The 2025 model year is here, and a fleet of new bikes has made its way onto dealership floors. Like clockwork, each new bike season is filled with excitement as manufacturers debut cutting-edge updates with the hopes of keeping consumers loyal to their individual brands.
This year, we’ve rounded up eight of the hottest 250cc four-stroke prospects, all hoping to be the first-round draft pick.
Fox Raceway served as our testing ground this year, and, except for a few graphics, we left the bikes completely stock, including tires, and rode them just as they come off the showroom floor.
The Prospects | 2025 250cc 4-Stroke Motocross Shootout
2025 GasGas MC 250F
$9599
Wet weight: 238 lbs.
GasGas again makes up one-third of the Austrian machines in this year’s shootout. For 2025, the Gasser features a newly updated frame, just like the 450, along with new suspension settings to match. Braktec brakes and clutch come standard, as do Maxxis Maxxcross MX-ST tires. The GasGas receives the same base package as the KTM and Husqvarna—frame, engine and suspension components—but it is not equipped with the same brakes, wheels, clamps or electronics. Instead, the GasGas lacks a map switch, traction control and a quickshifter as standard. Priced at $9599, it is the most affordable of the European models ($800 less than the KTM), although it is also the heaviest of the Austrians.
2025 Honda CRF250R
$8299
Wet weight: 232 lbs.
The Honda CRF250R is all new for the 2025 model year. With a major overhaul, the Honda gets a stiffer frame, a new shock mount, and a redesigned airbox, all wrapped in fresh bodywork. The motor design resembles last year’s bike, but the revised airbox layout emphasizes low-end usability. A map switch offers three riding modes with traction control. Honda also focused on pricing. At $8299, it’s only $100 more than the Suzuki and $600 less than the Yamaha. It’s also the second lightest in the group, just two pounds heavier than the Triumph.
2025 Husqvarna FC 250
$10,499
Wet weight: 235 lbs.
The Husqvarna FC 250 is branded as the most premium bike in its class, and with it comes the highest price tag. At $10,499, it’s the most expensive bike, beating out the KTM by just $100. The FC has a new Austrian frame and sits lower to the ground with shorter WP suspension. Ground clearance is a quarter inch lower and seat height is an inch lower compared to the KTM. Brembo brakes, Brembo clutch, D.I.D Dirt Star wheels, Dunlop tires and a full suite of electronics are among the other top-tier components on the Husky.
2025 Kawasaki KX250
$8999
Wet weight: 240 lbs.
Kawasaki’s KX250 enters the lineup as one of the all-new models for 2025. It now matches its KX450 counterpart with a new frame, engine design and center-port exhaust. The bodywork is redesigned for 2025 with fewer bolts, fewer seams and tool-less air-filter access. Mapping is controlled by the handlebar-mounted switch, which offers two different modes and traction control that can be further tuned via the updated Rideology smartphone app. ODI Lock-On grips and Showa suspension are new features. The Kawi gained three pounds over the previous model and, at 240 pounds, is the heaviest 250 in this test.
2025 KTM 250 SX-F
$10,399
Wet weight: 236 lbs.
The KTM 250 SX-F sits between the Husqvarna and the GasGas in nearly every aspect. Considered the “race-ready” machine in the Austrian fleet, it features the same “windowed” frame that was first introduced on last year’s Factory Editions. You will still find the familiar WP Xact suspension, Brembo brakes and clutch, and the full electronics suite with two maps, traction control and quickshifter capabilities. It’s no longer the lightest bike of the bunch, and the $10,399 price tag makes it the second most expensive, just $100 less than the Husqvarna.
2025 Suzuki RM-Z250
$8199
Wet weight: 237 lbs.
The Suzuki RM-Z250 is again unchanged. The RM Army Edition, however, is available until December 31, 2024, and includes one of five different “RM Era” graphics kits plus a Pro Circuit T-6 full exhaust system at no extra cost. It is the least expensive bike in the group, barely beating the Honda by $100, and is still the only bike in the class with a kickstarter. The Suzuki engine is proven to be reliable with capable suspension and worthy brakes. At 237 pounds, it comes in just under the GasGas and the Kawasaki in weight by one and three pounds, respectively.
2025 Triumph TF 250-X
$9495
Wet weight: 230 lbs.
The most anticipated bike of the new year is the Triumph TF 250-X. In its first year of motocross competition, Triumph went for the jugular by entering the lightest bike in the group—two pounds lighter than the Honda and 10 pounds lighter than the Kawasaki. The Triumph is chock-full of race-ready components, including KYB suspension, Brembo brakes and clutch, ProTaper ACF handlebar, ODI Lock-On grips and Pirelli tires. Plus, a full suite of electronics—including dual maps, traction control, a quickshifter and launch control—come standard.
2025 Yamaha YZ250F
$8899
Wet Weight: 236 lbs.
While it looks and feels like the 2024 model, key changes have been implemented in the 2025 YZ250F. The suspension department features a new linkage, along with revised shock and fork settings, a lighter spring rate for the rear shock, and delta-shaped piston shims in the fork. These enhancements aim to improve stability while providing a more planted front-end feel. The cockpit also receives factory-inspired touches, with the control buttons recessed to minimize the risk of accidentally bumping them while riding. The throttle tube is positioned further from the grip to prevent YZ-induced blisters known as “Yamathumb.” Furthermore, the footpeg brackets are now lighter in weight and modified to provide your ankles with better grip to the bike.
