Lastly, we can’t forget the Power Tuner App. In this year’s small-bore standoff, six unique steeds came to strut their stuff, all hoping to claim the 250-class crest. The Speed Sensitive System (SSS) fork was our favorite on both days of testing, as it continues to offer that sought-after cloud-like feel. 2017 EMF Erode TEST races. Analogue or digital, […] 2017 EMF back to the French cup. 2021 250cc Four-Stroke MX Shootout | 2nd Place KTM 250 SX-F The KTM is an excellent all-around performer but is priced $1000 more than the one bike that placed ahead of it in this comparison. At € 39.95 it’s the cheapest standard-sized pump in the test field, has a small pack size while delivering a convincing performance with a user-friendly and analogue display that is accurate and easy to read. Like the speed limit in a luxury sports car, the KTM’s speed sneaks up, and really shows itself when the rider looks around at the scenery and says, “holy crap I’m going fast!”. The bike is agile and slices up the track in the primo conditions. Freestone Spring Championship - 250. Yes, this is the same powerplant as the KTM, but the blocked off airbox cover and different headpipe on the GasGas governs the delivery in a way that smooths out the overall curve. Dual-exhaust systems, a three-mode map switch, electric start and Showa suspension highlight the capabilities of the original red ride. Sadly, without a factory-tuned engine, and fully coated forks, it falls a tad short in this year’s shootout. It does everything as expected, just nothing that is overly exciting. The steel chassis offers incredible turning capabilities, and, when paired with the lowered forks and shock, actually allowed our testers to dissect the early morning conditions at both locations. In the case of shock pumps, few brands even design and produce their own. At times the tone of the exhausts makes it sound like you are going faster than you actually are. Those who rode it first loved it. They’ve added ammunition with updates in the suspension, engine and tech departments. The smaller of the YZF’s also comes equipped with Yamaha’s proprietary Power Tuner App. In fact, this is what propelled the bike up the ranks for many of our testers. Last year’s shootout winner is back with a host of new changes aimed at improving overall power and precision from the engine and chassis. The motor has a much better bottom end than last year’s bike and offers a strong pull before feeding into a pipey top end. With the most expensive price tag of the six bikes, one would expect the Husky to easily walk away from the field. Besides that we were also concerned with the general handling – how many steps does it take until the pump is ready to use and how much resistance does it exhibit at the high pressures you typically run in a shock? In all seriousness, the fork is the most comparable it’s ever been to its coil-spring adversaries. If you want something as compact as possible, but not at the cost of comfort, we recommend the Birzman Macht. While the lowered chassis received accolades during our 450 comparison, it scored mixed reviews during our 250 test. However, we did not differentiate between the sizes when testing, but instead evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of each individual pump. If you don’t unscrew the knurled control ring far enough before unscrewing the head, you will indeed lose some pressure. In short, it received the same changes as the YZ450F just a short year prior. The KTM 250 SX-F has been a shootout contender for the past few years and returns with its sights set on the top spot. The motor package on the YZ250F is arguably the most exciting in the class. Yes, the stanchions and cartridges are actually 10mm shorter than the ones found on the KTM and GasGas. Every mountain biker needs one, at home and on the road – a shock pump is an essential tool in day-to-day mountain-bike life. The 2021 450 Motocross Shootout 2021 250 Four-Stroke Motocross Bike Comparison Test Our 2021 250F Motocross Shootout pits five bikes to see if any can topple the KTM from its throne. At times the suspension felt notchy and required much more tuning than most of the other bikes. It is manufactured by Mammoth in the HD Universe. While the lowered suspension helps improve the Husky’s turning prowess, it seems to hinder it a bit everywhere else. This white stallion has victory on its mind after being the runner-up in the 2020 CN 250F MX Shootout. Interestingly, some pumps (Syncros, Topeak) may experience pressure loss due to operator error from that same valve control system. The nimble character of the chassis and suspension give the rider an ability to slice through ruts or rail outsides in an ultra-controlled manner. The Husqvarna is the most expensive bike in the lineup but comes chock-full of premium features like a carbon-fiber subframe, map switch with traction control and a Magura hydraulic clutch. The KX’s new motor also earned accolades from our group. By no means are we saying this bike is slow! The Magura clutch, Brembo brakes and a composite subframe are factory features that make this bike without a doubt the most “premium” of the bunch. Pumps with an analogue display are cheaper, lighter and don’t need batteries, but depending on the model they’re a little more difficult to read, more susceptible to physical impacts and they take up more space in a backpack. 