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

2024 Honda CRF250R

Fourth Place: Honda CRF250R

Test Rider Scores: 4-4-3-3-4

The Honda CRF250R returns unchanged for 2024, save for a different brand battery to power the electric starter motor. As always, we love the way the CRF250R handles…it’s almost as if the bike knows what we want it to do on it. the track. Of all six machines, the Honda may be the best cornering, as it rails ruts, changes lines mid-corner, and sweeps around the outsides with ease. The engine, of course, could use more to be considered a powerhouse, but there is obviously plenty of potential inside the engine.

Pat Foster on the CRF250R.

“Honda makes a great 250 engine as the power delivery is great. This is one of the better powerplants in the class; it isn’t the fastest but it does everything well. I like the CRF’s precise handling and rewards a technical rider. It feels light and can be thrown around easily.” – Kyle Vara

“I love the Honda powerband as it has good low- to mid-range power and pulls strong. You can upshift sooner as the engine will pull it. The. CRF is very stable through rutted corners and the bike feels like one of the lightest on the track. The ergonomics are very comfortable and the bike fits me well.” – Humberto Baca

“Good bottom and power ramps into average mid-range, but them the bike pulls hard up top. I like the map switch because each setting feels much different than the others. I like map three best. This is the best cornering bike in the class and the suspension has great hold up with a plush feel.” – Alex Ray

“The Honda has a quick, aggressive hit down low that is super fun. Very punchy, exciting power. I found I could carry third gear in more cases than most of the other bikes. The mid-range is good and it has decent top end. The Honda has a quick, agile, nimble, feel. While the suspension offers a fairly plush feel the bike has a somewhat disconnected feel from the track surface in the chop. It is not as planted as some of the other bikes, so it is a little less confidence-inspiring.” – Pat Foster

“ It baffles me how though the CRF250R and CRF450R chassis are essentially the same, the way the two bikes handle with different engines in them is so drastically different. I absolutely love the way the Honda CRF250R handles; there were rutted corners I nailed every lap on the CRF, but could barely naviate on the others. The engine is friendly and easy to ride…not the fastest, but certainly capable.” – Donn Maeda

Test Rider Hits

Big difference in map settings

Great low-end torque

Superb clutch and transmission action

Cornering abilities are unmatched in class

Excellent ergonomics

Test Rider Misses

Slightly rigid chassis feel

Map two (mellow) setting is a waste

Stock grips are hard and unforgiving

A little twitchy at speed