
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of 
a Yamaha YZ series. This model is 
the culmination of Yamaha's vast ex-
perience in the production of paceset-
ting racing machines. It represents 
the highest grade of craftsmanship 
and reliability that have made Yama-
ha a leader.
This manual explains operation, in-
spection, basic maintenance and tun-
ing of your machine. If you have any 
questions about this manual or your 
machine, please contact your Yama-
ha dealer.
Yamaha continually seeks advance-
ments in product design and quality. 
Therefore, while this manual contains 
the most current product information 
available at the time of printing, there 
may be minor discrepancies between 
your machine and this manual. If you 
have any questions concerning this 
manual, please consult your Yamaha 
dealer.
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL 
CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY 
BEFORE OPERATING THIS MA-
CHINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OP-
ERATE THIS MACHINE UNTIL YOU 
HAVE ATTAINED A SATISFACTO-
RY KNOWLEDGE OF ITS CON-
TROLS AND OPERATING 
FEATURES AND UNTIL YOU HAVE 
BEEN TRAINED IN SAFE AND 
PROPER RIDING TECHNIQUES. 
REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND 
CAREFUL MAINTENANCE, 
ALONG WITH GOOD RIDING 
SKILLS, WILL ENSURE THAT YOU 
SAFETY ENJOY THE CAPABILI-
TIES AND THE RELIABILITY OF 
THIS MACHINE.
IMPORTANT MANUAL 
INFORMATION
Particularly important information is 
distinguished in this manual by the 
following notations.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is 
used to alert you to potential per-
sonal injury hazards. Obey all safe-
ty messages that follow this 
symbol to avoid possible injury or 
death. A WARNING indicates a hazardous 
situation which, if not avoided, 
could result in death or serious in-
jury. 
A NOTICE indicates special pre-
cautions that must be taken to 
avoid damage to the vehicle or oth-
er property. 
A TIP provides key information to 
make procedures easier or clearer. 
SAFETY INFORMATION
THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED 
STRICTLY FOR COMPETITION 
USE, ONLY ON A CLOSED 
COURSE. It is illegal for this machine 
to be operated on any public street, 
road, or highway. Off-road use on 
public lands may also be illegal. 
Please check local regulations before 
riding.
• THIS MACHINE IS TO BE OPER-
ATED BY AN EXPERIENCED RID-
ER ONLY.
Do not attempt to operate this ma-
chine at maximum power until you 
are totally familiar with its character-
istics.
• THIS MACHINE IS DESIGNED TO 
BE RIDDEN BY THE OPERATOR 
ONLY.
Do not carry passengers on this 
machine.
• ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE 
APPAREL.
When operating this machine, al-
ways wear an approved helmet with 
goggles or a face shield. Also wear 
heavy boots, gloves, and protective 
clothing. Always wear proper fitting 
clothing that will not be caught in 
any of the moving parts or controls 
of the machine.
• ALWAYS MAINTAIN YOUR MA-
CHINE IN PROPER WORKING 
ORDER.
For safety and reliability, the ma-
chine must be properly maintained. 
Always perform the pre-operation 
checks indicated in this manual. 
Correcting a mechanical problem 
before you ride may prevent an ac-
cident.• GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMA-
BLE.
Always turn off the engine while re-
fueling. Take care to not spill any 
gasoline on the engine or exhaust 
system. Never refuel in the vicinity 
of an open flame, or while smoking.
• GASOLINE CAN CAUSE INJURY.
If you should swallow some gaso-
line, inhale excess gasoline vapors, 
or allow any gasoline to get into 
your eyes, contact a doctor immedi-
ately. If any gasoline spills onto 
your skin or clothing, immediately 
wash skin areas with soap and wa-
ter, and change your clothes.
• ONLY OPERATE THE MACHINE 
IN AN AREA WITH ADEQUATE 
VENTILATION.
Never start the engine or let it run 
for any length of time in an enclosed 
area. Exhaust fumes are poison-
ous. These fumes contain carbon 
monoxide, which by itself is odor-
less and colorless. Carbon monox-
ide is a dangerous gas which can 
cause unconsciousness or can be 
lethal.
• PARK THE MACHINE CAREFUL-
LY; TURN OFF THE ENGINE.
Always turn off the engine if you are 
going to leave the machine. Do not 
park the machine on a slope or soft 
ground as it may fall over.
• THE ENGINE, EXHAUST PIPE, 
MUFFLER, AND OIL TANK WILL 
BE VERY HOT AFTER THE EN-
GINE HAS BEEN RUN.
Be careful not to touch them or to 
allow any clothing item to contact 
them during inspection or repair.
• PROPERLY SECURE THE MA-
CHINE BEFORE TRANSPORTING 
IT.
When transporting the machine in 
another vehicle, always be sure it is 
properly secured and in an upright 
position and that the fuel cock is in 
the "OFF" position. Otherwise, fuel 
may leak out of the carburetor or 
fuel tank. 