2021 bms enduro 250 dirtbike NEW ENDURO 250 CRPThe BMS ® Enduro 250CRP Dual Sport Features a Lightweight and Powerful CG250 engine by Zongshen. If you've always wanted to build the perfect bike, he's the man to talk to and if there's anything you'd like to know about bikepacking, we recommend you talk to Andi about it over a beer by the bonfire. These red rides also come standard with an aluminum subframe (same as the KTM), the same swingarm as the Husqvarna, and the newly updated WP Xact suspension components. Similar to its orange and red relatives, the FC 250 has a high-strung powerplant, steel frame, Brembo brakes and WP Xact suspension components. This is the bike that took Chase Sexton to a 250 East Supercross Championship; can it be the victor in this year’s shootout? A long and linear power curve can hold gears no matter the terrain and carries smoothly up to the rev-limiter. We tested 15 models of all sizes and budgets to help you find the best all-rounder. The GasGas does come equipped with the newly updated WP Xact components but offers different, softer, settings in the fork and shock. Our testers routinely noted this bike as one of the best turners on both days. Over the past few years, an obvious blue victor has leveled the competition and retained the sheriff badge in the town of 250F motocrossers. These refreshing updates unfortunately tacked on an extra four pounds to the KX’s overall weight. And then there was one. Yes and no. His attention to detail and his inclination to be a bit of nerd is evident on his own bikes – who else would have titanium valves or follows #toolboxwars? This allowed us to compare the recorded pressure with the display on the pump itself, as well as measure the pressure equalisation when attaching the pump. Only two of our riders even felt the need to touch the fork clickers. The bike clicks through gears in rapid succession, climbing through the curve and encouraging the rider to really rev it out. Have a creative line that sweeps from one side of the track to the other? Each year the competition is chock-full with a cast of unique characters—all fierce and hungry for their chance as the new leader in town. To the best of our knowledge, all other brands in the test field manufacture their own pumps or at least have exclusive models offered only by them. The 2021 Honda CRF250R is clearly a championship-proven machine, just ask Chase Sexton and the Geico Honda Team. This is something we’ve longed for with the air fork as it has felt weirdly unresponsive in the past. Again, before you think of it as just a red KTM, consider the GasGas as another viable option on the dealership floor. We were very disappointed by all of the SKS pumps, although they do have the most accurate pressure gauges. 10 Trail and Enduro Bikes Face the Efficiency Test ... or an average output of 250 (Go hard at 600W then recover at 50W ... any chance of doing a shootout on the same segment with a … It’s also the heaviest at 238 pounds (wet) and is now the only one that relies on manual starting. It was 2-3 psi on average with our test shock at 100 psi and 8-10 psi with it at 250 psi, using the standard-sized pumps. Enduro Cup This streamlined power adds to the overall ease of riding the orange machine. So without any updates for the new year, it’s no surprise that the Honda CRF250R finds itself trailing the pack for 2021. In fact, the RM-Z250 hasn’t seen any changes since getting a significant update in 2019. In actual fact, not a single pump does that, as our test with the Quarq ShockWiz showed. The gap has dwindled, and the pack continues to close in on the leader. After some minor adjustments or just more time with the bike, we’re sure it could be a front runner. Last year, the excellent-handling RM-Z250 brought up the rear in our 2020 250F shootout, held back by harsh forks, too much weight and no push-button starting. It should be noted that Suzuki did not come to the fight this year. To reiterate the podium performance of the SX-F we must touch on its overall package. Lastly, weight and dimensions play a role, as riders will most likely want to carry the pump with them in a backpack or hip-bag. On the track, the Honda is not exactly what we’d call a back-of-the-pack-kind-of-bike. It has a lackluster bottom end and likes to be revved high like a two-stroke. We tested the pump head for ease of use and compatibility – a big chuck won’t fit in every frame. The market is full of pumps, giving customers a dizzying array of choices. Those who rode it last shuffled it back a few positions. If we had any complaints about the Yamaha, they’d be left in the dust. It might not have taken home the title this year, but the KTM 250 SX-F is closing the gap and leading the charge towards a 250-class takeover. He cherishes quality over everything. As the second-lightest bike of the bunch, the SX-F comes armed with a high-revving engine, a steel frame, WP Xact air fork and rear shock, as well as Brembo brakes and a Brembo hydraulic clutch combination. It also tips the scales at 237 pounds, the heaviest in the fleet (tied with the Yamaha YZ250F). Yamaha’s goal for this year was to refine an already proven package, and in turn the YZ250F just keeps