Yamah YTM225DX/DR engine swap information

[fabiodriven]

I need some hands-on info here. I am limited as to how much I know about these bikes because I don't currently own one. I am in the market for a YTM225DR, but none seem to be coming up for sale. I like the DX, but I really need reverse.

It has recently come to my attention that there are many Yamaha 4 wheelers that share a very similar engine to the DX/DR, but I need to know exactly which engines bolt in and what modifications are required. I think I'll have better luck finding a DX than a DR. They seem more plentiful.


a motor from a 99 bear tracker 250 is a direct bolt in...just have to swap u joints and magnetos


Dx, moto4, timber wolf, bear tracker are all basically the same.

These are the posts that got my attention, so I started doing some digging. Here is what I found.

These pics are from a Yamaha YFM225 Moto-4 engine-

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r275/fabiodriven/T2eC16hHJF0E9nmFTMTuBQ0i1Q60_3_zps65a1aa63.jpg

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r275/fabiodriven/T2eC16RHJG8E9nyfnTutBQ0iZWI4Q60_3_zps08f409c3.jpg

These are from a 92 Yamaha Timberwolf-

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r275/fabiodriven/T2eC16VHJG8E9nyfnfRhBREDCCB8Dw60_57_zps9655fec0.jp g

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r275/fabiodriven/KGrHqZHJEcFEKvLTBKnBREDBhvMc60_57_zps7b2c9884.jpg

This is a Yamaha 225DX engine-

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r275/fabiodriven/KGrHqNikFCdbtD-8BQoUNs6w60_57_zps476fa260.jpg

I think it's pretty clear that not all of the Moto-4 engines will work.

What's the story with the magneto and U-joint? Why do you have to swap the magneto? Do you have to use the YTM magneto? Does it have to be from a DR, or will the DX magneto work?

How does the reverse mechanism work on the DR? Is there a lever that goes on the engine? Or is it like an SX where it has the cable to the brake lever and you shift the transmission down?

[86T3]

I think I read somewhere that the timberwolf engine is a direct bolt in. I have a timberwolf and I had a DR last spring, I can tell you they look identical from my memory(not very trustworthy)The only difference i've noticed is that the timberwolf doesn't have a decompression lever.

They way the reverse works is by a hand lever on the left side of the engine. You put the trike in first and then pull that lever for reverse. Reverse is VERY fast on these, its easy to get in trouble with it.

Have you riden a DR before? If not, you ll be plesently surprised. IMO they re way better than an sx. If you need any pics or measurements of a timberwolf engine let me know and ill look to see if I can find where I read about the engine swap

[86T3]

This should answer your questions.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/148674-YTM-200-amp-225-modifications-upgrades-some-things-I-ve-done-to-my-225-dx?highlight=timberwolf

[trizilla]

i think you are right as far as most of the 250cc yamaha engines not working. i know that the reverse shifting components will not swap from the beartracker to the dx. dr's are around but you are gonna have to be willing to work on it. they rarely show up in nice condition. plastic is hard to get and expensive when you do. most hard parts are still available from yamaha, but again, pricey. to bad you hadnt posted your wants a while back as i had recently sold a near mint dr and was really looking to trade for a 2 stroke. i know of a blue dr, an 85, that you may be able to buy but it is gonna need some work. it does run, moves, rev works, plastic aint the greatest but it is all there. i know it needs a rear axle but i also know a guy that has the hook up through yamaha and can score you that axle for a deal. my zip is 16948, check it out and if your willing to make the trip i will do some digging for you. be carefull trying this engine swap stuff as you could very well end up with a bunch of parts you cant use.

[fabiodriven]

my zip is 16948, check it out and if your willing to make the trip i will do some digging for you.

That is a bit farther than I was hoping to drive, but I wouldn't put it outside the realm of possibility if the price were right. Let me know what you come up with for sure!

[trizilla]

at this point i think it can be had for 300. i will look further into it and let you know.

[muthey]

your reverse gearing fabio is in the middle drive gear are, which looks like a sub transmission right before the drive line coming out of the motor. I believe it is possible to convert a dx to a dr, but it is going to take some side casing replacings, as the middle drive gear area is slightly different on the dx. And you will need to add the side cover that holds the dr's forward and reverse lever too. The internal transmission is the same between the two. I think you are on the right track converting a dx to a dr as the cdi's are more sound on a dx. That timber wolf motor looks like a direct bolt in. I read somewhere the 250 timber wolf has lower compression ratio than the dx, so it's up to you what motor to use the frames are the same between the dr and dx the headlight bucket has an extra light to let you know you are in reverse where the dx just shows neutral.

[atc007]

Moto 4 225,and 250 will not work. They're the 1st pic. Twolf? I have never done one,but they are similar. That would be the easiest to start with.And it would be a decade newer stuff too.

[fabiodriven]

Moto 4 225,and 250 will not work. They're the 1st pic. Twolf? I have never done one,but they are similar. That would be the easiest to start with.And it would be a decade newer stuff too.

Or I could just buy yours. :D

[Jwmajic]

The 225dx has the drive shaft on the left side but the 225 four moto has the drive shaft in the center thats why the four moto is a duel shock. I do have a 225 four moto motor if anyone can figure out how to convert it to a left side drive shaft.

[dougspcs]

Have you riden a DR before? If not, you ll be plesently surprised. IMO they re way better than an sx.

Wait, what???? You didn't just say that..is that a throw down?!!

:naughty:

[86T3]

The truth shall set you free, lol. My brother and i were just talking about my old DR today, everyone who rode it wanted it. I put it out for sale at the road in front of my house and it was gone in less than 12 hours. Its the only trike i ever sold that i regret getting rid of. IMO, it was twice the machine my old SX was.

[Pgil28]

i just finished my dx motor swap. I used the motor out of a 1999 250 bear tracker, direct bolt in only difference was the u-joint and the magneto, but I just switched wiring harnesses around and used everything off the bear tracker.

[ColtonGG33]

I heard that the timberwolf motor is a direct bolt on but you would need different yokes or something like that, I was going to put a timberwolf engine in my dx but I couldn't find one anywhere

[the great gazoo]

i just finished my dx motor swap. I used the motor out of a 1999 250 bear tracker, direct bolt in only difference was the u-joint and the magneto, but I just switched wiring harnesses around and used everything off the bear tracker.
Sooo, how's about a ride report, picts?

[ColtonGG33]

Is it just me or does the dx motor look a lot more nicer and compact?

[fabiodriven]

i just finished my dx motor swap. I used the motor out of a 1999 250 bear tracker, direct bolt in only difference was the u-joint and the magneto, but I just switched wiring harnesses around and used everything off the bear tracker.

That is some great info right there. Thank you.

[leevarnado]

i know for a fact the bolt pattern is the same.i have a 225dx motor in the gf's beartracker,also i have a few motor mods done to my ytm225 dx and its a freaking beast.only done fall is that it bottoms out easy in deep mud.

[ColtonGG33]

Ignore my 1st post, I was thinking something else, the head of the timberwolf is a direct bolt on, all u need is the 250 piston sorry about that

[Pgil28]

I will get some pictures up tomorrow, mine runs like a bat out of hell now. the two motors are practicably identical. the 250 had a broken intake valve and the heads are the exact same, sp i just used my head on the 250.