I really enjoy your shootout videos and they are so much better than every other channel out there. I actually feel like I'm taking away something new that I've learnt from your videos when you guys talk about each bike. Keep it up!
People are so biased and loyal to brands that, the only way to get a fair survey would be to put black plastics on every bike and just send the riders out. That would be more interesting and scientific.
Surprising how Honda came in second place in a class where supposedly horsepower rules. I recently rode a 2018 CRF250R as i'm in the market for a new bike and found it was slow even when it was revved out. I live in central Florida and our tracks look much different then tracks in California, our tracks are tighter and typically have good tacky dirt. From corner to corner the Honda felt like riding a 125. It would be interesting to see how the outcome of these shootouts would be if done on the east coast.
Feels like a 125 in northwest too! Just rode 18 yz today and it felt amazing from the power to handling. Debating on trading my crf for the yzf or spending the money on pipe and ecu mapping to get the power up to par..
I have a 2018 Honda crf 250r and 2 of my freinds have ktm and the other of my freind has a Yamaha and they told me they really enjoyed my bike and how light it feels and how the top end is phenomenal
If the Husky finished behind the Honda that means the KTM did too but they just wanted it to win like usual. The Honda definitely should have won this and this is coming from a husky rider.
Daniel Sedletzeck time will tell, but from what I can see with the engine changed the Honda could be an expensive bike to own and race. They’re are allot of Yamaha’s for a reason solid reliable bikes best suspension stock, that’s great for a privateer and amateur racer rider, aspiring racers Wang a KTM if they want to win and make a name it’s a,ways bEen this way, if you want to learn and just have fun buy a RMZ.
Ya true but my 2012 Honda crf 250r has 283 hour on it and I bought it brand new and never had to rebuild it and I race a lot. I have always rode Honda because how reliable they are but I see what you're saying the new 250 Honda probably going to be pricey though since it has electric start.
Daniel Sedletzeck yeah but they have changed from the unicam engine to the dual cam basically a KTM with extra exhaust intakes and even higher revving faster, to me for a racer or race team maybe not a big issue as they will change parts engines lots but to me it sounds like an expensive design agsin time will tell, the older engine defining a privateer amateur friendly engine cost to own/run. But for racing this has more potential, don’t care how good it is more silencers and exhausts is not a good thing though, still it is a good looker. Based on what came out from KTMs camp at the MEC a few weeks ago, KTM, Husky are about to take another jump forward in 2019 in the engine side of things!
The Enduro Riders ya I know I’m pretty Sher it’s rigged because the husky and the ktm are pretty much the exact same bike yet the husky came in 4th and the ktm came in 1st
Hello Vital MX, thank you for your great review! But i have still question which probably more people want to know. In your 2017 250f shootout many riders mentioned that the front end of the Yamaha wants to climb out of täruts and corners. As an major result you placed the bike in 4th. Now this year the yzf technically has not changed, so im wondering myself what has happened to the problem last year. Was it an set up problem? Did u ride only one yzf last year and maybe it had a problem? Because i have to decide between the yzf and the ktm and if the yami realy has some corner issues, my decision would be clear.
The Yamaha crew seemed to have a better setup for some of our test riders when compared to last year, along with three of the riders being different this year (we try to keep the same guys, but injuries and work schedules don't always allow for this). The negative to the YZ was still similar to last year, being overall size and front traction on some tracks, just the riders involved had different views on how severe this problem was in their final rankings. In the end, the '18 YZ scored 19 points while the KTM 250 SX-F scored 12 points when rounded up. The YZ's worst three scores were 5, 4, and 3, while the KTM's were 3, 2, and 2. The Yamaha won on one rider's list while the KTM won on three of our test rider's list.
I'm 16 I have decent experience on a ATV but no experience on a dirt bike I want to get one which do I get not necessarily from this year but I want a 250 4 stroke
We requested the opportunity to have one in the test, but we would've had to push the Shootout back at least six more weeks for a 2018 TM to make it stateside...and it was already far behind due to the CRF's late release. We hope we can add one next year.
