Yamaha YZ 250 vs Kawasaki KX™ 250 (2026)

Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Yamaha YZ 250stacks up against the Kawasaki KX™ 250. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.

Spec comparison

SpecYamaha YZ 250Kawasaki KX™ 250
Model year20262026
Price$8,099$8,999
Engine249 cc249 cc
Weight103 kg105 kg
Seat height975 mm955 mm
Fuel capacity6.0 L6.0 L
Fuel typepetrolpetrol
TransmissionManual, 5 speed, ChainManual, 5 speed, Chain
Front brakesHydraulic DiscDisc
Rear brakesHydraulic DiscDisc
TiresDunlop® Geomax MX33F 80/100 R21 / Dunlop® Geomax MX33 110/90 R19Dunlop® Geomax MX33: 80/100-21 51M / Dunlop® Geomax MX33: 110/90-19 57M

Yamaha YZ 250 vs Kawasaki KX™ 250 — which should you buy?

Picking between the Yamaha YZ 250 and the Kawasaki KX™ 250 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Yamaha YZ 250 brings its published horsepower in a 103 kg package, while the Kawasaki KX™ 250 counters with its own power figure at 105 kg. On price, the Yamaha YZ 250 has the lower MSRP.

Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: