MXA VIDEO TEST: WRINGING OUT THE 2023 GASGAS MC250 TWO-STROKE

Ultra light, easy to jet, lean, mean & clean — you gotta see what MXA thinks

BREAKING NEWS! 2023 MOTOCROSS ACTION 450 SHOOTOUT VIDEO

It’s finally here! We compare the CRF450, YZ450F, 450SXF, KX450, FC450, RM-Z450, and M450F against each other in our most highly anticipated video of the year

THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z450—PLUS VIDEO

When short-shifted, kept in the meat of the powerband and kept off the rev limiter, the RM-Z450 has a very usable, pleasant and effective 450cc powerband.

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE

If Yamaha wanted to engage in a horsepower war with the Austrian bike, they would have no choice but to pursue KTM’s stronger pull from idle to the middle, but going all-out to match the KTM 250SX would be a mistake

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 YAMAHA YZ450F

Yamaha’s willingness to address the human element and eliminate the grievous flaws of the previous models is what sets the 2023 YZ450F apart from its 12 predecessors

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 YAMAHA YZ250F

The YZ250F suspension is balanced and the setup is foolproof, making the YZ250F one of the easier bikes feel comfortable on after you get used to the ergos.

MXA RETRO TEST: JEREMY McGRATH’S 1998 CHAPARRAL YAMAHA YZ250

To avoid any confusion, it should be noted that while Jeremy McGrath rode for Team Chaparral, his bike was from Team Yamaha. Whatever Kevin Windham, John Dowd and Doug Henry had, Jeremy got.

PASHA’S KTM 150SX: ENGINE-BUILDER SHOOTOUT

Building three hot-rod 150s: Pasha versus Varner versus Twisted versus Haeseker versus MXA

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE GRANT LANGSTON’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP YAMAHA YZ450F

Unlike most factory riders, Grant Langston does not buy into the “works forks” syndrome. Grant felt they were too stiff—not too firm in motion, but too stiff for the YZ450F chassis. Grant ran the stock 48mm forks becaise they fed more flex into the front end to help the YZ450F turn.

CLASSIC MOTOCROSS IRON: 1985 YAMAHA YZ490 TWO-STROKE

The fact that Broc Glover won the 1985 AMA 500 Championship on this bike was testament to his talent

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 GASGAS MC350F

If you have “first-year-model” jitters about the next-gen KTM 350SXF and Husky FC350, you should consider the 2023 GasGas MC350F

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE RICKY CARMICHAEL’S 1998 SPLITFIRE KX125

The MXA wrecking crew wanted to know what kind of bike a hammerhead like RC really rides. What better way to find out than by riding his race bike?

TESTING THE NOW FORGOTTEN 2010 HUSABERG FX450 & ITS UPSIDE-DOWN ENGINE

The 2010 Husaberg FX450 was too heavy, too slow and too weird to be taken seriously by motocross racers. On the other hand, it is like no other machine on the planet—and because of that, it deserves some attention as it fades into obscurity

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 HONDA CRF250

The Showa spring forks are far too stiff, and the CRF250 handling issues start there. We appreciate that the new-generation Honda was made lighter, which helps with hopping over bumps and clearing jumps, but the rigid suspension and frame don’t complement the weight loss

MXA TECH SPEC: 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z250

Be careful when spending money on making the Suzuki RM-Z250 faster—We spent $5000 and it didn’t make more horsepower than a stock KTM 250SXF

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 KAWASAKI KX450

This isn’t the only BNG bike on the showroom floor for 2023, but “BNG” is supposed to stand for “Bold New Graphics,” and the 2023 KX450 graphics are a far cry from bold

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 KTM 350SXF

The 2023 KTM 350SXF runs great. It delivers the best of both worlds. It picks up quickly down low, pulls steady through the middle and revs to an amazing 13,400-rpm rev limiter

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE THE 2000 KTM 520SX PRE-PRO VERSION

Did the YZ400 have anything to fear from the 2000 KTM 520SX? You bet. This bike had an incredible powerband

MXA’S 2023 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

The KTM and Husqvarna are all-new for 2023 and the Kawasaki KX250 received a hefty list of engine changes, but Yamaha, GasGas, Honda and Suzuki are unchanged from 2022. Our test riders had their work cut out for them, comparing the updated bikes with the unchanged ones

MXA’S INSIDE THE PRO’S BIKES: R.J. HAMPSHIRE’S ROCKSTAR HUSQVARNA FC250

All the steps Husqvarna takes to customize their factory bikes for the rider—in this case R.J. Hampshire

MXA RETRO TEST: WE TEST MIKE ALESSI’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP R&D KTM 50

At 7-years old Mike Alessi was already the dominant rider on the amateur circuit, thanks in no small part to the Dean Dickenson-tuned KTM 50 Pee-Wee. We look back at this incredible little machine

2023 EMPIRE OF THE THREE-FIFTIES: KTM 350SXF VS. HUSQVARNA FC350 VS. GASGAS MC350F

On paper, the KTM 350SXF, Husky FC350 and GasGas MC350 is illegal in the 250 class and down on power in the 450 class, so who would want to buy one? Vets!

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE JUSTIN BARCIA’S 2012 GEICO HONDA CRF250

Justin Barcia’s Geico 2012 Honda CRF250 ripped, the brakes were sensitive and the suspension was set up for a 144-pound man-child.

BUDGET BIKE SHOOTOUT: 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z250 FOUR-STROKE “VERSUS” YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

You may not think they are comparable, but the AMA rulebook says they are. Which one is better?

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 KAWASAKI KX250

The 2023 KX250 doesn’t look all that different on the outside, but underneath the hood, Kawasaki made a lot of changes. All of Kawasaki’s R&D money went into getting more power out of the KX250 engine

TWO-STROKE TUESDAY | COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2000 TM 250 CROSS

Mama mia, that’s some spicy MXer!

MXA TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT: 2023 KTM 300SX VERSUS 2023 HUSQVARNA TC250 VIDEO

MXA’s “Versus Series” answers the question that you want an answer to. This episode pits the 2023 KTM 300SX fuel-injected, electric start motocross model against the 2023 Husqvarna TC250 fuel-injected, electric start motocross model

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE JASON ANDERSON’S 2015 FACTORY HUSKY FC450

Many 450cc Supercross-spec bikes have super-stiff forks, loads of bottom-end power, a massive front brake and a lowered subframe. Surprisingly, Anderson’s FC450 wasn’t your standard Supercross machine

MXA’S 2023 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

Yamaha’s pride and joy versus KTM and Husky’s new electronic fuel-injection technology versus the tried-and-true carbureted GasGas 125

THE FINAL TEST: PASHA 150 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

After three individual test videos on the Varner, Twisted and Haeseker-built KTM 150’s. We have released our Shootout video, where we put all three bikes head-to-head

MXA RETRO TEST: ADAM CIANCIARULO’S ROOKIE-YEAR 2013 KX250F

When Mitch asked if we were interested in testing Pro Circuit’s 2013 Kawasaki KX250F he let us choose which rider’s bike—we chose Adam Cianciarulo

THE UNLIKELY STORY OF THE HAND-BUILT BIKE THAT MADE SUPERCROSS HISTORY

With the 2023 Supercross series just a couple days away, we have to asked, do you remember when Lance Smail, Tom Moen and KTM 540SX made Supercross history

THE TRUE STORY OF RICKY CARMICHAEL’S 2005 SUZUKI RM250 TWO-STROKE

RC, DeCoster & Goose tell all about the bike that everyone who was anyone in 2005 remembers

MXA RIDES KEN ROCZEN’S AMA CHAMPIONSHIP SUZUKI RM-Z450

MXA races the Suzuki RM-Z450 that took Ken Roczen to the AMA National Championship — can lightning strike again in 2023

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 GASGAS MC450F

For the first time since KTM took over the Spanish brand, the GasGas MC450F is not “platform shared” with the KTM 450SXF— you might think that is bad, but we think it’s good!

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z450

The 2022 Suzuki RM-Z450 is not the best bike on the race track, but it offers a ridable, raceable and enjoyable bike for someone who wants to get in on the motocross experience without having to file for bankruptcy. As it sits, it is still the best bargain in dirt bikes

MXA RETRO TEST OF THE 2004 SUZUKI RM250

In 2004 the king of the 250 two-stroke class was between the Yamaha YZ250 and the Suzuki RM250. We give you a test that compares the two bikes competing for the throne

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 HUSQVARNA FC450

Corporate marketing among the three Austrian brands demands a more responsive KTM, broader Husqvarna and mellower GasGas. How did they do it? More air for the KTM, less air for the Husky and no air for the GasGas

WE RIDE THE DREAM KTM 350SXF OF A KTM INSIDER—PLUS VIDEO

How David O’Connor built the ultimate race bike from a salvaged 2019 frame, borrowed suspension and an Irish passport

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 KTM FREERIDE E-XC ELECTRIC BIKE

KTM first introduced the Freeride in 2012 but never made any serious attempts to sell it in the USA, but with new electric bikes showing up every week, KTM wanted to show that they had been the voltage business for 11 years.