I ride a sxf250-16 and i tried the Honda about a month ago. im not the guy that revs the bike eveywhere so i didnt like the Honda at all, and yes it kinda felt like a twostoke. But it did turn good and the supension was okey aswell (i ride with öhlins)
Jonathan Wallin hows the power and cornering compared to the yzf? Did u rode i the yzf? Cant decide between these two. I kinda fear that the ktm has not enough bottom end... but it corners so good. heared some cornering issues on the yzf
Have rode also the new Kawi, Suzi and the 15 YZF and i totaly agree with all your comments. Im 187cm and were realy struggeling especially on the RMZ. Its soo small. The Kawi was a little better but i wasnt that comfortable on. The Yami felt like i rode this bike for years! Best Suspension ive ever rode, great power und such a amazing feeling on this bike. But i wished it layed into corners a little bit more. I ride a 2015 250 SXF and i realy want more power on the bottem to the midrange. The question would be: how much more power has the newer KTM above the 15 model? Is it noticeable? Because i want the handling from the new KTM but also more power on the downside... Cant decide which bike i should buy. Didnt had a chance to ride the newer 16+ 250f sxf.
Vincent Sauer from what I could assertain from the test only the YZF and KTM could ride a gear higher than all the others or still be revved out so pick your colour, though handling overall as well to KTM, nothing beats a great coil fork, so a good air fork will always imo/e come second to a great coil fork, but again it sounds close enough and the AER fork is easier to set spring rate initially. For mine it comes down to how serious you are about your riding/ racing, if you are racing for me it would be the KTM or Husky, if riding and amateur racing for fun then either maybe leaning towards the Yamaha if me. I still think the Honda is going to be an expensive bike to run/own during a season, but time will tell.
Thanks for the feedback! But wouldnt be the better cornering also be a point for a amateur rider? I think because of the better handling and cornering i will go with the 17 sxf... Otherwise i would have picked the yzf. Sadly the yz is even more expensive than the ktm.
Damo Rodrigo kawi is one of the worst bikes in the class... great engine! But they are cheap and the suspension is fucking horrible for a stock bike...
The Honda was about four horsepower off the stock KTM and Yamaha, it was due to a good chassis and suspension that it got as far as it did. The 2019 KTM 450 SX-F only got fifth in our 450 Shootout, so it's not like the 250 it's over-favored for no reason...
I would appreciate if someone that has more knowledge about bikes could help me. I am 13 years old 5 foot 6 inches and I moving up from 85. Well I talked to my parents about that I think 125 would help me develop my skills better and that I'm not ready for 250. They won't let me get a 125 because they say in the long run I will get bored of 125 power and they say I'm ready for 250. I'm not sure what to do. Do I try to get a 125 or just go right to 250. They also don't want to drop 7000 on a 125 and in 2 years drop 8000 grand on a 250. Please respond.
Trey Gulbrandson you could try going for a 150 or 200 2 stroke (KTM used to make a 200, and husky currently makes a 150. I think sherco might also make a 150, but that's an Enduro model). That way you have a good amount of power to play with, but it's a small enough engine that you will have to be good at other things like corners and shifting to really go fast. I think you would be fine on either bike, so try getting a test ride on a 250 4 stroke, 125 2 stroke etc etc. That can help a lot.
Im in same position, im moving from a crf125 four stroke but i dont want a crf 230 because im more of a motorcross rider. My brother just bought a 2018 crf250r and it seems like a beast. I want a yz125 tho because im a little guy and cant lift for shit and thats the only thing holding me back for the 250.
What’s with everyone and liking ktms soo much yeah there a good bike but mate it depends on the rider if your a shit u can say ktms the best because everyone else is. That’s what u guys do
BucketOfCandy 05 I said suzuki needs to quit making bikes, not the one that places last every year, and if u watch most shootouts, who places last!! Suzuki
I really enjoy your shootout videos and they are so much better than every other channel out there. I actually feel like I'm taking away something new that I've learnt from your videos when you guys talk about each bike. Keep it up!
