2024 Vital MX 250 Shootout

It's time to put the 2024 lineup of 250 four-stroke motocross bikes in a head-to-head test. What was the best, what was the worst, and what happened in between when the Yamaha YZ250F went up against the KTM 250 SX-F, the Honda CRF250R, the Suzuki RM-Z250, the Husqvarna FC 250, the GasGas MC 250F, and the Kawasaki KX250? Find out.

[@vitalmx]

The full written breakdown will be on our site on Wednesday, October 18th and can be found at this link: www.vitalmx.com/features/2024-vital-mx-250-shootout

[@NickW90]

Still waiting on the 2023 450 breakdown. Maybe i missed it?

[@NickW90]

Classic vital ignoring the 2023 450 breakdown question… if you didn’t do it just say it 😂

[@propacollector3499]

my feedback is cr250 towstroke

[@NickW90]

Looks like theres no article just like the 450 shootout

[@Davido50]

​@@propacollector3499OK that's weird 😕 Been outta production since 2008. 😳

[@DerekHallman]

Right to the point, just enough details, and entertaining throughout... Vital MX yet again with the best shootout video! Thanks for the hard work 🔥

[@HemlockHellRaiser]

Yo I’m subbed

[@44sammy4]

Enjoyed this one and cool to see the riders preferred the yamaha as the top dog steed

[@MichaelAMyers1957]

Appreciate you still adding the RM-Z into this. To me, that bike gets far too much criticism, when it’s actually a good bike.

[@vitalmx]

Next year's 250 Shootout will be 8 bikes deep with the Triumph involved. It'll keep us busy!

[@jkell411]

The criticism is that it's outdated. That is a completely fair criticism. Almost no one says it's a bad bike. Saying that it isn't outdated is just plain wrong.

[@MichaelAMyers1957]

@@jkell411 no, I literally see lots of people talk mad shit in the bike. I’ve seen people say it’s a piece of shit an that Suzuki just needs to stop wasting the time making them. I had a guy online about a week ago, try to tell me they’re to most unreliable bike there is lmao. I could sit here all day typing out the comments I’ve seen when it comes to Suzuki.

[@MichaelAMyers1957]

From my experience, i really like my 23 rmz250. I’ve had 2016 yz250, 2019 kx450, 2020 ktm 450, have raced a 2018 crf450, 2016 yz450, 2017 yz250F, rode 2021 FC450, 2022 FC450 factory edition, 2021 KX450, race B class / +25. I personally would never buy another ktm or kawi again. Yet, I’d have no issue buying another Suzuki.

[@jkell411]

@MichaelAMyers1957 , yeah, there are always trolls. Like I said, MOST people don't say that it's a bad bike. If you're looking, you can find plenty of people saying that all of the bikes out there are terrible.

[@KyleSchwanz]

Great job Michael and team!!

[@DUBYA-DUBYA]

Awesome job!

[@chrisvozza6530]

Now can't wait for the in depth reviews

[@RunItDrew]

Amazing job guys!

[@tralblazemedia]

This helped me choose my 2024 bike! Thanks !!!!

[@chrisf1128]

Great video 🔥thanks 🤝

[@matevasas]

Suzuki will always be the last in a full-stock test because price is not a metric here only the performance. If you consider you can pick up a Zook for half of the price of nearly all the other options that really opens up the door to a far greater audience and leaves you with 4-5k for upgrades. Vital should make a shootout but with a price of the most expensive bike as a limit to how much you can upgrade the rest. This test would make the playing field even.

[@jack318]

Excellent idea I really hope that they do this.

[@vitalmx]

The MSRP of the Suzuki is only about $200 less than the CRF250R. Yes, rebates and dealer incentives can bring that down a lot but those are inconsistent metrics depending on the time of year. Secondly, things such as suspension mods could suit the bike towards some test riders and actually make it worse for others. It's a mixed bag when it comes to a modified shootout. Also, the positive of hte Suzuki is the potential price you could get it for and we based the Shootouts about the riding experience of stock or near-stock condition. Getting a RM-Z250 and sinking $4,000 or more into it, along with potentially making it less reliable, just to compete with other off the showroom floor models seems like an odd decision.

[@matevasas]

I'd rather ride a personalized and tuned rmz with a pipe and suspension work than a full stock austrian bike.@@vitalmx

[@vitalmx]

Then it seems you have made up your mind and a shootout of that nature wouldn't effect your decision.@@matevasas

[@canamxmr4760]

Great video Vital!

[@sdb92]

HONDA & SUZUKI! 🤙🏻

[@nv2134]

Good stuff

[@AndysRV]

Interested to see how the new triumph stacks up in the future shoot outs

[@vitalmx]

We're very curious as well.

[@paulwheeler5729]

What size rear Dunlop MX34 did you put on the bikes?

