2022 250 Shootout | In-Depth Report

December 31, 2021

TEST RIDER IMPRESSIONS

Humberto Baca

HUMBERTO BACA

AGE: 56

HEIGHT: 5’5”

WEIGHT: 138 lbs.

ABILITY: Intermediate

BIKES RECENTLY RACED/RIDDEN: 2021 GASGAS MC 125, 2021 Husqvarna FC 350

Yamaha YZ250F
Honda CRF250R
Kawasaki KX250
KTM 250 SX-F
GASGAS MC 250F
Husqvarna FC 250

For me, it’s hard to beat the all-around package that is the Yamaha YZ250F. Even though I own a GASGAS and a Husqvarna and expected to feel the best on one of the Austrian bikes throughout the shootout, I was instantly comfortable on the blue bike. Everything about the Yamaha was comfortable and confidence-inspiring, from its unbeatable KYB suspension that is unbelievably plush and controlled to the infinitely adjustable powerband of the engine. I’ve heard that shorter riders struggle to corner the Yamaha because of its width at the radiator shrouds, but I was completely comfortable on the YZF within a few corners.

I think I was the only rider who truly enjoyed the Honda CRF250R, and my impression of the machine changed with every different track we visited. The Honda excelled on tighter tracks or early in the day before the bumps really developed. I know that with some minor tweaks for my weight, the CRF can be great.

I also really enjoyed the Kawasaki KX250 as it is simply easy to ride and go fast on. The powerband is exciting and the bike feels light and nimble with great suspension performance and comfort.

Of the European bikes, the KTM stands out as the most performance-oriented, while the GASGAS has a solid platform to build on. For some reason, I didn’t get excited over the Husqvarna, even though the suspension and lower design suited me well. Still, all six bikes are amazing and I could be happy with any of them.

Kordel Caro

KORDEL CARO

AGE: 26

HEIGHT: 5’10”

WEIGHT: 168 lbs.

ABILITY: Pro

BIKES RECENTLY RACED/RIDDEN: 2021 KTM 250 SX-F

Yamaha YZ250F
Kawasaki KX250
KTM 250 SX-F
Husqvarna FC 250
GASGAS MC 250F
Honda CRF250R

The Yamaha won my heart because of its overall power and suspension combination. Everything about the bike complemented the rest of the machine, and it is simply hard to beat as an off-the-showroom motorcycle. The Kawasaki is second due to its high level of comfort, which promotes having fun, which equals on-track speed. Lol! The brakes are awesome and the suspension is very good. The KX is so nimble, fun to ride, and sick looking!

The KTM has top components and crazy power, making it the best of the European bikes. I love the low ride of the Husky as it is more comfortable and adept in corners for me. All it is lacking is that KTM hit…

The GASGAS chassis is rad and it feels glued to the ground and smooth. It’s an all-around fun bike but a little softly suspended and not too exciting in the power department, but it can still produce some very fast lap times. The Honda is the best looking with surprisingly good power, but I just struggled to feel comfortable on the bike in multiple areas of the track due to its stiff feel and pitchy suspension setup.

Chase Curtis

CHASE CURTIS

AGE: 22

HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 165 lbs.

ABILITY: Novice

BIKES RECENTLY RACED/RIDDEN: 2022 Husqvarna FC350

Yamaha YZ250F
Kawasaki KX250
Husqvarna FC 250
KTM 250 SX-F
GASGAS MC 250F
Honda CRF250R

Before the shootout, I hadn’t spent much time on a Yamaha since 2017. I honestly hated the bulky feel back then and decided that I just wasn’t a Yamaha guy. I was completely blown away by the 2022 YZ250F, though, and I found myself loving it more with each passing lap. I cannot say enough about the Yamaha’s engine. It is easily the strongest in the class and also the most tunable. It seems like cheating for a manufacturer to not only have the best engine package, but the best suspension, too. I added some clicks to the suspension and feel confident that I could ride this bike all year without a single change.

The Kawasaki KX250 is such a great bike, too. This is my favorite chassis as the bike corners like a dream, feels light and flickable in the air, and also stays predictable beneath you. Usually, a bike is light handling or predictable, but the Kawasaki is both! The engine is awesome as well with a strong hit off the bottom that keeps pulling. Ultimately, it is a lack of technology with the ignition couplers that held it to second for me.

On to the Austrians! The Husqvarna is my favorite of the three, mostly due to the lower suspension setting, which I really love. This bike makes me feel like I really know how to corner, where I struggle more on the KTM and GASGAS. The orange bike is the most aggressive, but to be honest I am not sure that my skill level allows me to take full advantage of what the KTM has to offer. The GASGAS is my favorite combination of KTM Group chassis parts, as it offers the most comfort while maintaining precision. The tame power delivery, thanks to the lack of the mapping switch, is what holds it back for me. I simply could not be more disappointed in the Honda after looking forward to it as the most anticipated bike of the year. Between the stiff chassis and unsettled suspension, I found myself cornering amazingly well on it but struggling to get to the corners in control. The engine is also a bit flat and lacks some top-end overrev. I am looking forward to the 2023 bike, which I know will be greatly refined.