Jack Bob I agree they're the best out of the magazines
This channel is really great. It deserve many more subscribers. The reviews are the most complete and detailed. Great work guys!
People are so biased and loyal to brands that, the only way to get a fair survey would be to put black plastics on every bike and just send the riders out. That would be more interesting and scientific.
Michael Lindsay Then make them ride with blindfolds and ear plugs.
Frank Leahy get riders with a bias to each bike and trade bikes around would ne fair too
U can still tell what bike it is even with different plastic
true
There not bias there they’re opinions you probably like Suzuki
they should make shoot outs with endure bikes!!!
2018 Honda CRF 250r looks bad ass.
Jelicate yeah it does.
love these vital mx shootout vids.
This channel needs a million subs
Surprising how Honda came in second place in a class where supposedly horsepower rules. I recently rode a 2018 CRF250R as i'm in the market for a new bike and found it was slow even when it was revved out. I live in central Florida and our tracks look much different then tracks in California, our tracks are tighter and typically have good tacky dirt. From corner to corner the Honda felt like riding a 125. It would be interesting to see how the outcome of these shootouts would be if done on the east coast.
Feels like a 125 in northwest too! Just rode 18 yz today and it felt amazing from the power to handling. Debating on trading my crf for the yzf or spending the money on pipe and ecu mapping to get the power up to par..
I have a 2018 Honda crf 250r and 2 of my freinds have ktm and the other of my freind has a Yamaha and they told me they really enjoyed my bike and how light it feels and how the top end is phenomenal
If the Husky finished behind the Honda that means the KTM did too but they just wanted it to win like usual. The Honda definitely should have won this and this is coming from a husky rider.
You know, the Honda won our 450 Shootout...Read the comments in the article, you'll see why the Honda didn't win the 250 version.
d-ron hey man ur being honest liked this comment
Now that its 2019 it sounds like the 18 Honda should have gotten 5th.
Everyone says the motor is Terrible on the 18
d-ron FACTS
Glad honda got a good look. Always rode honda and this bike looks awesome. Hopefully see more red at the track instead of a these dam Yamaha
I cant wait for Honda to release a bike witj 3 exhaust pipes
True nothing but blue and orange lately
Daniel Sedletzeck time will tell, but from what I can see with the engine changed the Honda could be an expensive bike to own and race.
They’re are allot of Yamaha’s for a reason solid reliable bikes best suspension stock, that’s great for a privateer and amateur racer rider, aspiring racers Wang a KTM if they want to win and make a name it’s a,ways bEen this way, if you want to learn and just have fun buy a RMZ.
Ya true but my 2012 Honda crf 250r has 283 hour on it and I bought it brand new and never had to rebuild it and I race a lot. I have always rode Honda because how reliable they are but I see what you're saying the new 250 Honda probably going to be pricey though since it has electric start.
Daniel Sedletzeck yeah but they have changed from the unicam engine to the dual cam basically a KTM with extra exhaust intakes and even higher revving faster, to me for a racer or race team maybe not a big issue as they will change parts engines lots but to me it sounds like an expensive design agsin time will tell, the older engine defining a privateer amateur friendly engine cost to own/run. But for racing this has more potential, don’t care how good it is more silencers and exhausts is not a good thing though, still it is a good looker.
Based on what came out from KTMs camp at the MEC a few weeks ago, KTM, Husky are about to take another jump forward in 2019 in the engine side of things!
I'd have to say the polka dot gear is the gaudiest but the pink n green is a close second.
So tired of KTM winning. I like KTM and I own one, but I was rooting for Honda this year
The Enduro Riders ya I know I’m pretty Sher it’s rigged because the husky and the ktm are pretty much the exact same bike yet the husky came in 4th and the ktm came in 1st
Cheers 0 I have a 2017 ktm 250sxf and my friend has a 2017 husquvarna fc250 and I’ve ridden both they feel really different
READY TO RACE!!!
Hello Vital MX,
thank you for your great review!
