2022 Honda CRF250R vs 2021 KTM 350XCF Kailub Russell: 1-Lap Back to Back GP Track

Back to back comparison lap on an old school GP track with my 2022 Honda CRF250R and 2021 KTM 350XCF Kailub Russell Edition. Riding bikes back to back really makes the the differences stand out. Thoughts on each....
'22 CRF250R Lap Time: 2:11.80
Almost 125 2-stroke like agility and fun to ride character. The CRF is light and feels light especially in the the corners. The engine is free revving with little engine braking and now has decent low to mid power and strong mid to top power. The Showa suspension has a firm overall feel that feels better the faster you go and keeps the chassis well balanced with minimal fore/aft pitch. The front brake is strong and progressive. Ergos have that "just feel right" Honda feel.
'21 350XCF Lap Time: 2:11.43
KTM/Husky 350's have been my favorite combination or power/weight/handling in a 4-stroke off road bike and this Kailub Russell edition is my favorite to date. This bike has a few upgrades including WP Pro Components suspension, Akrapovic full exhaust, and myKTM EFI connectivity unit. First thing I noticed was the increased engine vibration. Next up was the extra torque from low to mid RPM. The bigger 350 engine also had more engine braking (even though I minimized engine braking in the myKTM app) and inertia feel that is noticeable in the corners. The WP Pro Components suspension is next level with plush and control motion. I have spent some time on a '22 Husky FC450 and '22 FC350 and for me the 10mm lower suspension setting noticeably improves cornering. Wish my KTM had the 10mm lower setting.
The CRF250R's impressive cornering, lightweight, and agile handling really stood out to me in this comparison. Next up woods loop back to back CRF250 and 350XCF!
My back to back GP lap with my '22 CRF250R and a '22 YZ250F... • 2022 Honda CRF250R vs ...

[@tcmx712]

The cornering ability of hondas is seriously underrated especially by the "professional" reviewers. I love Keefers work but he's always sacrificing cornering ability for stability in the new Hondas but for 90% of riders the stability thing isn't really an issue and the sublime cornering is much more beneficial. I even use a crf450r for desert/mx riding and yes it gets a front end twitch in 4th/5th sometimes but I just squeeze my knees a little tighter and throttle on and it comes good vs a yz that will never twitch but is a pig in every single corner and is near impossible to fix. As to the ktm vibrations a cheap fix is ditching those atrocious Neken handlebars and clamps for a set of pro-taper evos, it's the first thing I change on all the ktm's I've owned and helps heaps. Great content as well keep it up!!!!

[@mxengineer1]

Thanks! Yes I run Pro Taper EVO's on my KTM's (though still have stock ones on my KR350). I even put carbon engine mounts on the KR350 hoping to reduce the vibration. The '22 CRF250R feels sets a new bar for "fun to ride" and cornering for me. The cornering ability of the new CRF really stands out especially when ridden back to back with other bikes.

[@sxfwilson6603]

Like to see kxf 250 vs crf 250

[@mxengineer1]

So would I! I have no friends with KX250's....I need more friends! I do get to ride a 22 KX450SR - that bike rocks!

[@sxfwilson6603]

@@mxengineer1 ow nice people rating the honda a lot atm

[@darrylsmijan9123]

I’m so conflicted about what bike I should get.. I’m leaning toward the Crf250r or rx but I love the ktm but I love Kawasaki green , it’s my favourite colour lol

[@mxengineer1]

I have not ridden the new KX250F's but Kawasaki so I cannot comment on them. I do really like the new '22 CRF250R which has amazing cornering and simply so fun to ride. If you ride mostly off road the CRF250RX suspension setting will probably work better with a more plush feel. The KTM250SXF/XCF are really great bikes and the steel frame is a little more compliant and you can get the 6-speed transmission in the XCF models. Pick a color - you won't go wrong with any of them. Nice to have choices!

