2021 Vital MX 250 Off-Road Shootout

With both our 2021 250cc and 450cc Shootouts completed, we thought it was time for an off-road shootout. Check it out here for our latest 2021 250cc Off-Road Shootout when we place these machines head to head: 2021 Honda CRF250RX vs Yamaha YZ250FX vs. GASGAS EX 250F vs. Kawasaki KX250X. As much as we wanted to include the 2021 KTM 250 XC-F in this shootout, KTM did not supply these units to the media for testing purposes. Click play and enjoy!
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[@shanesmith8088]

I bought the yz and it is my first modern 4 stroke..and i am in love with it!! Great bike!

[@proto7688]

I blindly took your advice and its amazing!!

[@geckolord0337]

Thoroughly loving my 2021 ex250f already. It handles track just fine and has been amazing in the bit if woods so far

[@vickiliberato2097]

LOVE THE YAMAHA BIKES ,OWN A 2016 KTM 500EXC SIX DAYS ,WENT RIDING TODAY IN THE RAIN ,LOVE IT.

[@BlessedMe11]

I'm looking and researching for the best bike to buy myself and my family members (4). What a Highly Useful, expertly done video! This is exactly what I was looking for and the results were exactly how I hoped the outcome would be. Thank You ALL, for your expertise and in depth commentary. You guys knocked this one, right outta the park! I'm so impressed that I subscribed and hit the All bell. You guys earned that.

[@nightrider4370]

This review just sold me on the Yamaha.

[@th_js]

Even though I only ride mountain bikes, this channel is still awesome to watch!

[@paodepota8373]

Feels like you're watching Pinkbike's Field Test but with 2 stroke engine goodness.

[@happygnome4620]

@@paodepota8373 These are 4-strokes.

[@happygnomev2576]

I knew Yamaha would be on top!

[@erick5327]

nice job!

[@LaceyOGrady]

when you say coupler are you talking about the triple clamp? Or what holds the forks on to the frame?

[@kings17court]

1:12 I immediately knew I was in the right place. I'm basically a trail rider, but I aspire to do motocross. Ideally I would like something that is capable at both, and since I would be doing MX at a novice beginner level, don't think I need a full on MX bike. Something a little more toned down, and comfortable, and with a kick stand sounds great to me. Very interested in how appropriate they are on on MX track.

[@duniaotomotifbangkabelitun769]

Nice my mate .... 👏👏👌

[@Bt26x]

As a off-road rider in north Georgia that is currently looking for a new off-road bike, these are still just to “motocross-y” for my liking/style of riding. I’m sure these are all great off-road bikes, especially for out west in the desert or even in the sandy, more open trails of Florida. The only one I would entertain for my type of riding would be the YZ250FX. I would change a few setup things on it & I think it would do just fine here. The WR250F or CRF250X is more suitable for what I need here. I’ve even been entertaining the 2022 YZ250X or Beta 200RR. Those would be even better because of weight & nimble feeling. It’s been so long since I’ve owned a 2stroke, I’m just concerned I’m not going to be as happy w/ the way the power delivery hits/feels. I’m so used to the modern day.

[@jamesking4225]

Look into the betas I’ve had the xtrainer two 300rr’s now on a 250rr and it’s my favorite. The betas power delivery is very linear.

[@dhdjhfjfjjfjfkfk243]

Can you do a 2021 or 2022 450 off road edition

[@jackieonassis7438]

Vital MX, When is the 2022 offroad shootout coming????????????????????

[@sterlingtax3997]

Nice

[@trippjonesiii6566]

what about the tm en250?

[@cupcakke9999]

you guys put 2021 450 number plate graphics on the honda and they didn’t fit right😂

[@tactikoolcloud8788]

I have a 19 CRF250RX and you can easily switch between maps on the fly, I do it regularly so the Yamaha isn’t the only one that can do that.

[@Borntoride125]

Thanks for the comment, that's the one thing that was making me leary about the RX. Looking at a 2022. . .

[@tactikoolcloud8788]

@@Borntoride125 just have to pull the clutch in and hold the button for a second or two. If I see a slick rock hill coming up I’ll switch into map 2. It definitely helps smooth out power and lets it hook up a little more. If trail gets wide flowy I’ll switch over to map 3. Has a little more snap.

[@ironthumb3048]

@@tactikoolcloud8788 how does it handle in the tight trails and does it feel heavy?

[@tactikoolcloud8788]

@@ironthumb3048 Handling is really good. Doesn’t feel heavy at all while riding. Sometimes I do notice the extra weight from fuel tank when it’s full in the really tight technical stuff. Honda needs to work on dropping the tank lower in the chassis. The only time I notice bike feeling a little heavy is when its tipping way over after I have to put a foot down, that’s prob because of the dual exhaust. I’m not really a fan of it but it’s also not a deal breaker for me.