But i have still question which probably more people want to know.
In your 2017 250f shootout many riders mentioned that the front end of the Yamaha wants to climb out of täruts and corners. As an major result you placed the bike in 4th.
Now this year the yzf technically has not changed, so im wondering myself what has happened to the problem last year.
Was it an set up problem? Did u ride only one yzf last year and maybe it had a problem?
Because i have to decide between the yzf and the ktm and if the yami realy has some corner issues, my decision would be clear.
The Yamaha crew seemed to have a better setup for some of our test riders when compared to last year, along with three of the riders being different this year (we try to keep the same guys, but injuries and work schedules don't always allow for this). The negative to the YZ was still similar to last year, being overall size and front traction on some tracks, just the riders involved had different views on how severe this problem was in their final rankings. In the end, the '18 YZ scored 19 points while the KTM 250 SX-F scored 12 points when rounded up. The YZ's worst three scores were 5, 4, and 3, while the KTM's were 3, 2, and 2. The Yamaha won on one rider's list while the KTM won on three of our test rider's list.
I’m 6’1, would I be comfortable on the Kawasaki you think?
Which bike is the most narrow up front in the shrouds and middle cockpit? I feel like this has been an issue in the last 3 years
honda
Where’s the 19 shoot out at
I didn't know Honda used a dohc for their new 250, hopefully they stick with the unicam it's unique and works well.
The 450 will continue with a Unicam but the 250 won't be from here on out.
I hear gear box problems for the Honda
Yz250 ❤
I love the Honda 😎 yamaha 😎 and the kawasaki 😎
Oranage all day! sorry to burst your bubble...
I'm 16 I have decent experience on a ATV but no experience on a dirt bike I want to get one which do I get not necessarily from this year but I want a 250 4 stroke
SammyxbAd kawasaki all the way. It is comfortable for beginners and gets even better the even more u ride it
well if you look at the dyno charts Honda looks like it doesn't lack the power while sifting it barely moves
Where would a tm finish?
Blake Maitland too bad they never sell enough bikes in the US to test it against the others
We requested the opportunity to have one in the test, but we would've had to push the Shootout back at least six more weeks for a 2018 TM to make it stateside...and it was already far behind due to the CRF's late release. We hope we can add one next year.
Swap the Suzuki with a tm next year if it's not updated
How much did ktm pay you?
i have the ktm
TM racing?
Marek Adamát not available in the US when this Shootout was conducted. Their US releases are quite behind the other brands each year.
The bottom to mid on the CRF 250 is really bad compared to the rest. I bet it rides like a 2 stroke powervalve stuck open.
have you rode all the bikes?
Not rode the 2018 CRF 250. rest yes.
It's a completely different engine for 2018, it's probably improved
I ride a sxf250-16 and i tried the Honda about a month ago. im not the guy that revs the bike eveywhere so i didnt like the Honda at all, and yes it kinda felt like a twostoke. But it did turn good and the supension was okey aswell (i ride with öhlins)
Jonathan Wallin hows the power and cornering compared to the yzf?
Did u rode i the yzf?
Cant decide between these two.
I kinda fear that the ktm has not enough bottom end... but it corners so good. heared some cornering issues on the yzf
Whys ktm 1 it should be Honda and then yamaha then Suzuki then Kawasaki then Hus then ktm
I want that Honda
Yamaha all the way !!!
Have rode also the new Kawi, Suzi and the 15 YZF and i totaly agree with all your comments.
Im 187cm and were realy struggeling especially on the RMZ. Its soo small. The Kawi was a little better but i wasnt that comfortable on.
The Yami felt like i rode this bike for years! Best Suspension ive ever rode, great power und such a amazing feeling on this bike.
But i wished it layed into corners a little bit more.
I ride a 2015 250 SXF and i realy want more power on the bottem to the midrange.
The question would be: how much more power has the newer KTM above the 15 model? Is it noticeable?
Because i want the handling from the new KTM but also more power on the downside...