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2023 KTM 250SXF

The king of high-rpm 250 four-stroke horsepower throw its old engine away and builds a totally new engine and puts it into a super exotic chromoly steel frame

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 HONDA CRF-E2 GREENGER

It might seem odd that Honda would ask another company to build its first electric Pee-Wee, but each manufacturer has to partner with someone, Honda took the path of least resistance.

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE KEVIN WINDHAM’S 2011 GEICO HONDA CRF450

We like testing Windham’s race bikes just as much as we like him. Why? Kevin has a real world racing setup that doesn’t take a Greek god to ride

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 GASGAS MC250F

The 2023 GasGas setup is designed to suit the needs of the vast majority of riders, especially Novices, Vets and play riders.

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 HONDA CRF450

Every test rider who raced the 2023 CRF450 raved about how easy the power was to use. At low rpm, the throttle worked like a rheostat. The rider could dial in how much power he wanted. No more hyper-60-horsepower craziness.

WE RIDE TONY CAIROLI’S AMA 450 NATIONAL KTM 450SXF

We stuck two Pro-level test riders on Tony Cairoli’s bike, and they both claimed the nine-time World Champ’s bike had the best engine they had ever ridden. On the other hand, the shock was only okay, but the forks were insanely stiff

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 KTM 250SXF

After the dreadfully long break-in period, the 2023 KTM 250SXF handles great. The straight-line stability and suspension action under braking at corner entrance are vastly improved

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 HUSQVARNA FC250

Overall, even with a stronger midrange, the FC250 engine is still a high-rpm screamer

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 KTM 450SXF

It is rare that the best hop-up tip for a brand-new bike is more break-in time. Too little and you’ll pay for it, but we haven’t found the too much limit yet

FIRST LOOK! 2023-1/2 KTM 450SXF FACTORY EDITION

The (slightly) updated KTM 450SXF has arrived. The orange frame is in high demand and the updated suspension settings are intriguing

FIRST LOOK! 2023-1/2 HUSQVARNA FC450 ROCKSTAR EDITION

Dressed with Malcolm Stewart numbers and Rockstar graphics is the new 2023-1/2 FC450 Rockstar Edition

FIRST LOOK! GASGAS FACTORY EDITION MC450F & MC250F

GasGas Factory Editions gets the same upgrades Husky and KTM got last year

THE TRUE STORY OF JAMES STEWART’S 2004 FACTORY KX125 TWO-STROKE

In 2004 Kawasaki had just launched its all-new KX250F. The team offered the four-stroke to James, and he tried it during the pre-season. He decided to stay with the KX125 two-stroke instead

MXA VIDEO: 2023 GASGAS MC125 TWO-STROKE VIDEO TEST

GasGas didn’t want to add weight, complexity, cost or lack of tuneability to its proven 125cc machine. We applaud them for listening to what two-stroke riders want and don’t want…and you should also.

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2023 YAMAHA YZ450F

The 2023 Yamaha YZ450F is all-new and they’ve changed practically everything we’ve ask for. Josh Mosiman tests the bike at the Star Racing Yamaha GOAT Farm

MXA RACE TEST: 1999 HONDA CR125 TWO-STROKE

The ’99 CR125 powerband is on the short side. This would not be a crime if it weren’t for the YZ125’s broadness. As is, the KTM 125 is a better example of what the Honda should have been

MXA RETRO TEST: BROCK SELLARDS’ 2001 KTM 200SX…YES, A 200 FOR SUPERCROSS

You read that engine size right! In 2001 KTM experimented with a lighter bike and smaller engine to go up against the big bikes on a tighter track

CONTROVERSIAL KTM 150SX VARNER BUILD — PASHA SHOOTOUT EPISODE 3

The third 125 engine builder in the “Pasha 150SX Engine Builder Shootout” is Terry Varner. He is a controversial figure, with, at the very least, a poor work ethic or worse. Pasha included his engine to help Terry turn his life around

FIRST LOOK: 2023 TM’s FUEL-INJECTED MOTOCROSS BIKES — TWO-STROKES & FOUR-STROKES

From Italy with love—however, finding a dealer for the 2023 models might be challenging

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2023 HONDA CRF250

The MXA wrecking crew tests the 2023 Honda CRF250. Surprisingly, this bike is down on horsepower compared to the previous generation bike from two years ago, but it feels faster