FIELD TEST

摘要

What I could see on my iPhone weather app wasn't good: five days of dark clouds and lightning bolts in Springville, Indiana, right where I was headed to com-pete in my first GNCC event. I was disappointed, but not altogether dejected, because I was slated to ride the new 2015 Yamaha YZ250FX in the Limestone 100. Late last year, Yamaha's YZ250FX was met with rave reviews. It's built with Grand National Cross Country competition in mind. These races, held primarily in the eastern part of the US, are two to three hours in length, and they're held on some of the most unforgiving terrain you'll ever encounter on a dirt bike-exposed roots, rocks, ruts, mud, and more ruts. The 250FX is a hybrid of the YZ250F and WR250F; it has the agile handling and snappy power of the YZ and the off-road capability of the WR. In other words, it's perfect for GNCC. Aside from a few tweaks to the fork and shock settings, the 250FX chassis and suspension are that of the YZ. The engine is where the WR influence is most apparent. The FX shares the WR's alternator, clutch, six-speed gearbox, and the always-important electric starter. The additional sixth gear makes traversing a wider range of terrain possible, while the clutch provides a lighter pull and enhanced durability for extreme abuse in off-road conditions. Off-road-specific suspension settings complement the chassis, and the bike is equipped with an 18-inch rear wheel.