2-1
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Model name: YZ250FB (USA, CDN, AUS, NZ)
YZ250F (EUROPE, ZA)
Model code number: 17D9 (USA,CDN)
17DA (EUROPE)
17DC (AUS, NZ, ZA)
Dimensions: USA, CDN EUROPE   AUS, NZ, ZA
Overall length 2,170 mm (85.43 
in)2,163 mm (85.16 
in)2,161 mm (85.08 
in)
Overall width 825 mm (32.48 in)←←
Overall height 1,307 mm (51.46 
in)1,306 mm (51.42 
in)←
Seat height 992 mm (39.06 in)←990 mm (38.98 in)
Wheelbase 1,477 mm (58.15 
in)1,468 mm (57.80 
in)←
Minimum ground clearance 378 mm (14.88 in)←377 mm (14.84 in)
Weight:
Curb weight 103 kg (227 lb)
Engine:
Engine type Liquid cooled 4-stroke, DOHC
Cylinder arrangement Single cylinder
Displacement 250 cm
3 (8.80 Imp oz, 8.45 US oz)
Bore × stroke 77.0 × 53.6 mm (3.03 × 2.11 in)
Compression ratio 13.5 : 1
Starting system Kickstarter
Lubrication system: Dry sump
Oil type or grade:
Engine oil Recommended brand: YAMALUBE
SAE10W-30, SAE10W-40,  SAE10W-50
SAE15W-40, SAE20W-40 or SAE20W-50
API service SG type or higher,
JASO standard MA
Oil capacity:
Engine oil
Periodic oil change 0.95 L (0.84 Imp qt, 1.00 US qt)
With oil filter replacement 1.05 L (0.92 Imp qt, 1.11 US qt)
Total amount 1.20 L (1.06 Imp qt, 1.27 US qt)
Coolant capacity (including all routes): 1.00 L (0.88 Imp qt, 1.06 US qt)
Air filter: Wet type element
Fuel:
Type Premium unleaded gasoline only with a research octane 
number of 95 or higher.
Tank capacity 6.4 L (1.4 Imp gal, 1.69 US gal)
2 

2-5
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Stem runout limit ---- 0.01 mm 
(0.0004 in)
Valve seat width (IN) 0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–0.0433 in) 1.6 mm (0.0630 
in)
Valve seat width (EX) 0.9–1.1 mm (0.0354–0.0433 in) 1.6 mm (0.0630 
in)
Valve spring:
Free length (IN) 39.76 mm (1.57 in) 38.76 mm (1.53 
in)
Free length (EX) 37.78 mm (1.49 in) 36.78 mm (1.45 
in)
Set length (valve closed) (IN) 28.98 mm (1.14 in) ----
Set length (valve closed) (EX) 28.30 mm (1.11 in) ----
Compressed force (installed) (IN) 99–114 N at 28.98 mm (9.9–11.4 kg at 
28.98 mm, 22.27–25.57 lb at 1.14 in)----
Compressed force (installed) (EX) 126–145 N at 28.30 mm (12.6–14.5 kg at 
28.30 mm, 28.44–31.97 lb at 1.11 in)----
Tilt limit* (IN) ---- 2.5°/1.7 mm 
(2.5°/0.067 in)
Tilt limit* (EX) ---- 2.5°/1.6 mm 
(2.5°/0.063 in)
Direction of winding (top view) (IN) Clockwise ----
Direction of winding (top view) (EX) Clockwise ----
Piston:
Piston to cylinder clearance 0.030–0.055 mm (0.0012–0.0022 in) 0.1 mm (0.004 
in)
Piston size "D" 76.955–76.970 mm (3.0297–3.0303 in) ----
Measuring point "H" 9 mm (0.35 in) ----
Piston off-set 0 mm (0 in) ----Item Standard Limit 