getting better. In the end, only one can own that heroic closing scene, riding cinematically into the distance with the others settle in disbelief. Regardless of our say, it is hard to argue with the numbers and with a sticker price that’s $1400 less than a new Husqvarna (and $300 less than both the Yamaha and Kawasaki), the price tag alone might just be enough to coerce your wallet into going red. Like an old-school western standoff, a winner in the 250cc motocross class is decided when the dust settles, and one bike stands above the rest. We compare the top 250-class machines from Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Husqvarna, Yamaha and the all-new GasGas MC 250F. The ’21 RM-Z250 carries the same $7899 price tag as it did in 2020, making it the least expensive 250F in this group. No fear from Team Green, however, as they claim their recruit has increased bottom-end power and a redline of 14,500 rpm. Riders commented that the suspension felt either too harsh or too soft and that it had a tendency to ride too deep in the stroke. In the end, the GasGas was able to land on the podium in its rookie year. Pumps with digital displays score with better readability and more compact dimensions, but are usually a bit heavier, more expensive and require batteries. We tested 15 models of all sizes and budgets to help you find the best all-rounder. While the whistling sounds of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly played in the background, we placed six machines head-to-head in our own small-bore standoff conducted at Cahuilla Creek MX and Glen Helen Raceway. Two pumps made it into the final round of the hotly contested middleweight title for the best all-round shock pump, and although they couldn’t be more different, it was almost a tie. As a note, this red ride was equipped with the $180 map switch add-on for both days of testing and nearly all of our riders opted for the more aggressive map two. This year again, the Yamaha YZ250F fired first and maintained its position at the front of the field. Beyond the pixels and vectors on the screen, Andi loves dealing with anything bike related, regardless of whether it's in the workshop or out in nature. New Canyon Torque:ON & Spectral:ON 2021 first ride review, The new Propain Hugene 2021 – Exclusive first ride review. The winner in this shootout has to fulfil these, as well as offering a reasonable pack size and remaining affordable. The strong and linear powerband doesn’t possess a harsh hit like the Yamaha. As the track faded away, so did our rankings with the KX. Whether the label says FOX, RockShox, DT Swiss, Cane Creek or the like, it is often the same rebadged pump from the same factory in Asia. Next, we counted the strokes needed to reach a specific pressure on the ShockWiz and noted the deviation on the pump gauge once we reached that pressure. It goes without saying that forks and shocks lose some pressure when the pump is screwed on as the pressure distributes itself over a larger volume. The KTM group isn’t satisfied with defeat and continues to make strides towards the top spot of small-bore supremacy. When tuning the engine, our band of testers opted for the more aggressive white coupler. The general consensus is the latest version of the Kawi is a much better package than the previous and all our riders were impressed with the improvements. All riders noticed that the CRF did come alive a bit more when ridden in the aggressive map three and kept it there for the majority of our test days. Will a new 250F sheriff take over? We use cookies and browser activity to improve your experience and personalize both the content and advertising you see. Analogue or digital, minimal emergency pump or workshop edition, the affordable basic product or the luxury model? In fact, it is exactly the same bike! Well tell that to the folks at Yamaha because the YZ250F has been one of, if not the best bike, in the 250 class ever since the blue crew debuted their reverse engine design back in 2014. The KYB crew was a joy to work with but finding that perfect setting was something all the testers seemed to struggle with. 2018 TavellaBrosRacing Enduro Series. This was Honda’s ad touting Ricky Carmichael’s 24 for 24 moto wins in the 2002 AMA 250 Nationals. Surprise, surprise. In both maps rather, it comes on strong down low and carries in a smooth fashion all the way up to the red line. In fact, those who rode this bike late in the day applauded it for its ability to dive bomb the downhills with minimal effort. The original red ride did in fact get some small changes in 2020, but the only difference between this year’s bike and last is the frame sticker that says 2021. An all-new bike proved to be downright great when the conditions are great, too. By Ryan Nitzen | Photography by Kit Palmer. Suspension is what really sets the YZ apart from the field of hungry hopefuls. Our test field is divided by size into three groups. For a shock pump to be good, it needs to be user-friendly. All rights reserved. Both of these add-ons make for a more user-friendly package and bring the KX250 up to par with the rest of the tech-driven field. The dual headers and exhausts can be a bit deceiving, too. Updates to the power and suspension have all helped catapult the KTM into podium