Yamaha's Sense Explodes! Refreshing New "Light Green" Colorway Arrives for the YZF-R25

The Yamaha YZF-R25, a 250cc sport model developed with the concept of a "supersport you can ride every day," was a huge hit, with its 2025 model selling 190% year-on-year. The 2026 model lineup includes "Light Green," based on a mint color. We checked the details of the new body color and reconfirmed its riding performance.

Text by: Hiroyasu Ogawa Photos by: Yuko Koizumi

New "Y2K Trend" Color Adopted for the Body

The "Light Green" adopted for the 2026 model. "Y2K" refers to the year 2000, and "Y2K trend" is a modern revival of the fashion and culture popular around that time. It incorporates a futuristic and functional feel, resulting in a casual color. Available in three colors: Blue, Black, and Light Green.

While based on a mint color, the fuel tank, frame, swingarm, and wheels are black, giving the bike a sharp impression. The red accents on the front fender and side cowl enhance its cool image.

First introduced in 2014, the YZF-R25 was developed as a global model that balances the technology of Yamaha's YZF-R series of sport models with everyday usability. It features an inline twin-cylinder DOHC four-valve engine mounted on a diamond frame. Initially, the front suspension was an inverted fork, but it was changed to a telescopic fork in 2019. The front cowl and fuel tank/tank cover were redesigned for a sportier image.

In 2025, it adopted an assist & slipper clutch, reducing clutch lever effort and minimizing excess torque during downshifts. The seat width and side covers were slimmed down for improved leg reach. Additionally, smartphone connectivity and a USB Type-A socket were equipped, enhancing convenience during riding. The LED position lights adopted a "glaring two-eye" design, and the headlights within the "M-shaped duct" were changed to projector types. The front cowl inherited the DNA of the YZF-R series, emphasizing a racing-inspired styling.

The 2025 model's white x blue body color, which used "pearlescent paint" that changes hue depending on the angle and light, was extremely popular and won the Grand Prix at the "Auto Color Award 2025" hosted by the Japan Fashion Color Association. It became the driving color that achieved a 190% year-on-year sales increase, but it was regrettably discontinued. As its successor, the "Light Green" appeared in the 2026 model. It features a casual image that incorporates the "Y2K trend" popular with Generation Z.

The "glaring two-eye" position lights and turn signals are LED. The projector headlight in the M-shaped duct has high/low beam switching.

Aerodynamically shaped tail cowl. The tail and stop lamps are LED for good visibility. Hazard lamps are also equipped.

The monochrome inverted full LCD meter, redesigned in the 2025 model. It displays speed, engine RPM, shift indicator, clock, fuel level, water temperature, etc., for easy viewing.

Aluminum cast handle crown with cutouts, similar to the YZF-R1. The under bracket is made of forged steel, balancing lightness and rigidity.

Slimmed seat width and side covers improve leg reach. The tandem seat is wider and thicker for enhanced comfort.

Standard USB Type-A socket. A slit is provided below the "R logo" to hook charging cables.

Connects with the dedicated smartphone app "Yamaha Motor On" to display incoming calls, social media notifications, and phone battery level on the meter. The smartphone side allows checking the last parked location, riding logs, etc.

Optimized radiator fan cover shape and winglets improve airflow and contribute to improved cooling performance.

Checking the YZF-R25's Leg Reach

Rider's height: 172cm. Seat height: 780mm. The handlebars are set relatively high, so the forward lean is not severe. The footpeg position is high, making the knee area feel a bit cramped.

The seat width is narrow, and the handlebar width is not wide, resulting in a compact and sporty riding position. The rider can firmly plant the soles of their feet, providing reassuring leg reach.

Rider's height: 156cm. Even when placing one foot down, the heel is still slightly raised. "The low center of gravity and stability make it feel secure."

"I'm on the balls of my feet with both legs, but the forward lean isn't severe, and I can find a comfortable position, making it easy to ride."

A Perfect Balance of Usability and Sportiness

The balance between the strong torque characteristics in the low to mid-range and the smooth power delivery in the high-range is excellent, offering both usability and enjoyment for city riding and sporty riding. This balance makes it the best among the domestic YZF-R series models.

The YZF-R25 has been a long-selling model for over 10 years since its debut. While its convenience and sporty performance have been enhanced through model changes, it does not feature electronic controls such as mode switching for engine characteristics or traction control. However, this does not mean it is difficult to handle or that sporty riding cannot be enjoyed. Test riding the YZF-R25 again revealed that the engine is easy to handle across the entire range, and the slightly tight riding position enhances the sense of unity with the bike, allowing for enjoyment of sport biking in various situations.

