2023 SML 250 Shootout

 

Presented by Fun Bike Center and OGIO

Photos by SMX Pictures

The dust has finally settled on our 2023 250 Shootout, and to be honest, there were no huge surprises, even though there were plenty of updates and refinements made to the new machines. With plenty of time logged on each of the machines, we converged on Perris Raceway – the oldest motocross racetrack in Southern California – for a day of back-to-back comparison testing between the Gas Gas MC 250, Honda CRF250R, Husqvarna FC 250, Kawasaki KX250, KTM 250 SX-F, and Yamaha YZ250F.

We chose Perris Raceway as our arena for the final day of testing as it is a favorite among our staff and test riders, and with its tight, entertaining layout, it is the perfect place for the best 250cc machine to shine. Technicians from each of the manufacturers were invited to attend so that they could help set up their machines ideally for each test rider. Speaking of test riders, we assembled a panel of six riders of different ages, heights, weights, and abilities, so that we could find the most comprehensive range of opinions.

To ensure consistent traction on all the machines and to eliminate a poor tire choice as a determining factor, we had Jay Clark (above, right) outfit all of the bikes with the intermediate-terrain Dunlop MX33 tires. Pressures were set at 12 psi front and rear, although testers were allowed to adjust as they preferred. Backyard Designs supplied the numberplate backgrounds, which fit perfectly and went on with ease.

Pat Foster

Age: 45

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 190 lbs.

Ability: Pro

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2022 Yamaha YZ450F

1. Yamaha YZ250F
2. Kawasaki KX250
3. KTM 250 SX-F
4. Honda CRF250R
5. Husqvarna FC 250
6. Gas Gas MC250F

Donn Maeda

Age: 54

Height: 5’9″

Weight: 165 lbs.

Ability: Intermediate

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2022 Kawasaki KX450, 2022 KTM 350 SX-F

1. Yamaha YZ250F
2. Kawasaki KX250
3. KTM 250 SX-F
4. Honda CRF250R
5. Husqvarna FC 250
6. Gas Gas MC250F

Kyle Vara

Age: 30

Height: 5’8″

Weight: 165 lbs.

Ability: Pro

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2022 Kawasaki KX450

1. Yamaha YZ250F
2. KTM 250 SX-F
3. Honda CRF250R
4. Gas Gas MC250F
5. Kawasaki KX250
6. Husqvarna FC 250

Rene Garcia

Age: 22

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 180 lbs.

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2022 Honda CRF450R

1. KTM 250 SX-F
2. Kawasaki KX250
3. Yamaha YZ250F
4. Gas Gas MC250F
5. Husqvarna FC 250
6. Honda CRF250R

Swade Snetsinger

Age: 24

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 140 lbs.

Ability: Intermediate

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2022 Yamaha YZ250

1. Kawasaki KX250
2. Yamaha YZ250F
3. Gas Gas MC250F
4. KTM 250 SX-F
5. Honda CRF250R
6. Husqvarna FC 250

Austin Schott

Age: 33

Height: 6′

Weight: 185 lbs.

Ability: Intermediate

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2022 Honda CRF250R

1. Yamaha YZ250F
2. Kawasaki KX250F
3. Honda CRF250R
4. KTM 250 SX-F
5. Husqvarna FC 250
6. Gas Gas MC250F

2023 SML 250 Bike of the Year

Yamaha YZ250F

With four of six first-place votes, the Yamaha YZ250F successfully defended its Bike of the Year honors, in spite of returning unchanged for 2023. Riders praised the bike’s excellent KYB suspension package and powerful engine that can be custom-tuned via the PowerTuner smartphone app. 

250 SML Shootout Runner-Up

Kawasaki KX250

Kawasaki’s KX250 showed up with a highly refined engine package in 2023 and the bike was the favorite of one test rider and well-liked by everyone else. The green bike produces great power, but it is still overshadowed by Yamaha’s powerplant. Blessed with a great suspension package and handling that was liked by most, the KX250 is an awesome choice for ’23.

2023 SML Shootout Third Place

KTM 250 SX-F

Of the three Austrian machines, the KTM 250 SX-F is branded “Ready to Race” and is, without doubt, the most aggressively tuned bike of the trio. The KTM was chosen first by one of our pro testers and ranked highly by most others, landing it in third place and first of the three European machines. The KTM rewards you for charging hard and hanging it out, as it truly is a race bike that’s ready off the dealership floor.

2023 SML 250 Shootout Fourth Place

Honda CRF250R

Almost every test rider commented that they liked the way the Honda CRF250R handles as it corners on a dime and has a very light feel on the track. If only the CRF250R had a more substantial powerband, the red bike would have been a greater factor in the final rankings. It’s been proven to be a lethal weapon with some engine work at the highest levels, so we know the CRF has lots of potential.

SML 250 Shootout Fifth Place

Husqvarna FC 250

The lower suspension desdign that Husqvarna engineers agreed upon for the FC 250 is the single-largest factor that held the Husky back in the eyes of all testers. The setup yields a harsh, uncomfortable ride, mostly due to its softer overall feel that allows the bike to ride in the firmer portion of its travel. Furthermore, the Husqvarna airbox design does notflow as much air as the KTM’s and as such, the powerband is also tamer in comparison.

2023 SM 250 Shootout Sixth Place

Gas Gas MC250F

With a one-generation older design than the KTM and Husqvara, the Gas Gas MC250F actually drew great reviews from a couple of our testers, but the bottom line is that for a racing application, the red bike is simply too mellow and too softly suspended for most. The bike is super fun to ride and quite comfortable, but when it came time to choose a machine for racing, it was at the bottom of most riders’ lists.