position. The average seat height for a 250cc dirt bike and modern enduro bikes is 37 inches. This is an accessory that can be added by the dealer and plugs directly into the bike’s ECU, and we feel that this is an option that many will step up for. Despite a two-year repeat from the Blue Crew, the rest of the outlaws are clearly hellbent on a victory of their own. In addition, the options available on the market are very limited. There are other factors that are crucial in determining a good pump though. The more you twist the grip the faster you go. If you always use the same pump, in theory, precision is the most important quality and you needn’t worry about the accuracy of the pressure reading on the display, as long as it’s the same every time. On average, they require twice the number of strokes and so aren’t suitable for initial setup or more extensive tuning. WP’s refinements to their Xact suspension components are another strong suit for the KTM. The bike is so easy to ride that our testers could push it to its limit lap after lap. That’s perfect for his job as a graphic designer, ensuring that our content is always presented perfectly in both our digital and printed formats. It pulls gears longer than before, aiding in easy rideability on the elevated testing courses. The power character of the GasGas is fun and forgiving with less of that all out racey-ness found in the KTM and Husky. Digital & free: The new MAXXIS Shorty Gen 2 first ride review. However, handling, ease of use and quality left a lot to be desired and the nice looking aluminium models above left us with feeling like they were “all bark and no bite”. Overall, the Kawi has moved strides in the right direction. This bike now also has the same chassis as the KX450, a favorite of our testers during the 450 shootout. Andi has seen many places, worked in a Skateshop, was an Army Sergeant and an advertisement agency professional. Copyright © 2021 ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine. Once again, our favored map was the more assertive map two. A new cylinder head, a wider intake port, revised frame thicknesses, new front brake caliper and updated suspension settings complete the blue bike for ’21. Undoubtedly, the bike is louder than most of the rest (maybe not the Kawasaki), but in the end it’s something we can overlook due to the smile-inducing ride experience. The V-Max was designed by Atsushi Ichijo in a team led by Akira Araki with input from Ed Burke and John Reed. The Honda comes suspended by Showa A-Kit-style coil-spring forks. This green machine gets an entirely new package for 2021. However, there is a small catch – you won’t be able to use manufacturer recommendations such as the pressures RockShox and FOX display on their forks, for example, or Cane Creek provide online with an inaccurate display. Unfortunately, that’s not how shootouts work. It actually tied in overall points with the Husqvarna but a second- and third-place vote for the Kawasaki was enough to break that stalemate. The Hydra is a military VTOL attack jet featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto Online as part of the Heists Update. In years past, the Yamaha has walked away as the clear victor in the 250 class. Kona 7005 and 6061 Aluminum alloys are used extensively throughout our fleet of mountain and asphalt bicycles. The “Ready To Race” mentality is clear from the moment a rider throws a leg over the bike. Most of our riders stiffened the fork two to four clicks to find the right amount of hold up and were back on the track in under a minute. The grueling braking bumps at Glen Helen offered the perfect testing grounds for the fork and this plushness was welcomed right away by our veteran testers. No, it’s not the end of the world, but we have become a bit spoiled after making on-the-fly adjustments while riding the other brands. As a matter of fact, the KTM was the only bike to hinder the YZF’s perfect score as one rider placed the SX-F as his number-one pick. It’s a combination of shock and tire pump and you can switch between modes with a simple twist. Our testers critiqued the motor, saying that it “had a small sweet spot where it would make good power,” but adding that this area was hard to find in order to turn consistent fast laps. Along with the overall weight savings of the air fork design (a claimed three-pound difference), these new updates enabled our riders to push the KTM to its limit. The blue crew has abandoned the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality and is ready to fire first in this year’s shootout. The bike received no changes for ’21. Time to dive into the details on the green machine. A lightweight package paired with an effortless power delivery and supple suspension offered enough differentiation when compared head-to-head with its orange and white cousins. Another highlight for the Orange Brigade was the tunability of the front suspension. Everyone has different ideas of what they need, but there are some fundamental requirements such as efficiency, ease of use and accuracy. Download the app for iOS or Android to read all articles on your tablet or smartphone. For some of our pro-level riders, it did take some getting used to as most of them prefer a much stiffer base setting. The blue bike brought its best