2021 Gas Gas EX250F First Ride Impressions: Get on the Gas Gas!

My first ride on a new Gas Gas! Surprised me how much different the Gas Gas 250EX felt based on my recent rides on my KTM 350XCF. Plush GNCC like off road suspension setting and compliant chassis absorbs all the the little chop yet has decent hold up for bigger hits (too soft for moto). Maybe the Michelin Starcross 5 Soft tires and PHDS handlebar mounts (updates made to this EX250F by the owner) contribute to the overall complaint feel. Nice tire contact patch feedback. Ergos felt good. The Gas Gas plastic is my favorite of the Austrian bikes. Shrouds are narrow and nicely rounded on top while the front fender has nice styling but not overly beefy like KTM. Power is muted thanks to a blocked off air box cover (I cut the small wing off the Gas Gas cover to mimic the KTM air box side cover) . This bike has 14T CS sprocket (stock is 13T) to smooth out power for woods riding and carry gears longer for less shifting. Low to mid power is slower to respond compared to YZ250F or even CRF250R but pulls strong way up top (takes a while to get there). This bike had a full Pro Circuit T6 exhaust system with the KTM Map switch. Brembo brakes are strong.
I really like the Gas Gas EX250F. Looking forward to more rides soon including some fun back to back comparison rides!

[@jetdr]

That exhaust really woke that Bike up. I love your trail, wish I had Land for that.

[@mxengineer1]

Yes the Pro Circuit pipe lets the GG EX250 pull hard, especially at high RPM.

[@bcoffroadriding7001]

try the 13/48 gearing on your crf250 (same gearing as 2018-21 model) lets you stretch the gears like the gasser with the added 14t c/s sprocket

[@mxengineer1]

Yes the new '22 CRF250R engine can pull taller gearing and the 13/48 would be a good option now

[@parkcitymacs]

Hey! As they say, Ride “ the better” Red! Lol. I love the 2022

[@mxengineer1]

Good to hear you are enjoying your 22! Get on the Gas Gas!

[@SeanFPV]

great video, would be very interested to hear what you're thoughts are compared to the crf250r/rx and yz250f back to back. Looking to buy a bike in the near future and can't decide between a 350 and 250.

[@mxengineer1]

The '22 CRF250R sets the bar for "Fun to Ride" and almost 125 2-stroke like agility. The CRF250RX looses some of the Fun to Ride factor with more off road (mild) EFI mapping but has better stock suspension than the R (though it is still firm). The '22 YZ250F has the best off the showroom floor suspension with a mini 450 like engine. I am totally surprised by the real world suspension setting (actually customer) and compliant chassis - both combine to make the Gas Gas EX250F very easy to ride. KTM/Husky 350's are still my favorite overall combination of power/weight/handling...but these latest 250F's are so good and I like the lighter feel in motion (less inertia).

[@SeanFPV]

@@mxengineer1 thats the feeling I get about the new 250f's comparing to the 350's. I love power, but I find myself having a better time on something thats lower in power, still more than enough power to ride damn near anywhere plus some, and agility like a 250. Love how the new honda and yamaha's look, but the KTM 250 XCF offers some more "off road" features that I would find more beneficial to how I ride with being lighter, and better ergonomics that offers a bigger fuel tank. I ride a lot of fast flowy single track trails and sand. Would like to see how you like the new KTM 250 XCF if you get you're hands on one. Thank you for the reply.

[@mxengineer1]

@@SeanFPV Been a while since I have been on a KTM 250XCF. The GG EX250F engine is basically the same as the current 250XCF engine. I rode a 2020 model KTM 250XCF and here is my summary video.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3vPpKWmeseAr9k

[@momummy4700]

I wanna see you get your hands on the gas gas 350

[@mxengineer1]

So do I! I was surprised how much different (mostly more compliant and plush feeling) the Gas Gas EX250 was compared to KTM 250XCF's I had ridden. I wonder if the GG 350 is similar? KTM/Husky 350's have been my favorite combination of power/weight/handling in a 4-stroke dirt bike for a while now. Wish more OEM's built 350's

[@fattie2550]

How often do you need to put a new top end on this bike if you are just the basic single track trail rider?

[@mxengineer1]

That is a great question. My understanding from talking with friends that have raced/ridden KTM 350's the top end can go 80~100 hours easily before a replacement. I think on a 250F it would be a bit shorter as the RPM's tend to be a little higher. Perhaps 60~80 hours would be a good time to check the top end...though the owners manual I think suggests 40 hours for "hobby" rider.

[@georgebanker2669]

Is the Gas Gas EX250F a torque or RPM bike?

[@mxengineer1]

Quick answer is RPM bike. Only the YZ250F feels like a mini 450F with such good low to mid and partial throttle response. This GG EX250F had a +1T bigger(!!) countershaft sprocket (14T vs the stock 13T)...it would have quicker turnover with the stock 13T CS sprocket.

[@drumboon1986]

What is the best sprocket tooth ratio for trail riding for less stalling.

[@mxengineer1]

I think the stock gearing works well for a wide range of off road riding (trails/woods) on the Gas Gas EX250F.

[@drumboon1986]

@@mxengineer1 ok thanks