[@ironthumb3048]

@@tactikoolcloud8788 I like engine braking for the slick down hills Hows the engine braking?

[@2216sammy]

YAMAHA RULES.

[@user-wk9bu6xm7y]

Alright time for the dam 2021 250 two stroke shoot out minus yam lol

[@motozz8258]

The Yammie is a Cracker 2 T quality

[@dustin9035]

@@motozz8258 uhh, what does that even mean?

[@SreidMX]

Yea and give TM a real review and not some cookie cutter review about it being different!

[@user-wk9bu6xm7y]

Also gas gas hurry up make 250

[@jovaniealemane5396]

Sir how much crf250 Rx?

[@entropy5125]

I've been told that the kawi doesn't flame out as bad as the other Japanese bikes

[@NickW90]

Yamaha and honda definitely best looking bikes

[@roakie9778]

Hondas tank looks terrible

[@NickW90]

@@roakie9778 lol your opinion

[@StrykerV8]

I personally think the Yamaha is hideous. It's too "sectional" and nothing flows right. Too bad because it's a good bike

[@NickW90]

It’s different that’s for sure. I think suzuki has the ugliest bike by far. I don’t get how so many people love the look of them

[@StrykerV8]

@@NickW90 i agree

[@wvangus82]

It's a shame suzuki doesn't have a bike in this class.

[@7pines77]

None of this matters much because it’s always 90% rider and 10% bike as far as racing goes

[@stephenmitchum5864]

True until the riders are equal.

[@JETZcorp]

80% rider, 15% setup, 5% bike

[@stephenmitchum5864]

@@JETZcorp this is a clench that doesn't make any sense if you race motorcycles. two or more riders of equal skill and I assure you the bike makes a difference.

[@JETZcorp]

@@stephenmitchum5864 Obviously the bike isn't nothing. If you take the 80% rider and make them equal, then take the 15% setup and make that equal, then yeah the tiny differences in these bikes is going to decide it. But from experience I can tell you that a well-setup bike from 1978 will be better for you than a poorly-setup brand new bike, and a good rider on anything is going to OBLITERATE a novice rider on anything. The tech does matter, but setup matters more and the rider matters even more.

[@treasurestatetarantulas406]

Gotta have wide gear ratio and larger fuel capacity! I’ll stick with my 2t.

[@karenvalencia146]

I82uñeuu88i

[@treasurestatetarantulas406]

@@karenvalencia146 abla whata?

[@asilva_media]

yeah they just blow pistons and its annoying

[@ericdebisz9458]

I'd like to see something from Suzuki but they really need to smarten up and sharpen up. Not seeing a Yellow bike in any of these shoot out vids is not right. Like who needs to talk to these guys and be like we need something

[@ericdebisz9458]

@J.P. Sayer true . Their street bike application is strong still. I was a GSXR owner at one point. Those bikes have always had a presents. I don't know much about their atvs. I know they still have their King Quad and sport atv's. I just can't believe they can't make a dirt bike

[@mikeandrews1899]

@trav3510 trav3510 man ... I remember when KTM sucked and filed bankruptcy and suzuki's were kicking ass. Things change with time. My first mx race bike was a '77 RM100.... I miss zuki of the late '70's and early '80's. Who knows who'll be kicking ass in 40 yrs 🤔

[@urbanadventurer5]

They used to have the RMX450Z in this category (big bore and not a 250), which is a detuned 450 a number of people liked as a trail bike, but I think they killed it. I don’t see it on their website anymore unfortunately. I think their road and ADV bikes are carrying the company at this point because they clearly aren’t making waves in the off-road segment anymore.

[@JamesM-T]

Yamaha are the best brand for mx enduro and trail

[@BearR09]

Are any of these bikes green stickers

[@BearR09]

Feels unlikely but mabey

[@americandude3825]

Why is the Yamaha 250fx more expensive than the 250f mx bike?

[@silly-xd8uq]

cuz it has more shit on it

[@americandude3825]

@@silly-xd8uq thanks. Ya I watched a couple more videos.

[@mecalpsha4473]

Would go with the KTM 350 - steel frame and better power

[@jonathanmcdougal8252]

East coast would change these results

[@notoriousbige281]

I agree, seems like all these shoot outs are out west in more sandy dry open areas . I would love to see a east coast addition to these shoot outs

[@davidgrunklee8407]

gg to the top?!