to this year’s gun fight and heroically rides off into the sunset, once again, as the 250-class champ. The wide pegs provide a comfortable rider platform while the handlebars and bar mounts offer four unique positions to best suit rider needs. If you pump up 20 forks a week in your workshop, RockShox’s 600 psi pump may be the best choice due to its huge volume. After last year’s shootout win, the engineers updated the powerplant looking for more mid-to-top pulling power and increased peak output. While it’s based on the KTM and Husqvarna models, the MC 250F can be classified as a “more user-friendly” option, friendlier to ride and friendlier on the wallet. We installed a Quarq ShockWiz between the fork/shock and the pump, displaying the live readings on the app. With a light feather of the clutch the bike comes alive and pulls like a strongman through rpms. All three events feature a twenty-minute session followed by a top ten shootout on Sunday. As with our 450cc shootout, Suzuki did not have product for us to use and could not lock in a date when a ’21 RM-Z250 would become available to us, so we went on with the show Suzuki-less. In short, it’s simply not as easy to ride as the other bikes in the class. ... Freestone Spring Championship - 125. The KTM also features a handlebar-mounted map switch with two unique ECU settings and the option for traction control. Like we mentioned above, the cast triple clamps, aluminum bars, silver wheels, Maxxis tires and no map switch provide enough manufacturer savings that, in turn, lowers this bike’s sticker price $900 compared to the KTM. Ohlins Is Back As An Official Partner of MotoAmerica, S&S Named Presenting Sponsor of Mission SuperTwins, NGK Returns As Official Partner Of The 2021 MotoAmerica Championship, aRacer SpeedTek On Board As Official Partner Of MotoAmerica, Compete in the Inaugural Red Bull Leaderboard Competition, Cometic Gasket Continues As Official Gasket of Progressive AFT, Monster Energy Releases Slayground 3 Video, Dunlop Increases GNCC Racing Support in 2021. If our test results were finalized after riding a perfectly prepped track, the KX could be a contender for first place. Finally, the KX gets an electric starter, and a coned-disc hydraulic Nissin clutch; the same as its bigger KX450 counterpart. 100% free! Every mountain biker needs one, at home and on the road – a shock pump is an essential tool in day-to-day mountain-bike life. We found this especially useful on the steep uphills at Glen Helen and the rolling hillsides of Cahuilla Creek. In the end, a few clicks stiffer on the GasGas fork gave these guys exactly what they were looking for while the valving offered some much-needed comfort in the rough stuff. This bike loves second and third gear and can pull through the rpm range better than the rest. The boys in blue won the Cycle News 2020 250 MX shootout and has been going strong ever since. Sounds simple, we know, but in reality, it’s hard to perfect that feeling without bits of lag or wheelspin. What we found is that all SKS pumps have a very accurate gauge, whilst the Lezyne, Birzman Salut and analogue Syncros pump showed the biggest deviations. The majority of our test riders preferred the “light on” map as it provided an aggressive and stronger over-rev character that carried them through the elevation changes at Cahuilla Creek and Glen Helen. Despite these factory-esque suspension sticks, the fork and chassis pairing gave off a harsh feel shared among the test group. An all-new brand even has entered the fight for 250-class supremacy. The new RAAW Jibb 2021 first ride review – Feisty party animal? The KX250, once again, retains the “ergo-fit” controls and coupler map system with three options: standard (green), smooth (black) and aggressive (white). Unfortunately, it is a little too long to stowe in a backpack, requires a battery and at € 73, it isn’t exactly cheap. From a consumer point of view, this is a huge selling feature as riders have nearly unlimited options on the power characteristics of their bike. Upon its release in 1985, the V-Max garnered instant critical acclaim and earned the title "Bike of the Year" from Cycle Guide. Interestingly enough, the lowered chassis was a double-edged sword. Rather than riding back to the truck, we were able to make trackside adjustments to the compression and rebound with the plastic clicker knobs. It’s also hard to argue a $900 price difference when the GasGas still comes equipped with class-leading components like Brembo brakes, a Brembo hydraulic clutch, and the entirety of KTM’s R&D department. Our riders favored the newly refined map two for its livelier nature. 2018 Pro Fastcross - Arsago ... TavellaBrosRacing. They do take up very little space and stow away inconspicuously in your backpack though and one of these small models performed surprisingly well! To determine pump accuracy, we created a very simple test. Added to this, gauges are susceptible to manufacturing variations which can influence both accuracy and precision. Some may not be shocked to find this newcomer finishing in tow with the KTM as they share many of the same pieces and part numbers. The GasGas MC 250F exceeded expectations in its shootout debut and crosses the line in third place.
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