2-7
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Clutch:
Friction plate thickness 2.9–3.1 mm (0.114–0.122 in) 2.8 mm (0.110 
in)
Quantity 9 ----
Clutch plate thickness 1.1–1.3 mm (0.043–0.051 in) ----
Quantity 8 ----
Warp limit ---- 0.1 mm (0.004 
in)
Clutch spring free length 35.7 mm (1.41 in) 34.7 mm (1.37 
in)
Quantity 5 ----
Clutch housing thrust clearance 0.050–0.300 mm (0.0020–0.0118 in) ----
Clutch housing radial clearance 0.010–0.044 mm (0.0004–0.0017 in) ----
Clutch release method Inner push, cam push ----
Shifter:
Shifter type Cam drum and guide bar ----
Guide bar bending limit ---- 0.05 mm (0.002 
in)
Kickstarter:
Type Kick and ratchet type ----
Carburetor: USA, CDN, AUS, 
NZ, ZAEUROPE
Type/manufacturer FCR-MX39/KEIHIN←----
I. D. mark 17D9 90 17DA A0 ----
Main jet (M.J) #185←----
Main air jet (M.A.J) ø2.0←----
Jet needle-clip position (J.N) NFPR-5 NFPQ-5 ----
Cutaway (C.A) 1.5←----
Pilot jet (P.J) #38←----
Pilot air jet (P.A.J) #100←----
Pilot outlet (P.O) ø0.9←----
Pilot screw (example) (P.S) 2 2-1/4 ----
Bypass (B.P) ø1.0←----
Valve seat size (V.S) ø3.8←----
Starter jet (G.S) #72←----
Leak jet (Acc.P) #95←----
Float height (F.H) 6 mm (0.24 in)←----
Engine idle speed 1,900–2,100 r/min←----
Intake vacuum 29.3–34.7 kPa 
(220–260 mmHg, 
8.7–10.2 inHg)←----
Hot starter lever free play 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 
in)←---- Item Standard Limit 

2-8
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
CHASSISLubrication system:
Oil filter type Paper type ----
Oil pump type Trochoid type ----
Tip clearance 0.12 mm or less (0.0047 in or less) 0.20 mm (0.008 
in)
Side clearance 0.09–0.17 mm (0.0035–0.0067 in) 0.24 mm (0.009 
in)
Housing and rotor clearance 0.03–0.10 mm (0.0012–0.0039 in) 0.17 mm 
(0.0067 in)
Cooling:
Radiator core size
Width 121.4 mm (4.8 in) ----
Height 235 mm (9.3 in) ----
Thickness 28 mm (1.1 in) ----
Radiator cap opening pressure 110 kPa (1.1 kg/cm
2, 15.6 psi) ----
Radiator capacity (total) 0.64 L (0.56 Imp qt, 0.68 US qt) ----
Water pump
Type Single-suction centrifugal pump ----Item Standard Limit
Item Standard Limit
Steering system:
Steering bearing typeTaper roller bearing ----
Front suspension: USA, CDN EUROPE, AUS, NZ, ZA
Front fork travel 300 mm (11.8 in)←----
Fork spring free length 454 mm (17.9 in)←449 mm (17.7 
in)
Spring rate, STD K = 4.5 N/mm (0.459 kg/
mm, 25.7 lb/in)←----
Optional spring Yes←----
Oil capacity 543 cm
3 (19.1 lmp oz, 
18.4 US oz)←----
Oil grade Suspension oil "S1"←----
Inner tube outer diameter 48 mm (1.89 in)←----
Front fork top end 5 mm (0.20 in)←----
Rear suspension: USA, CDN EUROPE, AUS, NZ, ZA
Shock absorber travel 132.0 mm (5.20 in)←----
Spring free length 260 mm (10.24 in)←----
Fitting length 250 mm (9.84 in)←
Preload length
in)←----
Spring rate, STD K = 52.0 N/mm (5.30 kg/
mm, 296.8 lb/in)←----
Optional spring Yes←----
Enclosed gas pressure 1,000 kPa (10 kg/cm
2, 
142 psi)←---- 