Pat Foster

PAT FOSTER

AGE: 44

HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 185 lbs.

ABILITY: Pro

BIKES RECENTLY RACED/RIDDEN: 2021 Yamaha YZ450F

Yamaha YZ250F
Kawasaki KX250
Honda CRF250R
KTM 250 SX-F
GASGAS MC 250F
Husqvarna FC 250

The Yamaha YZ250F easily wins the 2022 Shootout for me. The bike just checks all the class-leading boxes but more importantly, it has no glaring deficiencies. For my style the engine delivers the best power output in all the right places. Quick snap and strong bottom is important to me and the YZF delivers, however the new power curve of the past two years also has a ton of top-end to stay competitive in the new high-rev world. The suspension is amazing, the high-speed stability is unmatched, and the cornering and handling is competitive. Collectively, the Yamaha wins again.

The Kawasaki KX250 is fun! While many of the other bikes are trending towards smooth and progressive power, the KX offers an exciting punch down low that is exciting! It has a solid balance of agile handling, stability, and a nimble feel. I also really want to love the Honda. It is by far the best cornering bike and the new engine is an improvement, but the new chassis is too stiff and the suspension is too soft. It would take some work to completely dial the Honda in for me, but I know it can be great. There is no denying that the three Austrian bikes are great effective weapons, but for me the Japanese machines simply fit better. The KTM is the thoroughbred of the bunch and the Gas Gas is a solid no-frills performer, but the Husky is simply uncomfortable with its low stance.

Rene Garcia

RENE GARCIA

AGE: 21

HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 175 lbs.

ABILITY: Pro

BIKES RECENTLY RACED/RIDDEN: 2021 KTM 250 SX-F, 2021 KTM 450 SX-F

Kawasaki KX250
KTM 250 SX-F
Honda CRF250R
Yamaha YZ250F
Gas Gas MC 250F
Husqvarna FC 250

For me, the Kawasaki KX250 is the most well-rounded package with a great engine, suspension, and a comfortable rider triangle. It was my favorite bike last year and nothing has changed.

The KTM is also a great bike and has a really good chassis that has the perfect amount of flex and feel. I really enjoy its free-revving engine.

The Honda is the most fun bike to ride as it is much improved over last year’s bike. The chassis is a little stiff and the suspension needs some dialing in, but the potential is there!

I think I’m the only guy who didn’t like the Yamaha best. It is a great package with a monster engine and great suspension components, but for me the bike is simply not that easy to corner on.

The GASGAS Gas is a great bike and can be very easily tailored to fit a wide variety of riders. In stock condition, it is too soft and the powerband is a little standard feeling. The Husky meanwhile, is a great bike for a vet or a novice in stock trim, but the engine feels too mellow and the suspension was far too soft for me. All of these bikes, though, can be transformed into winners with some small customizations.

Donn Maeda

DONN MAEDA

AGE: 53

HEIGHT: 5’9”

WEIGHT: 158 LBS.

ABILITY: Intermediate

BIKES RECENTLY RACED/RIDDEN: 2021 Kawasaki KX450, 2021 Husqvarna FC 350

Yamaha YZ250F
Kawasaki KX250
KTM 250 SX-F
Husqvarna FC 250
GASGAS MC 250F
Honda CRF250R

I must admit that I liked the older generation Yamaha YZ250F engine better with its massive low-end power delivery that made it feel like a cheater big bore, but the refinements made to the chassis and suspension of the newest YZ250F make it my favorite. I do like the new engine as it is the most well-rounded of the bunch, and the Power Tuner App is simply ingenious. The Yamaha’s suspension is best-in-class and I very much enjoy the way the bike handles.

It was a tough decision between the blue and green bikes, as the Kawasaki KX250 also boasts great suspension and handling, as well as a super-exciting, snappy powerband. Ultimately, it was the lower level of engine tuneability of the Kawasaki – with its three ignition couplers – that held it to second for me.

Though it and its Austrian counterparts are all unchanged, the KTM 250 SX-F jumped up in the rankings for me as it is the most aggressive of the brothers with a hard-revving powerband and firm, precise suspension that outshined the Husky’s calmer demeanor. I really do like the GASGAS a lot, but it lacks the flare of the others and has a very “standard” feel.

For me, the Honda was confusing. In the past, I’ve favored it as the best handling bike for me, but the newest red machine was unnerving at speed and in the rough due to its stiff chassis and unbalanced suspension. We’ve already started to mod the Honda, though, and are blown away by the improvements we’ve gained.

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