[@dedrickmctier160]

I know it won’t be able to happen, but can you guys review the older 250 2 strokes. Like when Honda and Suzuki and Kawasaki had theirs!

[@supersubes]

MXA didn’t like the motor on their Yamaha at all. Interesting, I wonder if their bike wasn’t running correctly.

[@shanemoto97]

They are bought and paid by ktm

[@supersubes]

@@shanemoto97 Vital must be in the same boat since the Austrian bikes are all up front.

[@mw4518]

@@supersubes idk maybe because they are great bikes?

[@supersubes]

@@mw4518 I think you missed the point i was making to shanemoto97.

[@TexasLeverGunner]

As a returning vet rider, the RMZ-250 is probably what I'll be buying. You can get great deals on them, it still has plenty of power, and being in that 200lb range, I'm sure stiffer suspension would be more of a benefit for me at this point than softer.

[@michael589m]

I purchased a new Austrian bike in the spring. Bike basically sat all year because no oem replacement parts were available. Worst purchase I’ve ever made, I feel completely ripped off. Spending 10k on a bike then not having basic consumable parts like base gaskets available all year is completely unacceptable. Switching to an Austrian brand cost me an entire season of riding. I would have been far better off just buying a rmz. Actually living with these bikes is terrible.

[@mxr248]

Problem with ktm as well is parts cost almost twice as much as Yamaha and such..

[@microsoft790]

Damn I would have been begging them to buy it back

[@michael589m]

@@mxr248 I just hope more people don’t have to deal with the massive disappointment. Especially vet riders like myself. I had made sacrifices in my life for a few years to plan for this season. Plans to do this and that. I purchased equipment to expand my private riding area. Put in a lot of sweat and re arranged a lot of my life for this year just to get totally shafted. Ktm group took all the wind out of my sails. Over it.

[@mxr248]

@@michael589m sorry to hear that! I’m waiting on my new yz..going from 2 yz450’s to a yz250f this time..

[@user-hy8tf7qf9q]

I’ve had KTM’s since 2011 . I’ve never had an issue getting parts. I compared parts pricing to my Zuk , and it was pretty close. Hope you have better luck!

[@mouthofpower8492]

Suzuki’s last few years is an amazing buy. They have a ton of parts because the years are the same for about 10 years, tons of custom parts, and easy to get it up on par with other bikes. You can buy a 2019 for $4K lol. Grab A kit forks, a pipe, and now you have a bike thatll suit you much better and easier certainly more than any Austrian bikes.

[@willreid6966]

Great shootout as usual by vital. Some very interesting differences in results between the major outlets this season! Would be great to see a shootout which also used purchase price as an input. There is almost a 2k difference between the cheapest and most expensive bikes. Let the less expensive bikes spend up to the value of the most expensive and would be interesting to see the results then. Most of the Japanese bikes are just missing on stock suspension set up. When properly set up they improve a lot.

[@foshobmx]

Was there a fork setting change for the 24 KX250? I don’t remember hearing THIS much criticism on the 22/23 KX250 fork.

[@vitalmx]

They changed the fork in 2023.

[@daneg]

potentially silly question, but do you break-in the frames/engines before the shootout or really run them "as is"?

[@vitalmx]

Bikes usually start shootout with 3-5 hours on them.

[@aivorebane3050]

lap times? Fast lap and average ?

[@thordjohansson5156]

Very nice shootout😊. How come you didn’t use PC pipe and silencer? I mean Suzuki give it to you when buy their bike.

[@vitalmx]

That's a rebate only available in the US and for a limited time, so we chose to go back to stock for the Shootout.

[@alexnye1161]

MXA put the yamaha 4th this year I think. Interesting

[@tapecknows]

Why do the riders ride the back break during corners?

[@taylorshytle]

It’s easier to get into the corner with the rear brake compared to the front brake. It’s more of a crutch than correct riding, but front brake dragging into a corner is scarier than rear. Front brake is better because you don’t drag it is as hard and keeps your roll speed higher through the corner. (All that to say I do it the wrong way more often than not 😂)

[@tapecknows]

@@taylorshytle Ahh I see, in all the 'How to' videos, they always talk about dragging the front brake. So I thought these riders were doing some secret or more advance technique!

[@dustin9035]

Glad to see Stacyc winning 1st place again!

[@mvcvm6398]

When's the 2024 450 shootout!?

[@moto3463]

Don’t think you can go wrong with any bike today in 2023 although I did watch a new KTM snap in half recently so just be careful 😂😅

[@chrisvillarreal2752]

I’ve seen the new yz snap in half too be careful out there

[@quadcityracing]

Does the yz250f have the same suspension spring rates as the new 450?

[@vitalmx]

No, it has lighter springs than the 450.

[@yukonjon5964]

bring back the days when the magazines did shootouts after spending $1500 on each new bike. that would level up the field. suspension revalve and flexi motor mounts would fix the Honda, Kawi and most of the Suzuki's issues. not to mention changing triple clamp off-set where needed on some models.

