Test Ride] Improved convenience with enhanced functions!　The YZF-R25's all-around ease of use has been further deepened!

The Yamaha YZF-R25 was developed based on the concept of a "superbike that can be ridden every day. The YZF-R25 has been a long-selling model for over 10 years, highly acclaimed for its sporty yet easy-to-manage performance. The "YZF-R25" has been enhanced with an assist and slipper clutch, compatibility with the "Y-Connect (YAMAHA Motorcycle Connect)" smartphone application, and a newly designed front cowl. In addition, the new "Matte Pearl White" color has become the driving force behind this extremely popular model, with sales volume exceeding 190% compared to the previous year. Text: Hiroyasu Ogawa Photo: Yuko Koizumi

The YZF-R Series inherits the DNA of the YZF-R Series, but with enhanced convenience.

The YZF-R25 was developed as a global model that harmonizes driving performance based on the technology of the YZF-R series, synonymous with Yamaha sports models, with ease of handling for everyday use. Mounting a newly designed inline 2-cylinder DOHC 4-valve engine on a newly designed instrument diamond-shaped frame, the model first appeared in Japan in 2014; in 2019, it adopted an inverted front suspension and a new design for the front cowl, tank and tank cover. The 2025 model features a new clutch lever shape and position, an assist and slipper clutch to lighten clutch lever operation and reduce excess torque when downshifting, a USB Type-A socket, and compatibility with the dedicated smartphone app Y-Connect. In addition, the seat width and side covers have been slimmed down to improve legroom and other features to enhance ease of handling and convenience while riding. In addition, the LED position lamp design has been changed to a four-element type with "two staring eyes" and the headlamp has been changed to a projector type and installed in the "M-shaped duct. The front cowl features a new racy style that inherits the DNA of the YZF-R series.

Check out the YZF-R25's footing.

Moderation makes for easy riding.

The "YZF-R25" shares its chassis with the "YZF-R3," whose displacement has been increased to 320cc, and weighs the same at 169kg. However, the body is compact and easy to push, pull, and maneuver, and it feels light without being heavy. Although the handlebars are separate, the forward lean is not so severe, and the weight is naturally applied to the front wheels, giving the handling a calm and relaxed feeling. The flexible seating position makes it easy for beginners and small riders to find their preferred riding position. Personally, I felt a little tightness in the knee bend, but on the other hand, it was easy to find a tight riding position and feel a sense of oneness with the chassis. Idling is around 1400 rpm, with torque rising from 3000 rpm, and at 4000 rpm, practical torque is available to accelerate the vehicle body firmly. From there, the rpm rises smoothly up to 6000 rpm, and the car shows acceleration that can lead the flow of traffic. Especially between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm, the torque becomes thicker and the response to throttle sharper, allowing the driver to enjoy a sporty driving experience. The higher the rpm, the more torque is delivered, and the vehicle speed rises smoothly. The YZF-R3 also showed sharp acceleration at 4000 rpm, but the YZF-R25 had to be revved to a higher rpm range, and the time lag between the rpm increases was felt as a difference in acceleration power. The difference in displacement can be felt in the instantaneous power and high-speed cruise. However, the YZF-R25's acceleration power is also more than sufficient, and there is no sense of stress in the city. The mild response to throttle operation and gentle torque fluctuations make it difficult to disturb the machine's behavior even with rough throttle operation, and this also makes it easy to open the throttle. In addition, the assist and slipper clutch reduces excessive torque at throttle-off, and the new clutch lever shape reduces the operating load by 17% compared to the previous model. The ease of opening the throttle and the lightness of the clutch lever operation make the chassis feel lighter while riding, which also makes it easier to ride. The lightweight and compact chassis is easy to lean into, and the handling is not peculiar, making it easy to find the grip of the front wheel. Because it is easy to trace the target line, the rider can enjoy controlling the machine even in a sensible speed range, such as when turning a corner or making a right turn in the city. This can be said to be the YZF-R25's ease of handling.

The standard model of the YZF-R series for the Japanese market, balancing sportiness and convenience.

We also rode with a tandem this time, and even with two people on board, the rear suspension did not sink too far, and the front wheel did not lose its ground contact feel. Sudden acceleration and braking would have disturbed the machine's behavior, but the front and rear brakes were effective and the braking force was easy to control. The torque at low to mid RPM range was tenacious, and there was no sign of stalling when starting off or driving at low speeds in traffic. The front and rear suspension provides a comfortable ride when riding in tandem, but we did feel some shocks when riding with one passenger. On rough surfaces, such as bumps, the front and rear suspension did not bottom out, but instead stepped on the ground mid-stroke, and the shock felt during the stroke was transmitted to our hands. However, on good road surfaces, the car maintained a flat posture, and the ride was comfortable. In addition, when cruising at 100 km/h, the car was in 6th gear at about 7,500 rpm, which gave it plenty of room to reach the red zone from 14,000 rpm. At that point, a slight vibration can be felt on the handlebar grip, but it is not at an unbearable level, and the cowl provides a rectifying effect, so it can also handle high-speed cruising. The YZF-R125/R15, with its lightweight chassis and enjoyable machine control, the YZF-R25/R3 with its easy-to-maneuver chassis and manageable power, the YZF-R7, which gives a feeling of leeway when touring, and the YZF-R15, which is a full-fledged circuit machine, have been tested by the author so far. The YZF-R1/R9 are designed for full-fledged circuit riding. I had thought that the two candidates for purchase were the lightweight and powerful YZF-R15, which allows full enjoyment of machine control, and the YZF-R3, which offers sharper response and acceleration and a sportier ride. However, after riding the YZF-R25 again, I was able to reconfirm that while it offers the sporty performance typical of the YZF-R series, it is also easy to use as a daily driver in urban areas and when riding with a tandem, and easy to ride on highways and when touring. While not outstanding in terms of lightness or acceleration, the YZF-R25 has the all-around capability to do just about anything on its own, and considering maintenance and running costs, we thought the YZF-R25 was the best match for use in Japan. The new "Matte Pearl White" color won the Grand Prix in the "Auto Color Award 2025" sponsored by the "Japan Popular Color Association" and was also a driving force behind the 190% year-on-year sales performance. 2025 "YZF-R25" will be a model to remember.

Main specifications of the 2025 Yamaha YZF-R25

Overall Length x Width x Height: 2090 x 735 x 1140 mm ・Wheelbase: 1380 mm ・Car Weight: 169 kg ・Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 4-valve in-line 2-cylinder 249cc ・Max output: 35 PS/12000 rpm ・Max torque: 2.3 kgf・m/10000rpm ・Fuel tank Capacity: 14 liters ・Transmission: 6-speed return ・Brakes: F= single disc, R= single disc ・Tires: F= 110/70-17, R= 140/70-17 ・Price: 690,800 yen [images] Enhanced functions for greater convenience!　The YZF-R25's all-around ease of handling has been further deepened!  (19)