[@johnnyjohnson2942]

Been racing Off road for 40 yrs with many A/B class titles, the Smart guys Race 250Fs and add BB if wanted, Losers get 450s. I always loved looking down the line and seeing it full of 450s and 300s. LOL

[@MattH198]

Look at Aussie off-road and you’ll understand the need for a 300/450/500

[@ryanclark179]

The Kawasaki’s specs are way different than what you said lmao 😂

[@bee_marshall]

If only the Yamaha had tooless clickers and handguards. Also their skid plate is pretty thin and flimsy

[@joe0813]

I have the 2020 yz250fx, its my first bike and I can say that it is TERRIBLE in low speed stuff. The suspension is incredibly stiff and I just deflect off of everything even with the clickers all the way out. Also no one seems to be able to figure out why it sucks at hot starts.

[@jounipohjolainen2687]

I had a 2020 yz250fx, rode it over 100 hours, now have 30 hours on my 2021 yz250fx. Suspension is excellent when ridden at a good speed, and thats what it is tuned for. WR has softer suspension for slower speeds and slower riders. Hot starting is not ideal at times but there are many "fixes" and starting procedures (adjust idle up or open throttle just a crack) that help. I believe its the best bike out there for the kind of riding I do and the speeds that I ride. I do not believe that anybody should buy it as their "first bike". TTR would be my recommendation as a first bike, then WR and after a total of 1000 hours and considerable skill, you might be ready to ride the FX at the speeds it was designed to be ridden. Riding a slower bike is more fun and develops riding skill faster as compared to having a too stiff and too powerful bike.

[@tactikoolcloud8788]

These bikes are not built to be ridden slow. If your not a fast rider I would get more of an entry level bike.

[@matiasmaldonado510]

@@jounipohjolainen2687 I've heard a lot of people complaining about stiff suspension on this bike at slow speed, I'm a new rider don't have much experience, I've been riding a ttr230 for a bit over a year, and that's all the experience I have, like 5 months ago I bought a brand new yz250fx and yeah I feel that the suspension is still when going slow, but is not super stiff and is not a problem for me either, sometimes I ride on a very rocky trails, I mean tons of rocks and the bike can handle it very well, and besides that I'm a light guy, I weight 135 without gear, and is fine for me, so I don't understand why some people find the suspension on this bike a problem.

[@easternyellowjacket276]

@@tactikoolcloud8788 Riding slow doesn't necessarily mean that you are an "entry level rider". It could mean that you are riding technical rocky stuff. Tight eastern woods with rocks, roots and mud, or just old.

[@tactikoolcloud8788]

@@easternyellowjacket276 I didn’t say he was an entry level rider, I said bike. Something oriented more towards slower trail riding that won’t flame out as easily and have suspension set up for a slower pace. As I’m sure you know bikes with engines built for motorcross can flame out easily if ridden in the low rpm range.

[@IHroddin]

It's too bad you Californians think "West coast offroad" is what you have in socal. Call it what it is, Southern California offroad. You are 1 state out of 3 on the west coast (4 with Alaska) and cali is the only one with only open desert type trails. We ride tight woods/mountain single track in all other "West coast" states, please don't pin yourself as the West coast, you are just California. Keep up the good videos.

[@Randy_Cox]

Glad you made the video and review, but I am still kinda trying to figure out why you had motocross guys review offroad bikes. During one of the talks a guy says "once your going if feels like a moto bike and you cant really tell". I am sure for a motocross guy that sounds good and cool, but that is the worst thing to hear from a trail riding offroad perspective. Offroad bikes should not feel like motocross bikes and motocross bikes shouldn't feel like offroad bikes.

[@MattH198]

For me I think that’s a good thing. I understand your point however I’d use this bike for both disciplines and it’s nice to know that it can still handle the track well.

[@Randy_Cox]

@@MattH198 a bike that does both, does both poorly as it loses focus on what it should be. If a bike is stiff for big jumps it will not do well soaking up rock gardens and being soft. If you want a bike that does it all get a duel sport. Street legal and goes offroad.

[@MattH198]

@@Randy_Cox I’m not that good of a rider so I’m not going to notice that as much. Plus I ride more moto than trail anyways

[@drkaymotorsports]

Dude on the right seems like a KTM fanboy, he consistently doesn't seem objective in these reviews, and obviously just likes KTM.

[@americanhunter9985]

Trying to feel like you guys contradicted yourself multiple times

[@human1513]

This is not Kawi's 1st offroad bike so saying, "It is their 1st year so they have room to improve" is an excuse for poor engineering and design.

[@johnn__watkins9905]

ktm and gas gas engine are not the same they run completely different

[@monocogenit1]

Honda..... Ditch the stupid dual exhaust. It's not cool.

[@tactikoolcloud8788]

I have one and agree, it’s one of my biggest complaints next to needing a little more low end.

[@leviprice4342]

Yamaha is always 3rd or second to Honda! Keep thinking Yamaha is on top……….. NEVER !

[@jaggerdfletcher1618]

Rev up ur lawnmower