Cant decide which bike i should buy. Didnt had a chance to ride the newer 16+ 250f sxf.
Here in Germany the tracks arent that huge. Its all about corners.
Vincent Sauer from what I could assertain from the test only the YZF and KTM could ride a gear higher than all the others or still be revved out so pick your colour, though handling overall as well to KTM, nothing beats a great coil fork, so a good air fork will always imo/e come second to a great coil fork, but again it sounds close enough and the AER fork is easier to set spring rate initially. For mine it comes down to how serious you are about your riding/ racing, if you are racing for me it would be the KTM or Husky, if riding and amateur racing for fun then either maybe leaning towards the Yamaha if me.
I still think the Honda is going to be an expensive bike to run/own during a season, but time will tell.
Thanks for the feedback!
But wouldnt be the better cornering also be a point for a amateur rider?
I think because of the better handling and cornering i will go with the 17 sxf...
Otherwise i would have picked the yzf.
Sadly the yz is even more expensive than the ktm.
Vincent Sauer get a husqy 250f same power but more torqy..
calling bs on the kawi :/
Damo Rodrigo too bad
Damo Rodrigo kawi is one of the worst bikes in the class... great engine! But they are cheap and the suspension is fucking horrible for a stock bike...
I wish Honda got #1
The 2018 Honda should have got first, the KTM is overrated and always has been.
The Honda was about four horsepower off the stock KTM and Yamaha, it was due to a good chassis and suspension that it got as far as it did. The 2019 KTM 450 SX-F only got fifth in our 450 Shootout, so it's not like the 250 it's over-favored for no reason...
#teamhonda
125 ccm
KAwasKi !👍😉
I would appreciate if someone that has more knowledge about bikes could help me. I am 13 years old 5 foot 6 inches and I moving up from 85. Well I talked to my parents about that I think 125 would help me develop my skills better and that I'm not ready for 250. They won't let me get a 125 because they say in the long run I will get bored of 125 power and they say I'm ready for 250. I'm not sure what to do. Do I try to get a 125 or just go right to 250. They also don't want to drop 7000 on a 125 and in 2 years drop 8000 grand on a 250. Please respond.
Trey Gulbrandson you could try going for a 150 or 200 2 stroke (KTM used to make a 200, and husky currently makes a 150. I think sherco might also make a 150, but that's an Enduro model). That way you have a good amount of power to play with, but it's a small enough engine that you will have to be good at other things like corners and shifting to really go fast. I think you would be fine on either bike, so try getting a test ride on a 250 4 stroke, 125 2 stroke etc etc. That can help a lot.
Harper Jones ok thanks
Im in same position, im moving from a crf125 four stroke but i dont want a crf 230 because im more of a motorcross rider. My brother just bought a 2018 crf250r and it seems like a beast. I want a yz125 tho because im a little guy and cant lift for shit and thats the only thing holding me back for the 250.
They should all quit on these 4 strokes and put in some 125s and 250 2 strokes in those chassis would fix everything
HONDA CRF, no improvement the same!
Yamaha
Wrong. Kawi is the best
What’s with everyone and liking ktms soo much yeah there a good bike but mate it depends on the rider if your a shit u can say ktms the best because everyone else is. That’s what u guys do
Suzuki needs to do us all a favor and quit making bikes. They literally place last every year
Jacob Ewing tell that to James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael
dumb dank Worked pretty good with Roczen as well
Jacob Ewing If the last place bikes always quit we would literally keep losing bikes until there is only 1 left. You're an idiot
BucketOfCandy 05 I said suzuki needs to quit making bikes, not the one that places last every year, and if u watch most shootouts, who places last!! Suzuki
Jacob Ewing And your reasoning for them qhiting was placing last, Invalid
First
I had the stock clutch on the '19 450 and itvwuz tha bomb...
I have the '14 Kx....i wanna ride that '17 when they went thinner and more powerful....and I now want the '23....
I think the '19 Zuke is it....i had the '11....and the '90 Rum 80....lols....it was good....
🎉
People read these comments?? O.o