[@driftmax5180]

RMZ😍

[@MX-CO]

How much better wouldn't the Kawasaki have finished with for done by ENZO or Factory connection or someone?

[@vitalmx]

Fork work alone would've bumped it up a spot or two for most testers.

[@jasonking8937]

Can you re-do with beta and triumph included

[@vitalmx]

There is no Beta 250 four stroke, it doesn't exist. As we stated at the beginning, the Triumph first impression test isn't for two more months. We don't think we'll have our hands on one for three months. We'll do a mini-shootout between it and a few other bikes when we get it though.

[@TheMotoDoug]

Is a 250 enough power for someone that weighs 250 or should I go 450?

[@cleanmachineautodetailing]

If you have to ask. Get a 250 air cooled trail bike.

[@yukonjon5964]

in general, once over 200 to 220 lbs you go with a 450. but that's more if your a racer. the 250 will still be a ton of fun and be way less scary. on the other hand, if you ride any hills at all or soft mud you will want the 450.

[@2strokeFORever]

Cr80 big wheel

[@TheFoxalot]

The 250 is perfect for anyone. If you plan to race get a 450. Prolly best start with a 250 and if you need more power jump to a 450. Don’t listen to these trolls.

[@edgarramirez2296]

Whats the height of the riders??

[@jakefromstatfarm8765]

You guys should do a 250x shoot out since kawi has one now too

[@vitalmx]

100%, probably something we could do early next year.

[@rusty6314]

How about a test with the Suzuki with the Pro Circuit ARMY Edition exhaust & suspension re-valve as it is cheaper than the rest, just to see how competitive it "could" be, thanks.

[@vitalmx]

We all talked about this after the test, it would still rate last. But it would be a lot better, that's for sure.

[@travymoto1]

The Gasgas has a Forged triple clamps

[@vidz1438]

Kawasaki should get 3rd cuz it sounds cool

[@andreasstefanou5898]

I am a Yamaha guy, but i would probably choose the Kx250 this time. Probably, it needs a good revalve or just respring witch is not a big deal since Kx250 comes with the legendary KYB SSS Forks.... Nice shootout Vital mx like always. Bravo. 👏

[@mxr248]

No the Kawasaki does not come with KYB sss forks. That’s Yamaha’s design. The Kawasaki just comes with its own KYB and like he said the front end is horrible just like last years. You are way better off with the Yamaha. My friend rode his new Kawasaki a few times and no matter what he did he hated it so he traded in..

[@moto3463]

Go with the Yamaha you won’t regret it

[@andreasstefanou5898]

@@mxr248 its still KYB sss . A good suspension tuner can make it exactly like those on Yamaha YZ450F

[@mxr248]

@@andreasstefanou5898 again it is not sss that is Yamahas. Yamaha has them do what they ask them to do with their designs. Just like Yamaha years ago with their 5 valve system they made their fuel injection but would not work well with 5 valves so Kawasaki was interested in their design tried it on their bikes it worked really well so Yamaha sold them the rights to that.. so Yamaha KYB suspension is their complete own design and nothing like Kawasaki!

[@TheTanner218]

Factory Connection sells a KYB SSS conversion for the KTM WP forks. I thinkbits probably easier to convert the KX forks to the SSS stuff, but it doesn't come stock with it. I don't know how well it matches with the shock though, the entire suspension system on the YZs is head and shoulders better than anything I've ridden that's OEM production equipment. Personally I think it better than some stuff that's been resprung and revalved. It's light years better than the KTM air forks, they just don't feel right no matter what you do.

[@brandonfoley8070]

Honestly I cant imagine how hard it is to rate this bikes especially 7 bikes without and biases

[@vitalmx]

Some of the bikes are really hard to rate. All of our riders mentioned having two or three that they really would struggle to put above one another.

[@brandonfoley8070]

@@vitalmx Oh I believe it. For me its brand preference, spent my whole life on honda and Yamaha I could careless how the bikes rank those are the only two bikes I would buy

[@Turtlefarm]

Love my 2024 HondaRx

[@user-mv1yy9qx2g]

Can't beat bad blue baby..

[@MX-CO]

Which bike has the lowest seat height?

[@vitalmx]

Husqvarna.

[@my_name_is_betty283]

Zippie de doo dah

[@silly-xd8uq]

fr

[@Davido50]

Can't go wrong w/the Austrian brands every yr! 💯 #KTM #Maxima

[@hojnikgrega]

Where are the 2-strokes???

[@vitalmx]

As stated in the intro, this is a 250 F Shootout. This feature is to compare these models of bikes and assist viewers who are looking to buy one. A viewer who is looking to buy a 250 F isn't looking at buying a two-stroke and vice versa.

