Which Is the BEST 2025 250? | SML 250 Shootout

What a great time to be a motocross rider and racer! In 2025 riders have more choices than ever when it comes time to pick a motocross bike; from two-strokes to four-strokes to the new electric offerings that are popping up, it seems like choices are unlimited. In the 250 four-stroke class alone, we've got seven legitimate offerings from Gas Gas, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Triumph, and Yamaha. And that's not counting the tried-and-true Suzuki, the Europe-only Fantic, or the mysterious TM!

For the past few months, we've been spinning countless laps at tracks throughout our locale, evaluating and enjoying the crop of 2025 250 motocross bikes. For our final day of back-to-back comparison testing, we gathered at Fox Raceway with six test riders of varying speed, size, and age, to gather some opinions about how the Gas Gas MC 250F, Honda CRF250R, Husqvarna FC 250, Kawasaki KX250, KTM 250 SX-F, Triumph TX250-F, and Yamaha YZ250F stacked up! Representatives from each manufacturer were invited to help set their bikes up ideally for each test rider. To ensure consistent traction, we outfitted all bikes with Dunlop MX34 tires and turned our test riders loose! Special thanks to Fun Bike Center in San Diego, California, for making this private comparison possible! Fun Bike Center is the best place in SoCal to get a Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, or Stark Varg MX bike.

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[MX-CO]

I wanna see a special edition 250f shootout for the brands that don't have a special edition, include them, and add the equivalent of the price difference to the others

[mikehudgens]

I am buying a new 250 for 2025 and looks like my choice will be Green !!! Triumph would be nice but I am concerned with parts etc - and the yamaha is way too loud - great test !!!!

[loneventhorizon]

Always been looking forward to the new years bikes since about 1992. Reading Dirtbike mag and Transworld Motocross mag. Today I have a Suzuki, I love Kawasaki, I'm a massive Lawrence fan, but the Yamahas have always stood out as amazing bikes. Always innovating. Brakes have always been awesome. Always awesome power. Always a great all round bike. Even when they tried crazy things like a reversed cylinder head, or the 4 speed trans, they were still badass.

[Gyamaha]

I have the YZ250f, I went on a Triumph test day and I, selling up!
Best bike I’ve rode by far❤

[HPRaceDevelopment]

funny - yamaha signs off and triumph makes power to the limiter.
Ride impressions are always backwards. Pulls long wont hit limiter = slower near limiter. Pulls to limiter fast = more power near limiter.

[josephelefante]

love these non bias shoot outs. Great info

[Scrubdaddy]

Chase is getting to good at talking 🥳🔥 This was a great video Swap❤️👍🏽

[Crfracer]

Awesome shootout and info. Rider skill levels would be a good addition.

[Motofilms]

Did they make an ECU updates to that Yamaha cuz I had a 24 and it was a dog I tried every map there was out there.. slow!

[joelballard]

I love the comments on how powerful the Yamaha is even though it’s down 2-3 horsepower from the KTM. lol. It’s just gearing. Go up 2 teeth on the rear with the KTM and it’s the same “feel” as the Yamaha.

[brennan]

No surprise! Yz250f rules this class!!

[sdb]

Hey Don, thanks for all your shootouts. They have always helped me pick a bike. With that being said, l was wondering for next year’s shootout, if you could include the RM-Z250 (which will probably still be the same), but under this condition. So, we all know the bike hasn’t had any major update since 2019. 
Now, since SUZUKIs can be bought usually at a cheaper price (whatever that may be, $2K-3K), why not use that difference in price compare to the most expensive 250 -excluding factory editions, and use that money to mod it up (suspension, motor) that way you could compare the modded RM-Z250 to the current bikes from all manufacturers. I’m a HONDA and YAMAHA rider, but I always wanted to own a SUZUKI for its handling prowess. Anyway, just a thought..

[StayTunedMoto]

Gotta take out the backfire screens and run VP add Hinson clutches. Different end result. 😂😂

[sambrowning]

Great review

Yamaha questions, Did you think the mapping had changed out the box compared to the 2024? Yamaha hasn’t said anything has changed but….

For the suspension changes, what were the thoughts of the changes compared to the 2024?

[curtiscollins]

Well done gentlemen men. Price pretty important to the consumer being me..

[davidgrunklee]

What map/maps did you guys run on the yam for this test?

[NateDogMXtv]

The results are much different than the other shootouts this year. Everyone can have their own opinions, but I believe Pat Foster is influencing the other test riders. When has he ever not liked the Yz?
Would like to see test riders only vote on bikes they don't currently own or are brand loyal to.

[sambixby]

which bike had the least amount of engine brake?

[sammy]

Fuck yes red dog love it please keep timmy for more shootouts and content

[goneridingparts]

I'm a big yamaha guy, but the 25 yz250f has no bottom end, not sure why they say it does. ??