2-9
MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Swingarm:
Swingarm free play limit
End ---- 1.0 mm (0.04 
in)
Wheel:
Front wheel type Spoke wheel ----
Rear wheel typeSpoke wheel ----
Front rim size/material 21 × 1.60/Aluminum ----
Rear rim size/material 19 × 1.85/Aluminum ----
Rim runout limit:
Radial ---- 2.0 mm (0.08 
in)
Lateral ---- 2.0 mm (0.08 
in)
Drive chain: USA, CDN EUROPE, AUS, NZ, ZA
Type/manufacturer DID520DMA2 SDH/
DAIDO←----
Number of links 113 links + joint←----
Chain slack 50–60 mm (2.0–2.4 in)←----
Chain length (15 links) ----←242.9 mm 
(9.563 in)
Front disc brake:
Disc outside dia.×Thickness  250 × 3.0 mm (9.84 × 0.12 in) 250 × 2.5 mm 
(9.84 × 0.10 in)
Pad thickness 4.4 mm (0.17 in) 1.0 mm (0.04 
in)
Master cylinder inside dia. 9.52 mm (0.375 in) ----
Caliper cylinder inside dia. 22.65 mm (0.892 in) × 2 ----
Brake fluid type DOT #4 ----
Rear disc brake:
Disc outside dia.×Thickness 245 × 4.0 mm (9.65 × 0.16 in) 245 × 3.5 mm 
(9.65 × 0.14 in)
Deflection limit ---- 0.15 mm 
(0.006 in)
Pad thickness 6.4 mm (0.25 in) 1.0 mm (0.04 
in)
Master cylinder inside dia. 11.0 mm (0.433 in) ----
Caliper cylinder inside dia. 25.4 mm (1.000 in) × 1 ----
Brake fluid type DOT #4 ----
Brake lever and brake pedal:
Brake lever position 95 mm (3.74 in) ----
Brake pedal height (vertical height above footrest 
top)Zero mm (Zero in) ----
Clutch lever free play (lever end) 7–12 mm (0.28–0.47 in) ----
Throttle grip free play3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) ---- Item Standard Limit 

2-15
TIGHTENING TORQUES
GENERAL TORQUE 
SPECIFICATIONS
This chart specifies torque for stan-
dard fasteners with standard I.S.O. 
pitch threads. Torque specifications 
for special components or assem-
blies are included in the applicable 
sections of this book. To avoid war-
page, tighten multi-fastener assem-
blies in a crisscross fashion, in 
progressive stages, until full torque is 
reached. Unless otherwise specified, 
torque specifications call for clean, 
dry threads. Components should be 
at room temperature.A. Distance between flats
B. Outside thread diameter
DEFINITION OF UNITS
A 
(Nut)B 
(Bolt
)TORQUE SPECIFI-
CATION
Nm m•kg ft•lb
10 
mm6 mm 6 0.6 4.3
12 
mm8 mm 15 1.5 11
14 
mm10 
mm30 3.0 22
17 
mm12 
mm55 5.5 40
19 
mm14 
mm85 8.5 61
22 
mm16 
mm130 13 94
Unit Read Definition Measure
mm
millimeter 10-3 meter Length
cmcentimeter 10-2 meter Length
kgkilogram 103 gram Weight
NNewton 1 kg × m/sec2Force
NmNewton meter N × m Torque
m•kgMeter kilogram m × kg Torque
PaPascal N/m2Pressure
N/mmNewton per millimeter N/mm Spring rate
LLiter — Volume or capacity
cm3Cubic centimeter — Volume or capacity
r/minRevolution per minute — Engine speed 

3-1
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
REGULAR INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENTS
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
• The following schedule is intended as a general guide 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 a doubt as to what intervals to follow in maintaining and lubricating your machine, consult your Yamaha dealer.
• Periodic inspection is essential in making full use of the machine performance.  The service life of the parts varies sub-
stantially 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.
ItemAfter 
break-
inEvery 
race 
(about 
2.5 
hours)
Every 
third 
(about 
7.5 
hours)Every 
fifth 
(about 
12.5 
hours)
As re-
quiredRemarks
ENGINE OIL
Replace●●
Inspect●●
OIL FILTER ELEMENT, OIL 
STRAINER
Clean●
VALVES
Check the valve clearances●●The engine must be cold.
Inspect●Check the valve seats and valve 
stems for wear.
Replace●
VALVE SPRINGS
Inspect●Check the free length and the tilt.
Replace●
VALVE LIFTERS
Inspect●Check for scratches and wear.
Replace●
CAMSHAFTS Inspect the camshaft surface.
Inspect●Inspect the decompression system.
Replace●
TIMING CHAIN SPROCKETS, 
TIMING CHAIN
Inspect●Check for wear on the teeth and for 
damage.
Replace●
PISTON
Inspect●●Inspect crack.
Clean●Inspect carbon deposits and eliminate 
them.
Replace●It is recommended that the piston pin 
and ring are also replaced at the same 
time.
PISTON RING
Inspect●Check ring end gap.
Replace●●
3