2007 Kawasaki KX250F Shootout Photo Gallery

Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Honda all bring potent 250 Motocross machines to the table, but which bike will come out on top in our 2007 shootout? Check out how 2007 Kawasaki KX250F did in our 2007 250F Motocross Shootout.

Of the four bikes, the KX-F was the only one that we felt didn't require a bigger rear sprocket during our arenacross testing.

If the rear suspension left us wanting, so did the 4-valve, DOHC motor - wanting nothing else, that is.

No bike dominated a category like the Kawi and its dream engine.

Though it may sound like we're bagging on the Showa components, they actually do a quality job.

Some believed the KX250F's twin-spar aluminum chassis is too rigid, while others said the KX's stiff suspension is at fault for the handling woes.

The Kwacker wasn't judged highly in the handling department, as it received the lowest marks.

The torquey 249cc powerplant was the main reason the KX-F won our 2006 comparison. Thankfully, Kawi engineers did everyone a favor and basically left the motor alone.

Like its bigger sibling, the Green bike was heaviest on our digital scales (220 lbs.).

Along with the polished intake ports, Kawasaki redesigned the airbox funnel for a straighter shot and better throttle response.

The KX-F barks when you want it to.

The Kawi got dinged for its clutch which was a bit grabbier than the rest.

2007 KX250F highs include: Killer motor; high sex appeal; plenty of optional dealer parts; MSRP under $6K

Choosing to ride the Lites over bigger, more powerful machines can reward a rider with more fun, safety and better racing, but we can't expect people to completely shake the bigger-is-better theory. That's where the KX-F comes in.

Every time we finish riding the Kawi and take a step back to look it over, the individual gripes about a stiff shock and slightly notchy gearbox are swallowed by the impressive appearance and motor.

If we have one complaint about the Kawasaki's motor, it's one that you'll notice right away. The 13.5:1 compression ratio gave our right leg a workout.

It doesn't matter if you're a novice or pro, riding 250Fs can be a perfect fit.

Huffman, our fastest rider, ranked the Kawasaki second in handling and suspension and felt the shock simply needed to be broken in more - so it obviously gets the job done.

The overall package of the KX250F looks more like a race bike than any of the others, with magnesium-colored triple clamps, hubs and engine cases.

Thicker gears and beefier dogs are Kawasaki's answer for increased longevity, but our testers think the tranny needs to be refined a bit for slicker shifting.

The KX-F is great off the gate and rips second-gear launches with even our heaviest rider.

A class-leading 18.1 lb-ft of torque lets the Kawi pull away from its competitors as the revs climb to around 8000 or 9000, and it doesn't lose anything to the other bikes up high.