[@jonathondavis170]

Does the 350sx-f have the same engine performance, durability, and diversity (to ride/race both track & trail)? Was wondering the difference because I typically like a 5 spd gear box due to mostly riding them except the YZ250FX & TE150i I owned...also because Gas Gas released the MC350F for 2022 for $9300 USD and was thinking of just throwing on an 18 rear wheel and calling it good besides some engine mods! I love Yamaha and the thought of a new YZ450F, but I love pushing things too much and I'm afraid of really hurting myself due to brain trauma received in the service. I will still probably talk myself into a YZ450F/FX or a WR450F. lol But I've heard great things about 350s, and it sounds like the perfect bike for vet riders.

[@mxengineer1]

Jonathon: first off thank you for your service to our country. 450's can be a handful in the woods, especially compared to the YZ250FX and TE150i you have ridden. Having said that I use the myKTM app to dial back the power and get recommended suspension settings on my 21 KTM 450 Factory Edition for woods riding and it makes the bike quite fun on the trails. The 21/22 WP suspension works noticeably better than previous years and the AER fork is very tunable for different rider weights and skills. If you like the 5 speed go with the 350SXF or GG MC350. I really like the overall balance of power/weight/handling of the KTM/Husky/GG 350's. A few Vet rider friends of mine along with our young and fast sons also have 350's. Very fun bike that lets you rev like a 250 yet has enough torque you don't have to rev it all the time. Hopefully you get a chance to take a spin on a 350 soon.

[@brentjones6019]

Not that you asked me, but I have experience owning a 350 xcf and a yz250fx. For reference, I'm 29 years old, 5'9" ~ 165lbs and in pretty decent shape. The KTM 350 was my 4th dirt bike and the yz250fx was my 5th. Not sure what kind of riding you plan to do, but for me, I wanted to ride east coast woods and mix in a little bit of track time. I would absolutely not recommend a 450 for the woods unless you're a really big dude - like 6'5" and 250lbs+ and that's purely just because you'll need a bigger motor to pull you around. If you're an average size guy like myself, I'd get the 250. If you're a little bit bigger guy, say 200lb+ then get the 350, again just to have a little more umph to move your size around. I sized down from the 350 to the 250 because after 30 minutes of riding that 350, I was absolutely worn out. Once I jumped on the 250, I could ride non-stop. There's a huge difference in energy output to manage the inertia of a 350 vs. managing the inertia of a 250. Riding is a hell of a workout, those pros make it look too easy! Most of us don't have the time to train and build cardio like the pros, so we'll have a harder time riding the bigger bikes. Leave your ego at home and buy the smaller bike - I promise you'll have more fun riding it while everyone else takes extra rest breaks to catch their breath on the big bike. FYI - Kailub Russell won GNCCs on the 250 and 350 against a bunch of guys on 450s. Bigger isn't always better!

[@jonathondavis170]

@@brentjones6019 Thanks buddy. Yeah, I totally agree with you. I have a brand new TM Racing EN300ES two stroke with full engine mods (has 450 HP) and I've built up through time with owning a RM250, YZ250FX, TE150i, before owning the TM Racing EN300ES. I just wanted a bigger bore 4t engine to go with my "big bore" 2t bike. I was a heavyweight fighter in the casinos for kickboxing & MMA for a little while about 10 years ago- still have my 260lbs athletic frame so just wanted to experience owning a big bore 4t. :) Thanks for your advice...still thinking of owning a 350F due to fun factor with a built engine - only in time will we tell for sure! lol

[@brentjones6019]

@@jonathondavis170 The 350 would be a good choice! They have a 250 power curve that's very linear and makes peak HP all the way up top, but their peak power is equivalent to that of a 450. I think you'd like it, especially if you're going to build the motor. Cheers buddy!

[@ahmetozen2119]

What is the thing on ktm's handlebar? It looks like a bag but blinking

[@mxengineer1]

That is the myKTM connectivity unit that allows engine mapping changes (power curve, engine braking, throttle response, traction control).

[@cuddleman]

for a vet better alu or steel frame?

[@mxengineer1]

Generally for off road bikes I feel like there is a little better tire contact patch feedback from a steel frame (more compliance). For an off road bike well set up suspension for the rider (Vet or any rider) is more important than an aluminum or steel frame.