2010 Yamaha YZ250F – 4th – 89 points
The Yamaha is better than it was in 2009, but our major complaint with the YZ250F for the past years is still there. Even with the new chassis and killer new bodywork, the engine lacks enough characteristic and overall muscle. Having great handling and forgiving suspension is one thing, but it’s hard to see past the motor when the competition is pulling away. Our WMA pro said it best “It is not that the Yamaha did anything overly bad; it’s just that it didn’t do anything substantially better.” Unfortunately, we hear this comment every year.
2010 KTM 250 SX-F – 3rd – 100 points
Here’s a bike that can polarize riders. Generally speaking the KTM caters to riders who likes to ride high in the rpm range and can keep the engine singing like a 125. As such, more-skilled riders are going to be the most likely targets. Another way the KTM sets itself apart is with its ergonomics. As the only machine not to use an aluminum chassis, the Austrian bike feels the most distinctive compared to the Japanese trio. The SX-F was very close to finishing second. In many categories, it’s clearly the best on paper, but when it came to the track testing, KTM just lacks some of the mindless go-fast traits of the Kawi and Honda.
2010 Kawasaki KX250F – 2nd – 103 points
Peak horsepower and torque numbers aren’t everything, as the Kawasaki demonstrates. Technically, it lost some ground in this regard, but the KX250F proved that it’s more important how the available power is distributed as it reversed the numbers during track testing. All of our testers agreed that this motor stomps. It’s the most consistent power curve in the group which keeps the KX-F ripping to the front all the way through the powerband. We’ve seen how devastating the KX-F can be in professional motocross and Supercross. This bike has more championships than any 250F, and there’s a good reason for it. For the non-sponsored riders, all this performance can be had $6999. That’s virtually the same as the Yamaha and about $200 less than the red and orange bikes.
2010 Honda CRF250R – 1st – 115 points
All the new technology paid off this year as Honda hit the ground running with its CRF250R. The red bike was close to the Kawasaki in rider impressions. Between the two, they accounted for all the first-place positions. Kawi edged the CRF in the engine, suspension and handling, but Honda demonstrated the importance of a refined package with high marks across the board, never placing lower than second in any subjective category. This is the fourth-consecutive MotoUSA 250 Motocross shootout victory for the CRF – an undefeated streak dating back to 2007 when it stole the title from Kawasaki. Make sure to see this year’s winner in its first title defense against the only other fuel-injected 250F, Suzuki’s RM-Z250, as that bike becomes available in the immediate future.
Be sure to check out the individual opinions of our testing crew in our
2010 250 Motocross For My Money.