With a low seat height of 780mm and a low center of gravity, riders 160cm or taller should not feel insecure about leg reach. The separate handlebars are set relatively high, so the forward lean is not too deep. Personally, I felt the handlebar width was a bit narrow and the high footpeg position made my knees feel tight, but I also felt that this compact riding position, which integrates the whole body, makes it easier to achieve a sense of unity with the machine.

Although the forward lean is not severe, the upper body is leaned forward, naturally putting weight on the front, making the front tire's ground contact easy to feel and allowing for stable handling. Furthermore, the assist & slipper clutch adopted from the 2025 model makes clutch lever operation lighter. The brake lever also has no play in its stroke, making it easy to control braking force, and the braking performance is good. The inverted forks are robust and provide smooth suspension travel. The rear suspension also strokes smoothly, making it easy to understand the rear tire's grip. Honestly, the lack of traction control did not feel like a significant drawback.

The smooth operation of the front and rear suspension, the good feel of the clutch and brake levers, the precise and smooth handling, and the riding position that creates a sense of unity between rider and machine all contribute to the YZF-R25's light riding feel, which translates into ease of use in various situations.

φ37mm inverted front fork. Optimizes the balance between rigidity and shock absorption, achieving both operability and comfort.

The brake and clutch levers are shaped for ease of operation. For the 2026 model, they have been changed to black.

Eye-Catching Colors Also Contribute to Improved Visibility

The bright "Light Green" color stands out in urban settings. Its unique hue, rarely seen on motorcycles, seems to contribute to its presence.

The YZF-R25 idles around 1400rpm, with torque building from 3000rpm, providing stress-free acceleration and speed increase between 4000-6000rpm. At 100km/h in 6th gear, the engine speed is 7500rpm, and it's unlikely to reach the redline of 14,000rpm outside of circuit riding. From idling, practical torque is delivered without needing to open the throttle wide. Combined with the riding position that creates a sense of unity with the bike, the YZF-R25 offers a riding experience that is easy to control and matches the rider's intentions.

It does not feature systems like variable valve timing that switches cam characteristics based on RPM or mode switching to alter output characteristics, so the YZF-R25's engine has only one performance profile. However, it can be handled without difficulty from low-speed riding in urban traffic jams to sporty riding that utilizes the mid-to-high RPM range, and highway cruising that maintains high RPMs. Rather, riders can bring out the bike's inherent ease of use according to the situation, fully experiencing the joy of riding a motorcycle. While it may not excel in specific features or maximum output, its ability to provide the joy of controlling a sportbike remains top-tier in the 250cc class, as confirmed by this test ride.

The "Light Green" introduced in the 2026 model is based on a mint color, which is rarely seen on sportbikes. The impression of the actual bike is not flashy but vivid, and the bright body color stood out even in urban settings. It has a strong presence, and while riding it in the city, it felt like it contributed to improved visibility. Despite this, the fuel tank, engine, frame, and wheels are black, giving it a surprisingly calm color scheme once you get used to it.

The YZF-R25, which balances usability and sportiness, offers ease of riding recommended for beginners and returning riders, along with performance that allows for enjoyable sporty riding on the circuit. It has achieved a standard level of completeness as a 250cc sportbike that can be enjoyed by a wide range of riders. The addition of "Light Green" is likely aimed at attracting those who haven't previously been interested in motorcycles or Generation Z. Yamaha's traditional blue, the calm black, and a limited-edition 70th-anniversary color are also available, adding to the enjoyment of choosing. The fact that the price remains unchanged (excluding the 70th-anniversary color) is also noteworthy.

While it lacks special mechanisms, the inline twin-cylinder engine is easy to handle across the entire range. It's an engine that allows the rider to experience the joy of extracting performance and controlling the machine.

The rear suspension provides clear feedback on rear tire grip. The rider can easily control traction with throttle inputs.

2026 Yamaha YZF-R25 Main Specifications

Overall Length x Overall Width x Overall Height: 2090mm x 735mm x 1140mm
Wheelbase: 1380mm
Curb Weight: 169kg
Engine: Water-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 4-valve inline 2-cylinder 249cc
Maximum Output: 35PS/12000rpm
Maximum Torque: 2.3kgf・m/10000rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14L
Transmission: 6-speed return
Brakes: F=Single Disc, R=Single Disc
Tires: F=110/70-17, R=140/70-17
Price: 698,000 yen