[@Anthony-rp3qh]

A new bike every year is worse than new cars every year. Never any meaningful changes unless its a complete re-do. Why have a new bike if shit doesn’t change? Oooo thats right, capitalism

[@MX-CO]

I think that model of trying to get everyone to get a new bike every year has had a negative long term effect on the sport. Kinda like cell phones were the idea was to improve them so much that everyone got a new one every year, which seems to have plateaued now with phones. anyway, the model caused an extremely fast evolution, which made the bikes better than 95% of the riders and took the sport to an extremely advanced level. Basically, the bikes are so capable that they are too capable. That's my opinion anyway. They are awesome and they're fun but it's not inviting to newcomers. I think the current level (250's & 450's) Should be something you advance to, and we need a whole new starting point and a new lower mid level before people get to these current bikes. They are to fast for beginners.

[@moto3463]

Facts. If you don’t keep up you get clowned by the wannabe moto guys at the track using dads business write offs while being with a bunch of chicks in a leased 4WD 😂

[@stkyfngrszmooth]

Why no TM 250F? That bike is sex on wheels yet is still missing from every 250 shootout across the board.

[@vatodivino]

watch the video & you’ll figure it out on your own like a big boy

[@hencetirta322]

ALL BIKE GOod . just ridEr cAn ridE or nOt . .

[@denniswilder3014]

I hate how these test put so much into the suspension.lets face it 90 percent of the riders the first thing they do is send the suspension out.and the Suzuki comes with a p.c pipe set up.should of tested it with that set up

[@artursdrevinskis9339]

I hope to see the bikes that aren’t in this video, for various reasons, soon on the channel (compared to other brands) or atleast in the next years shootout. Also you missed out on mentioning Beta. It is very interesting how some newcomers that aren’t a copy of the KTM would do in a market that has been dominated by these bikes for years.

[@microsoft790]

Right a bike even more expensive and rare than KTM, gonna be great

[@vitalmx]

There is no Beta 250 four stroke model.

[@paranoidandroid4270]

Well Deegan has no excuse then.

[@jetskiordie7976]

The better question is why the Suzuki is even considered when there have been zero changes for years????

[@vitalmx]

If we didn’t include people complain, if we do include, people ask why. Can’t win 😅

[@jetskiordie7976]

@@vitalmx do we really care about the 5 people that still want to go out and buy an RM-Z with 15 year old tech and pay the same price as any of the other options…NO. You should not care until they begin to employ an R&D team again stateside.

[@Justin_104]

​@jetskiordie7976 "15 year old tech" lmfao just because it doesn't have electric start doesn't mean it's old...it still basically a yellow Kawasaki tbh. If you're not competing for Lorettas this bike is PLENTY GOOD!!!

[@moto3463]

Suzuki is still good enough for the weekend warrior or racer. Ken Roczen can win with a kickstart so can you!

[@jay1871]

@@jetskiordie7976 I bet money you don’t even ride lol

[@piercetiralongo]

The ergonomics of the suzuki look choice…if only it competed at a higher level 😢

[@shanemoto97]

Honda in 6th is a joke are you kidding me lol.

[@jxqvn]

Mate where should they be then

[@shanemoto97]

@@jxqvnat least ahead of kawi stock vs stock. The kawi is rigid and heavy and overall build quality is bad. Honda, Yamaha and aus bikes have great build quality

[@jxqvn]

@shanemoto97 I mean both the yamaha and kawasaki have put their 250 engines in 450 chassis, which is why I'm confused how they put yami first when other shootouts are putting it low down the list

[@shanemoto97]

@@jxqvnoh forgot to mention the Kawasaki is considerably heavier than Honda and Yamaha. The inconsistency with these shootouts is laughable. I really hope people don’t use these to make decisions for what to buy

[@user-mo8tm4jw2l]

@@jxqvnsome people like bikes that turn. Some don’t. The new bikes real busy like the 450. Takes some knowledge with setup to get em right. Might have just had the setup better than the other mags? Or maybe their testers like a bike that turns more than the others. I like the new chassis. Lotta people don’t. To each their own.

[@genefuzer4287]

Do all these shootouts from all these companies just work together? From narration to picks, it’s almost exactly like for like of the other channels. Just seems suspect at best and can’t believe what’s being said, especially seen as me and others think the zookie and CRF are much better all round bikes than the Austrian ones. Power between them all is not even noticeable aside from some of them have the power on the bottom to mid and others at the top end. And I’m from Europe where parts are objectively easier to come by. Take these ‘shootouts’ with a pinch of salt is all I’ll say.

[@AllenCampbell-ug1uk]

Not a 250 shootout

[@vitalmx]

Those are 250s

[@csalin7327]

FOUR STROKE SALES ARE WAY DOWN. !!! NOBODY WANTS THEM ANYMORE...THEY WANT TWO STROKES !!!