2024 250 MX Shootout | Gas Gas vs. Honda vs. Husqvarna vs. Kawasaki vs. KTM vs. Yamaha

 

Test Rider Opinions

Kyle Vara

Age: 31

Height/Weight: 5’8”/170 lbs.

Ability: Expert

Bike Recently Raced/Ridden: 2023 Kawasaki KX450

1. KTM 250 SX-F
2. Yamaha YZ250F
3. Gas Gas MC250
4. Honda CRF250R
5. Kawasaki KX250
6. Husqvarna FC 250

All of the bikes are very good, but the differences in ranking order between each test rider will come down to personal rider preference. I loved the KTM 250 SX-F because it suits me the best. Great power and its race-inspired components left me feeling the most comfortable on the orange bike.

The Yamaha YZ250F is impressive and it was second for me because it lacked a little comfort in the suspension department. I was surprised to pick the Gas Gas MC250 third, but it is much better than last year’s bike and it is everything that the Husky should be. The Honda CRF250R was a little too precise for me and it really needs an avid track guy who races to take full advantage of it. The Kawasaki KX250 is a bit harsh overall, and it lacks comfort. The KX has great power, though, and it is a solid choice. I didn’t like a lot about the Husqvarna as it felt low on the track and cramped in the rider department.

Alex Ray

Age: 30

Height/Weight: 5’10”/185 lbs.

Ability: Pro

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2023 Yamaha YZ450F

1. Yamaha YZ250F
2. KTM 250 SX-F
3. Honda CRF250R
4. Gas Gas MC250
5. Kawasaki KX250
6. Husqvarna FC 250

The Yamaha YZ250F is the best all-around bike with suspension performance and engine power delivery that rules over all the other bikes. I like how the bike reacts on the track and I could trust it from the very first lap. Second was hard for me to decide on because the Honda handles better than the KTM, but the KTM has more power and power adjustability than the Honda. I gave the nod to the KTM because power is super important in the 250 class. The Kawasaki KX250 was very underwhelming for me with the poor front fork performance. The Gas Gas MC250 was a good bike that was fun to ride but all in all, it feels. Pretty standard. I’m sorry but I don’t have much nice to say about the Husqvarna.

Humberto Baca

Age: 57

Height/Weight: 5’5”/135 lbs.

Ability: Vet Intermediate

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2023 Husqvarna FC 350, 2024 Honda CRF250R

1. KTM 250 SX-F
2. Yamaha YZ250F
3. Honda CRF250R
4. Kawasaki KX250
5. Gas Gas MC250
6. Husqvarna FC 250

I was surprised to find that I liked the KTM 250 SX-F best! It did everything well for me: the engine was strong and the suspension was plush and stable. The ergos are perfect.

The Yamaha YZ250F is my second choice as it does what it needs to do with great effectiveness. With more time on it I am sure I could find great comfort on it. The Honda has a good engine and excellent cornering and overall handling. I felt that the harder I pushed it, the better I felt on the Honda. The Kawasaki KX250 has potential, and I know that an FMF pipe really wakes it up. The Gas Gas MC250 is a good package. It is friendly and fun to ride, but it becomes a handful when you push it hard.

The Husqvarna was my least favorite bike and that surprises me because it has the lower suspension settings and I am vertically challenged.

Pat Foster

Age: 46

Height/Weight: 6’1”/185 lbs.

Ability: Pro

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2023 Yamaha YZ450F, 2023 KTM Freeride

1. Yamaha YZ250F
2. Kawasaki KX250
3. KTM 250 SX-F
4. Honda CRF250R
5. Gas Gas MC250
6. Husqvarna FC 250

Even though the Yamaha is dramatically different than last year, it remains my top pick in the 250 class. It offers the best engine package for me with an aggressive, low-end punch, a really strong mid-range, and excellent overrev. Equally as impressive is the suspension. The initial plushness of the stroke is unmatched, as is the substantial bottoming resistance with no harsh mid-stroke. While the bike may not be as stable as last year, stability is still excellent, but the cornering is vastly improved, the agility is significantly better, and it has a much lighter feel both in the air and in the corners.

The Kawasaki is a strong second for me. I love the aggressive engine, excellent handling characteristics, sleek body style, and wide range of adjustability. This bike feels aggressive and ready to go fast. The KTM is an awesome overall package. Each of the two engine maps offers a pretty dramatically different engine character, one offering great low end that requires more shifting and one that is smoother down low but pulls long and is broad across the power delivery. The Honda is light and playful. Unfortunately, it feels a little disconnected from the track surface which hampers confidence in certain areas. A little more stability would be a game-changer for it. The Husqvarna is a great option for many people, it is just not aimed at me. As a taller rider, the lower suspension settings don’t offer any benefit to me. Also, the suspension feels a little harsher as it settles into the stroke more quickly. While I recommend this bike often, I am not the target audience.

The GasGas is an awesome package for someone who is looking for a smooth, broad power delivery, great comfort, plushness in the suspension, and more flex in the front end. For a rider who may be a little less aggressive and is looking for a bike aimed at Comfort, the GasGas can’t be beaten.

Donn Maeda

Age: 55

Height/Weight: 5’9”/170 lbs.

Ability: Vet Intermediate

Bikes Recently Raced/Ridden: 2023 Yamaha YZ450F, 2024 KTM 350 SX-F

1. Yamaha YZ250F
2. Kawasaki KX250
3. KTM 250 SX-F
4. Honda CRF250R
5. Gas Gas MC250
6. Husqvarna FC 250

I don’t spend a ton of time on 250s and as a result, I tend to choose my favorites based on power and my ability to keep them in the meat of the powerband. The Yamaha YZ250F is the easiest 250 for me to ride and I was surprised how well I could actually ride it thanks to its abundant powerband. The suspension is head-and-shoulders better than the rest of the bikes, and that is well-matched with the power. I love the new chassis as it corners better than ever before.

I’ve always liked the Kawasaki KX250 and the biggest deciding factor for me was that it simply doesn’t have the power of the YZ250F. I was super comfortable on the KTM 250 SX-F, as I also race a 350 SX-F regularly. To be honest, the power is only a little off from the bigger bike, with the largest difference being in low-end power. The Honda CRF250R handles great and I always have a lot of fun on it. Needs more power, though. The Gas Gas MC250 is a solid bike but it has a very standard feel about it. Not bad by any means, just not special. I like the Husqvarna FC 250, but I lack comfort on it and don’t really trust the suspension.