YZ250 and the cross-country YZ250X ratios . The final drive ratio is also unique : 14:50 . There ’ s also the chassis to consider . The KYB suspension has enduro ( and XE 300 ) specific settings . The rear subframe is all-new , with an airbox ( with no-tool side access ) and battery and electronics packaged under a neat and slim seat and bodywork . The handlebars are a noticeably low bend . Then there are the controls and instrumentation – all exquisitely executed given everything the enduro racer needs in minimalist yet super-functional packaging . The gold anodising to the clutch cover and ignition case just highlight what is a very slick design and presentation .
The Ride For all the new , the ride feels so very retro , just like we ’ ve known two-strokes for all these years . The electric start is a good one , instantly and cleanly engaging and firing up the motor . It was hovering around zero degrees for our test ride at Pietramurata – and snowing – so I allowed a fair bit of time to warm the engine up , and the sound is exactly as we know of performance twostrokes : crisp , urgent , raspy . So was the handling . Straight away it ’ s very different to four-strokes which we ride mostly these days , and we ’ re back to old school twostroke ways , with that typical light feeling where the bike skips over and between rocks and bumps in situations where a four-stroke punches through . On the throttle you feel the old school rev progression too , with the quickening as the power valve opens , and certainly on the ‘ hard ’ engine map there was a definite step and then quickening as the valve opened fully . It ’ s odd , according to the spec the steering geometry ( just a half degree of rake difference ), even the wheelbase is very close between the XE 300 and the four-stroke XEF 310 , but riding them , they are very different . The four-stroke has that front end ‘ stick ’ ( not to be confused with heaviness ) and it turns precisely and quickly . The two-stroke is light , skittish , and you apply more mental if not physical input into direction
KIWI RIDER 41