Is Yamaha working on its own HOT 250 to challenge Kawasaki’s ZX-25R?

Kawasaki’s ZX-25R has received a lot of love ever since it was first teased at the start of this year – and it looks like Yamaha’s after a bit of the action. There have been whispers that there’s a 250cc, inline-four in the works from the Iwata-based factory.

It should come as no massive surprise. Kawasaki’s ZX-25R was never going to be without competition for long. Honda’s been quietly working away on a baby Fireblade – and now it looks like Yamaha’s getting in on the act too.

At this stage, there’s been no official confirmation from the factory – but the rumour is spreading quickly across the internet. What’s the saying? There’s no smoke without fire…?

It’s an exciting development, even if it never actually happens – and the rumours are surely confirmation that there’s some real interest in small displacement machines. And if it turns out to be true, that M suffix could be a very important factor. It suggests that the new 250cc Yamaha would be track-ready. That means there’s scope for a new small capacity production-class race series to look forward to. Only time will tell.

For more information on Yamaha’s YZF-R1M, click HERE.