon deposits and eliminate them Check gasket
CYLINDER — Inspect and clean	✓	✓				Inspect score marks Inspect wear
Cylinder — Replace					✓
YPVS — Inspect and clean	✓	✓				Inspect carbon deposits and eliminate them
CLUTCH — Inspect and adjust	✓	✓				Inspect housing, friction plate, clutch plate and spring
Clutch — Replace					✓
TRANSMISSION — Replace oil	✓			✓		Recommended Brand: Yamalube 10W-40 API service SG type or higher JASO standard MA
Transmission — Inspect. Replace bearing as needed					✓
SHIFT FORK. SHIFT CAM, GUIDE BAR — Inspect					✓	Inspect wear
ROTOR NUT — Retighten	✓			✓
MUFFLER — Inspect, Retighten bolts	✓	✓
Muffler — Clean				✓
Muffler — Replace fiber					✓	When the exhaust sound becomes louder or when performance drop is felt
CRANK — Inspect and clean				✓	✓
CARBURETOR — Inspect, adjust and clean	✓	✓
SPARK PLUG — Inspect and clean	✓		✓
Replace (NGK BR8EIX)					✓
DRIVE CHAIN — Lubricate, slack, alignment (Motul chain paste)	✓	✓				Use chain lube Chain slack: 48.0-58.0mm (1.89-2.28 in)
Drive chain — Replace					✓
COOLING SYSTEM — Check coolant level and leakage	✓	✓
Check radiator cap operation					✓
Replace coolant (ethylene glycol pre-mix)					✓	Every two years
Inspect radiator hoses		✓
OUTSIDE NUTS AND BOLTS — Retighten	✓	✓
AIR FILTER — Clean and lubricate	✓	✓				Use the Yamaha or other quality foam air filter oil
Air filter — Replace (K&N YA-2506XD)					✓
FRAME Clean and inspect	✓	✓
FUEL TANK COCK Clean and inspect	✓		✓
BRAKES — Adjust lever position and pedal height	✓	✓
Lubricate brake lever pivot point	✓	✓
Check brake disc surface	✓	✓
Check brake fluid level and leakage	✓	✓
Retighten brake, disc bolts, caliper bolts, master cylinder bolts and union bolts	✓	✓
Replace brake pads					✓
Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4)					✓	Every one year
FRONT FORKS — Inspect and adjust	✓	✓
Replace fork oil	✓			✓		Yamaha Suspension oil S1, or Bel-Ray 5W
Replace fork oil seals					✓
FRONT FORK OIL SEAL AND DUST SEAL — Clean and lube	✓	✓				Lithium base grease
PROTECTOR GUIDE Replace					✓
REAR SHOCK ABSORBER Inspect and adjust, retighten	✓	✓
Rear shock — lubricate			✓		(After rain ride)•	Molybendum disulfade grease e.g. Valvoline moly-fortified
DRIVE CHAIN GUIDE AND ROLLERS — Inspect	✓	✓
SWINGARM — Inspect, lube and retighten	✓	✓				Molybendum disulfade grease e.g. Valvoline moly-fortified
RELAY ARM, CONNECTING ROD — Inspect, lube and retighten	✓	✓				Molybendum disulfade grease
SIDESTAND (YZ250X) Lubricate					✓	Lithium base grease e.g. Valvoline moly-fortified
STEERING HEAD Inspect free play and retighten	✓	✓
Steering head — Clean and lube				✓		Lithium base grease e.g. Valvoline moly-fortified
Steering head — Replace bearing					✓
TIRE, WHEELS Inspect air pressure, wheel run-out, tire wear and spoke looseness	✓	✓
Retighten sprocket bolt	✓	✓
Wheel bearings — Inspect bearings, lubricate		✓				Lithium base grease e.g. Valvoline moly-fortified
Wheel bearings — Replace					✓
THROTTLE, CONTROL CABLE — Check routing and connection, lubricate	✓	✓				Use lithium soap-based grease

Maintenance schedule for the Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250X

About the Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250X

The Yamaha YZ250 has been in production for decades (with a few changes along the way, but very few since 2006).

The YZ250 is a motocross motorcycle, whereas the YZ250X is an off-road motorcycle geared for staying off the beaten track.

They both have modern, aggressive styling, and a high-power single-cylinder 249cc two-stroke engine powering them.

The engine is liquid-cooled and produces around 50 hp, which is a crazy amount given the whole thing is roughly 100kg wet (229 lb).

A large 270mm front disc brake coupled with high-performance pad material means they have very good machine control and performance, with exceptional stopping power and controllability.