NOVEMBER 13, 2007
The 250 Shootout reports are Presented by Podium Grafix, who provided numberplate decals for all of our 250 four-strokes. Podium's website is currently under construction, but you can reach them at their Peterborough location by calling 705-742-5756 or using their toll free number, 1-866-995-7446. The 2008 250 four-strokes photo: Dan Stenning Jason Burke finds the "hot" line on the CRF250R.
Photos by Allison Kennedy
Now that you've read our RXC 250 Shootout, which featured opinions and ratings from varying abilities, here are a few comments from pros Kyle Keast, Jason Burke, and Pierce Chamberlain on the 2008 250 four-stroke machines ...
Honda CRF250R
“I don’t really have anything to complain about with the CRF250. It turns on a dime, holds its line, has excellent braking power, great power everywhere, and the bike feels really light.”
“The Honda has a really nice small and sleek feel. The suspension, overall, has a plush feeling and resists bottoming. The motor has good bottom, but really pulls hard from mid to top.”
“This is the best handling of bike for 2008, hands down! It’s so precise; you can turn this bike anywhere. It has a great motor from bottom to top, but I think the Kawi has more bottom end. The Honda feels light and responsive in the air too.”
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Kyle Keast aboard the 2008 YZ250F. Check out that product placement with the Toyota Tacoma in the background. |
Yamaha YZ250F
“The Yamaha has a nice, stable feel even at high speeds. It does need a little more power throughout, especially on top. The suspension felt balanced and it handles hard landings with ease.”
“Handling and bottom end power are definitely the strong points with the Yamaha. I found it revved out quickly and lost power up top, and it had tendency to push in the corners.”
“The Yamaha does everything well, but nothing extraordinary. The suspension never kicked or swapped or did anything unpredictable. The only thing lacking is motor; it has decent bottom, but lacks mid to top end.”
For a video introduction to the 2008 YZ250F and 450, click here.
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Pierce Chamberlain: does this guy ever not look good on a bike? He's been the poster boy for nearly every bike in this year's shootout. |
KTM 250 SX-F
“The KTM handles a little differently than the Japanese bikes, but that’s not a bad thing. It still turned well. The clutch pull was smooth and consistent. I did find the rear end a bit twitchy and unpredictable.”
“I was surprised at how well the KTM corners. You can put this bike anywhere on the track. It has great brakes, clutch, and the bike feels thin and light. While the motor is awesome on mid and top, it doesn’t pull as hard off the bottom as the Kawi.”
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See what I mean? Head up and over the bars, elbows out and up, and legs tight against the bike. Colleen Millsaps would be proud, Pico! |
Suzuki RM-Z250
“The Suzuki offers a very usable and smooth power delivery, but it could use some more overrev. It turned sharp and precise, but I felt the Honda still topped the handling category.”
“This is a good all around bike. The new RM-Z250’s motor doesn’t have a hard hit, but the power comes on smooth and has a broad range of power. It’s a great handling bike as well; you just point and shoot.”
For a video introduction to the RM-Z250 and 450, click here.
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The `08 KX250F comes ready to race, with a strong motor, plush suspension, and excellent handling. |
Kawasaki KX250F
“Like the Honda, I didn’t find many faults with the Kawi; it turns, has good power, and feels comfortable right away. If it needs anything, it would be a stronger bottom end hit.”
“I really like the motor on the Kawi; it was smooth but powerful. It wasn’t my favourite handling bike, however, as it had a stiff feel through the corners.”
“The new Kawis are both light years better than last year’s. The motor has a good hit and revs to the moon. I also found it shifted a lot smoother than last year’s 250F.”
For a video introduction to the KX250 and 450, click here.
